Growing magic mushrooms takes special skills and the eye for some of the most common problems. Here are some of the top growing problems that even experts find difficult to handle.
Problems with the spore syringe
One of the most common problems encountered during the early stages of growing shrooms is using a spore syringe. A spore syringe is the spore container that growers use to sow the spores to the substrate. The most common problems users have are contamination, misidentified strains, and suppliers that sell syringes containing only water!
The only way to avoid this problem is to rely only on a reputable supplier. You will be able to find a good supplier when you check out recommendations from fellow magic mushroom growers, from reliable online sources and from people who have grown a particular type of magic mushroom you want to cultivate.
Once you have successfully grown your first batch of magic mushrooms, start filling your own syringes and keep these so you won’t have to buy any more.
Contamination of the mushroom crops (bacteria and mold contamination)
Crop contamination problems can be due to bacteria contamination or mold contamination. When your crops have been completely run over by bacteria or mold, your mushrooms will be rendered useless. If you don’t act fast, a small speck of mold could turn into a web of disaster and will waste all your time and efforts. A few tips to maintain cleanliness inside your growing area.
- Before you even start growing your shrooms, clean your growing area completely. Use surface disinfectant, rubbing alcohol and sanitizers to clean surfaces and equipment that y you use to come in contact with your shrooms.
- Have a butane or propane torch lighter to use on your tools Torching or heating the tip of tweezers and other handy equipment is a quick but effective way to sterilize these. You must also have extra cans of butane or propane ready so you can refuel your torch lighter when needed.
- You must use an air sanitizer to clean the air from humid and unpleasant smells. An air sanitizer is different from an air freshener because the later simply changes the scent of the room without removing any hazardous microorganisms. Shop for the best one online.
- You must also keep a box or sterile gloves and surgical masks to prevent contamination using your hands. Some molds and bacteria are carried by touch and using this safety equipment can help control the spread of microorganisms.
- Take extra precaution. Before you go inside your growing area, spray air sanitizer, disinfect your equipment and surfaces. Take a shower, brush your teeth and put on clean clothes.
- Once you spot a positive bacterial or mold contamination in your crops, deal with it immediately. Remove the contaminated containers, culture discs and any other contaminated tools from the growing area. Clean and sanitize the area with surface disinfectant and sanitizing equipment before you start to grow a new culture.
Pest control problems
A number of pests can wreak havoc to your mushroom crop and the best way to prevent these is to be vigilant. One such persistent type of pest is the fungus gnat. This is a winged insect that is very attracted to mushrooms. It feeds on the mushroom body by tunneling and eating the tissues of the mushroom. It can take only a few hours for an infestation to happen and soon all your hard work will be to no avail.
There are a few ways to treat gnat infestation. One, clean the environment where your mushrooms are growing. Gnats often live in the ground and settle in the trash. Remove any trash or refuse near the area. Sanitize the area well. Use yellow sticky paper to attract gnats and reduce infestation. Prevention is still the best treatment so make sure to clean your growing area regularly.
Harvesting problems
Growing mushrooms could be a challenge but you may end up spoiling all the time and effort you rendered on your mushroom garden if you don’t know when to harvest your shrooms. Your mushrooms or fruits will look like white bumps before becoming pins. After just five to twelve days, these will be ready for harvest.
When these fruits are ready for picking, cut the mushrooms close to the cake to remove it. Do not wait very long or until these reach the end of their growth phase because mushrooms usually lose their potency as they mature.
Storage problems
Another common problem is using the right storage container. Psilocybin mushrooms can go bad in just a few weeks inside the refrigerator. If you want to use a batch you’ve just grown for microdosing then you must think about where to store them.
The most effective way to store mushrooms for a long period of time is drying. Drying magic mushrooms will keep them potent for about two to three years. This is for as long as the dried shrooms are kept in a cool, dry and dark place. When dried mushrooms are kept inside the freezer, you will be able to store these for an indefinite amount of time.
Problems with deciding on a mushroom species and strain
Some mushrooms are best for first-time growers or beginners while some are only for experienced growers. Understanding the different strains of mushrooms and the different growing conditions of each will help you care for your crops and eliminate any problems.
Just some of the best strains and species for novice growers include the Psilocybe cubensis, B+ and Golden Teacher strains. Some are also forgiving strains and can grow even in suboptimal and changing climates and conditions. Choose well before you decide on what species you want to grow.
Growing mushrooms at home will give you a yearlong supply of magic mushrooms. You also reduce the risk of misidentifying mushroom species. Identifying these growing problems and understanding how to treat and prevent these will help you become a smart and successful magic mushroom grower.
