Growing magic mushrooms is an ideal substitute instead of collecting them dangerously. It also allows you to have a year-round supply, and home cultivation helps you to prevent possibly misidentifying magic mushrooms in the wild forest. Many experienced growers find it fun, enjoyable, and low-cost leisure activity. Even there are many available mushroom kits online, it still best to begin with scrapes. But are growing mushrooms from dried caps advisable?
Considerations Before Growing Mushrooms from Dried Caps
Before growing magic mushroom, you need to consider first the following:
What Species of Magic Mushroom Should I Going to Grow
You need to choose first what variety of magic mushroom you are going to grow before growing mushrooms from dried caps. Many suppliers offer varying types of magic mushrooms, but the Psilocybe cubensisB+ magic mushroom is the ideal mushroom to grow for beginners.
About the Spore Syringes that You Need to Use
Another thing that you need to consider is about choosing a good spore syringe where you place your magic mushroom spores. There are some mushroom growers come up with their different issues like misidentified strains, contamination, and the syringes they used—no need to worry about these issues with a trusted supplier.
Steps in Growing Magic Mushrooms from Dried Caps
If you already have the first two things to consider, then you will now prepare for the equipment and materials needed.
- Spore syringe (about 10 to 12 cc)
- Vermiculite soil
- Organic rice flour
- Water
- Canning jars with lids
- Mixing bowl
- Strainer
- Hammer
- Nails
- Measuring cup
- Tinfoil
- Cooking pot (e.g., For steaming)
- Paper towels
- Spray bottle
- Perlite
- Tape
- Plastic storage box
- Drill
- Surgical mask
- Air sanitizer
- Rubbing alcohol
- Surface Disinfectant
- Butane
First Step
- Prepare the canning jars –wipe the hammer and nail first with alcohol for disinfecting. Then, punch four holes in each lid.
- For each canning jars, combine 2/3 cup of vermiculite soil with ¼ cup of water. You can use a disinfected strainer to remove the excess water. In a mixing bowl, add another ¼ cup of brown rice flour and combined it with moist vermiculite soil.
- Filling the canning jars –be careful not to pack the jars too closely. Fill the canning jars up to half an inch of the rims. Sterilize the other half part using rubbing alcohol. Top the canning jars with dry vermiculite soil to wrap the substrate form possible contaminants.
- Tightly close the lids and cover all the canning jars using tin foil. Make sure that the edges of the foil on every side are close to avoid water get through the holes. Place the paper towels in a cooking pot and put the canning jars on top. Add water up to half of the canning jars and slow boil. Make sure that the jars remain upright while boiling. Steam it for about 80 to 85 minutes. Check if the pot runs out of the water and replenish it with hot water.
- Let it cool after steaming. Leave the foil that covers the canning jars overnight before you proceed into the next procedure.
Second Step
- Heat the needle part of the syringe using lighter. After that, let it cool and then wipe it with rubbing alcohol to disinfect it. Shake the syringe to distribute the magic mushroom spores in it evenly.
- From the first step, remove the foil that covers the canning jars and inject the syringe through one of the lid holes. Repeat the procedure with the other three holes. Using rubbing alcohol, wipe the needle after each hole. Using tape, cover the holes, and set the canning jar aside. Repeat all the procedures to remaining canning jars, but don’t forget to always wipe with rubbing alcohol the needle of syringe before each hole.
Third Step
- Place all the canning jars in a clean area without having direct sunlight (An area with room temperature will do). After 7 to 14 days, the white-colored mycelium begins to appear. (observed for any signs of contamination, such as different smells and colors, disposed of the suspected canning jars after observing some strange things.
- If all goes well, leave the canning jars for another seven days to let the mycelium strengthen to hold enough its substrate.
Fourth Step
- Using the plastic storage container, drill holes 2 inches apart in all sides (lid and base). Place the box in four stable things, organized it in each corner to let the airflow in it. To protect the box from moisture leakage, cover the surface of the box.
- Using a strainer, strain the perlite and allow it to run under a cold tap to steep. Let it drain and spread it over the base of growing chambers. Repeat the procedure until you create a layer up to 4 to 5 inches deep.
Fifth Step
- Open the canning jars and carefully remove the dry vermiculite soil layer in each canning jars. Be more careful not to ruin the substrates while doing this method. Backtrack every canning jars down in the disinfected area to remove the cakes unbroken.
- Soak each cake one at a time using cold tap water to release any vermiculite soil. (be careful not to damage it) Using the pot with lukewarm water in it, place the cakes inside. Using another pot, submerge the cakes in it. Place the pot in a room temperature area and leave it for about 24 hours to rehydrate the cakes.
- The following day, remove the cakes from the water and put the cakes in the disinfected area. Place dry vermiculite soil in the mixing bowl. To help the cake keep in moisture, roll them in mixing bowl until it coat in vermiculite soil.
- To transfer it into a growing chamber, cut a small foil for each cake, the size will be just enough to sit on the cakes to avoid touching the perlite. Place the cakes on top and carefully mist the chamber using a spray bottle.
- Using a spray bottle, mist the chamber for at least four times a day to maintain the humidity up. After misting, fan the lid to give extra airflow.
Final Step
- The magic mushroom will appear like tiny white-colored bumps before they grow into pins. Wait for another 20 to 12 days until you harvest it.
- To pick the mushroom, cut it close to the cake. Avoid waiting for the mushroom until they reach their growth. It will sometimes lose potency as they are fully mature.
Conclusion
Now you know the importance of growing mushrooms from dried caps. Just prepare all the things you need and follow the shared guide above to help you kickstart your magic mushroom garden.
