NOTE: This Process applies to both Psilocybin / Magic Mushrooms AND non psychedelic mushrooms (gourmet mushrooms, functional mushrooms, grocery store mushrooms etc.)
Growing mushrooms can be an incredibly rewarding and fascinating experience. Whether you're an avid grower or a beginner, the process of collecting mushroom spore prints and creating spore syringes is an essential step in cultivating your own mushroom garden. In this article, we will guide you through the methods of collecting mushroom spore prints and making spore syringes, empowering you to embark on your exciting journey of growing mushrooms at home.
NOTE: It is recommended that if you want to try growing magic mushrooms, you can start the easy way before you embark on growing directly from a spore print. This will help you understand a lot of the basics that come into play later in your growing from spore journey. So what is the easy way? Well we have that covered for you. You can order a fully colonized ready to fruit psilocybin grow kit from our store here! The mushrooms usually start to grow within 5-20 days of setting up the kit with minimal steps involved. This is because we have done the first 12 weeks of work for you. If you were to grow from spore, it would take anywhere from 6-18 weeks to see your first mushroom babies. Once you have this easier way with our kit dialed, you can then move on to trying to grow from spore or liquid culture. What is liquid culture? Well you can read all about it here, and we even show you how to make it here.
Part 1: Understanding Magic Mushroom Spore Prints
Before you can create a spore syringe, you need to collect a mushroom spore print.
Magic Mushroom Spore Print
Spore prints are a representation of the mushroom's unique genetics and are used to propagate specific mushroom species. Here's how you can collect them:
Selecting the Right Mushroom: Choose a mature mushroom that is in its prime, as it will have the highest spore production. Ensure it is free from damage or disease. Different mushroom species have distinct spore colors, so select a species that suits your preferences or the one you intend to cultivate.
Gathering the Materials: To collect a spore print, you will need a fresh mushroom, a clean sheet of white paper or glass surface, and a glass or jar.
Creating the Spore Print: Place the mushroom cap, gill-side down, on the sheet of paper or glass. Cover it with a glass or jar to create a controlled environment. Leave it undisturbed for 24 to 48 hours, allowing the mushroom to release spores onto the surface.
Collecting the Spore Print: After 24 to 48 hours, carefully lift the glass or jar, and gently lift the mushroom cap. You will notice a spore pattern on the paper or glass. Using a sterilized knife or scalpel, carefully scrape the spores into a clean container, ensuring no contamination occurs.
Section 2: Creating a Spore Syringe
Once you have collected the spores, the next step is to create a spore syringe. A spore syringe is used to inoculate a growth medium with mushroom spores. Here's how you can make one:
Magic Mushroom Spore Syringe
Gathering the Materials: You will need the following materials to create a spore syringe: a sterile syringe (10-12 ml), a sterile needle (18-20 gauge), a spore print, sterile water, and a flame source (e.g., lighter, alcohol burner).
Preparing the Syringe: Ensure the syringe and needle are sterilized by passing them through a flame several times. Allow them to cool before proceeding.
Preparing the Spore Solution: Grind the spore print using a sterilized grinder or pestle and mortar until it turns into a fine powder. Transfer the powder into a sterile container. Add a small amount (around 10-15 ml) of sterile water to the container and mix well to create a spore solution.
Filling the Syringe: Draw the spore solution into the syringe, ensuring no air bubbles are present. Attach the needle to the syringe, taking care not to touch the needle or the inside of the cap.
Storing the Spore Syringe: Store the spore syringe in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use it. It can be refrigerated for several months.
In conclusion, collecting mushroom spore prints and creating spore syringes is an important skill for mushroom cultivation enthusiasts. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently embark on your mushroom-growing journey. Remember to maintain proper sterilization practices throughout the process to ensure successful cultivation.
When you feel ready, you can go on to make some Liquid Culture or an Agar Plate from your spore syringe. Learn about agar here, and learn about the process to make it here. Learn about liquid culture here, and learn how to make it here! Happy mushroom growing!
FAQs
Then, to make a spore syringe, scrape the spore print into a glass with sterilized water and pull the solution into a syringe. After you have created a spore print, you can save it for later use, make a spore syringe, apply it to an agar solution or create a liquid culture.
How do you make a spore syringe from spore print? ›
Then, to make a spore syringe, scrape the spore print into a glass with sterilized water and pull the solution into a syringe. After you have created a spore print, you can save it for later use, make a spore syringe, apply it to an agar solution or create a liquid culture.
How to do a mushroom spore print test? ›
Remove the stem of the specimen and place the cap of the mushroom on the spore print card with the gills (or pores) facing downward. Cover it or leave it undisturbed overnight and compare the colour of the resulting print with descriptions in your field guide.
How do you collect mushroom spores for growing? ›
Place the mushroom with the gills face down onto the paper and pop a glass over the top. Leave this for 24 hours. When you return, remove the glass and gently lift the mushroom. The spores will have fallen from the cap and you should see a print on the paper, which replicates the gill pattern from the mushroom.
What does a mushroom spore print tell you? ›
Although the spore print is generally used to help identify the genus of a specimen, on occasion it can be used to help distinguish between similar species. For example, the lookalikes Russula crustosa and Russula virescens have yellowish and white spore deposits, respectively.
How do you make spore prints at home? ›
Take the stems off the mushrooms using your hands or scissors. Place the mushrooms with the gills or pores facing down onto the paper. Then place the container over the mushroom to create an airtight seal. Leave the mushrooms covered anywhere from a couple hours to overnight based on how fresh the mushrooms are.
How to make mushroom spores at home? ›
Collecting Spores:
- Choose a mature mushroom of a known edible variety.
- Carefully remove the stem and any skirt protecting the gills.
- Place the mushroom cap with the gills facing down on a piece of paper.
- Cover the cap with a glass and leave it undisturbed for 24 hours.
White and black paper are commonly used for this purpose – you would make sure half of the mushroom sites over the white paper and the other half sits over the black paper. White paper works well for mushrooms with non-white spore prints, while black paper is ideal for capturing white or light-colored spores.
How long do you leave a mushroom for a spore print? ›
Leave everything where it is for at least 2 hours or longer (overnight). 4. Carefully remove the bowl and the mushroom cap. You should see a pattern on the card that matches the pattern of gills on the mushroom!
How to make mushroom syringes? ›
The process of making a spore syringe
- Gather the right materials. ...
- Sterilize your water by boiling it. ...
- Grab your spore print. ...
- Scrape spores from the print into the sterile syringe carefully.
- Add the cooled, boiled water to the syringe. ...
- Shake the syringe gently.
A shed, garage, garden cold frame or cellar will work well – anywhere out of the sun where it's possible to give mushrooms their optimum growing temperature of around 15°C (the temperature shouldn't go below 10°C or above 20°C). Outside, grow mushrooms in beds, on compost heaps, or in logs, again away from sunlight.
What color should mushroom spores be? ›
Spores are the reproductive structures of all mushrooms and can be any color, including white, cream, yellow, green, purple, brown, rust, or black. They are produced by the gills and released from them by the millions when the mushroom is mature.
Can you tell if a mushroom is poisonous by spore print? ›
Spore print: The color of a mushroom's spores can be a helpful identification tool. To make a spore print, place the cap of the mushroom on a piece of paper or foil overnight. In the morning, check the color of the spores that have fallen onto the paper. Some poisonous mushrooms have white or pale spores.
What is the difference between spores and spore prints? ›
Spores may be collected from a spore print, which is a powdery imprint left on a surface by the spores of a mushroom. Spore prints are an important field mark for identifying mushrooms, as their colors can help distinguish between species. A mushroom releasing spores.
What is the difference between liquid culture and spore syringe? ›
Liquid Culture vs.
spores revolves around speed and diversity. Liquid culture accelerates mycelium growth, boasts higher success rates, and lowers contamination risks—ideal for beginners and seasoned growers. Spores, however, embrace genetic diversity, paving the way for a more organic cultivation process.
How do you germinate a spore syringe? ›
One syringe has 20 ml of the mushroom spore solution which is enough to inoculate between 6 and 7 liters of substrate. Drop a few milliliters in each corner of the substrate and everything is set. After some days, the growth of white patches of mycelium can be noticed on the spot where the mushroom spores were dropped.
