How To Grow Mushrooms From Spore Syringe | Practical Growing

Spore syringes are commonly utilized mediums that house spores from any mushroom strain. A syringe has millions of mushroom spores that float in a sterile solution. Using a spore syringe is quite simple.

The mushroom spore syringe is employed in the inoculation of the substrate. You can utilize a spore syringe to cultivate regardless of your mushroom strain of choice-be it oyster mushrooms, medicinal strains, or magic mushrooms.

Preparing the Spore Syringe

The first thing is to ensure a clean environment. Disinfect your hands or make use of sterilized gloves before preparing the mushroom spore syringe.

Spore syringes usually come ready to use. If you store it in the refrigerator, it is ideal for bringing it out 12 hours before using it at room temperature.

A spore syringe pack usually includes:

• 1x sterile needle
• 1x special mushroom spore solution stored in a 20 ml syringe
• 4x Alco preps

                                          Liquid spore syringe set

The cap of the sealed syringe is known as a Luer lock. Here is a simple process on how you can use it.

1. Pick up the spore syringe with the cap still on.
2. Hold it with the Luer lock pointing up.
3. Then, unscrew the lock on the syringe by turning it counterclockwise with your hand.
4. Detach the needle from the sterile package (leave the protective cap on the needle) and attach this needle to the mushroom spore syringe.
5. Shake the spore syringe for a few seconds.

It is now ready to inoculate a  (sterile) substrate.

How to Inoculate Substrate with Your Spores Syringe

The strain of an edible, psilocybe or medicinal mushroom requires different substrates for growth.

You will only require drops of 3 milliliters of the spore solution to colonize 1.05 quart or 1 liter of the substrate. 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. The mycelium has fully colonized when the entire substrate turns white.

You can select spot where the mushrooms are going to come out of by cutting the bag. This will start the flowering process.

How can you store your mushroom spore syringe?

You can store the spore syringe by refrigerating between 2 degrees C to 8 degrees C(Celsius) or 35 degrees F to 46 degrees F (Fahrenheit). Don’t forget to reattach the Luer lock to your syringe immediately after use. The Syringe can be used for the next 12 months.

Note:

Don’t utilize the mushroom spore syringe with liquid culture. In case you want to make Liquid culture from the mushroom spores, use the spore vial or print aside from the spore syringe.

What is the shelf life of a Liquid Spore Culture?

Mushroom spores can last for years.  Ensure you refrigerate if you intend to store them for the long term. Spore prints are to be sealed to avoid moisture before you store them in the fridge. Sealing them from heat and air extends their shelf life. Spore vial or prints are capable of lasting for over a decade.

Meanwhile, the spore syringes don’t last as long as the water begins to develop bacteria. An ideal timeline is between 8 to 12 months. In case your spore doesn’t grow within the expected time, you can rehydrate in sterile water for about 24 hours. Spores above six months can be soaked in sterile water for about 24 hours before germination. Use liquid culture syringes within three months of purchase. You should store them in your refrigerator.

Nick

Nick is the author of ‘Hydroponics for Beginners‘ and ‘How to Grow Microgreens‘.

Nick writes content on his website about hydroponics and microgreens. So you can enjoy growing plants yourself!