MUSHBAG GROW GUIDE
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE MUSHBAG
The All-In-One Mushroom Grow Bag
You can find the All-In-One Mushroom Grow Kit here 🍄❤️
To help you get the best out of your mushroom experience, we’ve put together this handy guide. Take the time to read it in full, we promise it will be well worth it!
The guide covers how to grow mushrooms easily, from start to finish, using an All-In-One mushroom grow bag.
Before we begin, let’s go over the basics of how to grow mushrooms:
SPORES
Mushroom spores are like plant seeds. They contain all the genetic material required to grow the next generation of mushrooms.
INOCULATION
If spores are lucky enough to find themselves in a nutrient-rich environment (a substrate) and the conditions are just right (dark & damp), they will germinate to form mycelium. Mycelium is the root system of a mushroom.
COLONISATION
Mycelium grows rapidly to form a mycelial network. This mycelial network releases enzymes that digests the substrate into nutrients. The mycelium absorbs these nutrients to fuel further growth and expansion.
FRUITING
After a period of several weeks, the mycelium will start to produce baby mushrooms. These baby mushrooms are called pins. The healthiest, most vigorous pins will develop and grow into mature mushrooms. Once fully grown, the mushrooms are ready to be harvested.
Now we know the basics, let’s begin!
STAGE 1: INOCULATION
To start, you’ll need to get your hands on either a spore or liquid culture syringe of your chosen species. These are supplied separately to the Mushbag.
Most people opt to start with a spore syringe. These spores can be germinated to produce mycelium. Alternatively, a liquid culture syringe can be used which contains pre-germinated spores, in the form of a liquid mycelium mixture.
We highly recommend using liquid culture syringes over spores if you can. Liquid cultures are a much more reliable and faster way to grow mushrooms. Spore syringes do have their place in mushroom cultivation, but be aware that the success rate is lower.
STEP 2. ATTACH THE NEEDLE
Take your spore/culture syringe and shake it vigorously for 10 seconds. Unscrew the syringe cap. Fit the sterile needle onto the syringe , but DO NOT REMOVE THE NEEDLE COVER JUST YET!
STEP 3. SQUEEZE THE BAG
Next, unfold the bag and squeeze it gently to mix up the substrate inside.
STEP 4. DRAW FILTERED AIR INTO THE BAG
Hold the bag from the top (towards the seal) for 2 minutes. Filtered air will be drawn in through the white filter patch.
STEP 5. SANITISE THE INJECTION PORT
Wipe down the rubber injection port thoroughly with the alcohol swab provided.
STEP 6. INJECT 5ML OF SOLUTION
Remove the cover from the syringe needle. Immediately after doing so, apply gentle pressure and pierce the sanitised injection port with the needle. Compress the syringe plunger and inject 5ml of solution. Remove the needle from the port.
Congratulations! The inoculation procedure is complete and the bag is now ready for incubation.
STEP 1. INCUBATE BAG AT 21-24°C
Incubate the bag in a dark, warm spot. We recommend keeping the temperature between 21-24°C for optimal growth. Try not to exceed 26°C or you may increase the risk of contamination.
STEP 2. INITIAL COLONISATION
It can sometimes take longer than a week, so don’t be disheartened if it does. Patience is key!
STEP 3. MIX THE SUBSTRATE AT 30% COLONISATION
Over the next 2-3 weeks, the mycelium will continue to grow and colonise the substrate. Once around 30% of the substrate has been colonised, gently break apart the mycelium inside the bag and mix with the rest of the substrate. This will drastically speed up the colonisation process.
STEP 4. FULL COLONISATION
Over the next week or so, the mycelium will consume all of the substrate until it forms a white block of mycelium. This fruiting block is where your mushrooms will soon grow from.
STEP 1. REMOVE CAKE FROM THE BAG
Once fully colonised, gently cut away the bag and remove the colonised fruiting block. Use clean hands and be gentle when handling the block.
STEP 2. MOVE TO A FRUITING TENT
Carefully place the cake inside the large fruiting tent provided. Make sure to do this step in a clean area and always wash your hands thoroughly before handling the colonised substrate.
STEP 3. GIVE SOME AMBIENT LIGHT
Fill the mister bottle provided with tap water. Mist the inside walls of the tent so that there is visible condensation. Avoid misting the substrate directly.
Next, pin the tent shut with the paper clip. Place the fruiting tent in a warm spot between 20-22°c, where it can receive some indirect sunlight or room light for at least 4-6 hours a day. You do not need to overthink lighting as mushrooms require very little, but some is always beneficial.
For the first flush (crop), very little misting is required. Usually a single misting on the inside walls of the fruiting tent is all that is needed. If the substrate is looking dry or there is little/no condensation on the inside of the fruiting tent, misting every couple of days may be required.
STEP 5. MUSHROOMS BEGIN TO PIN
After about 14-21 days from spawning, you should see your first pins. These are baby mushrooms, that will grow and develop into mature mushroom fruiting bodies over the next few days.
STEP 1. HARVEST THE MATURE MUSHROOMS
Harvest the mushrooms just as the veils start to break. Once harvested, mist heavily directly onto the cake for 1 minute to rehydrate it. Repeat fruiting steps 1-5 for subsequent flushes.
STEP 2. HARVEST MULTIPLE FLUSHES
Expect 2 to 3 flushes (crops) of mushrooms per tub. Don’t throw the tub away after the first flush, there’s plenty more to come!
Your grow is finished once mushrooms no longer grow or the substrate eventually succumbs to contaminated. Dispose of the spent substrate in a compost heap.
As always, happy shrooming!;