Description
FAST COLONISING, HIGH-YIELDING SHIITAKE GENETICS IN LIQUID FORM
Shiitake mushrooms have an illustrious and decorated history in East Asia, where they have been grown and consumed for centuries for their rich, umami flavour. Shiitake were one of the earliest mushrooms to be cultivated in China around AD 1000 and 1100 AD, and some of the first written record of Shiitake can be traced back to the Song Dynasty in 1209. Due to the commonly held belief that they could support vitality and wellbeing, they became integrated into a number of traditional Chinese practices (1).
They remain the second most widely cultivated mushroom today, due to their delicious, meaty flavour and their potential health properties, which modern science is beginning to uncover. Scientific studies have shown that Shiitake contains polysaccharides, including beta-glucans and lentinan, which may have an influence on immune function. One important component is lentinan, which has been studied for its potential to help support the immune response. This may be one reason Shiitake is very popular among those looking to support wellness (2).
These umami-rich shiitake mushrooms are versatile in the kitchen and an bring a savoury note to stir-fries, soups, sauces, and any kind of sauté. Powdered, dried or fresh, Shiitake can infuse a unique flavour and texture into a multitude of recipes.
Through extensive research and development, we've fine-tuned a unique blend of malt and yeast extracts that give your mycelium the perfect balance of protein and carbohydrates that it needs to grow. Ultimately, promoting healthy growth and rapid colonisation.
Our liquid cultures are crafted in our lab using pure mushroom cultures from our own commercial master cultures. We guarantee that every culture is 100% contaminant-free and rigorously tested to ensure the health and quality of every strain.
THE BENEFITS
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Grow faster and skip the 1 to 4 week spore germination period
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Start with a high-quality, proven strain instead of gambling on the random genetics of a multi-spore syringe
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Easy to use, simply inject the culture directly into your sterilised spawn or substrate for immediate colonisation.
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Specially selected strains optimised for high yield, nutrient density and flavour
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Guaranteed to produce mushrooms or we’ll replace your culture free of charge
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Save money by growing your own mushrooms at home
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Shiitake mushroom is packed with bioactive compounds like beta glucan
HOW TO USE
The process is simple:
1. Preparation: Take your culture syringe and shake it vigorously for 10 seconds. Unscrew the syringe cap. Fit the sterile needle onto the syringe.
2. Inoculation: Inoculate your grain spawn or substrate with 5ml of liquid culture via the injection port and leave it to colonise.
3. Colonisation: Within 3 to 4 weeks, the grain or substrate will colonise fully and be ready to spawn to bulk or fruit.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Substrate: Hardwood or hardwood supplemented with bran, hydrated to around 60%.
Temperature:
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Colonisation: Around 25°C (77°F) for optimal mycelium growth.
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Fruiting: 18-22°C (64-72°F) to encourage primordia formation.
Humidity: High humidity (over 80%) is essential for healthy, large fruits. Use misting, humidifiers, or a fruiting chamber to maintain humidity.
Light:
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Colonisation: Complete darkness is preferred for rapid colonisation.
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Fruiting: Indirect sunlight or ambient light is sufficient.
Fresh Air Exchange (FAE): Proper ventilation is necessary to provide the growing mushrooms with fresh air and prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide, which can inhibit growth.
Sterility: Maintaining a clean and sterile environment is paramount to prevent contamination from other fungi or bacteria, which can compete with the mycelium and hinder its growth.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Clean Shiitake Liquid mycelium in a 10ml sterile sealed syringe
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Sterile 16G x 1.5″ needle and 70% IPA alcohol swab
STORAGE
For long-term storage, keep liquid culture syringes in a dark place and preferably in a fridge at 2 to 8°C. They will last up to a year or more if stored correctly. Only certain tropical species like the Pink Oyster should be stored at room temperature.