⚖️ UK Legal Notice: This guide is for learning and research only. Psilocybe cubensis spores do not have psilocybin or psilocin in them, so they are legal to buy in the UK for research under a microscope. Growing Psilocybe cubensis from spores is illegal under UK law (the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971). Always follow UK law. See our 2026 UK Legal Guide for more.
⚡ Quick Answer
Albino A+ is a variety of Psilocybe cubensis known for its pale, albino-looking mushrooms. Under the microscope, though, its spores look the same as any other P. cubensis spores: there is no visible colour or translucency difference. The albino trait shows only in the fruiting body (the mushroom itself), not in the spore. The spores measure about 11.5–17 µm long and 6–11.5 µm wide (Singer & Smith, 1958; Batista et al., 2025), the same range as Golden Teacher and other cubensis strains. This guide covers the genetics behind the albino trait, what the spores look like, how it compares to other strains, and how to store your syringe correctly.11.5–17 µmSpore length — standard for cubensis
ModerateHow many spores the mushroom drops
BrightfieldStandard microscope lighting works fine
AdvancedSpecialist strain — less common, harder to source
Jump to a section
1. The Science Behind the Albino Trait
2. What the Spores Look Like
3. What Makes It Different
4. Comparing It to Other Strains
5. How to Prepare a Slide
6. How to Store It
FAQ1. The Science Behind the Albino Trait
Albino A+ is a cultivar — a specific variety — of Psilocybe cubensis, the same species as Golden Teacher, B+, and Penis Envy. What sets it apart is a genetic trait that reduces the amount of pigment (colouring) in the mushroom itself.That trait shows only in the fruiting body. The spores are a different matter: under the microscope, Albino A+ spores look the same as any other Psilocybe cubensis spores, with no visible colour or translucency difference.
ℹ️ Key Science Fact — Albino A+, Golden Teacher, B+, and Penis Envy are all the exact same species: Psilocybe cubensis. The pale look of the Albino A+ mushroom comes from a difference in pigment genetics between varieties, not from being a different species. It shows in the mushroom, not in the spores.
2. What Albino A+ Spores Look Like Under the Microscope
Albino A+ spores share the same basic oval shape and germ pore (a small thin spot on the spore where it would sprout from) as other cubensis strains, and under the microscope they look the same as spores from any other cubensis strain.Size
11.5–17 × 6–11.5 µm
The normal P. cubensis range, the same as Golden Teacher. Clearly visible at 400x.
Shape
Oval
Same basic oval shape as other cubensis spores, and no more see-through than any other strain.
Colour
Standard Cubensis
The same colour as any other cubensis spores. The albino trait shows in the mushroom, not in the spore.
Wall
Standard Thickness
Similar to other cubensis strains.
Germ Pore
Clear and Visible
Present and as easy to see as on other cubensis strains, especially at 1000x with oil.
How Many Spores
Moderate
Not as heavy a spore deposit as high-yield strains, but more than genuinely rare strains like Penis Envy.
Standard Lighting Works Fine
Because Albino A+ spores have the same colour as other cubensis spores, they stand out against a bright background just as clearly. You don't need any special lighting setup.
✅ What to Look for First — At 400x, you should see the same colour and oval shape as any other cubensis strain. If you were expecting pale or see-through spores, you won't find them: that's normal, because the albino trait only shows in the mushroom.
3. What Makes Albino A+ Different?
The Trait Is in the Mushroom
The albino look shows in the fruiting body (the mushroom itself). It doesn't show in the spores.No Special Lighting Needed
Standard brightfield lighting shows Albino A+ spores just as clearly as any other cubensis strain.A Useful Genetics Lesson
Albino A+ is a good reminder that a strain's visible traits are in the mushroom: you can't tell Albino A+ from other cubensis strains by its spores.A Specialist Strain
Albino A+ is rated Advanced because it's a less common, more specialist lab strain that's generally harder to source and work with. That has nothing to do with its spores, which look and behave like standard cubensis spores.4. How Albino A+ Compares to Other UK Strains
| Strain | Spore Drop | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albino A+ | Moderate | Advanced | Studying an albino variety |
| Golden Teacher | Very High | Beginner | Your first ever slide |
| Blue Meanies | Moderate | Intermediate | Comparing strains |
| Penis Envy | Low — rare | Advanced | Studying the gene mutation |
Albino A+ vs Golden Teacher — Same Spores, Different Mushrooms
This is a useful pairing for learning where strain differences actually show. The mushrooms look very different, with Albino A+ pale and Golden Teacher a golden-brown, but under the microscope their spores share the same colour, opacity and oval shape.Albino A+ vs Blue Meanies
Neither Blue Meanies nor Albino A+ spores pose any special challenge: both look and behave like standard cubensis spores under the microscope. If you'd like to compare other albino varieties, our range also includes the Yeti spore syringe for microscopy, as well as the APE (Albino Penis Envy) spore syringe.5. How to Prepare an Albino A+ Slide
Slide prep for Albino A+ is the same as for any other cubensis strain.What You'll Need
- A microscope — 400x zoom at least, 1000x with oil is even better
- Glass slides (25×75mm)
- Coverslips (small glass squares that go on top, #1.5, 0.17mm thick)
- Type B immersion oil, for the 1000x zoom
- Alcohol wipes and lens tissue, for cleaning
- Your Albino A+ spore syringe
- A notebook to write down what you see
1
Clean your slide — Wipe it with alcohol and lens tissue, then let it dry fully before you use it.
2
Mix the syringe well — Give it a good shake before use to spread the spores evenly.
3
Add one small drop — About 0.05ml, right in the middle of the slide.
4
Put the coverslip on at an angle — Tilt it to about 45 degrees and lower it slowly to avoid bubbles.
5
Scan at 400x — The spores should be easy to find, with the same colour as any other cubensis strain.
6
Switch to 1000x with oil — This is where fine detail like the germ pore and spore wall becomes clear.
⚠️ One Thing to Remember — Always put the needle cap back on right after use. This applies to every strain, but it's worth a reminder since Albino A+ syringes can be a bit trickier to find than common beginner strains.
6. How to Store Your Albino A+ Spore Syringe
Store in a clean place in the fridge. Nothing about the albino trait changes how you should keep it.| What | What to Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Store in a clean place in the fridge (2–8°C) | Slows down germs without harming the spores |
| Freezing | Never freeze it | Ice damages the spores for good |
| Light | Keep it in the dark | Light slowly wears the spores down over time |
| How long it lasts | 12–18 months if stored well | After that, the spores start to break down |
✅ Before Each Use — Take the syringe out of the fridge 24 hours before use to reach room temperature, then give it a good shake before use.
Ready to Get Started?
Tripping Store's Albino A+ spore syringes are made under clean, sterile conditions in the UK, with verified genetics — giving you an interesting albino variety to add to your research collection.Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Albino A+ legal to buy in the UK?
Yes. Albino A+ spore syringes are legal to buy and own in the UK for research under a microscope, since spores don't contain psilocybin.
QDo Albino A+ spores look different under the microscope?
No. Under the microscope, Albino A+ spores look the same as any other Psilocybe cubensis spores, with no visible colour or translucency difference. The albino trait shows only in the fruiting body (the mushroom itself), not in the spores.
QHow big are Albino A+ spores?
About 11.5–17 µm long and 6–11.5 µm wide, the normal range for P. cubensis, the same as Golden Teacher.
QIs Albino A+ good for beginners?
It's better suited to researchers with some experience. Albino A+ is a less common, more specialist lab strain that's generally harder to source and work with. That has nothing to do with its spores: they look and behave like any other cubensis spores under the microscope, so standard slide technique works fine.
QDo I need phase contrast microscopy for Albino A+?
No. Because the spores look the same as other cubensis spores, standard brightfield lighting at 400x to 1000x works fine.
QHow long does an Albino A+ spore syringe last?
If you store it right, in the fridge at 2–8°C, it should stay usable for 12–18 months.
QDo you ship Albino A+ spore syringes worldwide?
Yes, we ship across the UK and internationally, with discreet, tracked packaging.
