Welcome to the World of Mushroom Cultivation with Tripping Store!
Whether you’re using our BRF (Brown Rice Flour) Bags or the all-in-one Dung Master Grow Bags, you’re about to embark on an exciting journey into the fascinating realm of fungi cultivation.
Each of our grow bags is designed with care and precision to offer optimal conditions for growing a variety of mushrooms. The BRF Bags provide a tried-and-true substrate for a broad range of species, while the Dung Master Grow Bags, enriched with premium horse manure, coir, and grain, are perfect for dung-loving varieties.
Get ready to harness the power of carefully balanced substrates and grow your mushrooms with ease and success! Let’s dive into the steps to start your cultivation adventure.
Step 1: Initiate the Magic – Prepare and Sow Your Spores!
- Proper Spore Storage: Store spores in the fridge if not used right away. Take them out 24 hours before use to reach room temperature, aiding in growth.
- Shake It Up! Before injecting the spores, shake the syringe to spread spores evenly.
- No Need to Heat the Needle: There’s a lot of information out there that suggests heating needles before use. However, these are medical-grade needles and are already sterilized, so they don’t need any heating up. Skip the flame and keep it simple!
- Cleanliness is Key: Use the alcohol wipe provided to clean the bag’s injection point, ensuring a pure environment. Now, here’s a pro tip—work quickly! After wiping the injection point, promptly remove the syringe’s cap, insert the needle, and pierce the injection port. Hold your breath while doing this; it’s good practice to prevent any contaminants from sneaking in. Once you’ve pierced the port, feel free to breathe out—no need to pass out while injecting those spores! Then, go ahead and inject.
Step 2: Colonization – The Quiet Growth (Approx. 3.5/8 Weeks)
After injecting the spores, creating the right conditions and practicing patience are key to successful colonization.
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- Temperature Matters: Maintaining a stable temperature of 24–27°C is essential for successful colonization. This range is not just optimal but crucial for achieving healthy and consistent growth.
- Keep It in the Dark: Place the bag in a dark space with no light exposure. This simulates natural underground conditions and encourages healthy, consistent growth.
- Watching for Growth: Within 7–14 days, you should start seeing the first signs of life—small white patches of mycelium forming on the substrate. These patches indicate that colonization has begun.
- Wait for Progress: Allow approximately 3.5–8 weeks for full colonization. During this time, mycelium will gradually spread across the entire bag. Once the bag is about 30% colonized (you’ll see patches roughly the size of a coin or golf ball), it’s time for the ‘big mix.’ If you need reference, the bag pictured above shows what 30% colonization looks like. Gently break up and mix the colonized sections with the uncolonized substrate. This step promotes even distribution of the mycelium and speeds up the colonization process. Important: Only perform this mixing step after 30% colonization to avoid stressing the mycelium.
Step 3: Consolidation – Strengthening the Mycelium (Approx. 1 Week)
- Understanding Consolidation: Once fully colonized, allow a week for mycelium strengthening before fruiting.
- Preparing for Fruiting: Consolidation helps make the mycelium strong and ready to start producing mushrooms.
Step 4: Fruiting Conditions – Triggering Growth
- Air Exchange and Humidity: Make a small 3-4 inch cut at the top of the bag using a sterile tool to prevent contamination. This allows fresh air exchange, which is essential for healthy mushroom growth.
- Gentle Light Exposure: Provide indirect light for 8-10 hours daily, signaling mushrooms to start fruiting.
Step 5: Humidity Management – Mist with Care
Maintain humidity in the bag without over-wetting.
- Careful Mist Management: Mist lightly every two days, giving only two sprays and avoiding direct contact with the substrate. If you notice water vapor or excessive condensation building up in the bag, hold off on misting. This indicates there’s already enough humidity, and adding more moisture could stress the substrate and slow growth.
Pinning Phase: The First Signs of Mushrooms
Watch for tiny pins—these are the beginnings of mature mushrooms if conditions stay right.
Step 6: Harvesting – The Magical Reveal
- Harvest with Care: Twist or cut mushrooms at the base to preserve the mycelium for potential future growth.
Need Help? For guidance, contact us at support@trippingstore.co.uk. We’re here to help every step of the way.
Legal Disclaimer
Please ensure compliance with local laws regarding mushroom cultivation, as some species we sell may be illegal to cultivate in certain regions worldwide. TrippingStore is not responsible for any legal issues that may arise from the use of our products. Customers are advised to be fully aware of and adhere to the laws in their region.
Can spore syringes be stores at room temp even if it reduces the shelf life? I know a fridge is ideal but I share a kitchen with roommates known to have sticky fingers.
Hi Adriana,
Thank you for your question!
The ideal storage for spore syringes is between 2°C and 6°C, so keeping them in a fridge is best. Outside of a fridge, their shelf life is reduced, lasting about two to three months, while in a fridge, they can last up to six to seven months. If you need to store them at room temperature, just ensure they are kept in the dark and away from sunlight to help them last as long as possible.
How many mls of spores do you need to inject for a 4lb bag?
The guide sizes from bags to spores are as follows:
• 1 lb bag: 2.5 ml spores
• 2 lb bag: 10 ml spores
• 4 lb bag: 20 ml spores
• 1.5 kg grain bag: 20 ml spores
• 1 lb grain bag: 2.5 ml spores
With the Dutch kit’s you give them a soak (cold shock) after harvesting,
Can you do the same with the dung master bags to promote further flushes?
Hi,
Thanks for your question!
To get further flushes with the Dung Master Bag, you’ll need to rehydrate the substrate. Here’s how:
Once you’ve harvested everything from the first flush, soak the substrate in water. Make sure to leave about an inch of the substrate above the waterline—this way, most of the substrate is soaked without being fully submerged. Use normal tap water for this.
Let it soak for 12 hours, then drain it thoroughly. Tilt the substrate at an angle to allow excess water to drain out, leaving it to drain well for about 45 minutes.
After draining, place the substrate back into fruiting conditions with the ideal temperature, light, and air circulation. This will help encourage the next flush.
Do you have to keep the temp consistent throughout grow into fruiting or just at Colonization stage
Hi,
Yes, temperature is very important, especially during the colonization phase, but it’s equally essential to maintain the right temperature during the fruiting stage to achieve optimal results. While the colonization phase is more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, it’s still critical to aim for the perfect range throughout both stages.
For the best results, you should maintain a consistent temperature between 24°C and 27°C during both the colonization and fruiting stages. This will help create the ideal environment for your mushrooms to thrive.