Sterile Grain for Mushroom Grain Spawn
First off, thanks for choosing MycoPunks! Here are some simple instructions to help you create the best damn grain spawn going.
Injection Port
Stage One: Inoculation & Incubation
Step 1: Clean surfaces
Using 70% isopropyl or surface bleach spray, wipe down your work surface.
Spray onto a paper towel rather than spraying directly on to the surface.
Step 2: Wipe the injection port
Using the small wipe included in your kit, wipe down your injection port.
Step 3: Inject 2ml
Carefully remove the lid of your syringe and push the needle through the injection port.
Inject 2ml of your liquid culture or MSS.
Step 4: Find a warm spot
Now we let our mycelium grow. Incubate your bags upright without obstructing the filter.
Try not to disturb the bag, let the mycelium consolidate and start to grow. Don't use a heat mat - use ambient heat only!
Stage Two: Patience...
How long is this gonna take?
Hardest part for most of us is the waiting around. Maybe rewatch Sopranos or something or write a nasty letter to your local MP?
Don't mess with the grain, leave it be.
If you used spores...
Spores need to meet up and germinate before they start to throw ropes forth into your grain bag.
Expect around 14 days before first signs of mycelium. Could be longer!
If you used Liquid Culture...
You legend! Most of the time, you should see some growth pretty quickly (depending on species/culture quality). It's already growing so it's quicker.
Expect from a few days to 10 days.
Stage Three : Grain Spawn
Step 5: 20% colonisation
When your grain looks around 20% colonised you can speed up the process by redistributing that mycelium to the rest of the bag.
Step 6: Break and shake time
Carefully (don't damage the bag), but firmly, break up the colonised grains until they are all separate, then shake the bag up to mix it all together.
Step 7: Back into incubation
That break and shake should have substantially speed up the colonisation process. In a day or two you should be ready!
FULLY COLONISED!
The hardest bit is done. Your grain spawn is done. Ensure the grain is fully colonised... uncolonised grains are the most common cause of contamination.
Need support along the way?
Things don't always look exactly as expected, if you want some advice or second opinions on anything at all, you can get help from our team and the community!