easy af grow kit instructions

First off, thanks for choosing MycoPunks. These instructions will help you get the most out of your all Easy AF (All in one) Grow Kit.  If you have a  fruit in the bag kit, you can find those instructions here.

BEFORE YOU START

01. Bag check.

Check the gussets and seals on the bag for holes or air leaks caused by mad couriers.

02. Prepare your space.

Close the windows in your gaff. This can be done without using a still air box but it would be better with one. Wipe down all surfaces with iso.

03. Fresh and clean

Have a shower or bath and pop on your favourite fresh clean clothing.  

STAGE ONE : Inoculation

Step 1 : Glove up

Pop on your gloves. Wipe them down with the larger hand wipes.

Step 2 : Clean the port

Wipe down the syringe and injection port on the front of your bag.

Step 3 : Don't shank yourself

Carefully remove the lid of your syringe and attach the needle being careful not the touch the needle itself.

Step 4 : Inoculate

Inject 3ml of liquid culture or well shaken (tested on agar preferably) spore solution into the grey injection port.

STAGE TWO : incubation

Step 5 : Conditions

Place your bag in a dark, warm place (20-25c is ideal) don't use direct heat like a heat mat as this is likely to damage the mycelium or dry out the substrate.

Step 6 : Life uh, finds a way

After about 10-14 days you should see mycelium growth near the injection port. Depending on genetics, this could take more or less time. When using spores expect an additional week for germination.

Step 7 : Break and shake?

After around 3 weeks your bag should be 20% colonised with mycelium. It's time for a break and shake!

STAGE THREE : BREAK AND SHAKE (and wait)

Step 8 : Make space

Hold the bag just above the filter for 1-2 minutes draw clean air into the bag and give you some room break up all the myceliated substrate.

Step 9 : Massage and mix

Gently break up the mycelium by massaging the kit (without damaging the bag or filter). Shake to redistribute the mycelium to all areas of the substrate.

Step 10 : Wait (again)

Now your mycelium is mixed well, put back into the same conditions as Step 4 until the entire bag is white with mycelium. This should take less than a week to complete.

STAGE FOUR : FRUITING

Side fruiting?

Applies to side fruiting gourmet species (all oysters, lions mane, chestnuts etc)

 

SKIP TO STEP 11(A)

Top fruiting?

Top Applies to top fruiting species (therapeutic fungi, king oysters, pioppino, enoki etc - lions mane can be top fruited too)

 

SKIP TO STEP 11(B)

SIDE fruiting method

Step 11 (A) : Cut the bag

Make a small X cut the back of your bag with a sharp clean knife the cut should be be around 1cm into the substrate of your kit.

Step 12 (A) : Conditions for fruiting

Place your kit into place with plenty of light (not in direct sunlight) a lower temp (13-20c is ok).

Step 13 (A) : Spray with water (daily)

Give your bag a spritz with a water spray and each morning until you see pins (tiny mushrooms) starting to form.

Top fruiting method

Step 11 (B) : Cut the bag

Cut the top off your kit at the soil level and put an elastic band around the top of the bag.

Step 12 (B) : Fruiting tent

Place your kit inside the larger bag fold down the top twice and use the paper clips to seal everything closed.

Step 13 (B) : Conditions for fruiting

Place your kit into place with plenty of light (not in direct sunlight) a lower temp (13-20c is ok).

Step 14 (B) : Spray with water (daily) and give fresh air.

Give the walls of the larger bag a spritz with a water spray and each morning until you see pins (tiny mushrooms) starting to form.

HARVEST

Theraputic fungi

The best time to harvest is when the veils are starting to break on the caps and the gills are visible.  After this point spores will start to drop onto your mushrooms and can make for a less aesthetic harvest.

Lions Mane

You should harvest lions mane before it starts to yellow. The growth will stall and the spines will lengthen, this is a good time to harvest.

Oysters

Generally ready to harvest when the caps start to curl up at the edges.

King Oysters

Depending on the variety of oysters, typically they are ready to harvest when the caps measure around 4-6cm across.

Troubleshooting

The bag is damaged

Sorry about that, ping us a message on the support centre and we will get a replacement out to you asap.

My bag is contaminated

Sorry about that, 

 

Here are a few pointers to help avoid contamination in the future:

- If you are using spores to inoculate your grain they are not a sterile product, they often germinate fine but can also be the source of the contamination issues.

- Leaving grain in the original packaging can cause condensation to form on the filter patch, this allows contamination to grow on the filter and bridge into the bag.

- Check the bag for damages before inoculation, sometimes the bag gets damaged in transit.

 

Ping us a message on the support centre and we will get a replacement out to you asap.

It's been X amount of TIME and no sign of MYCELIUM

If you are using spores you can expect additional time for first signs of mycelium. If you still have no sign of mycelium at four weeks contact us on the support centre and we will get a replacement out to you, free of charge.

after break and shake the mycelium disappeared!

That's perfectly normal, mycelium often goes translucent after it's handled in substrate. It will return!