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Mushroom Grow Kits
The easiest and fastest way to grow magic mushrooms is by using a mushroom grow kit.
We offer a variety of mushroom growing kits for both the beginner, or expert mushroom grower.
How To Grow Mushrooms
Psilocybin Mushrooms (commonly known as shrooms or magic mushrooms) grow naturally on almost every continent, and are also grown indoors throughout the world, using several different methods. Learn more about which mushroom growing method is best suited to your application, and view step-by-step video tutorials on our resources page!
"The BEST instructional videos I have found online. Thank you to Jeff & the Spores Lab team for spreading this empowering information on how to grow magic mushrooms at home.
Adam L - Vancouver, BC.
I found sporeslab’s consulting services very helpful. With a world of mushroom growing information out there it's hard to know what methods to use or discard. Having someone who has years of success in the industry to consult with has been priceless for our farm. It’s not only saved us massive amounts of time but also a considerable amount of money.
John J, Langley BC.
Common Mushroom Strains
There are over 200 species of mushroom in the Psilocybe genus, with each possessing significant differences in potency, visual appearance, & growing requirements. By far the most well-researched, commonly-found, and easy-to-cultivate species is Psilocybe Cubensis, and this has led to the identification of several hundred “subspecies” within the ‘Cubensis’ species. These subspecies are commonly referred to as “strains” by those in the mushroom world, however from a microbiology and taxonomy perspective this terminology is not entirely accurate.
Although these strains are all members of the Psilocybe Cubensis species, they can also (just like species) differ significantly in both physical characteristics and in the concentration of psychotropic compounds that are present in fruiting bodies OR mycelium (some strains contain much higher amounts of active compounds in the mycelial stage). Cubensis strains (despite all being the same species) can also differ quite drastically in growing characteristics, for example; how resistant they are to contamination, colonization speed, and overall yield - although these factors are also influenced significantly by how much an individual culture has been isolated and thus how strong the genetics of that individual culture are (more on that in a bit).
Several popular "strains" of Psilocybe Cubensis magic mushroom spores include -
Uncut Penis Envy
Amazon
PF Classic
Ecuador
B plus
We offer a wide variety of mushroom strains, in several different formats. We have spent years curating one of the largest & most refined banks of mushroom cultures in Canada. Due to the genetic isolation we have performed, we can confidently state that our mushroom cultures are fast-colonizing, contamination-resistant, and heavy-yielding.
We are always striving to expand our product offering, and plan to offer rare species such as Psilocybe Tampanensis, Psilocybe Azurescens, Psilocybe Semilanceata, and Panaeolus Cyanescens/Copelandia Cyancesens in the near future!
Mushroom Growing "Teks"
Because Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms grow in a variety of mediums, mushroom growers around the world have developed several different “techniques” (nicknamed “Teks”) to grow magic mushrooms. Each Tek has strengths and drawbacks, and which one you choose to follow will depend on the scale of your operation, your level of mycology experience, and how much you are willing to invest in mushroom growing equipment/supplies.
Three of the most common mushroom growing teks are;
*Click on each image to see more info about the respective mushroom growing tek*
PF Tek -
The most simple method of cultivation, great for beginners, exceptionally cost effective, however low-yielding
Spawn + Bulk Substrate Tek - Excellent for growing at any scale when maximum yield is desired, however costs more and takes longer than PF Tek (our tutorials are a spawn + bulk substrate tek with a few modifications)
Uncle Bens Tek -
A more recently developed tek that can be used in conjunction with the spawn + bulk substrate tek.
Myco-Consultation
Spores Lab is pioneering the emerging Myco-Consultation industry, offering services which are a complete guide to scaling a mushroom growing operation, something which requires a personalized plan, strong isolated genetics, dedication & determination, and some specialty equipment.
We can provide you with the necessary training, exceptionally strong genetics chosen to meet your specific goals, specialty equipment, and intellectual property (like our growing manual, a customized operating schedule, and our proven formulas or Agar, Liquid Culture, and colonization & fruiting mediums).
We are confident that if you undertake our training courses on culture isolation, culture propagation, inoculation, medium preparation, utilize our proven Liquid Culture/Agar recipes, follow our operating schedule, and inoculate with superior Spores Lab isolate genetics, you will be able to increase yield, accelerate colonization time, and mitigate losses to contamination.
Growing Magic Mushrooms
While the process of scaling a mushroom growing operation comes with significant challenges (for any mushroom species), Growing Magic Mushrooms on a small scale is neither time, effort or cost-prohibitive. Learning how to grow mushrooms at home, can be done with relative ease, low costs, and is by no means "out of reach" for the average individual.
Much of the necessary supplies/equipment required to grow mushrooms can be sourced from our shop, and we also offer mushroom growing kits, however for the mushroom grower on a budget, some items should be purchased locally for maximum cost-effectiveness.
We recommend all home-mushroom-growers begin by checking out our video tutorials, and purchasing either a mushroom grow kit, or the following items;
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Mushroom genetics (spore syringe, isolated culture, or mushroom spawn)(We recommend using a spore syringe for beginner cultivators as this is the most error-proof method of inoculation)
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Inoculation/filter port lid (which makes inoculation easier and allows for air exchange during colonization)
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Colonization/spawn medium. (We recommend using organic, non-fungicide rye grain for best results)
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A pressure cooker or instapot (to sterilize the colonization/spawn medium)
*We also offer a mason jar pre-filled with the correct amount of rye grain, and an inoculation port lid.
*We also offer “master cultures” of fully colonized mushroom spawn. If you were to buy this, you would not need any of the materials or equipment listed thus far!
Later on in the growing process, you will also need:
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Fruiting container (this is better to get locally to save on shipping). (We use a 35L 27x15x7.5 clear plastic tray that you can buy at Home Depot)
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- Fruiting dome (the same tray used for the fruiting container, flipped upside down)
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- Fruiting medium. We offer our tried & tested MYCO-PRO™️ fruiting medium, however if you would like to mix fruiting medium yourself the recipe can be found in our tutorials.
Shown here - Spore Syringe, Spawn Jar, Colonization Medium, and Fruiting Medium/Substrate.
Shown here - Fruiting Container (Fruiting Dome is the same container flipped upside down)
Shown here - Spore Syringe Mushroom Grow Kit
Full Mushroom Growing Supply list
Growing mushrooms will require many of the same supplies and materials regardless of the scale of the project, However at larger scale certain pieces of equipment like a Flow Hood, Electric Sterilizer, and several pieces of laboratory equipment (like Erlenmeyer flasks, Magnetic Spinners, & Petri Dishes) are necessary for maximum cost-effectiveness.
Below we have laid out a complete supply list for both the home/hobby grower, and the commercial grower. We have also designed mushroom growing kit products with everything needed to grow on a small scale.
Home/Hobby Growing
Large Scale Growing
Colonization Supplies
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Colonization Medium (Organic Rye Grain Berries)
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Programmable Thermostat + Humidistat
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Disinfectant/Isopropyl Alcohol
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High-Absorbancy Paper Towels
Fruiting Supplies
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Fruiting Container (35L clear plastic tray/tub)
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Fruiting Dome (the same tray flipped upside down)
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MYCO-PRO™ Fruiting Medium (Vermiculite/Coco-Coir/Peat-Moss/Worm-Castings/CaC04)
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Type 14A Autoclavable Bag (for medium sterilization)
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3mm Contractor Garbage Bags
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High-Absorbancy Paper Towels
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Drill & 2.5" Hole-saw Bit
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Scissors
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Disinfectant/Isopropyl Alcohol
Equipment
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Stove-top Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot
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Still-Air-Box (see our tutorial for instruction on building a SAB)(recommended but not essential)
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Racking (to hold colonization and fruiting containers)
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Industrial Fans (for drying grain, circulating air, etc)
Colonization Supplies
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Colonization Medium (Organic Rye Grain Berries)
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Programmable Thermostat + Humidistat
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Disinfectant/Isopropyl Alcohol
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High-Absorbancy Paper Towels
Fruiting Supplies
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Fruiting Container (35L clear plastic tray/tub)
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Fruiting Dome (the same tray flipped upside down)
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MYCO-PRO™ Fruiting Medium (Vermiculite/Coco-Coir/Peat-Moss/Worm-Castings/CaC04)
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3mm Contractor Garbage Bags
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High-Absorbancy Paper Towels
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Drill & 2.5" Hole-saw Bit
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Scissors
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Disinfectant/Isopropyl Alcohol
Equipment
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Autoclave or Electric Stereoclave/Sterilizer
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Racking (to hold colonization and fruiting containers)
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Industrial Fans (for drying grain, circulating air, etc)
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Magnetic Stir Plates/Stir Bars/Stir Bar Retriever
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Stainless Steel Eberbach Blender (1000mL)
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Eberbach Blender Base
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Stainless Steel Tables (for Lab Clean-bench)
A Stove-Top Pressure Cooker
Contact Us if you would like a personalized supply list for your operation!
Mushroom growing tips
Fungi propagate their genetic code through the dispersion of spores, and are whats called "saphotrophic" organisms (meaning that they survive by consuming nutrients from their environment)(mostly in the form of detritus and decaying material). Therefore they play a crucial role in the health of any ecosystem, as they are the primary decomposers of both plant debris like cellulose/lignin, and dead/decomposing animal tissue. Furthermore, they also have extraordinary capacity to recycle/decompose toxic material, from petroleum oils, to nuclear waste.
The benefits which Fungi provide are not limited to the ecosystem level, they can also have significant benefit to the individual. Several edible/gourmet species (Lions Mane and Shiitake in particular) promote increased cognitive, cardiovascular, and mental health, while Psychoactive varieties (Psilocybe Cubensis in particular) have shown remarkable results in the treatment of many psychological and physical conditions, including but not limited to; Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Alzheimers, PTSD, OCD, Chronic Pain,
These benefits have catalyzed many to learn how to grow mushrooms, and the greatest information repository known to man (the internet) is filled with forum posts and tutorials. Unfortunately many of these tutorials often leave out key parts of the mushroom growing process. Many online “how-to’s” overlook important details, do not explain why certain parts of the process need to be done, and neglect to include important tips that can drastically increase success rates. Furthermore, our tutorials have been designed in conjunction with our easy-to-use products, showing you exactly what to do when you receive one of our mushroom growing kits, or any of the individual products that make up a mushroom grow kit.
Tip #1: Before delving into the process of indoor cultivation, you should first understand the mushroom life cycle under natural conditions.
If spores are successfully dispersed in an environment with sufficient nutrients and specific environmental conditions, they will germinate, begin to utilize available nutrients, and form what is called “mycelium”.
Mushroom mycelium consists of a mass of branching root-like strands, each strand a single cell thick, called Hyphae. Mycelium can be described as the vegetative portion of a fungus (where all nutrients and energy are put towards growth instead of reproduction). Mushroom mycelium will continue to grow and spread as long as nutrients are available, and as long as the environmental conditions are congruent with this “stage” of the mushroom life cycle. This part of the life cycle (where the mycelium is growing but no mushrooms are growing) is often called “spawning” or “colonization” (we offer products like master cultures and the master culture mushroom grow kit that contain already colonized spawn)
The next step in the mushroom growing process happens once the mycelium has “colonized” its medium (utilized most of the nutrients available). At this point (under natural conditions) changes in environmental conditions (like temperature, light, & humidity) trigger mycelium to switch from a “colonization” state to a “fruiting” state. It is in this fruiting state that mushrooms grow out of the mycelial mat, and mushrooms will continue to sprout until all available nutrients and moisture in the environment are used, or environmental conditions are changed back to conditions congruent with a colonization state.
Tip #2: When growing mushrooms in an indoor environment certain steps can be taken to increase potency, colonization speed, and yield.
Most people will begin the magic mushroom growing process, with a spore syringe (or a spore syringe mushroom grow kit)(which is recommended for beginners) however spores are not the only way, or the most efficient way to grow magic mushrooms.
Advanced mycologists can clone tissue from exceptionally nice mushrooms by placing a tissue sample in an *agar medium*. This process (called “isolation”) creates a culture that has a narrow (and known-good) genetic profile, which results in faster ‘colonization’ time, higher yield, larger fruiting bodies (mushrooms), and increased potency.
Further isolation from the initial mushroom tissue sample can be done on agar by selecting especially strong mycelial strands and propagating these onto another agar petri dish. All Spores Lab agar cultures are isolates, and will reliably produce better results than inoculating with a spore syringe (which has significantly more genetic variability)(our master cultures and master culture mushroom grow kits are also all isolate cultures)
*Agar is a high-nutrient gelatinous medium, the caveat to working with isolations/agar is that a “flow hood” is highly recommended. (a flow hood consists of a HEPA filter enclosed in a box with a fan situated opposite the filter. This allows filtered are to be continually blown over your workspace)*
Another way in which yield can be increased when growing mushrooms indoors is through the addition of a high-nutrient & high water-retention “fruiting medium” when the mycelium has completely colonized its initial medium. Mushroom will fruit directly out of a spawn medium if given the right conditions, however when the fruiting medium is added yields are significantly increased. When spawn and fruiting medium are combined the resulting mix is called a “mushroom substrate”.
Typically a fruiting medium is composed of inputs that provide nutrients (like worm castings), beneficial microorganisms ( like manure/worm castings/frass), and a high-water retention medium ( like vermiculite & peat-moss). If you want to use our recipe, it can be found here, and alterniatviely we sell a pre-mixed mushroom fruiting substrate.
Tip #3: The importance of STERILITY
When you grow mushrooms, you aim to create a perfect environment for fungal growth. Unfortunately this environment is also ideal for bacterial spread, or the spread of other unwanted fungi. Every cubic meter of air (in an unfiltered environment) contains millions of fungal and bacterial spores, and each of these spores can potentially compete with your Psilocybe spores/culture if you allow it to.
You must take extreme care to clean/disinfect all the surfaces, tools, and body parts that will come into contact, or even come near your mushroom culture. This is also why colonization and fruiting mediums must be sterilized/pasteurized in a pressure cooker, why we include disinfectant in our mushroom growing kits, and why a Flow hood is so important when growing mushrooms at scale.
To learn more about mushroom growing in general, and our growing process in specific, check out our free video and written tutorials by clicking one of the buttons below.