The Magic Of Growing Psychedelic Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which can alter a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. They are typically consumed dried, powdered, fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. They are also known to cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. The availability of psilocybin mushrooms from wild and cultivated sources has made them one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs. Growing mushrooms involves seven main steps: strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest.

The seven stages of cultivation

Strain Selection

The first step in cultivating mushrooms is choosing the right strain. Different strains will have different genetic makeups, so it's important to select a strain that is well-suited to your specific goals and growing conditions. For example, oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are a common species with thousands of different strains to choose from.

Substrate Preparation

Before introducing the mushroom spawn, the substrate, or growing medium, must be prepared. This could involve using materials such as sawdust, straw, or woodchips, depending on the species of mushroom. The substrate provides the food source for the mushrooms, so it is important to ensure it is properly prepared and contains the necessary nutrients.

Inoculation

Inoculation is the process of introducing the mushroom spawn to the prepared substrate. This can be done in various ways, such as through the use of spawn bags or by directly mixing the spawn with the substrate. This step initiates the colonization process, where the mycelium (the root-like structure of the mushroom) begins to grow and fuse together.

Incubation

During incubation, the mycelium continues to grow and colonize the substrate. The ideal temperature and humidity conditions are critical during this stage to ensure optimal growth. Incubation times can vary significantly depending on the species of mushroom and the type of substrate. For example, oyster mushrooms on straw may take 14-28 days, while shiitake mushrooms on sawdust can take 42-84 days.

Initiation

Initiation occurs when the mycelium has fully colonized the available food source and is ready to fruit. This stage involves creating the right environmental conditions to trigger fruiting. Temperature and humidity control continue to be important factors during initiation.

Fruiting

Fruiting is the stage where the mushrooms themselves begin to form and develop. Lighting and oxygen levels are key factors during fruiting. While specialty mushrooms do not require a specific light spectrum, adequate lighting is necessary for proper mushroom morphology. Maintaining fresh oxygen levels in the fruiting room is also essential for healthy mushroom development.

Harvest

The final stage of cultivation is the harvest. The timing of the harvest will depend on the specific strain and species of mushroom, as well as the desired size and quality. After harvesting, the mushrooms may be consumed fresh, cooked, or brewed into tea.

Ideal temperature ranges

Temperature is a critical factor in cultivating drug mushrooms. While the ideal temperature range varies slightly depending on the species of mushroom and the growing medium, there are some general temperature guidelines that can help you successfully grow drug mushrooms.

For most species of mushrooms, temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit are ideal for optimal growth and fruiting. Specifically, temperatures in the low 60s Fahrenheit will produce the highest quality mushrooms with good fruiting speed. If you are able to control the temperature in your growing environment, aim for a range between 62 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is one of the reasons why some people choose to fruit mushrooms in basements or other in-ground areas, as temperatures in these locations typically fall within this ideal range without the need for supplemental heating or cooling.

It is important to note that as temperatures deviate from this ideal range, it can negatively impact the productivity and quality of the mushrooms. For example, as temperatures decrease below 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, many species will significantly reduce their productivity. On the other hand, as temperatures rise above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, many species will also become less productive and produce lower-quality mushrooms.

The specific species of mushroom you are cultivating will also influence the ideal temperature range. For instance, oyster mushrooms have a faster growth rate than shiitake mushrooms, and their ideal temperature range may differ slightly. Similarly, the substrate you are using can impact the ideal temperature. A sawdust-based substrate, for example, will typically have a faster incubation time than logs, and this may affect your temperature considerations.

By carefully controlling the temperature within the ideal range, you can promote the healthy growth and fruiting of your drug mushrooms. Remember that lighting and oxygen levels are also important factors to consider when creating the optimal environment for mushroom cultivation.

Lighting requirements

Mushrooms do not require light for photosynthesis, as they do not have chlorophyll and do not photosynthesise. However, light does play a role in the development of many mushroom species.

Some mushrooms, like button and enoki mushrooms, are usually grown in the dark, creating the misconception that all mushrooms grow in the dark. However, most other mushroom varieties need some light during the fruiting phase for their fruit bodies to develop properly.

The amount of light mushrooms need varies per species. Some mushrooms, such as Psilocybe Albino, hardly need light, while Psilocybe Cubensis (also known as Mexican) does well in bright light.

Mushrooms grown indoors can be exposed to either natural or artificial light. Natural light does not require much adjustment, but artificial light allows for more control. Some growers use LED or CFL lighting and set up light schedules so that the mushrooms receive a set amount of light each day.

For a small terrarium, a single CFL (compact fluorescent) that screws into a standard lightbulb socket will work well. These can often be found in grocery and drug stores. 15-watt CFLs will do the job well. Fluorescent lamps should be placed as close as possible to the terrariums without causing excessive heating.

The light best suited for primordia formation and the development of fruit bodies is bright light with a colour temperature of 5,000 Kelvin to 7,000 Kelvin. Lights measuring under 7,000 Kelvin should be fine to leave on for extended periods of time. However, if you are concerned that your light may be too intense or may burn your substrate, you can safely limit light to 3–4 hours per day.

Most mushroom species don't mind a slightly warmer temperature during the daytime than at night, so a little warming from your lights during the daytime won't hurt, provided you don't let the air in your terrarium get too dry.

For easy-to-grow species like oyster mushrooms, a warm spot near a window with 12 hours of indirect light usually provides the required temperatures, airflow, and lighting. And misting your mushrooms frequently with water will help to maintain the required humidity levels.

Although light requirements vary from species to species, mushroom cultivators generally agree that indirect sunlight or white or blue wavelength 6500K–9000K artificial LED lights are best.

Blue light, in particular, has been shown to have a profound effect on mushroom growth. Blue light, which has a wavelength between 400 and 500 nm, appears to promote faster colonisation times and a higher yield of fruiting bodies in some species. Blue light mimics the natural conditions under which many mushrooms grow, as they are often exposed to the blue light present in daylight.

Oyster mushrooms

To begin growing oyster mushrooms, one must first obtain a strong, clean mycelium culture. This can be purchased on a petri dish or as a liquid culture in a syringe, or one can attempt to clone an oyster mushroom from a local grocery store or farmer's market. As oyster mushrooms grow abundantly in the wild, one can also choose to forage for a local variety to propagate.

Natural growth conditions

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are species of macrofungi that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. They grow in many regions of the world, including North America, South and Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Magic mushrooms can be found in various environments, including meadows, woods, forests, and even urban areas. They typically thrive in warm, humid, and damp conditions and are often found near bodies of water, such as streams and rivers. The species P. cubensis, one of the most common psilocybin mushrooms, is known to grow on cow dung and other decaying matter in cattle pastures.

In the United States, magic mushrooms are particularly abundant in certain regions, such as the Pacific Northwest, the South, and the Northeast. The Pacific Northwest, with its temperate climate, warm summers, mild winters, and ample rainfall, provides ideal conditions for mushroom growth. Magic mushrooms can be found in both natural and urban settings in this region, often in woodchips or decomposing wood.

The South, specifically the forests along the Gulf Coast, also offers favourable conditions for magic mushrooms. They thrive in sandy soils, grasslands, and manure-rich pastures. Magic mushrooms in this region, such as P. cubensis and P. cyanescens, are commonly found growing on cow dung. The Northeast, including states like New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania, is another hotspot for magic mushrooms, where they flourish in warm and humid environments.

While magic mushrooms grow throughout the year in these regions, their abundance increases after heavy rainfall. Additionally, the timing of their fruiting can vary, with some species appearing at the end of summer, while others may be found sporadically during winter and spring.

Frequently asked questions