Laura Smith
The process of harvesting a hallows mushroom involves several steps, and it is crucial to do it at the right time to maximize future growth and potency. The first step is to prepare a clean workspace and ensure good hygiene by washing your hands or wearing sterile gloves to avoid contamination. The mushrooms are then grasped gently at the bottom of the stem, twisted counterclockwise, and pulled upwards to remove them. It is important to be gentle to avoid breaking the stem. The optimal time to harvest is just before the veil, a thin membrane on the underside of the cap, tears. If the spores are released, they can reduce the yield of future growth. Therefore, careful observation of the veil color is necessary to determine the ideal harvest time. After harvesting, the mushrooms can be dried at room temperature or using a dehydrator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | The best time to harvest is when the veil is about to break. The veil is a thin membrane on the underside of the cap that keeps the spores in the mushroom. Harvesting too late can cause the spores to drop out and the mushrooms to lose potency. |
| Technique | Twist and pull the mushroom gently from the bottom of the stem. Cutting the stem with a sharp knife or scalpel is also an option. |
| Hygiene | Wash hands or wear sterile latex gloves to avoid contamination. Clean the workspace and tools with rubbing alcohol. |
| Drying | Mushrooms can be dried at room temperature for 7-10 days or with a dehydrator. |
| Storage | Store dried mushrooms in a cool, dry place. |
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What You'll Learn
When to harvest
The timing of the harvest of hallows mushrooms is crucial to maximising future flushes and getting the most out of your efforts. The best time to harvest is just before the veil breaks. The veil is a thin membrane on the underside of the mushroom's cap that keeps the spores in the mushroom. When the mushroom is mature, this veil tears and the spores are released, ready to grow the next generation of mushrooms. If the spores get released onto the mycelium cake, it will produce far fewer mushrooms in the subsequent flushes, if any at all.
The veil is located on the underside of the cap, and it covers the gills. On a juvenile mushroom, veils are fleshy and light-coloured – usually a grey-white. When the time comes for them to tear, they often darken and begin to sag. As soon as you see any sign of darkening, it's time to harvest. The veil will literally drop down the stem once it tears and detach from the underside of the cap, revealing a concave cavity and gills. At first, just one side may tear but the rest will soon follow. The veil will turn black, followed by the cap and the whole mushroom. After this point, the mushroom will soon start to die as it has fulfilled its purpose. It will darken, appear to wilt and eventually break.
The timing of the harvest is critical, and it may be helpful to err on the side of caution. Generally, it is better to harvest too soon than too late. While harvesting too early may mean that the mushroom has not reached its full potential, leaving it too long can cause the spores to drop out, making the mushrooms less strong, and providing an opportunity for mould or bacteria to grow. Additionally, the mushroom will be less potent as a percentage of its overall weight, meaning there will be more mushroom body to consume.
It is also important to consider the purpose of your harvest. If you want to make a spore print or a spore syringe, it is essential to harvest before the spores are released. In this case, the best time to pick mushrooms is when the cap has opened and flattened into the shape of an umbrella.
Once you have determined the right time to harvest, it is important to have the correct tools and a sterile environment to avoid contamination. Wash your hands or use sterile latex gloves to avoid introducing germs or oils that can cause the growing matter to become sick. Clean your tools with rubbing alcohol (70% or more) – this includes scissors, a sharp knife or tweezers. You may also need a spray bottle with clean tap water.
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How to harvest
To harvest a Hallows mushroom, it is important to get the timing right. The optimal time to harvest the mushroom is just before the veil—a thin membrane on the underside of the mushroom cap that keeps the spores in—breaks. If you harvest the mushroom after the veil tears, the spores will be released, which can reduce the potency of the mushroom and negatively impact future growth.
To determine if a mushroom is ready to be harvested, carefully observe the veil. On a juvenile mushroom, the veil is usually fleshy and light-coloured, often grey-white. As the mushroom matures, the veil may darken and begin to sag. Once you notice these signs, it is time to harvest the mushroom. It is better to harvest the mushroom too soon than too late, as you can maximise future growth and get the most out of your harvest.
When harvesting the mushroom, hygiene is a priority. Wash your hands or wear sterile latex gloves to avoid contamination. You can harvest the mushroom by grasping it at the bottom of the stem and making a counterclockwise turning movement. Alternatively, you can use tweezers if the mushroom is too small to grasp by hand. Be careful not to use too much force when pulling, as the stem can easily break. After harvesting, you can dry the mushrooms by spreading them on a kitchen towel and ensuring none of the mushrooms are in contact with each other. Regularly change the towels, and the mushrooms should be finished drying in about 7 to 10 days.
If you are using a grow kit, you can get multiple harvests or flushes. To get the next batch going, you will need to give the mycelium some water. The process depends on the type of kit you are using, so be sure to check the instructions. For most standard kits, you will need to soak the kit box in cold water for about 12 hours, drain it, and then put it back in the grow bag. For FreshMushroom Kits, harvesting cleanly is usually sufficient, and they typically do not need soaking.
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Drying and storing
One popular method for drying mushrooms is to spread them out on a kitchen towel, ensuring that none of the mushrooms are touching. The mushrooms should be left to dry for 7 to 10 days, with the towels being changed regularly. Alternatively, some people use a dehydrator to speed up the drying process.
If you are using a grow kit, you will need to give the mycelium some water to get the next batch going. Most standard kits require the kit box to be soaked in water for 12 hours before being drained and put back into the grow bag. FreshMushroom Kits, on the other hand, usually do not need soaking and can be harvested cleanly without any additional steps.
It is important to note that the timing of your harvest will impact the drying and storing process. If you harvest too late, the mushrooms will release their spores, which can reduce the potency of the mushrooms and make the surface messy. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest just before the veil breaks, as this is when the psilocybin is at its strongest.
Additionally, hygiene is a critical factor in the drying and storing process. It is essential to wear gloves or ensure that your hands are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to avoid contamination. The work surface and tools, such as scissors or knives, should also be cleaned with rubbing alcohol to prevent the growth of germs or mould.
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Avoiding contamination
Maintain a Clean Workspace: Before beginning the harvesting process, ensure your workspace is clean and free of dirt and debris. Minimise air movement to prevent dust and contaminants from settling on the mushrooms or growing medium.
Personal Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly or wear disposable gloves to avoid transferring bacteria, oils, or germs to the mushrooms. You can also disinfect your hands or gloves with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or 70% or more) for added protection.
Sterile Tools: Clean all tools that will come into contact with the mushrooms, such as scissors, knives, or tweezers, with rubbing alcohol. This helps prevent the transfer of contaminants and reduces the risk of introducing unwanted bacteria or fungi.
Harvest Timing: Timing is critical to avoid contamination. Harvest the mushrooms just before the veil—the thin membrane under the cap that holds the spores—breaks. If you wait too long, the spores will be released, leading to potential contamination of the growing medium and reduced potency of the mushrooms.
Gentle Handling: When harvesting, hold the mushrooms gently at the bottom of the stem and twist and pull, or use a clean, sterile knife to cut the stem. Avoid being too rough to prevent damage to the fungus network, which can reduce future yields.
Proper Disposal: Dispose of any mushroom trimmings and waste responsibly, preferably in a similar habitat to where they were picked. Trimming and cleaning the mushrooms in situ helps prevent dirt from getting lodged in the gills, making them easier to clean and reducing the risk of contamination.
By following these steps and maintaining a sterile environment, you can significantly reduce the risk of contamination when harvesting magic mushrooms.
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The next batch
Now that you have harvested your first batch of magic mushrooms, you can start preparing for the next batch. The first step is to give the mycelium some water. The process for this depends on the type of kit you have, so be sure to check the instructions that came with your specific kit. Here is a general idea of what to do:
For most standard kits, you will need to soak the kit box in cold water for about 12 hours. Drain off the water, let it sit for a few minutes to ensure all water has drained, and then put the kit back in the grow bag. You may want to give the inside walls of the bag a little spray of water. Place the bag back in an area with indirect light and a warm temperature. A heating mat can be useful here if your room is cool.
For FreshMushroom Kits, harvesting is usually different, and they often do not need soaking. Just harvest the mushrooms cleanly.
After you have prepared your kit for the next batch, it usually takes 5 to 10 days for the next batch to be ready. However, this also depends on creating the right growing conditions, such as perfect humidity, misting the mushroom bed without overwatering, and controlling the amount of light in your grow area.
Once the next batch is ready, you will need to harvest the mushrooms again. Remember, the timing of the harvest is crucial. The best time to harvest magic mushrooms is just before the veil breaks. The veil is a thin membrane on the underside of the cap that keeps the spores in the mushroom. When the mushroom is mature, the veil tears, and the spores are released. If the spores get released onto the mycelium cake, it will reduce the yield of further flushes or stop new mushrooms from growing entirely. Therefore, it is important to harvest the mushrooms before the veil breaks. However, harvesting too early is better than harvesting too late.
When harvesting, always prioritise hygiene to avoid contamination. Wash your hands or use sterile latex gloves. You can harvest the mushrooms by grasping them at the bottom of the stem and then making a counterclockwise turning movement. If the mushrooms are too small to use your hands, you can use tweezers. Be careful not to use too much force when pulling, as the stems can break easily. After harvesting, you can store the mushrooms by spreading them on a kitchen towel and letting them dry, making sure none of the mushrooms are in contact with each other.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to harvest a Hallows mushroom is just before the veil—a thin membrane on the underside of the mushroom's cap—breaks. The veil will darken and begin to sag before it tears, so be sure to harvest the mushroom when you notice these signs.
To harvest a Hallows mushroom, grasp the bottom of the stem and make a counterclockwise turning movement. You can also use tweezers if the mushroom is too small to pick by hand. Do not use too much force when pulling, or the mushroom will break.
To store harvested Hallows mushrooms, spread them out on a kitchen towel and let them dry. Change the towels regularly. Mushrooms dried at room temperature typically take 7 to 10 days to dry. You can also use a dehydrator to dry the mushrooms.
A common mistake when harvesting Hallows mushrooms is picking too late, which causes the spores to drop out and makes the mushrooms less potent. Leaving stem bits can also cause germs or mould to grow, ruining future harvests. Using bare hands can transfer oils and germs to the mushrooms, and being too rough can hurt the fungus network, resulting in fewer mushrooms in the next harvest.
To prepare your workspace for harvesting Hallows mushrooms, clean your table and wear gloves or wash your hands to prevent contamination. Clean all your tools, including scissors, a sharp knife, or tweezers, with rubbing alcohol (70% or more).
