Laura Smith
Spore syringes are an essential tool for cultivating mushrooms. They are used to inoculate a substrate with spores, which is the first step in growing mushrooms. Using a spore syringe is a simple, clean, and reliable method that is popular with novice and seasoned cultivators alike. It is also a cost-effective method, as a single spore print can be used to prepare multiple syringes. However, it is important to sterilize the syringe and needle properly to avoid contamination. While there is no limit to how many mushrooms can be produced with one syringe, proper care must be taken during each step of the process for successful cultivation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sterilization | Sterilize the syringe and needle with boiling water, a pressure cooker, or a flame |
| Spore solution | Mix spores with sterile water inside the syringe |
| Inoculation | Inject 3 ml of spore solution into each corner of the substrate; 1 syringe can inoculate 6-7 liters of substrate |
| Germination | Keep the inoculated substrate in a warm, dark place |
| Contamination | Sterilization is important to prevent contamination; use a still air box to reduce airborne contaminants |
| Liquid cultures | An alternative to syringes, liquid cultures are a germination method where the spores grow in a liquid substrate |
| Spore prints | Seal spore prints from heat, air, and moisture before storing in the fridge; they can last over a decade |
| Spore syringes | Syringes should be refrigerated and can last 8-12 months |
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What You'll Learn
Sterilization of equipment and work area
The number of syringes you will need to seed mushrooms depends on the scale of your operation and the type of mushrooms you wish to grow. A syringe can be used multiple times, as long as it is properly sterilized and not damaged. Syringes are used to inoculate the substrate, which is where the mushroom mycelium will obtain all the nutrients it needs to develop and produce mushrooms.
Sterilization is a crucial step in the mushroom growing process, as it kills all living and dormant organisms and fungal spores, giving your mushroom mycelium the best possible start. There are several methods you can use to sterilize your equipment and work area:
Pressure cooker
Small-scale mushroom growers typically use pressure cookers to sterilize their equipment. You can fill the syringe with sterilized boiling water or cook it in a pressure cooker. To sterilize the needle, use a flame. If you are using an oven or autoclave to sterilize your substrate, be aware that it will dry out the substrate, and you will need to rehydrate it with distilled water afterward.
Steam sterilization
This method involves using steam, time, temperature, and pressure to kill living organisms and spores. The ideal temperature for sterilization is 121°C (250°F) for at least 2 hours. Most mushroom growers will need 15 PSI of pressure to achieve this temperature. You will also need to ensure that all air in the container is vented and replaced by steam to avoid pockets of compressed air that prevent sterilization.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization is a simpler method that does not require specialized equipment. It involves maintaining a temperature of around 70°C (158°F) for an extended period. This method does not kill all organisms but allows certain beneficial ones to remain. It may be suitable for less nutritious substrates like straw, sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, hardwood sawdust, and cardboard.
Hydrogen peroxide bath
This technique involves soaking the substrate in a bath of hydrogen peroxide-treated water for about an hour. For every 4.5 liters of water, use 1 liter of hydrogen peroxide. After soaking, rinse and drain the substrate before adding the spawn and incubating.
Lime-treated water bath
This method is based on the idea that mushroom mycelium can handle high pH levels that competing organisms cannot. Immerse your substrate in a bath of hydrated lime-treated cold water for 24 hours to raise the pH and destroy pollutants.
Regardless of the sterilization method you choose, maintaining aseptic conditions after sterilization is critical to prevent contamination. Always thoroughly wash your hands and forearms with soap, and wipe down your work area with an antibacterial cleanser.
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Preparing the spore syringe
Sterilise Water and Equipment
Pressure cook distilled water at 15 psi for 30 minutes to sterilise it. Allow the water to cool down to room temperature, as spores can be killed by hot water. Sterilise your working area, such as a still air box, using 70% isopropyl alcohol or 70/30 methylated spirits and water. Ensure there is no air movement. Sterilise any metal utensils, syringes, needles, and scalpel/knife with a flame or by placing them in the pressure cooker.
Prepare the Spores
Place a mushroom cap with the gill side down on a piece of wax or parchment paper, or a sheet of aluminium foil. Alternatively, place the mushroom cap in a self-seal bag and push it into one corner. Inject 10ml of sterile water into the corner with the mushroom cap.
Mix Spores and Water
Using a sterile scalpel or knife, scrape the spores off the mushroom cap into the water. If using a self-seal bag, use your thumb and forefinger to wash the spores off the foil into the water. Draw the spore solution into a syringe and distribute it back to ensure the spores are evenly dispersed.
Storage and Safety
Store the spore syringes in a sterile environment to prevent contamination. Always recap needles when not in use to protect yourself and others. Syringes can be reused if they are properly sterilised.
Preparing spore syringes is a cost-effective method for cultivating mushrooms, offering control, specificity, and flexibility. It is a simple process that can be easily performed by beginners and experienced cultivators alike.
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Inoculation of the substrate
Inoculation is the process of inserting the mushroom spawn into a substrate suitable for growing. The spawn then colonizes the substrate, leading to the growth of mushrooms. The substrate likely will not produce a larger amount of mushrooms, so a high inoculation rate means more money spent on spawn per pound of mushrooms. For a new cultivator, using a high inoculation rate can boost the success rate. As the grower refines the process, they can lower the inoculation rate and observe if there is a difference in colonisation time.
The cultivator aims to establish the desired edible mushroom mycelium before anything else. The higher the inoculation rate or amount of spawn added to the substrate, the faster the mycelium will grow through the substrate. The length of the inoculation process depends on the mushroom type, substrate, and conditions. Generally, it takes a few weeks for the spawn to fully colonise the substrate. After that, with the right conditions (humidity, temperature, light), mushrooms will start to grow.
The substrate must be prepared before inoculation. The type of substrate depends on the mushroom species, providing the right nutrients for mycelial growth. Common substrates include logs, stumps, woodchips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, grain hulls, and other carbon-rich materials. Some mushrooms are particular about the substrate, while others are flexible. For example, oyster mushrooms thrive on straw or pasteurised coco coir, button mushrooms prefer composted manure, and shiitake mushrooms flourish on hardwood sawdust.
Sterilisation is crucial to avoid contamination by other organisms. This step effectively kills off competitor organisms, creating an optimal environment for mushrooms. Not all substrates require the same sterilisation process. Nitrogen-poor substrates are challenging to colonise, so only the inoculated mushroom will grow. Logs, straw, and woodchips can be inoculated outdoors with little concern. Conversely, nitrogen-rich substrates are more prone to contamination and require indoor inoculation with a strict procedure. Grain or sawdust must be inoculated in a sterile space with an air filter. Surfaces should be wiped with alcohol, and tools should be sterilised.
The inoculation process involves several steps, including preparing the substrate, adding the spawn, and maintaining the right conditions for growth. Timing is critical for successful log inoculation, ideally in early spring when the logs are fresh. However, winter inoculation is possible with proper conditions. The inoculation rate, or amount of spawn per substrate volume, is essential, as too little spawn may slow colonisation, while too much can waste resources. Even spawn distribution across the substrate is vital for successful colonisation, giving each part an equal chance to be colonised.
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Germination of spores
The number of syringes required to seed mushrooms depends on the scale of mushroom cultivation and the method of inoculation. Using a spore syringe is one of the simplest, cleanest, and most effective options for novice growers. It is a straightforward and reliable process that even many experienced cultivators prefer.
Mushroom spores germinate when they are in the right conditions, turning into tiny networks called mycelium. This is the vegetative part of the fungus, essential for the mushroom's life cycle.
Moisture
The agar provides essential moisture for spores to germinate.
Temperature
Warmth is critical for germination. The ideal germination temperature varies depending on the mushroom variety, but 70 degrees Fahrenheit is typically a good starting point for most.
Darkness
Most spores germinate well in dark or low-light conditions. However, light conditions can vary depending on the species.
To germinate mushroom spores, you can use an agar plate or a liquid culture.
Agar Plate
Use clean tweezers to place a small fragment of the spore swab on an agar plate. It is best to use multiple plates as some may fail to germinate or become contaminated. Seal the plates with parafilm or store them in clean plastic bags and place them in a dark, low-traffic area at the desired temperature. Check the plates after a few days for contamination or germination. Germination typically occurs within 7-10 days, but it can vary depending on genetics and environmental conditions. If any contamination occurs, discard the plate or transfer a small piece of mycelium to a clean plate.
Liquid Culture
Liquid cultures use a nutrient-rich "broth" of sterile water enriched with sugars. The germination occurs within this liquid substrate, and the mycelium will be suspended in the solution. It is generally believed that isolating a single strain is important to avoid inconsistency and competition between strains.
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Colonization and fruiting
Fruiting occurs when the mycelium reaches the reproductive stage and forms mushrooms. This phase requires similar temperature conditions to colonization (70-80°F). A 12/12 light cycle with low-watt light is introduced, as light and oxygen are triggering factors for fruiting. For the All-in-One-Bag method, you can fruit directly in the bags or cut off the top. When harvesting, it's recommended to remove the entire "cake" and place it in a clear tub, fanning it for 30 seconds daily while keeping the sides moist.
To ensure successful colonization and fruiting, it's essential to prepare your growth medium or substrate. Common substrates include sterilized grain, straw, birdseed, or specialized mushroom-growing media. The substrate must be sterilized before inoculation to prevent contamination. Additionally, always sterilize your syringes and needles, either by boiling or using a flame, to prevent the introduction of unwanted microorganisms.
The spore syringe is a fundamental tool in mushroom cultivation. It provides a sterile environment for the spores and allows for precise distribution, increasing the chances of successful colonization and a bountiful yield. Each syringe typically contains 20 ml of the mushroom spore solution, enough to inoculate 6-7 liters of substrate. You only need 3 ml of the spore solution to colonize 1 liter of the substrate.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of syringes you need depends on the growing method and the type of mushrooms you are looking to grow. Generally, a spore syringe is one of the simplest and cleanest options, and a single spore print can be used to prepare multiple syringes.
Spore syringes are a simple, reliable, and clean method for novice growers. They allow spores to be added directly to the substrate with a low risk of contamination. Spore syringes are also cost-effective as a single spore print can be used to prepare multiple syringes.
First, source some mushroom spores. These can be found online in the form of spore prints or ready-made spore syringes. Prepare a clean environment with minimal airflow to avoid contamination. Sterilize the syringe by filling it with sterilized boiling water or cooking it in a pressure cooker. Sterilize the needle using a flame and allow it to cool before proceeding. Shake the syringe to evenly distribute the spores within the liquid. Carefully insert the needle into the substrate, depress the plunger, and release the spore solution. Repeat this process in several spots to distribute the spores evenly.
