Sarah Brown
Growing mushrooms in a jar is a safer alternative to foraging in the forest, as it eliminates the risk of accidentally poisoning yourself with the wrong pick. The process of inoculating grain jars is simple and efficient, allowing one fully colonized jar to inoculate up to ten new grain jars. To begin, you must determine the type of mushrooms you want to cultivate and prepare a clean work surface. The next step is to prepare the substrate, which can be coco coir, straw, or hardwood, depending on the mushroom variety. It's important to ensure the substrate is damp before placing it in the jar, filling it up to the threading. After sealing the jar, it should be placed in a dim, warm space, and you should start seeing signs of growth in about 5-10 days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To grow mushrooms |
| Container | Glass jar, preferably a Mason jar |
| Substrate | Grains like rye, oats, millet, or brown rice |
| Sterilization | Pressure cooker or autoclave |
| Temperature | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
| Environment | Dim, warm, and humid |
| Inoculation Method | Spore syringe or liquid culture syringe |
| Needle Sterilization | Heat needle with a flame until red-hot |
| Injection Amount | 1-2 mL of spore solution |
| Storage | Shelf at room temperature, away from direct sunlight |
| Shaking | Recommended during colonization for even growth |
| Colonization Time | Typically 10-30 days, depending on mushroom type and conditions |
| Fruiting | Monotub (clear plastic tote with holes for airflow) |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare a clean work area and wear clean clothes
Before you start preparing your grain jar, it is important to prepare a clean work area and wear clean clothes to reduce the risk of contamination.
Start by choosing a work area that is clean and sanitary. A small, clean room with minimal airflow is ideal. Wipe down all surfaces with 70% alcohol, a freshly made 10% bleach solution (as bleach loses potency over time), or another disinfectant. If you have a laminar flow hood, you can work in front of it to ensure better sterility. A laminar flow hood is a high-end setup that uses a HEPA filter to create a constant flow of sterile air. Alternatively, you can create a Still Air Box (SAB) by using an enclosed plastic bin with hand holes cut into it to prevent airborne contaminants from landing on your sterilized equipment.
In addition to preparing your work area, it is important to wear clean clothes that are free of any contaminants. Make sure your clothes are not too loose-fitting, as this can increase the risk of accidental contact with the jars or equipment. It is also recommended to wear gloves to protect your hands and reduce the risk of contamination.
By taking these precautions and respecting the level of cleanliness required, you can create a safe and sterile environment for inoculating your mushroom jars.
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Choose the right equipment, such as a syringe with a metal needle
To build a mushroom inoculation jar, you will need a syringe with a metal needle. This is a crucial tool for inoculating grain jars, especially if you're a beginner. The syringe should be sterile and have a long, durable needle with a wide gauge to make liquid culture distribution easier.
The most popular needle size is 16-gauge, which is suitable for creating mycelium culture syringes. If you are creating mushroom spore syringes, a smaller 18-gauge needle is recommended. For those working with thickly colonized liquid culture solutions, super wide-bore 14-gauge needles are a good option. Additionally, a 3-inch long needle is useful when working with large jars of liquid culture and is available in both 14 and 16-gauge sizes. It's important to note that the smaller the gauge number, the wider the needle.
When using the syringe, shake it well to evenly distribute the spores or mycelium. Then, heat the needle with a flame until it glows red, allow it to cool, and inject 1-2 mL of the solution into the jar through the injection port. This method ensures the growth of healthy white mycelium, which is the foundation for cultivating a successful mushroom harvest.
It is important to work in a sanitary environment to prevent contamination. This includes disinfecting surfaces and tools with alcohol or bleach solutions and avoiding touching any part of the needle or syringe that will come into contact with the jar's contents.
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Prepare the substrate, such as brown rice or grain
Preparing the substrate, such as brown rice or grain, is a crucial step in successfully growing mushrooms. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the substrate for your mushroom inoculation jar:
Choosing the Right Grain
Select a suitable grain for your substrate. Various grains can be used, such as wheat, rye, brown rice, white rice, wild bird seed, or even popcorn. Among these options, rye is the most popular choice due to its water-absorbing qualities and nutrient composition, which mushrooms favour.
Cleaning and Soaking
Start by rinsing and cleaning the chosen grains thoroughly. Then, soak them in water for 12 to 24 hours. This process ensures the grains are free from any contaminants and adequately hydrated.
Cooking the Grains
After soaking, cook the grains for 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking allows the grains to absorb more water, ensuring they have the right moisture content. This step is crucial because mushrooms thrive in specific moisture conditions, and improper moisture can encourage bacterial growth.
Sterilization
Proper sterilization of the grains is essential to prevent contamination. You can sterilize the grains using various methods, such as pressure cooking or autoclaving. Ensure the grains are adequately dried after sterilization, as excess moisture can promote bacterial growth.
Preparing the Jars
Prepare your jars by cleaning them thoroughly and ensuring they are dry. Label the jars with the mushroom name and the date of inoculation. This step helps you keep track of your mushroom cultures and their progress.
Adding the Substrate
Once your jars are ready, carefully add the prepared and sterilized grain to each jar. Ensure the grains have cooled down before adding them to the jars to prevent condensation buildup. Fill the jars to a suitable level, leaving some space for the needle injection and mycelial growth.
Remember, preparing the substrate is just one part of the process. Maintaining sterile conditions, monitoring the growth, and providing the right environmental conditions are also crucial for successful mushroom inoculation and cultivation.
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Sterilize the jars and fill with substrate
Sterilizing the jars and filling them with the substrate is a crucial step in the mushroom inoculation process. Sterilization is essential to prevent contamination, which can hinder mycelium growth or cause the entire substrate to fail. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:
Firstly, choose the right equipment and prepare your workspace. While you don't need a hood or any fancy equipment, maintaining a high level of cleanliness is important. Clean all surfaces with rubbing alcohol or a freshly made bleach solution, as bleach loses potency over time. If you don't have a laminar flow hood, create a sterile environment by using a still air box (a sealed, clear container with glove holes) to prevent contamination from airborne particles.
Next, prepare your jars. Ensure the jars are properly cleaned and dried. You can use glass jars or mushroom grow bags, which are designed to withstand high sterilization temperatures. Fold the grow bags to prevent steam from entering through the filter patch, and cover any jar filters with foil to prevent excess moisture from entering the substrate. Place a metal rack or jar lids at the bottom of the pressure cooker to prevent direct contact with the cooker's base, and ensure the jars or bags do not touch the sides of the pot to avoid damage.
Now, you can begin the sterilization process. Gather a pressure cooker, jars or bags of prepared substrate, and water. Before using the pressure cooker, inspect it thoroughly to ensure all components are functioning properly. The time needed for sterilization depends on the quantity of substrate and the temperature used. Generally, sterilizing substrate blocks in a pressure cooker at 250°F (121°C) takes between 1 to 4 hours. For small blocks, one hour is sufficient, while larger blocks may need 3 to 4 hours. Avoid over-sterilizing the blocks, and allow them to cool before inoculation, which can take up to 8 hours. If using a barrel steam sterilizer, sterilization can take up to 18 hours, and the substrate should be kept as close to 212°F (100°C) as possible for a long period.
After sterilization, it's time to fill the jars with the substrate. Choose a substrate that provides the right nutrients for mycelial growth based on your mushroom species. Grain-based substrates like rye, millet, or birdseed are suitable, as are organic materials such as straw, sawdust, coco coir, or composted manure. When filling the jars, ensure the substrate is at room temperature and away from direct sunlight.
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Store in a dim, warm place and monitor growth
Once you have inoculated your jars, it's important to store them in a warm, dim place. A shelf in a room with indirect sunlight is a good option. Keep the room temperature between 70-75°F (21-24°C) for optimal growth. Mycelium growth thrives in these temperatures, whereas lower temperatures slow growth and higher temperatures encourage bacteria.
You should also maintain moderate humidity and keep the jars in the dark. A Monotub (a clear plastic tote with holes for airflow) is a great option for fruiting bulk substrates. If you don't have a Monotub, a small, clean room with minimal airflow will do. Just be sure to disinfect all surfaces before placing the jars in the room.
Check your jars daily for any signs of contamination, such as unusual colours, smells, or growth. This is crucial, as contamination is one of the biggest challenges in mushroom growing. If you notice any issues, address them immediately to prevent the loss of your entire batch.
During this time, you may also want to gently shake the jar to help the mycelium spread and create new growth points. Do this when the jar is about 25-30% colonized. Shaking the jar will help the rest of it colonize faster. However, be careful not to handle the jars too much, as this can damage the delicate mycelium.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to prepare your work surface. Choose a clean area free of dirt, dust, and direct airflow from a vent.
You will need a viable mushroom culture, either on agar or in a liquid culture syringe, and a jar of properly prepared sterilized grain with a breathable filter lid.
You can inoculate the grain jar without opening the lid by injecting the liquid culture through the filter on the top of the jar. Alternatively, you can use a spore syringe to inoculate sterilized jars of substrate.
Place your inoculated jars in a dim, warm space. The time it takes for colonization depends on the mushroom species, so do your research. Seal the grain jars tightly and keep them in the right conditions. You should see the first signs of white mycelium growth in about 5-10 days.
