Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are known for their unique psychedelic experiences and are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits. When it comes to harvesting and storing magic mushrooms, drying them is crucial to preserving their potency and preventing mould growth. Proper drying techniques ensure that mushrooms can be stored for months or even years without losing their flavour or potency. This involves pre-drying the mushrooms by removing excess water and then using methods such as air drying, dehydrators, or desiccants to completely dry the mushrooms. Once dried, proper storage in airtight containers and a cool, dry, dark place is essential to maintain the mushrooms' potency and prevent degradation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Harvesting time | Just when the veil between the cap and the foot begins to break |
| Pre-drying | Remove excess water from the harvest before drying them out |
| Drying | Air drying, dehydrators, desiccants, sun drying, silica gel, oven |
| Storage | Glass jars, airtight containers, sealable bags, vacuum bags, cool, dry, dark place |
| Potency | Dried shrooms can stay potent for several months to a year |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a growing kit
Growing psilocybin mushrooms is a complex process that requires a lot of attention to detail and a sterile environment. Before you begin, it is important to understand the legal status of cultivating psilocybin mushrooms in your area. While psilocybin is listed as a Schedule I drug and is considered a felony under federal law in the US, the possession of magic mushroom spores is not prohibited as they do not contain the psychoactive constituents. Therefore, it is essential to research the specific laws and regulations in your state or country before purchasing or using a grow kit.
Now, let's delve into choosing a growing kit. There are various options available, and it is important to select one that suits your needs and experience level. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a growing kit:
- Type of Kit: The most common type is a premade mushroom grow kit, which simplifies the growing process and makes it accessible to beginners. These kits typically contain all the essentials, including the substrate, pre-colonized mycelium, and a grow bag or humidity tent. Another option is to use the PF Tek method, a low-cost and reliable DIY approach that involves adding vermiculite to a grain-based substrate.
- Substrate: The substrate is the growing medium for the mushrooms and plays a crucial role in their growth. Common options include rye grain, which is rich in nutrients and often the first choice for initial colonization; brown rice flour, which is easy to use and ideal for beginners; vermiculite, valued for its water retention abilities; and coco coir, preferred by experienced cultivators for its resistance to contamination.
- Humidity Control: Psilocybin mushrooms thrive in high-humidity environments. Look for a kit that includes a humidity tent or a plastic bag to maintain the necessary humidity levels. Alternatively, you can create your own "humidity tent" by using a semi-transparent plastic bag pierced with holes.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to providing fresh air circulation and maintaining carbon dioxide levels during the fruiting stage of mushroom cultivation. Choose a kit that includes a ventilation system, such as an inline fan and carbon filter.
- Temperature Control: Mushrooms require specific temperature ranges to thrive. Opt for a kit that allows you to control and adjust the temperature within the recommended range of 68-77°F (20-25°C).
- Ease of Use: Consider your level of experience and choose a kit that is suitable for beginners if you are just starting out. Look for kits that are ready-to-use and provide easy-to-follow instructions.
- Reviews and Reputation: Research the reputation of the company or brand offering the grow kit. Read reviews from other customers to gauge their success with the kit and the quality of the resulting mushrooms.
Remember, growing psilocybin mushrooms is a delicate process, and it is essential to follow the instructions provided with your chosen kit carefully. Always prioritize safety and legality when cultivating these mushrooms.
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Prepare the substrate
Drying psilocybin mushrooms is a crucial step in preserving their potency and preventing mould growth. Here is a detailed guide on preparing the substrate for drying:
Firstly, it is important to disinfect the work environment and any tools or containers that will come into contact with the mushrooms during the drying process. Create a solution of distilled water with 5-10% bleach, and use it to wipe down surfaces and equipment. Then, rinse everything with distilled water to remove any bleach residue. Allow the area to air out for a few hours before proceeding.
Before placing the mushrooms on drying racks or trays, ensure they are clean. Use a damp paper towel or a mushroom brush to wipe them, and then give them a quick rinse under cold running water. Remove any tough, woody stalks, and slice tender stalks into ¼-inch pieces. Large mushrooms should be peeled and sliced, while small mushrooms can remain whole and unpeeled.
Pre-Drying
Pre-drying is an important step to remove excess water from the mushrooms before thorough drying. Place the mushrooms on a rack or mesh in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch and have enough space for air circulation. You can also use kitchen paper, but be sure to change it if you're drying large batches to avoid retaining too much moisture. If you have large mushrooms, consider cutting or tearing them into smaller pieces to increase their surface area and speed up drying.
Check on your mushrooms periodically. Pre-drying is complete when the mushrooms appear wrinkly and feel rubbery. This usually takes a few hours, but the time may vary.
Drying Methods
Now that your substrate is prepared, you can choose from several drying methods, including air drying, dehydrators, or desiccants.
Air drying is the cheapest and easiest method, but it may not always result in bone-dry mushrooms, especially in humid environments. Place the pre-dried mushrooms on a wire rack or a clean cloth, ensuring good airflow and ventilation. Keep them out of direct sunlight, and in a moderately warm space between 60-70°F with 55-65% humidity. Flip the mushrooms periodically to ensure even drying.
Dehydrators are another option, using gentle heat and constant airflow. Set the temperature to around 40°C to preserve the psilocybin and check on your mushrooms regularly.
Desiccants like silica gel can also be used to absorb moisture from pre-dried mushrooms. Place the mushrooms in a container with the desiccant and ensure the container is sealed.
Regardless of the method chosen, your mushrooms are ready when they snap under pressure, indicating they are bone dry.
Remember, proper drying and storage techniques are essential to maintain the potency and quality of your psilocybin mushrooms.
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Create the right conditions
Before you begin, it is important to disinfect the work environment, tools, and containers to prevent contamination. Use distilled water with 5-10% bleach to wipe down surfaces and equipment, then rinse with distilled water and let everything air dry.
The ideal drying environment is moderately warm, between 60-70°F (140°F according to one source), with humidity between 55-65%. Keep mushrooms out of direct sunlight and ensure good airflow.
If you are air-drying, place the mushrooms on a wire rack so that they can dry out evenly on all sides. If you don't have a wire rack, lay them on a clean cloth and flip them over every few hours. You can also place them on a tray covered with two layers of kitchen paper, ensuring they do not touch. Cover with a dark towel to attract heat and place them near a heater or fireplace. Change the paper underneath daily.
If you are using a dehydrator, set it to a low temperature (around 40°C, or 60°C according to another source) to preserve the psilocybin. Check on your mushrooms every hour or so, and put them back in for 10-15 minutes at a time until they are ready.
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Harvesting techniques
Harvesting psilocybin mushrooms at the right time is crucial to ensure maximum potency and quality. The best time to harvest is when the veil between the cap and the foot of the mushroom begins to break. This piece of the mushroom's anatomy serves to cover the spore-bearing gills, and as soon as the veil tears away from the cap, it's time to pluck and pre-dry your mushrooms.
Pre-drying is a method of removing excess water from your harvest before thoroughly drying them out. To pre-dry your mushrooms, you can use a container or tray covered with two layers of kitchen paper. Make sure the mushrooms don't touch each other and place them in a well-ventilated, disinfected, and dark space. You can put them in the sun, near a heater, or a fireplace, and cover them with a dark towel to attract more heat. Check on them every now and then, and when they appear wrinkly and rubbery, the pre-drying is complete.
After pre-drying, you can proceed with drying your mushrooms using one of the following methods:
- Air drying: This is the cheapest and easiest way to dry psilocybin mushrooms. Place the pre-dried mushrooms on a rack or mesh in a single layer, ensuring proper airflow. Keep them in a moderately warm space, ideally between 60-70°F, with humidity between 55-65%. Avoid direct sunlight, as a slow and even drying process is best. Air drying takes about 1-3 days, and you'll know the mushrooms are ready when they snap under pressure.
- Dehydrator: Dehydrators use a gentle heat source and constant airflow to gradually and evenly remove moisture. Set your dehydrator to a low temperature (around 40°C) to preserve the psilocybin and check on your mushrooms every hour or so. The process can take between 4-8 hours, depending on the pre-drying.
- Desiccants: Desiccants are solids that absorb water and can be used to pull moisture out of your mushrooms. Silica gel is a commonly used desiccant as it absorbs moisture well and is non-toxic. Place the pre-dried mushrooms in a container with the desiccant and ensure the container is sealed.
Once your mushrooms are completely dry, proper storage is crucial to maintain their potency and prevent mould growth. Store your mushrooms in airtight containers, such as glass jars or vacuum-sealed bags, in a cool, dry, and dark place. With proper storage, dried psilocybin mushrooms can retain their potency for several months or even years.
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Drying and storage
Drying psilocybin mushrooms is a crucial step in preserving their potency and preventing mould growth. The goal is to get your mushrooms bone dry, which means they should be crispy and snap when you try to bend them. There are several methods you can use to dry your mushrooms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Air Drying
Air drying is the cheapest and easiest way to dry psilocybin mushrooms. It ensures a slow and consistent dry. However, it may not always get your mushrooms completely dry, especially in humid environments. To air dry mushrooms, place them on a wire rack in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch, and leave them in a moderately warm space, ideally between 60-70°F, with humidity between 55-65%. Keep them out of direct sunlight and turn them over every few hours to ensure even drying. This process can take 1-3 days.
Dehydrators
Dehydrators use a gentle heat source and constant airflow to gradually and evenly remove moisture from mushrooms. While they can be expensive to purchase, they provide an excellent way to dry psilocybin mushrooms. When using a dehydrator, set it to a low temperature (around 40°C) to keep the psilocybin intact and check on your mushrooms every hour or so. The whole process will take between 4-8 hours, depending on the size of your mushrooms.
Desiccants
Desiccants are solids that absorb water and can be used to pull moisture out of your mushrooms. Silica gel is a commonly used desiccant as it absorbs moisture well and is non-toxic. To use this method, place pre-dried mushrooms in a container with the desiccant and let it do its work.
Sun Drying
You can also dry your mushrooms in the sun. Place them on a tray covered with two layers of kitchen paper and ensure they do not touch. Cover them with a dark towel to attract heat and aid faster drying. Replace the kitchen paper under the mushrooms daily, as it will absorb moisture.
Oven Drying
Mushrooms can also be dried in the oven at a temperature of 140°F (60°C). However, this method requires careful monitoring to prevent scorching and ensure even drying.
Storage
Once your mushrooms are completely dry, it is important to store them properly to maintain their potency and prevent the growth of mould or bacteria. Store your mushrooms in a cool, dry, dark place, such as a closet or pantry. Use airtight containers or bags, such as glass jars or vacuum seal bags, to prevent air and moisture from entering and degrading the mushrooms. Desiccants like silica gel can also be placed inside containers to absorb any residual moisture. Properly stored, dried psilocybin mushrooms can last for several months or even years before losing potency.
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Frequently asked questions
Drying psilocybin mushrooms is a great way to store them for longer. Fresh mushrooms will go bad after a few days, but dried mushrooms can be stored for several months or even a year.
Magic mushrooms should be harvested right before the veil tears away from the cap. This piece of the mushroom's anatomy serves to cover the spore-bearing gills.
Place your mushrooms on a rack or mesh in a single layer, without stacking them, making sure there is enough space between them for air circulation. You can also put them on kitchen paper. Check on them every now and then, and once they appear wrinkly and rubbery to the touch, pre-drying is complete.
Air drying is the cheapest and easiest way to dry your mushrooms. Place your pre-dried mushrooms on a wire rack in a moderately warm space, ideally between 60-70°F, with humidity between 55-65%. Make sure to keep mushrooms out of direct sunlight. You can also use a food dehydrator, but this is more expensive.
