John Miller
Jarring mushrooms is a great way to grow your own fungi from the comfort of your home. It is safer than foraging for mushrooms as you know exactly what you are growing and there is no risk of accidentally poisoning yourself. To get started, you will need a jar, spores, and a substrate for the fungi to feed off of. Sterilize the jar by placing it in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drill a few holes in the lid. Fill the jar with the substrate, leaving some space at the top of the jar. Seal the jar and store it somewhere warm and dark, like a cupboard, to allow the spores to incubate. After a few weeks, you should see the first signs of white mycelium growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jars | Quart-sized glass jars with two-four holes in the lid |
| Substrate | Brown rice flour, vermiculite, and water |
| Temperature | 70-86°F (21-29°C) |
| Environment | Dark, sterile, and moderate humidity |
| Growth Time | 3-5 weeks |
| Harvesting | Twist or cut mushrooms from the jar |
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What You'll Learn
Sterilise the jar and lid
Sterilising the jar and lid is an essential step in the process of growing mushrooms. It is important to prevent contamination from bacteria or mould, which can ruin your crop.
Firstly, wash your hands and then place the jar in boiling water for 10 minutes. If you live at a higher elevation, add an extra minute for every 1,000 feet above sea level. For example, if you live 3,000 feet above sea level, you should boil your jar for 13 minutes. This step is crucial, even if your jar is brand new, as jars often contain microorganisms and dust that can be harmful to your mushrooms.
After boiling, carefully remove the jar from the water, allowing it to cool down. Now, you can start the process of drilling holes in the lid. This step is important, as it will allow the fungi to breathe. Cover the holes with a thin layer of tin foil, creating a filter for the jar.
It is also important to ensure that your work environment is sterile. This can be achieved by working in a still air box (SAB) or in front of a laminar flow hood. If you do not have access to this equipment, you can work in a small, clean room with minimal airflow, and be sure to disinfect all surfaces before beginning the inoculation process.
By following these steps, you will effectively sterilise your jar and lid, creating a safe and healthy environment for your mushrooms to grow.
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Prepare the substrate
Preparing the substrate is a crucial step in successfully growing mushrooms in jars. The substrate is what the fungi will feed off of, so it's important to use the right ingredients and techniques to ensure your mushrooms have the nourishment they need. Here are the steps to prepare the substrate:
Choose the Right Substrate
Different species of mushrooms prefer different substrates. Common substrates include brown rice flour, vermiculite, rye, wheat, millet, compost, coco coir, straw, and hardwood. You can also add 'worm castings' (earthworm poop) to the substrate to encourage better mushroom growth. It's important to do your research and choose a substrate that is suitable for the type of mushrooms you plan to grow.
Gather and Mix the Ingredients
Once you've determined the right substrate for your mushrooms, gather the dry ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. The specific quantities may vary depending on the type of substrate and the number of jars you intend to fill. For example, a mixture of 9 cups of vermiculite and 3 cups of brown rice flour is recommended for 12 x 250mL jars. After the dry ingredients are well mixed, add water to create a moist substrate.
Sterilize the Substrate
To prevent contamination from bacteria or mold, it's important to sterilize the substrate before adding it to the jars. This can be done by pressure cooking the substrate for the recommended time and pressure settings, or by using an autoclave or similar equipment. Proper sterilization will reduce the risk of contamination and increase your chances of successfully growing mushrooms.
Work in a Sterile Environment
When working with the substrate and jars, it's important to maintain a sterile environment to further reduce the risk of contamination. This can be achieved by working in a Still Air Box (SAB), a laminar flow hood, or a small, clean room with minimal airflow. Disinfect all surfaces and equipment before beginning the process of adding the substrate to the jars.
Fill the Jars
Once your substrate is well mixed, moist, and sterilized, you can begin filling your prepared jars. Loosely fill each jar with the substrate, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top. Wipe up any moisture or substrate on the inside and outside of the jar. Then, fill the remaining space with dry vermiculite to create a barrier between the substrate and potential contaminants in the air.
By following these steps to prepare the substrate, you'll create a healthy environment for your mushrooms to grow and increase your chances of a successful harvest.
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Fill the jar
To begin filling your jar, you will first need to decide on the substrate that you will be using. The substrate is what the fungi will feed off of. It will consist of brown rice flour, vermiculite, and water. Other substrates you could use include compost, rye, oats, or millet. Once you have decided on and prepared your substrate, you can begin filling your jar.
If you are using a spore syringe, you will need to inject the spores into a clean jar. You can also propagate a crop from store-bought mushrooms by using the stems. If you are using a liquid culture syringe, sterilize the syringe, fill it with liquid culture, and inject 1-2 mL into each jar through the injection port.
When filling your jar with substrate, do not pack the mixture down. Instead, loosely fill the jar, leaving about half an inch of space between the substrate and the top of the jar. Wipe up any moisture or substrate on the inside and outside of the jar. Then, fill the rest of the jar with dry vermiculite to create a barrier between the substrate and contaminants in the air.
Before filling your jar, you will need to sterilize it by placing it in boiling water for 10 minutes, adding one minute for every extra 1,000 feet of elevation. After sterilization, drill a few holes in the lid so the fungi can breathe, and pull some stuffing through or tent them with tinfoil to create a filter.
Now, you can start filling your jar with the prepared substrate, hydrating it as you go. Once the jar is filled, seal it tightly and store it somewhere warm and dark, such as a cupboard or a cardboard box. Keep the temperature between 70-86°F for the best growth. It will take around 3-5 weeks for the fungus to get a foothold in the substrate, depending on temperature conditions.
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Store in a warm, dark place
Storing mushrooms in a warm, dark place is a popular choice for preserving psilocybin mushrooms. Glass jars are airtight, which helps keep moisture out and preserves the mushrooms' quality. Ensure your mushrooms are dehydrated before sealing them in the jar to prevent mold growth.
It is important to note that temperature plays a crucial role in maintaining the optimal storage of your mushrooms. While they prefer a warm environment, high temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of the mushrooms' active compounds. Therefore, it is recommended to store them in a stable environment to maintain their potency.
To keep your mushrooms in top condition, avoid common mistakes such as exposing them to moisture or frequently opening the container. Additionally, always label the containers with the date of acquisition and preparation. This helps you keep track of the product's freshness and consume it before it begins to degrade naturally.
By following these guidelines, you can extend the shelf life of your mushrooms, ensuring a safe and effective experience with each use. Properly stored mushrooms can last from several months to a year, depending on the initial quality and storage conditions.
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Harvest the mushrooms
Harvesting your home-grown mushrooms is an exciting part of the process, but it requires patience and careful timing. Once a full pin set has formed, you can expose the top of the jar to fruiting conditions and wait for the mushrooms to develop. Mushrooms are ready to harvest when you see the caps of the mushrooms start to flatten out. You can harvest them by twisting the fruits off at the base or cutting across the top of the jar. If you twist the mushrooms off, they will last longer in the fridge.
After harvesting, you can clean out the jars using a corkscrew or fork to scrape out the remaining substrate. You can then prepare the jars for a new batch of mushrooms. It is important to sterilize the jars properly to prevent contamination. To do this, place the jars in boiling water for 10 minutes, adding one minute for every extra 1,000 feet of elevation.
If you are growing mushrooms in bottles, you may only get one flush of mushrooms before seeing diminishing returns. If you are using jars, you can try to fruit mushrooms directly from the jars, but you will likely get a smaller harvest than if you transfer the mycelium to bulk substrates like coco coir, straw, or hardwood.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a pressure cooker, organic brown rice flour, vermiculite, perlite, canning jars, a spore syringe, and an aquarium/terrarium/large Tupperware for a humidity chamber.
Wash your hands and sterilise the jar by placing it in boiling water for 10 minutes. Then, drill a few holes in the lid so the fungi can breathe. Pull some stuffing through or tent them with tinfoil to act as a filter.
A substrate is what the fungi will eat. It consists of brown rice flour, vermiculite, and water. First, mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, then add water. Do not pack the mixture into the jar, just fill it loosely, leaving about half an inch of space between the substrate and the top of the jar.
Close up your jars and place them somewhere warm and dark, like a cupboard or a cardboard box. Keep them at a temperature of around 80-86 degrees F. It will take around 3-5 weeks for the fungus to get a foothold in the substrate.
