Sarah Brown
There are many ways to consume magic mushrooms, each with its own effects on the speed and intensity of the high. One popular method is to make a mushroom tea by steeping dried psilocybin mushrooms in hot water. The tea takes between 20 to 40 minutes for its effects to kick in and can last up to 6 hours. Another method is to chew the mushrooms thoroughly before swallowing, which can lead to effects in as little as 10 minutes. If you're looking for a more intense experience, you can try a lemon tek, which involves mixing finely ground mushrooms with lemon juice, resulting in a rapid and potent uptake. It's important to note that consuming magic mushrooms can be dangerous, and it's recommended to consult a healthcare professional before use.
How to take liquid mushrooms
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liquid culture | A mix of mushroom mycelium and a nutrient-rich liquid |
| Mushroom mycelium | The vegetative part of a fungus |
| Nutrient-rich liquid | Sterilized liquid that provides the perfect environment for the mycelium to grow |
| Incubation temperature | Varies from species to species |
| Contamination | Requires a sterile work environment and technique to prevent |
| Cost | Relatively inexpensive as most of the equipment is household items |
| Sugar | The key ingredient, providing essential nutrients for the growth and development of mushroom mycelium |
| Lemon tek | Uses lemon juice to convert psilocybin into psilocin before ingestion, leading to a rapid and potent uptake |
| Effects | Altered states of consciousness, hallucinations, anxiety, psychosis, and pleasurable feelings |
| Consumption methods | Eating whole, brewing tea, baked goods, pill form, powders |
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What You'll Learn
Liquid mushroom culture vs. spore syringes
When it comes to cultivating mushrooms, there are two popular methods: using liquid mushroom culture or spore syringes. While both techniques can effectively grow mushrooms, they differ in terms of content, preparation, efficiency, and other factors. Here is a detailed comparison between the two methods:
Liquid Mushroom Culture
Liquid mushroom culture, often referred to as LC, is a sterile syringe filled with live mushroom mycelium suspended in a liquid state. The mycelium is fragmented and placed in a sterile nutrient-rich solution, such as a sugar or honey solution, acting as a vital growth medium. This method offers faster colonisation, consistent results, and better yields. The living mycelium in liquid culture begins to grow and colonise the substrate immediately after inoculation, and visible growth can often be seen within a couple of days. Liquid cultures also have a low contamination rate, and most high-quality liquid cultures are monocultures, containing only one genetic lineage. Additionally, liquid cultures allow growers to clone specific strains, providing more control over the cultivation process. However, liquid cultures have complex storage needs, a shorter lifespan, and a higher risk of contamination compared to spore syringes.
Spore Syringes
Spore syringes are a beginner-friendly option and are commonly used by those starting their mushroom cultivation journey. They contain mushroom spores, the reproductive material of mushrooms, suspended in sterilised water. These syringes act as the 'seeds' of mushrooms, triggering germination and mycelium growth. Spore syringes offer a diverse range of genetics and have a longer shelf life compared to liquid cultures. They can be stored outside of the fridge in an airtight container for up to six months. However, spore syringes require more time and effort, as the spores need to germinate and create a mycelial network before colonisation can occur. This process can take months, and environmental conditions play a significant role in germination time. Additionally, spore syringes have a higher risk of contamination.
In summary, the choice between liquid mushroom culture and spore syringes depends on the cultivator's preference, experience level, and specific needs. Liquid cultures offer faster colonisation and more consistent results, while spore syringes provide a wider range of genetics and are ideal for those new to mushroom cultivation.
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Incubation temperatures
During the incubation phase, the spores or mycelium develop in the substrate. The mycelium is the vegetative part of the mushroom and generates a considerable amount of heat. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the temperature in the centre of the mushroom blocks, as they can overheat and harm the mycelium. If the temperature rises above 25°C, the risk of contamination increases.
To manage the temperature during the incubation phase, a good airflow system with recirculation can help even out the temperature and prevent overheating. It is important to cool the blocks gradually, as a sudden drop in temperature can cause condensation, leading to potential issues. Additionally, air conditioning can be used if needed, but cold air should not be blasted suddenly.
The incubation period varies depending on the species and conditions. On average, it lasts between 10 and 21 days, with some species taking up to 3-4 weeks. Oyster mushrooms, for example, colonise the substrate quickly, usually within 10 to 14 days.
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Sterile work environments
Maintaining a sterile work environment is critical to successful mushroom cultivation, as it helps prevent contamination from mould, bacteria, and other contaminants. While it is nearly impossible to achieve perfect sterility, taking extra steps to create a clean and controlled workspace will increase your chances of success. Here are some detailed instructions and guidelines to help you establish and maintain a sterile work environment for your mushroom projects:
Prepare Your Workspace
- Choose a designated workspace and thoroughly clean the area, including countertops, tables, washbasins, and any other surfaces. Use disinfectant sprays or wipes to eliminate potential contaminants.
- Limit drafts by closing windows and doors to minimise the entry of bacteria and spores. If necessary, seal small gaps with duct tape.
- Only include essential items in your workspace to avoid clutter, as too many tools can increase the risk of contamination.
- Use a clear plastic storage box with armholes cut into the sides, known as a "still air box," to reduce airflow and prevent spores and contaminants from entering your cultures. Disinfect the inside of the box frequently with alcohol spray.
Sterilise Tools and Equipment
- Sterilise all tools and equipment before and after each use. Common sterilisation methods include using isopropyl alcohol (70%), naked flames, or bleach solutions (for larger surfaces, used with caution).
- Wash reusable tools such as scalpels, tweezers, syringes, and containers thoroughly between uses. Alcohol wipes are useful for cleaning the tips of sharp instruments.
- Replace HEPA filters in flow hoods regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Always dispose of used gloves, face towels, and paper towels immediately after use to prevent cross-contamination.
Personal Hygiene and Protective Gear
- Maintain good personal hygiene by wearing clean clothes and washing your arms and hands with disinfecting soap before starting work.
- Wear protective gear, including gloves, a face mask or mouth cap, and possibly a hairnet, to prevent contaminants from your breath, skin, or hair from reaching the cultures.
- When touching non-sterile surfaces outside your workspace, disinfect your gloves before resuming work to avoid introducing contaminants.
Substrate Sterilisation
- Fully sterilise the substrate by following the recommended sterilisation method for the specific type of substrate you are using.
- Check the pressure regularly when using a pressure cooker for heat sterilisation.
- If preparing grain spawn, perform the procedure in a sterile environment to minimise the risk of contamination.
- Store prepared substrates in complete darkness and in the cleanest environment possible to prevent the growth of unwanted organisms.
Environmental Conditions
- Monitor and control environmental factors such as humidity, air exchange, light, and temperature. These factors can impact the success of your mushroom cultivation.
- Aim for a temperature a few degrees below the optimum for the mushroom species you are growing, as growing mycelium generates its own heat.
- Mushrooms require 4 to 6 hours of indirect light per day. Place the fruiting chamber in an area that receives indirect light, or use a low-wattage light source if necessary.
By following these guidelines and maintaining a sterile work environment, you can significantly reduce the chances of contamination and improve the success of your mushroom cultivation projects.
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Spotting contamination
Contamination is an inevitable challenge in mushroom cultivation, but it can be effectively managed with proper knowledge and practices. The term "contamination" in mushroom cultivation is used to describe any microbial growth outside the species intended to be grown. This includes competing bacteria, fungi, and pests.
Cloudiness
A clear liquid culture that suddenly turns cloudy is a strong indicator of bacterial contamination. Healthy mycelium typically appears as suspended, stringy, or fluffy white growths within a clear medium.
Discolouration
Look for unusual colours such as green, blue, grey, black, or pink. These colours are typically signs of mould or bacterial growth. However, small blue stains in the mycelium may be bruising, especially where the rye presses the mycelium against the container. To determine if it is mould or bruising, gently wipe a Q-tip over the discolouration; mould will colour the swab.
Odour
A bad or sour smell coming from the culture can indicate bacterial contamination. The most common type of bacterial mushroom contamination is known as "wet spot" or "sour rot", characterised by a dull grey slime with a sour-smelling stench that makes the grains look excessively wet.
Abnormal Growth
If the mycelium appears splotchy, fails to grow uniformly, or exhibits strange growth patterns, it could be contaminated. Scan for small, hair-like structures with a bubble structure on the tip, known as sporophores, which are signs of contamination. A dusty texture or powder-like substance on top of the mycelium is also a sign of contamination.
Cobweb Mould
Cobweb mould is caused by mould pathogens and tends to cause soft rot in mushrooms. It is wispy and grows three-dimensionally above the substrate, with a distinguishable smell of a damp basement. If spotted early, it can be eliminated with a hydrogen peroxide spray.
Trichoderma
Trichoderma is a genus of green mould that preys on other fungal mycelium and is distinguished by its vibrant blue-green colour during sporulation. It is one of the easiest types of contamination to identify, but it is very difficult to contain. If you encounter trichoderma, it is recommended to quickly remove the contaminated medium to prevent it from spreading.
To prevent contamination, it is crucial to maintain a clean environment and handle the mushrooms with care. Store your mushroom substrate in a clean, dry area, away from potential sources of contamination. Monitor temperature and humidity levels to create optimal conditions for mushroom growth while discouraging contaminants. Additionally, ensure that your substrate is not overly hydrated, and use clean spawn and cultures.
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Liquid culture recipes
Liquid culture is a vital component of mushroom cultivation, serving as a highly efficient method for propagating fungi. It is a nutrient-rich solution that fosters the growth of mushroom mycelium, the vegetative part of the fungus. This solution typically consists of water mixed with various nutrients, such as sugars (like dextrose or malt extract), which provide the essential food source for the mycelium to thrive.
To make a liquid culture, you will need the following:
- Mason jars with modified lids: You can buy AirPort or grain spawn jars online, which come with lids that have a self-healing injection port and a filter for air exchange. Alternatively, you can purchase the AirPort lids separately or modify standard mason jar lids yourself.
- Mushroom spores or culture: You can order spore syringes or agar culture online.
- Sterile gloves
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Alcohol burner or another steady flame source to sterilize the needle or scalpel
Recipe 1: Basic Liquid Culture
This recipe is a basic guide to creating a liquid culture solution. The specific ingredients and ratios may vary depending on the mushroom species and your personal preferences.
- Water: The amount of water will depend on the size of your jars. Generally, aim to fill your jars to around 80%. For a pint (473ml) jar, use 400ml of water.
- Sugar: Add 4 teaspoons (16 grams) of your chosen sugar to the water and stir until completely dissolved. Popular choices include malt extract, honey, and corn syrup. The optimal sugar-to-water ratio is 4% (3-5% is also acceptable).
- Other ingredients: You can add small amounts of other ingredients for protein, lipids, starches, minerals, and vitamins. However, beware that some ingredients can cause cloudiness that may disguise contamination.
Recipe 2: Liquid Culture Syringe
If you already have a mushroom liquid culture, you can use this method to create more.
- Take a small amount of the liquid culture (containing mycelium) and transfer it into a nutrient-rich liquid medium using a sterile syringe.
- Shake the syringe vigorously to break up the strands before pulling out the liquid.
- Pull out the liquid as needed and replace it in the fridge.
- After injecting the liquid into a new jar, place it in a dark area and wait. Mycelium growth can vary, so check it every couple of days.
- Once you have a good batch growing, store it in the fridge for later use.
Recipe 3: Liquid Culture Slurry
- Obtain mycelium from a culture grown on agar or a solid substrate.
- Create a slurry by blending the mycelium with sterilized water.
- Transfer this slurry, containing mycelial fragments, into a fresh liquid medium.
Recipe 4: Biopsy Technique
This technique works well with most fleshy mushrooms, but tough or tiny mushrooms may be challenging.
- Waterlogged mushrooms should be allowed to dry out a little in the fridge first.
- Dry mushrooms can be soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide to rehydrate.
- Gather your tools: a mushroom, a sterile syringe fitted with a 16-gauge needle, a sterilized jar of water with an airport lid, a jar of sterilized LC medium with an airport lid, alcohol in a spray bottle, alcohol prep pads, cotton balls, tweezers or a knife (optional), and a permanent marker.
- Spritz your hands with alcohol and rub them together until dry.
- Remove the foil from the jars and spray the injection ports of both lids with alcohol, then wipe clean with a cotton ball.
- Quickly but carefully stab through the mushroom, avoiding highly textured or spore-bearing tissues (gills).
- Look inside the needle to see if you got some tissue inside. If not, try again.
- If you have tissue, spritz the LC jar's SHIP with alcohol and penetrate it with the needle.
- Push down on the plunger, squirting the tissue sample and water into the culture media.
- Aerate and label with species, strain, date, TC (tissue culture), and medium.
- Set it to incubate and wait for visible growth from the tissue sample. Then, aerate daily until myceliated.
Liquid cultures offer faster colonisation and more predictable outcomes than spore inoculation, making them an excellent option for mushroom cultivation. Remember to maintain a sterile environment and precise measurements to ensure the success of your liquid culture recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
Liquid culture for mushrooms is a mix of mushroom mycelium (the vegetative part of a fungus) and a nutrient-rich liquid. The liquid is sterilized and provides the perfect environment for the mycelium to grow.
A spore syringe contains mushroom spores in sterile water, while a liquid culture contains living mushroom mycelium in a nutrient-rich solution.
Liquid culture offers faster colonisation and more predictable outcomes than spore inoculation, and an easier process than agar work. It is also relatively inexpensive, as most of the equipment needed is regular household items.
Liquid culture requires a sterile work environment and technique to prevent contamination. It can be challenging to spot contamination in your liquid culture, and the process is very hands-on.
To make liquid culture, you need to create a nutrient solution with the correct sugar-to-water ratio. Light malt extract is a commonly used sugar, with a ratio of 1 gram for every 600 millilitres of water. Once you have prepared your solution, you need to monitor it daily and introduce oxygen by swirling or agitating the mixture.
