Emma Wilson
G2G or Grain to Grain transfer is a method of propagating mushrooms. It involves taking a small portion of colonized grain from a jar or bag and introducing it to an entire jar or bag of fresh grain. This process is also known as the Ready Rice technique and is a beginner-friendly method for cultivating mushrooms without a pressure cooker. G2G transfers are simple and only require common sense, minimal preparation, and clean tools and workspaces. The process involves preparing fresh jars, just like one would to inoculate via a spore syringe, and then transferring grain from a colonized jar to uncolonized jars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Grain to Grain transfers |
| Purpose | Propagating a single colonized quart jar into multiple jars |
| Number of jars propagated | 10-20 |
| Colonization time | 10-14 days |
| Spawn rates | 1:10 to 1:40 |
| Preparation | Soak seed, rinse, drain, load, apply filter disk |
| Tools | Long stout clean stainless steel spoon |
| Environment | Dry, dark, warm place |
| Temperature | 70-80F |
| Storage | Refrigerator |
| Storage temperature | +2°C or 36°F |
| Storage duration | 2-4 months |
| Sterilization | Lysol, ozone generator |
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What You'll Learn
G2G is short for Grain to Grain transfers
G2G is short for Grain-to-Grain transfers, a method of inoculation and reproduction of mycelium. It is a simple process that can be handled by beginners in mushroom growing. The process involves preparing fresh, sterile jars of grain substrate and inoculating them with mycelium from a colonised jar. The jars are then sealed with an air filter lid and set aside to colonise. This method is suitable for all mushroom species that use grain as a primary substrate for spawn, including magic mushrooms and Lion's Mane.
G2G transfers offer several advantages over other methods of inoculation. Firstly, they result in a higher speed of grain colonisation compared to liquid spore inoculation. This makes it a faster method for those who are not yet ready for labour-intensive procedures. Secondly, G2G transfers increase the chances of successful colonisation. By using whole grain and following proper sterilisation techniques, growers can achieve a high success rate with minimal contamination.
To perform a G2G transfer, it is recommended to start with a fully colonised jar of grain spawn, which can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-4 months. The spawn jar should be wiped with ethyl alcohol before opening, and the grain spawn should be broken up into smaller clumps or individual grains. A clean work area is essential to prevent contamination, and the use of a Still-Air Box (SAB), glovebox, or laminar flow hood is recommended.
The next step is to open the spawn jar and transfer a small amount of grain mycelium into each of the prepared, uncolonised jars. It is important to work quickly and avoid hanging over the open jars for too long. The lids should be cracked to avoid struggles with tight lids during the transfer process. Once each jar has received its grain, the lids can be loosely placed on top, and the jars should be shaken to spread the colonised material throughout. These fresh jars are then stored in a dry, dark, and warm place, preferably between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, to allow colonisation to occur.
G2G transfers can be repeated multiple times to create successive generations of mycelium, although commercial growers typically limit this to 2-4 generations. This process allows growers to maintain the same "original" mycelium while taking advantage of the benefits of genetic diversity, such as improved contamination resistance.
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G2G is a fast and easy inoculation and mycelium multiplication method
G2G, or Grain to Grain transfer, is a fast and easy inoculation and mycelium multiplication method. It is suitable for both new and experienced mushroom growers. The process involves taking a small portion of colonized grain from a jar or bag and introducing it to an entire jar or bag of fresh, uncolonized grain. This process is also known as "stretching out the spawn".
To begin the G2G process, you will need to prepare sterilized spawn pint or quart jars of bird seed, rye, or grains and fully colonize them with mycelium. It is important to only use whole grains for G2G transfers, as purified grain without husks will not work as well. The grain spawn should be stored in a refrigerator and kept at an optimal temperature of 41-46°F (5-8°C). Before performing any procedures, it is important to prioritize sterility. This includes wearing gloves, a face mask, a cap, and a gown or PE raincoat.
Once you have prepared your grain spawn and ensured a sterile environment, you can begin the transfer process. First, crack the lid of the master jar and the lids of the fresh jars you plan to transfer into. Open the master jar, remove the lid from the first fresh jar, and pour a small amount of grain spawn into it. Repeat this process for all of your fresh jars, loosely placing the lid on each jar as you go. After transferring grain spawn into each jar, shake the jar to spread the colonized material throughout.
Finally, place your freshly inoculated jars in a dry, dark, and warm place, preferably between 70-80°F (21-27°C). The jars will need to sit undisturbed for 10 to 14 days to colonize successfully. Smaller grains, such as millet, will generally colonize faster due to the greater number of mycelial development points.
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G2G is a simple process that requires minimal preparation
G2G, or Grain to Grain transfer, is a simple process that requires minimal preparation. It is a fast and easy inoculation and mycelium multiplication method for both new and experienced mushroom growers. The process involves taking a small portion of colonized grain from a jar or bag and introducing it to a jar or bag of fresh grain. This process can be repeated to propagate a single colonized quart jar into about 20 more.
To prepare for G2G, it is important to ensure that your tools and workspace are sterile to avoid contamination. This includes using gloves, a face mask, a cap, and a gown or PE raincoat. It is also recommended to wipe down your tools and surfaces with alcohol or lysol. The grain spawn should be healthy and perfect, with no mold, sourness, or metabolites.
Once you have your colonized grain and fresh grain, you can begin the transfer process. First, crack the lid of the jar containing the colonized grain and the lids of the jars you plan to transfer into. Then, open the jar and start pouring a small amount of grain into each new jar. Once each jar has some grain, loosely place the lids on and move on to the next jar. It is important to avoid touching the lip of the jar to prevent contamination.
After you have transferred the grain, shake each jar to spread the colonized material throughout. Then, place the jars in a dry, dark, and warm place, preferably between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and allow them to colonize. The jars will take around 10-14 days to fully colonize, depending on the species of mushrooms.
G2G is a simple and efficient way to propagate mushrooms with minimal preparation required. By following these steps and ensuring a sterile environment, you can successfully grow your own mushrooms at home.
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G2G is often done in a Glove box or in front of a flow hood
G2G or grain-to-grain transfer is a fast and easy inoculation and mycelium multiplication method for mushroom cultivation. It involves transferring grain from a colonized jar to fresh uncolonized jars. This process is simple and only requires common sense, minimal preparation, a long stout clean stainless steel spoon, and the cleanest personal hygiene. It is highly recommended not to do open-air G2G transfers as the contamination rate will be high.
To perform G2G in a glove box, one must sterilize all the tools and the area with alcohol or bleach. The master jar is opened, avoiding touching the lip, and the first fresh jar's lid is removed. A small amount of grain is poured into each jar and the lid is placed loosely. This process is repeated for all the fresh jars. The jars are then shaken to spread the colonized material throughout and placed in a dry, dark, and warm place to colonize.
One can also perform G2G in front of a flow hood. The tools are cleaned with alcohol and placed inside the flow hood. The still-hot sterilized grain is put inside the flowhood and left to cool. The tools are cleaned again, the bag is opened, and the grain is carefully shaken inside the grain bag using spoons or other tools.
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G2G jars should only be shaken once
G2G, or Grain to Grain, is a fast and easy method of mushroom inoculation and mycelium multiplication for both new and experienced growers. It involves taking a small portion of colonized grain from a jar or bag and introducing it to an entire jar or bag of fresh grain. The process is simple and only requires common sense, minimal preparation, and a few tools.
When performing G2G transfers, it is important to note that the jars should only be shaken once. Shaking the jars batters the mycelium, and while it is necessary to spread the colonized material throughout the jar, shaking the jars more than once will only slow colonization rather than speed it up.
To ensure an even spread of the colonized material, it is recommended to break up the grain before transferring it to the fresh jars. This can be done by shaking and breaking the grain spawn in the jar without opening it or by using a sterile spoon or inoculation needle to break up the grain. It is important to treat tools with alcohol to avoid contamination by non-sterile tools.
After the G2G transfer, the jars should be placed in a dry, dark, and warm place, preferably between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, to allow them to colonize. Smaller grains, such as millet, colonize faster after grain-to-grain transfer due to the greater number of mycelial development points.
Overall, while shaking the jars is an important step in the G2G transfer process, it should only be done once to avoid negatively impacting the colonization process.
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Frequently asked questions
G2G stands for Grain to Grain transfer.
G2G involves taking a small portion of colonised grain from a jar or bag and placing it into a jar or bag of fresh grain. This process is repeated until you have the desired amount of spawn.
G2G is a fast and easy method of inoculation and mycelium multiplication, suitable for both beginner and experienced mushroom growers. It does not require a pressure cooker or syringe inoculation.
It is important to maintain sterility when performing G2G transfers to avoid contamination. This includes using sterile tools, wearing gloves, face masks, and gowns, and working in a clean, uncarpeted space.
