A Beginner’s Guide to Making a Mushroom Syringe
What do you get when you join the need for effective spore distribution with increasing the number of mushrooms in your culture? A spore syringe.
Producing mushrooms at home isn’t tricky, but the amount of conflicting information online can lead you to believe it is.
Starting home-based mycology can be intimidating, so we put together this quick guide to show you how to make your mushroom spore syringe.
Need Spore Information?
Mushroom spores are the organism’s means of reproduction. The mushroom spore is created when the sticky surface of the mushroom breaks down and spreads to release tiny particles. Mushroom spores are the reproductive cells of a mushroom. The fungus releases them as spores which can then germinate.
Inoculation is when you place a spore on the substrate, which will then germinate into mycelium.
Many organisms use their spores as a way to ensure the survival of their species. The most common example is with plants that spread spores through wind, rain, or other means.
Some fungi also release spores from a specific location or on a particular surface they wish to infect. If the site is already in an ‘inoculated’ state, it will quickly multiply, taking over a region.
Why Do People Buy Spore Syringes?
Before you can successfully propagate your mushrooms, you’ll need a spore syringe. Researchers use this tool to inject the perfect dose of mushroom spores into the substrate.
Mushroom spores are an effective way of propagating fungi at home without having to buy expensive mushroom spawn or inoculate your substrate with mycelium from another source.
No matter what variety you’re growing, the syringe is your go-to tool in your mushroom growing kit. It lets you inject pure, sterile spores into the substrate without contaminating it with dirt from your hands.
This is only meant for gourmet mushroom varieties and all of our Mushroom Spore Syringes are for microscopic use only. They are not intended for cultivation of any kind.
How To Make a Mushroom Spore Syringe
Mushroom spore syringes are no longer just for research professionals. Amateur mycologists can create their own using basic equipment and methods. So go forage and gather the following items:
- A spore print from a mushroom you want to grow
- A syringe with a fresh needle
- Disinfectant
- Lighter
- A zip-lock bag/shot glass
- Scalpel
- Tweezers
It’s essential to sterilize your equipment before and after using it. This prevents contamination and ensures the safety of your work. Next, make sure you seal off any openings not to disturb the air in the room. Then follow these steps carefully:
- Start with a clean zip-lock bag.
- To sterilize the syringe, place it in a pot of boiling water for one minute.
- Heat the scalpel and tweezers with a lighter for at least 30 seconds, but let them cool completely before use.
- Use the scalpel to scrape the spore print into the self-seal bag.
- Push the spore print to one of the corners, and while squeezing out the air, seal the bag.
- Inject 10 mL of sterile water into the corner of the bag which holds the spore print, then wash over the spores using your thumb and forefinger.
- Draw the spores into the syringe, then cap the needle.
- Wait 24 hours before using.
Because each syringe contains millions of psilocybin mushroom spores, you shouldn’t require more than a couple of drops to do your research.
If you’re using the shot glass method, take the following steps:
- Open the spore print and scrape a spore fleck into the shot glass.
- A 1/4 inch square fleck is all you need for a 10cc spore syringe.
- Stir the spores in a few drops of water with the syringe needle until they dissolved.
- Purge the distilled water into the shot glass.
- Draw the spore solution back into the syringe, sucking up the spores.
- Repeat steps 4 & 5 a few times to thoroughly break apart, mix and hydrate the shroom spores.
The mushroom spore syringe is a simple, safe, and effective way to make spores and is well worth the effort.
FAQs
Can Spore Syringes Be Frozen?
No. As a general rule, do not freeze or heat as cells may die, and the growth of the culture will change.
Where Do I Buy Mushroom Spore Syringes?
You can purchase mushroom spore syringes here in our store. We offer a selection of syringes with quality mushroom spores.
How Long do Psilocybe Cubensis Mushroom Spores Take to Fruit?
Psilocybe Cubensis is a peculiar strain of mushrooms that usually takes around two weeks to grow a fruiting body.
The average time for the mushrooms to grow depends on how much you want to cultivate them.
The main reason mushroom cultivation takes this long is that the spores need time to mature and become fruiting bodies. The amount of time it takes for these spores to become mushrooms depends on their species and type.
Is it Legal to Buy Psilocybe Spores?
Yes, it is legal to buy psilocybe spores.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. It depends on your state’s definition of a controlled substance. Some of these definitions include mushrooms with psychedelic properties such as Psilocybe cubensis or Panaeolus subbalteatus. Other types of fungi may also be prohibited, depending on the class to which they belong.
What Should I Look for When Buying Spore Syringes Online?
When purchasing mushroom spore syringes online, you should ensure they’re properly cleaned, packaged, and come with instructions. It’s important to know the vendor you’re buying from, such as the number of years they have been in business and the quality of their products.
All of our Mushroom Spore Syringes are for microscopic use only. They are not intended for cultivation of any kind.