Shiitake Liquid Culture Syringe (10cc)
Shiitake Liquid Culture Syringe (10cc) is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Description
Description
Shiitake Liquid Culture Syringe (10cc) — Lentinula edodes, first-generation (G1) isolated genetics from Myco Labs. This is our Shiitake 75 / Aloha strain, selected specifically because it forgives mistakes. It colonizes rye berries exceptionally well and continues to perform in conditions that would stall a fussier culture, which makes it the Shiitake we recommend to first-time wood-substrate growers.
- SpeciesL. edodes
- Volume10cc
- StrainShiitake 75
- DifficultyBeginner
- Colonization~18 Days
Why Growers Choose Shiitake
Shiitake is the second most cultivated mushroom on earth, and for good reason — the flavor is deeper and more savory than almost anything else you can grow at home, and it dries and rehydrates without losing character. Our strain fruits across an exceptionally wide 62–85°F band, so it produces reliably in a garage, a basement, or a spare room without a dedicated climate controller.
It is a wood decomposer by nature, growing wild on oak, maple, beech, and chestnut. That translates directly to cultivation: supplemented hardwood sawdust and Master's Mix are where this strain shines. Straw will technically work, but yields drop off sharply and the fruits come out thinner.
Shiitake asks for one thing that oysters do not — patience. Colonization runs around eighteen days and the block needs to brown before it will fruit. Growers who wait for that leathery brown skin to form get far better results than those who force it early.
What's In the Package
- One 10cc liquid culture syringe, sealed and lab-tested
- 16-gauge 1.5" luer lock needle
- Sterile alcohol prep pad
Shiitake Growing Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lentinula edodes |
| Strain Names | Shiitake 75, Aloha |
| Recommended Substrates | Supplemented hardwood sawdust, Master's Mix (straw viable but low yield) |
| Incubation Temperature | 62–75°F |
| Incubation Humidity | 80–85% |
| Colonization Time | ~18 days |
| Fruiting Temperature | 62–85°F |
| Fruiting Humidity | 85–93% |
| Time to Harvest | ~20 days after fruiting conditions begin |
| Fresh Air Exchange | Moderate to high — 4–6 exchanges per hour |
| Syringe Volume | 10cc |
| Storage | Refrigerate at 35–45°F; do not freeze |
How to Use Your Liquid Culture Syringe
- Let the syringe come to room temperature, then shake gently to redistribute the mycelium evenly through the broth.
- Flame-sterilize the needle until it glows orange and let it cool for a few seconds.
- Wipe the injection port on your grain spawn bag or jar with the alcohol prep pad.
- Inject 2–3cc per quart jar, or 3–5cc per 3–5 lb spawn bag. One 10cc syringe inoculates roughly 2–4 containers.
- Incubate at 62–75°F in the dark for around eighteen days, shaking once at roughly 30% colonization.
- Spawn to supplemented hardwood sawdust or Master's Mix and let the block brown fully before initiating fruiting conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much liquid culture do I use per bag or jar?
Use 2–3cc per quart grain jar and 3–5cc per 3–5 lb spawn bag. A single 10cc Shiitake syringe will inoculate roughly two to four containers. Adding more than the recommended dose does not speed colonization meaningfully and simply uses up the syringe faster.
How long does Shiitake take to colonize?
Around eighteen days on grain at 62–75°F, which is noticeably slower than oyster species. Shiitake then needs additional time on the bulk substrate to brown and consolidate before it will fruit, so plan for a longer total cycle than you would with Blue Oyster or Lion's Mane.
What substrate should I use for Shiitake?
Supplemented hardwood sawdust or Master's Mix gives the best results by a wide margin. Shiitake is a hardwood decomposer that grows wild on oak, maple, beech, and chestnut. Straw is technically viable but yields drop sharply and the fruits come out thin, so wood-based substrate is worth the extra cost.
Why has my Shiitake block turned brown, and is that a problem?
Browning is normal and required. Shiitake forms a tough, leathery brown skin over the fully colonized block, and that skin has to develop before the block will fruit properly. Growers who mistake it for contamination and force fruiting early get poor flushes. Wait until the block is uniformly brown and firm before dropping temperature and raising fresh air exchange.
What temperature does Shiitake fruit at?
Anywhere from 62 to 85°F, which is one of the widest fruiting ranges of any gourmet mushroom and a large part of why this strain suits beginners. Many growers also cold-shock the browned block by soaking it in cold water for several hours to trigger a heavier, more synchronized flush.
Do I need a flow hood or still air box to use liquid culture?
A still air box is strongly recommended and a laminar flow hood is better still. Liquid culture syringes ship sealed and lab-tested, but the moment you pierce an injection port you are exposing your grain to whatever is in the room air. Working in still air with flame-sterilized tools dramatically improves your success rate.
How should I store the syringe before use?
Keep it refrigerated between 35 and 45°F and never freeze it — freezing ruptures the cell walls and kills the culture. Store it in the sealed bag it shipped in, away from strong odors. Bring it back to room temperature and shake gently before injecting.
Packed to Arrive Alive
A liquid culture syringe is living mycelium, and the trip from our Illinois lab to your door is the part of its life you have the least control over. That is why every Myco Labs liquid culture ships inside a foil-lined insulated mailer rather than a plain envelope. The insulation buffers the syringe against summer heat sitting in a delivery truck and against sub-freezing temperatures in winter, so your culture arrives viable in either extreme.
When it arrives: move the syringe to the refrigerator at 35–45°F until you are ready to inoculate. Never freeze it. Bring it back to room temperature and shake gently before use.
Let customers speak for us
I've been using these jars for years now with a very high success rate. But I've also had good success with their substrates and pretty much everything I've gotten from this store. Thank you Midwest Grow Kits
I buy most of my supplies here when needed and they never disappoint. If I have an issue they are quick to respond and its typically my fault hahaha.
When I saw my first pin, my universe opened up. mind blowing hobby!
Love it. Easy to put together. Holds a lot of jars, trays, bags, totes, ect. I'm going to get another one for fruiting.
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Mycelium shot through the casing layer in 2 days. GtPlat. 2/1
Outstanding materials at the lowest cost I could find. Would not pass up this offer if you're serious about growing
This definitely does the job and it’s an excellent product for the price. It took be about 2 hours to set it up and make all the necessary modifications. The FAN solution that comes with it is at best temporary but it will due the job until you can save up for a better fan.
I plan to make tinctures for the messed up nerves in my arms, and other chronic pain bs. Don't want to support too many opportunistic companies, so I just chose the source and be patient. Holistic care and responsibility is a game of patience and understanding. I appreciate your services! Be well, do good! Try to waste less. Oh, the small black gloves are useless unless you have the hands of a small child.😅
Just stirred it, don't worry🫠 no stir bars or magnets have ever been needed here.
Awesome growth 10 days after inoculation. Very happy! Would recommend this priduct and this company!
Working good. Lights my closet just enough for the environment I need! Thanks!
It's started good. Let's hope it continues to grow so I can break a shake it!
Bought the 3-Pack Premium Quick-Colonizing 5-grain Jar (32oz) and inoculated 9 days ago. Love it! Colonization quick and clean. Highly recommend!
So when i got this i was worried because of past experiences. Leave it up to midwest to be nice a patient with me. The team at bonsai gives great support . This flow hood is meant to run a little higher than normal clean room standards because most people need this working from home . This thing is nice and laminar. Very inform . With a speed contoller i average about .45 m/s across the face. It passed everyone one of my agar grid tests . Which blows my mind becuase i ran it through three diffrent 30 mins agar grid tests . Ive used a few flow hoods and this one is my favorite . Perfect for any home or small buisness.
"Upgraded to the MycoClimate 44Q and the difference in consistency is night and day. The dual-chamber water-bath heating keeps temperatures rock-solid without drying out the substrate like standard heating mats do, and the automated HEPA air pump takes all the stress out of fresh air exchange—even tucked away inside a closet.
