Before You Begin
Please read this guide and watch the videos a few times! Don’t forget to check the tips at the end to get the most out of your grow!
This guide is for the Simple Kit. Other kits include Mega, Ultimate, and Bulk Casing—guides for those are included in your shipment.
Quick Start Tips
- Each jar needs 1 cc of spore solution—divided across 4 holes.
- Store jars/spawn bags in the fridge (not frozen) if not using within 4–6 weeks.
- Spore syringes should be stored in a cool, dark place—room temp is fine.
- Light triggers mushroom growth, but colonization should happen in darkness.
- Use only spore syringes—not spore prints—with our kits.
- Do not mix strains in bulk casing grows.
🎥 Full Grow Guide with Audio
Preparing Your Workspace
Contamination often happens during inoculation. Ensure your workspace is clean and still (no air movement). Sterilize your needle between jars. Use one of the three sterile methods below:
Method 1 – Oven Door (Preferred)
This method uses rising heat to push away contaminants. Spray disinfectant around your oven and work quickly. Have a helper hand off jars if possible.
Method 2 – Glove Box
Build a simple glove box from a plastic or cardboard container, plastic wrap, and gloves. This creates a still-air environment that reduces airborne contamination.
Method 3 – Open Air
Least reliable method. Only attempt in a thoroughly cleaned closet or bathroom with alcohol lamp sterilization of the needle before each injection point.
Spore Injection
Sterilize the needle until glowing red, then cool with a drop of solution. Inject near glass to see the solution enter. Repeat sterilization between jars.
Colonization & Mycelial Growth
Incubate jars at 77–81°F. Mycelium should appear within 5–9 days. White, ropy growth is ideal. Discard contaminated jars with green or black mold.
Birthing & Dunking the Cakes
After full colonization, wait 2–3 days. Carefully remove and rehydrate cakes in sealed bags with water for 18–24 hours. Use bottled or filtered water.
Fruiting Setup (Terrarium)
Use 1.5”–3” damp perlite at the bottom of the chamber. Indirect daylight or LED is enough. Keep humidity at 85–95%. Ideal fruiting temp is 76–78°F.
Pinning & Harvesting
Look for "pins" around day 10. Pick mushrooms just before the veil breaks. Twist and pull. Refrigerate or dry immediately. Cakes will produce 1–3 flushes.
Aborts
Small pins that stop growing are called aborts. Remove them early—even if inedible—to prevent mold. Aborts are still potent if picked before decay.
Preservation Methods
Refrigeration: Use paper bags short-term.
Drying: Use a fan, dehydrator, or our Hygrolid system. No heat exposure! Store in airtight container with desiccant packs.
Tips & Tricks
- Shake spore syringes every few jars.
- Use alcohol wipes if vermiculite clogs the needle.
- Use the “Double End Casing” method with vermiculite for added moisture.
- Indirect daylight is best—don’t use bright spotlights or constant darkness.