When it comes to growing mushrooms, the first step is collecting spores. Spores develop in the gills of fully matured mushrooms, and either shoot out or fall from the mushroom in a process known as “spore print.” Cultivators can take a spore print by placing a piece of paper, plastic, or foil under a freshly harvested, mature mushroom while it is still moist. Once the spores dry, they can be scraped for powder and put into a spore syringe.
In order to successfully grow your mushrooms, it is important to use high-quality spores. This means ensuring that the spores are properly hydrated, sterile and viable. Look for a reputable spore vendor that prioritizes purity, as this will ensure that your spores are free of contaminants and that they will have a better chance of germinating and thriving.
Depending on the strain of mushroom, different substrates are required. The most common is a grain bag, but a substrate can also be a casing or a jar. Spore syringes are typically used to inoculate a substrate by puncturing the microporous tape (or plug) that should cover holes punched into the lid of a jar, and squirting the spore solution into the substrate.
Once the syringe is filled with spore solution, it should be refrigerated and stored in a dark place until ready to use. A syringe can be used multiple times, provided that it is sterilized between uses. This can be done by filling the syringe with sterile water, or by boiling it. Psilocybin spore syringe