Growkit Master

More about Growkit Master

This growkit contains no spores, so they have to be bought separately, click here for our offer in spores. 

The grow kit Master is based on the ready-to-grow cultivation method. One of the great advantages of this method is that you will only need to water the cultivation box once, instead of every day.

By using a layer of moist vermiculite on top of the cultivation box a water buffer for the mushrooms is created. The grow bag with microporous filter patch allows contaminant-free gas exchange but keeps humidity in, providing the perfect environment for mushroom growth.

Another great advantage of this grow kit is that it uses a mushbag with sterilized rye. The Mushbag has a special air filter and rubber injection port that seals the bag hermetically after injection with the spore syringe. This gives the possibility to do the injection of spores in a non-sterile place, with no risk of contamination. In addition, the cultivation container and vermiculite mix are provided sterile, ensuring clean growing conditions.

Caution! The substrate contains gluten. The mushrooms themselves contain traces of this. Not suitable for people with (severe) gluten intolerance. 

Note: Begin cultivation as soon as you receive the cultivation kit. If this is not possible right away, store the kit at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.

Contents

• 1x Mushbag with 1400g sterilized rye.
• 1x XL growbox (2000 ml)
• 1x Grow bag with air filter.
• 1x Sterilized vermiculite mix.
• 1x Alcohol swab.
• 2x Paperclips.
• 1x Manual.

Other requirements

• Lighter.
• Spoon.
• Scissors.
• 10 ml spore syringe.

Usage

Once you have grown, harvested, (and potentially dried) your mushrooms, they are ready to be consumed. It is best to consume magic mushrooms on an empty stomach. Not only do you minimize the chances of getting nauseous and vomitting, but the mushrooms also work better.

Take 5 to 12.5 grams of fresh or 1 to 2.5 grams of dry mushrooms for a mild to strong trip.

WARNING
Do not use during pregnancy or lactation, when taking medications, during depression or driving motorized vehicles, and when you are under than 18 years of age. Do not combine with stimulants or alcohol.

Manual

Step 1 - Injecting the spores

Before you start, clean part of a table to use as a work area. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them with a clean towel or kitchen paper (or wear gloves). If possible, close doors and windows to minimize air current.

1.1 - Clean the injection port

Use the supplied alcohol swab to disinfect the injection port. Do not touch the port afterwards.

1.2 - Flame the needle

Shake the spore syringe really well for 5-10 seconds for even distribution of the spores. Take off the protective cap and heat the needle of the syringe until it is red hot. Then let it cool for 15-20 seconds.

1.3 - Inject

Carefully insert the needle through the rubber injection port and inject the contents of the syringe. If the flow blocks, gently pull the needle a bit back. 

1.4 - Mycelium growth

Put the bag in a warm, entirely dark place like a cupboard. See tip #1. Make sure nothing is blocking the filter (including the back of the bag), so that air exchange is possible.

A temperature of 20°C is acceptable, but growth can be slow, so if possible, aim for a higher temperature - ideally around 28°C. Temperatures of 15°C and below will halt the growth of mycelium.

Your job is done for now. The spores need time to grow into mycelium. This takes about 2-4 weeks.

Ready for step 2 - When all grain kernels are covered with mycelium. See tip #3. Do not wait too long before proceeding with the next step. The mycelium might dry out and it will then fail to produce mushrooms.

Step 2 - Preparing the cultivation box

Mushrooms are made up of 90% of water. By covering the mycelium with moist vermiculite, we create a water buffer for the growing mushrooms. This also protects the mycelium and will help maintain high humidity levels inside the grow bag (at step 3). 

2.1 - Break up the mycelium

Take the Mushbag and gently squeeze the bag to break up the solid mass into loose kernels. This is necessary to easily fill up the grow box.

2.2 - Fill the cultivation box

It is now crucial to work as clean and precise as possible. Before you start, clean part of a table to use as a work area. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them with a clean towel or kitchen paper (or wear gloves). If possible, close doors and windows to minimize air current.

Cut the Mushbag open with a (clean) pair of scissors. Remove the lid from the cultivation box and fill the box with an even layer of the mycelium (the grain from the Mushbag). See tip #4. Make sure the box is entirely filled up, but leave some space on top (0.5 cm).

With a clean spoon, fully cover the mycelium with a layer of the vermiculite mix (0.5 - 1 cm). Put the lid on the grow box and make sure it is hermetically closed on all sides. Place it in a warm and dark environment under the same circumstances as before. The mycelium now needs time to penetrate the vermiculite. See tip #1. This takes about 7 days.

Ready for step 3 - When all rye kernels are covered with mycelium again. And when the mycelium becomes visible (about 10-20%) through the vermiculite.

Tip #4: You can even out the layer of mycelium by lightly shaking/tapping the cultivation box. Or use a clean spoon, but try not to press too hard onto the mycelium. Avoid touching the mycelium and the inside of the cultivation box as much as possible.

Step 3 - Mushroom growth

You now have a ready-to-grow cultivation box that will provide several harvests. It doesn’t take too long now before the first mushrooms will pop up. But first we need to water the cultivation box, to make sure there is enough water available for the growing mushrooms.

3.1 - Water

Carefully open one of the corners of the lid of the box. Gently turn on the tap and let the box entirely fill up with water. Close the lid again and let the box stand for 12 hours.

3.2 - Let the excess water run off

Let the excess water run off - After 12 hours the mycelium has soaked up all the water it needs. Open slightly one corner of the lid, turn the box upside down and let all the excess water run off. 

Make sure to remove as much water from the bottom as possible by letting it drip for at least 30 seconds.

3.3 - Growth

Wash your hands with soap, remove the lid and place the box inside the grow bag. Fold the top of the bag twice and attach the paper clips to keep it closed (make sure not to block the filter). Wipe the lid clean with some kitchen paper and store it in a clean place - you will need it again later on.

Place the grow kit in a warm spot (20-25°C) with daylight, but not in direct sunlight or on top of a heat source. Temperatures of around 25°C will allow for faster growth of the mushrooms.

Leave the bag closed and the first tiny mushrooms will appear in about 14 days. These will mature in about 7 days and can then be harvested. See tip #5.

Tip #5: Preferably harvest the mushrooms when the veil on the underside of the cap starts to tear. If you wait longer the caps will open and the mature mushrooms will drop their (black) spores onto the mycelium. Usually this is not a problem. However, since the spore release normally completes the mushroom life cycle, this could affect your next harvest (see step 3.5).

3.4 - Harvesting

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them with a clean towel or kitchen paper (or wear gloves). Pick all mature mushrooms at once, except when some are growing much faster. Avoid touching the mycelium. See tip #6.

Tip #6: Harvest the mushrooms by grabbing the stem at the base and perform a twisting motion while lifting it upwards. Do not poke or dig into the mycelium. Difficult to reach and minuscule mushrooms (< 1 cm) are best left undisturbed. The minuscule mushrooms might grow into mature mushrooms during the next grow cycle.

3.5 - Next cycle

This grow kit produces several harvests. Immediately after harvesting, the box needs to be filled with water again, just like you did at step 3.1. This will stimulate the mycelium to produce more mushrooms. Repeat all steps onwards until your next harvest.

The cycle of watering, growing and harvesting can be repeated until the mycelium is depleted. Often this is only after three or more growing cycles, with the second cycle generally giving the best results.

Tips for reuse - The cultivation box*, the syringe* and grow bag can be reused in a new grow project. The box can also be used to store food. *sterilization with pressure cooker necessary.