Step-by-step instructions for using your boombox
One of the first decisions every mushroom grower must make: choosing which species and strain to cultivate.
The Fungi Fanatics BoomBox is specifically tailored to growing mushroom species that enjoy low oxygen growth parameters. Psilocybe cubensis (SIL-o-cybe cue-ben-sis) grows perfectly in easily maintained environments like this!
The best strain of your desired mushroom species is all dependent upon what you want out of the mushrooms. The top varieties are known for their color, size, growth pattern, and even name!
Inoculating the Grain
Now that you have your spore syringe, it is time to knock-up your sterilized grain bag. If you've purchased The Trifecta, or have more than one grain bag, we recommend inoculating all of the grain bags at once. Completely colonized grain will last much longer than uncolonized grain.
Items needed:
Sterilized Grain Bag (included with BoomBox)
Spore Syringe
Paper Towel
70% Isopropyl Alcohol (multi-surface cleaner works too)
Tape (duct tape works best)
Open the packaging that came with your spore syringe and shake, being sure to break apart most spore clusters that may have formed. Prepare the syringe for use by removing tip cap of the syringe and screwing on the sterilized needle.. Do not remove the sheath that comes with sterilized needle yet!
Slide open and remove the two-piece clamp that is sealing the grain bag. Spray 70% isopropyl alcohol on the outside of your grain bag. Wipe down the surface with a clean paper towel. Washing your hands is recommended.
Remove the sheath from the spore syringe and insert the needle 1-2 inches inside the center of the sterilized grain bag. Inject the needle only halfway, trying to not let any plastic parts of the needle touch the grain bag. Inject approximately 3 mL of spore slurry. Do not inject more than 3mL of slurry, too much excess water could be bad.
Remove the needle from the grain bag. Do not set the needle down on any surface, Sheath the needle if you are finished inoculating all of your substrates. Cover the injection site on the grain bag with a piece of tape, label if desired.
Without opening the bag, allow for air within the bag to reach the inside portion of the filter patch. To do this, gently unfold the top empty portion of the grain bag. Open a pathway of air from the filter patch to the grain below by working the bag in the same motion as you would open microwavable popcorn. (See pictures).
Either save needle and slurry for another time*, or inoculate any other substrates you might have. If you've purchased The Trifecta, or have more than one grain bag, we recommend inoculating all of the grain bags at once. Completely colonized grain will last much longer than uncolonized grain. You can then store the colonized grain bag(s) that you aren’t using right away - just deflate the air out of the bag, seal it with tape, and pop it in your fridge.
* Sheath your needle, then remove it from the syringe. Replace the syringe cap. Carefully rinse your needle and let air dry in a safe place. Leftover spore syringes can be placed into a sealed container then kept in the fridge until further use. Prior to another inoculation, be sure to flame sterilize any needle that has been previously used.
After spraying with isopropyl alcohol and wiping with a clean paper towel, insert the spore syringe needle 1-2 inches inside the center of the bag.
Unfold the top, empty half of the grain bag.
Open a pathway of air from the filter patch to the grain below by working the bag in the same motion as you would open microwavable popcorn.
colonizing the Grain
Upon inoculating the sterilized grain bag, be sure to place the bag in an area that will remain as close as possible to 78F. Be wary of temperatures over 82F and under 70F.
Do your best to leave the bag completely undisturbed, the mycelium grows faster if you don't watch it! Do not open the bag!
If you notice that the grain bag is about 50% colonized with white mycelium, we recommend mixing the grain within the bag. Gently break apart any clusters of mycelium covered grain and do your best to mix the contents without opening the grain bag. Doing this will dramatically increase the speed of colonization for the remaining 50% of uncolonized grain.
Full colonization can take around 1 month, longer if kept in a sub optimal temperature range.
If foreign contaminations in the form of mold or bacteria start to grow, the grain bag should be considered void. Molds will often be green or black and sometimes yellow. When bacterial growth is present, your grain bag will be over-inflated and the grains will become darker and begin to look milky and wet, typically near the bottom of the bag. Click here for some photos of what contaminated grain bags look like.
master’s mix fruiting substrate
Only once the grain bag has been fully colonized will you be ready for the Master's Mix!
Items needed:
1 BoomBox Tub
Colonized Grain Spawn
1 Black Plastic Sheet (3 included)
1 Bag of Master's Mix Fruiting Substrate (3 included)
Larger Cooking Pot
Cooking Spoon
Scissors
Bring 8 and 1/2 cups (2 liters) of water to a boil.
Line the interior of the BoomBox tub with 1 sheet of black plastic - be sure to center the sheet.
Empty the contents of 1 Master’s Mix Fruiting Substrate bag in to black plastic lined BoomBox tub.
Carefully pour freshly boiled water into the plastic lined BoomBox tub. Allow the Master’s Mix to hydrate and mix until homogenous. If not easily mixed at first, wait 15-20 minutes then finish mixing. With lid ON, allow hydrated fruiting substrate to cool down to below 80F - this will take a few hours minimum.
Wash hands thoroughly and wear disposable gloves if possible. Without opening the bag, break apart the colonized grains gently with your hands. Then cut open the bag and empty it into the prepared fruiting substrate. Mix the spawn into the fruiting substrate as evenly as possible.
Lightly compress the inoculated fruiting substrate until level. With your scissors, trim the black plastic sheet 1 inch above the substrate level all around. Secure the lid to your BoomBox tub.
colonizing Your boombox
Keep the BoomBox in an ideal location, the same location where the grain bag was colonized is perfect.
Do your best to leave the box completely undisturbed; remember, the mycelium grows faster if you don't watch it! Do your best to not open the lid during colonization.
Full colonization should take around 2 weeks*, longer if kept in sub-optimal temperature range.
*Mycelium will grow faster this time around because there was a larger colony used to inoculate the substrate.
It’s about to blow!
Hyphal knots will appear almost out of nowhere after 2 weeks if everything has gone well. Try to keep opening the lid to peek to a minimum.
At this point, you need to make sure there are tiny droplets of water covering the surface.
After the hyphal knots have started developing into miniature mushrooms (aka pins*), and depending on how dry of a place you keep your BoomBox, you will need to mist 1 or more times per day.
Use any ordinary spray bottle and mist clean water. Spray no more than a dozen sprits per misting. Fanning the BoomBox for 15-30 seconds once per day is recommended, and preferably right after misting.
Mushrooms grow at an exponential rate, full maturation of a fruitbody will take 5+ days after the pin stage. Temperature and variety of strain will determine the speed of fruitbody growth.
The preferred timing to harvest is just before the veil** of the mushroom breaks. Harvesting when the mushrooms are at this moment in the life cycle can be tricky to time, if the veil has already torn it is still right for the picking.
*Pins are smaller versions of fully grown mushrooms, a cap and base is often all that is visible.
**The thin flesh that hides the gills of the mushroom until they are about ready to release spores.