Bag Fruiting Guide
Supplies You'll Need
Included in Your Order:
• 4 lb substrate bag
• 2 lb grain bag
• Bag clip
Not Included:
• Liquid culture or spore syringe (see below for purchasing info)
Recommended:
• 70% isopropyl alcohol
• Latex gloves (optional)
• Still air box or flow hood
• Silica gel packs
• Dehydrator
Where to Buy Liquid Culture and Spores:
You can find these items available from many online vendors.
We recommend lablinksupplies.com. Use code SURF10 for 10% off!
Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area
1. Thoroughly wash your hands before putting on gloves.
2. Clean your hands and workstation with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Step 2: Inoculate the Grain Bag
Note: We recommend that you perform this step inside a still air box or in front of a flow hood.
1. Carefully remove the grain bag from the outer vacuum bag.
2. Hold your grain bag by the top and gently tap it on your work surface so the grain settles and air enters the filter patch.
3. Sanitize the injection port with the 70% isopropyl alcohol.
4. Attach a sterile needle to your spore/liquid culture syringe.
5. Carefully insert the needle into the injection port and inoculate the bag with 10ml of liquid culture or spore solution.
- If you're using liquid culture, shake the bag thoroughly to evenly distribute the liquid. This will take 7-10 days to fully colonize.
- If you're using spores, aim to inject all the liquid in a single spot and do not shake the bag. This will take 2-3 weeks to fully colonize.
STORAGE:
Place your grain bag in a clean area off the ground, away from direct sunlight, at a temperature range of 72-82°F. Temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s will result in faster colonization, while anything lower than 72°F will slow down the process.
Step 3: Break and Shake at 20% Colonization
1. Break apart the colonized sections of the grain bag.
2. Shake the bag until the mycelium is evenly distributed.
3. Place the bag under the same conditions as before. Allow the mycelium to fully colonize, this will take an additional 3-7 days.
Step 4: Mix Grain Spawn and Substrate
Once your grain is fully colonized its time to add it to the fruiting bag.
You can tell that the grains are fully colonized when they are entirely covered in white mycelium with no remaining uncolonized areas.
1. Repeat items outlined in Step 1 to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Thoroughly wash your hands before putting on gloves.
- Clean your hands and workstation with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
2. Break up your colonized grain bag by firmly pressing it against a flat surface. Ensure all chunks are broken up and mix the bag thoroughly.
3. Cut open the top of both the grain and substrate bags right below the heat seal.
4. Pour your broken-up colonized grain into the substrate bag.
5. Fold over the top of the bag creating a loop.
6. Slide the clip into place and secure the top.
7. Roll the clip down the top of the bag a couple times and hold tightly.
8. Shake the bag back and fourth to mix the grain and substrate.
9. Once mixed, Hold the bag by the top under the clip and tap it against your work surface to create a flat even surface within the bag.
10. Place the bag off the ground, away from direct sunlight, and at room temperature 72-76°F.
11. Allow the substrate to colonize for 5-10 days before initiating fruiting conditions.
Step 5: Fruiting Stage
Once the substrate is fully colonized it's time to introduce fruiting conditions.
You can tell the grow bag is fully colonized when there is visible white growth throughout, and the mixture forms a solid, dense cake.
1. Remove the clip and open the bag.
2. Introduce airflow with a small fan or by gently pushing and pulling the sides of the bag.
3. Reattach the clip and place the bag in an area with good airflow and indirect sunlight. If using grow lights, opt for 6500k bulbs set to a 12/12 hour cycle timer.
4. Your grow bag will begin to pin in about 5-7 days; after that, expect fully grown mushrooms in 3-5 days.
Step 6: Harvest Mushrooms!
The best time to harvest your mushrooms is once the cap opens and the veil tears.
1. Unseal the bag and carefully slide the substrate cake and mushrooms out.
2. Harvest your mushrooms by lightly twisting and pulling at the base of the stems.
3. (Recommended) Dry your mushrooms in a dehydrator.
4. Store your dried mushrooms in an airtight container with a silica gel pack.
Step 7: Rehydrate for Multiple Flushes
Once your mushrooms are harvested, you can rehydrate your cake for consecutive flushes. Each grow kit can produce two to three flushes.
1. Pour 8-12 cups of cold water into your grow bag.
2. Let the cake soak for 4-8 hours, then pour off the excess water.
3. Secure the clip and place the bag in your grow area under fruiting conditions.
4. Wait until you have a second flush of mushrooms, this will take 5-7 days. Repeat this process until the cake no longer produces.
If you have any additional questions feel free to reach out to info@surfinspores.com.