Mushrooms are one of nature’s more peculiar and fascinating species. Residing in the domain of Eukaryota, they stand separate from other living things in the way they sustain their life. Consequently, if you suddenly have a desire to grow your very own mushrooms for sustenance or…other reasons, you will need to gain a bit of understanding in how to both collect and store the spores from which they grow. This post will help you with precisely this point, and by the end, you should be ready to purchase your very first spores and start growing them.
Choosing The Right Collection Method
Funghi spores are remarkably delicate, far more so than you might believe. As such, selecting the correct collection method is vital if you wish to ensure they remain viable. According to The Mushroom Spore Depot website, one option is via spore syringes, which are great if you plan on storing them for a certain amount of time before using them for research. Other techniques include:
- Print: A spore print is a powdery residue collected by permitting spores from a fungal fruiting body to descend onto a surface below.
- Trap: A trap, which can be used in both passive and active methods, is a way to collect airborne spores more easily.
- Microscopic dissection: Microscopic dissection is a method employed to isolate and analyze individual fungal spores under a microscope, frequently utilized for research objectives more than anything else.
- Water extraction: You place the funghi into water and agitate it enough to spur the mushroom to release its spores into the liquid.
- Culture: This is essentially growing them in the correct conditions.
Best Time To Collect Spores
The answer to this question will vary based on the type of fungus you’re attempting to extract from and its lifecycle. Nevertheless, the ideal moment occurs when the gills are fully formed, and the spores are prepared for release. This is frequently signified by a deeper hue or a powdered texture on the gills or pores. You can usually see when the gills are ready as they will be more flared than usual.
Essential Equipment For Spores Collection
This is another answer that will depend on the type of mushroom you’re using and how you intend to use the spores. However, for the sake of brevity, we’ll look at the most basic items that you will need to extract your desired spores:
- Mushroom: Yes, this might look obvious, but you will, in fact, need a mushroom from which to remove the spores.
- Paper: Both black and white paper can be used to collect, with the different colors utilized based on the color of the spores in question. The idea is to have a color that contrasts with whatever spores you’re trying to get.
- Container: A clear container to cover the mushroom and create a humid environment.
Proper Storage Techniques
Collecting these spores is one thing, but ensuring they are stored correctly to keep them viable for a long time is a different matter entirely. For best results, you will want to keep them at the ideal temperature and humidity levels. In practice, this means a cool, dark place, ideally between 2°C to 8°C, making it possible to use a standard domestic refrigerator.
Mushrooms are wonderful things, with the best part being that with the correct information, they are relatively easy to collect, store, and grow. Using the tips in this post, you should be able to do all of this safely in the knowledge that your spores will remain ready to use when needed.