Step by Step Guide on How to Use Magic Mushroom Grow Kits

Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain psilocybin, a psychedelic compound that can induce profound and mystical experiences. Many people use magic mushrooms for spiritual, recreational, or therapeutic purposes, but finding them in the wild can be difficult and risky. Fortunately, there is a safe and easy way to grow your own magic mushrooms at home, using a magic mushroom grow kit.

A magic mushroom grow kit is a ready-made kit that contains everything you need to cultivate your own mushrooms. It usually consists of a plastic container filled with a sterilized substrate inoculated with mushroom spores, a plastic bag with a filter, and a paper clip. There are different types of grow kits available, depending on the strain of mushroom you want to grow and the level of difficulty you prefer.

In this blog post, we will show you how to use a magic mushroom grow kit in 9 simple steps, and give you some tips and tricks to get the best results. Let's get started!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Before you open your magic mushroom grow kit, you need to prepare your workspace and make sure it is clean and sterile. You don't want any contaminants to ruin your mushroom harvest, so follow these precautions:

- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and dry them with a clean towel.

- Wipe down the surface where you will place your grow kit with a disinfectant or alcohol.

- Spray some disinfectant or alcohol in the air around your workspace to kill any airborne spores or bacteria.

- Avoid touching anything that is not related to your grow kit, such as your phone, your hair, or your face.

Step 2: Open Your Grow Kit

Now that your workspace is ready, you can open your magic mushroom grow kit and inspect its contents. You should find the following items inside:

- A plastic container with a lid, containing a substrate colonized by mushroom mycelium. The substrate is usually a mixture of grains, vermiculite, and perlite, and the mycelium is the white, fuzzy network of fungal fibers that will produce the mushrooms.

- A plastic bag with a filter, which will serve as a mini-greenhouse for your grow kit. The filter allows fresh air to enter the bag, while preventing contaminants from getting in.

- A paper clip, which will help you seal the bag.

Remove the lid from the plastic container, but don't throw it away. You will need it later for the soaking process. Check the substrate for any signs of contamination, such as mold, black spots, or bad smells. If everything looks fine, proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Make Some Holes

The next step is to make some holes in the substrate with a clean fork. This will help the substrate absorb water and stimulate the growth of the mushrooms. Gently poke the fork into the substrate, making 6 to 8 rows of holes across the surface. Don't go too deep, just enough to pierce the top layer.

Step 4: Soak Your Grow Kit

The next step is to soak your grow kit in water for 12 hours. This will hydrate the substrate and prepare it for fruiting. Fill the plastic container with cold tap water, until the substrate is completely submerged. Place the lid back on the container, and leave it in a dark and cool place for 12 hours. Don't expose it to direct sunlight or heat sources, as this could damage the mycelium.

Step 5: Drain Your Grow Kit

After 12 hours, you need to drain your grow kit and remove the excess water. Carefully remove the lid from the plastic container, and pour out the water. Hold the substrate with your hand, and tilt the container slightly, to let the water drain for 5 to 10 seconds. Don't squeeze or shake the substrate, as this could harm the mycelium. Keep the lid for the next flushes.

Step 6: Place Your Grow Kit in the Bag

The next step is to place your grow kit in the plastic bag with the filter. Pour a cup or two of water into the bag, depending on the size of your grow kit. The water should not go over the edge of the plastic container, but just cover the bottom of the bag. This will create a humid environment for your mushrooms to grow.

Place the plastic container with the substrate inside the bag, and fold the top of the bag over the container. Use the paper clip to seal the bag, leaving some space for air exchange. Make sure the filter is not blocked by the bag, and that there is some room for the mushrooms to grow.

Step 7: Choose a Suitable Location

The next step is to choose a suitable location for your grow kit. You need to find a spot that has the following conditions:

- Indirect natural light: Your mushrooms need some light to grow, but not too much. Avoid direct sunlight or artificial light sources, as they could dry out or overheat your grow kit. A windowsill with a curtain, or a shaded corner of a room, are good options.

- Stable temperature: Your mushrooms need a stable temperature of around 23°C (73°F) to grow. Avoid places that are too hot or too cold, such as near heaters, radiators, air conditioners, or drafty windows. If the temperature is too low, you can use a heating mat to warm up your grow kit. If the temperature is too high, you can use a fan to cool it down.

- Good ventilation: Your mushrooms need fresh air to grow, but not too much. Avoid places that are too windy or dusty, such as near open windows, doors, or vents. The filter on the bag will provide enough air exchange for your grow kit, but you can also open the bag once a day and fan it gently with a clean piece of paper.

Once you have found a suitable location, place your grow kit there, and leave it alone. Don't move it around, or disturb it in any way. Just let it do its thing.

Step 8: Harvest Your Mushrooms

The next step is to harvest your mushrooms when they are ready. This usually takes between 1 and 3 weeks, depending on the strain, the conditions, and the size of your grow kit. You will know your mushrooms are ready when they have fully opened their caps, and their veils have broken. This is the optimal time to pick them, as they have reached their maximum potency and size.

To harvest your mushrooms, you need to follow these steps:

- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and dry them with a clean towel.

- Remove the paper clip from the bag, and open it carefully.

- Grab the base of each mushroom with your thumb and index finger, and twist it gently until it pops off. Don't pull or tug the mushrooms, as this could damage the substrate and reduce future yields.

- Place the harvested mushrooms on a clean piece of paper or a plate, and set them aside.

- Repeat the process until you have picked all the mushrooms from the substrate.

- Close the bag with the paper clip, and leave it in the same spot.

Step 9: Repeat the Process

The last step is to repeat the process for the next flushes. A flush is a cycle of mushroom growth and harvest, and each grow kit can produce several flushes, depending on the strain and the conditions. The first flush is usually the biggest and the best, but the following ones can still be rewarding.

To repeat the process, you need to follow these steps:

- Soak your grow kit in water for 12 hours, as you did in step 4.

- Drain your grow kit and remove the excess water, as you did in step 5.

- Place your grow kit in the bag with some water, as you did in step 6.

- Choose a suitable location for your grow kit, as you did in step 7.

- Harvest your mushrooms when they are ready, as you did in step 8.

You can repeat this process until your grow kit stops producing mushrooms, or until the substrate becomes contaminated or exhausted. This usually happens after 3 to 5 flushes, but it can vary depending on the strain and the conditions. When your grow kit is done, you can dispose of it in the compost or the trash.

Source(s)

1. How to Grow Magic Mushrooms at Home [The Complete Guide] - WayofLeaf
2. Magic Mushroom Grow Kit Guide - In 9 Easy Steps - Next Level
3. How to Grow Magic Mushrooms: A Guide for Beginners to Experts - HealingMaps