How To Grow Cordyceps Militaris at Home

Agar Cultivation

1. Prepare the agar medium by mixing agar powder with water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Autoclave the agar medium to sterilize it and let it cool to around 50°C.
3. In a sterile environment, pour the agar medium into petri dishes to create a solid surface for the cordyceps mushroom mycelium to grow on.
4. Using a sterile technique, transfer a small piece of cordyceps mushroom mycelium onto the agar medium in each petri dish.
5. Seal the petri dishes with parafilm or tape to prevent contamination and incubate them at the optimal temperature for cordyceps mushroom growth.
6. Check the petri dishes regularly for signs of contamination or growth of the cordyceps mycelium. If contamination occurs, discard the affected dishes.
7. Once the cordyceps mycelium has fully colonized the agar medium, it is ready to be transferred to a grain substrate for further cultivation.

Liquid Culture Cultivation

1. Prepare a sterile work area by cleaning all surfaces with a disinfectant and using a laminar flow hood if available.
2. Gather all necessary materials including a liquid culture syringe, sterile liquid culture medium, and a sterile container with a lid.
3. Heat the liquid culture medium in a pressure cooker or autoclave to sterilize it and let it cool to room temperature.
4. Inject the liquid culture syringe into the sterile container with the cooled liquid culture medium, making sure to avoid contamination.
5. Seal the container with a breathable lid or cover to allow for gas exchange while preventing contamination.
6. Incubate the liquid culture at the optimal temperature and humidity for cordyceps mushroom growth, typically around 25-30°C.
7. Monitor the liquid culture for signs of growth such as mycelium development and adjust conditions as needed to promote healthy growth.
8. Once the liquid culture is fully colonized with mycelium, it can be used to inoculate a substrate for fruiting or stored in the refrigerator for future use.

Substrate Prep and Innoculation

1. Prepare the substrate by mixing together 2 parts cooked rice, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part water in a large mixing bowl.
2. Transfer the substrate mixture into sterilized jars, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
3. Cover the jars with a layer of aluminum foil and sterilize them in a pressure cooker at 15 psi for 90 minutes.
4. Allow the jars to cool completely before inoculating them with cordyceps mushroom spores or mycelium.
5. Using a sterile syringe, inject the spores or mycelium into the substrate through the holes in the jar lids.
6. Replace the lids on the jars and incubate them in a dark, warm place (around 75-80°F) for 2-3 weeks.
7. Check the jars regularly for signs of growth, such as white mycelium spreading throughout the substrate.
8. Once the jars are fully colonized, you can move on to the fruiting phase by exposing them to light and fresh air.

Fruiting Preparation and Conditions

1. Prepare a fruiting chamber by thoroughly cleaning and sterilizing it to prevent contamination.
2. Fill the fruiting chamber with a substrate suitable for cordyceps mushrooms, such as a mixture of rice and vermiculite.
3. Inoculate the substrate with cordyceps spores or mycelium culture using sterile techniques.
4. Maintain the fruiting chamber at a temperature of around 20-25°C with high humidity levels (around 85-95%).
5. Provide indirect light to simulate natural conditions for cordyceps mushrooms to fruit.
6. Monitor the growth of the mycelium and the formation of fruiting bodies, ensuring proper conditions are maintained throughout the process.
7. Harvest the cordyceps mushrooms once they have fully developed, following proper harvesting techniques to preserve the quality of the mushrooms.