ShroomSpy

ShroomSpy

Background

How To Grow Lion's Mane at Home

Cultivation Supplies
Welcome to ShroomSpy's ultimate guide on growing Lion's Mane mushrooms! Dive into the world of mycology and unlock the secrets of this remarkable fungus known for its brain-boosting and immune-strengthening benefits. From selecting the right substrate to maintaining optimal growing conditions, our step-by-step instructions and expert insights will empower you to cultivate your own supply of Lion's Mane mushrooms right at home. Join us on this exciting journey to enhance your health and well-being with the power of mushrooms!
Lions Mane

Natural Habitat

• Ecosystem:

Hardwood trees, especially oak and beech

• Locations:

North America, China, Japan, Europe

• Seasons:

Late summer to fall

• Climate:

Temperate

• Substrate:

Wood

Growing Params

• Difficulty:

Moderate

• Total Time:

29 - 52 Days

• PH Range:

5 - 6.5

Yield Performance

• Units:

% Weight of Substrate

• Poor:

10

• Average:

20

• Good:

30

• Excellent:

40

Culture Instructions

Agar Cultivation

Supplies Needed

  • • Agar Powder: Cellular medium for agar plates.
  • • Petri Dishes: Containers for pouring agar medium.
  • • Agar Jar: Narrow Mouth Jar with Sealing Lid is optimal.
  • • Parafilm: For Sealing the agar after innoculation. Grafting Tape is also sufficient.
  • • Scissors: Tool for cutting sealing tape to length.
  • • Stir Plate: Optional: Thorough mixing with sagenetic stirrir improves results by distributing nutrients evenly
  • • Nutrient Medium: Nutrition can be Light Malt Extract, Honey, Karo ext. For Mycelial Expansion.
  • • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the liquid culture medium to increase growth rates.
  • • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
  • • Pressure Cooker: Equipment for sterilizing agar mixture and Petri dishes.
  • • Scalpel or Innoculation Loop: Tool for transferring mycelium to agar plates.
  • • Alcohol Lamp or Burner: Sterilization tool for flame sterilizing instruments.

Growing Params

Recipe: MEA

Temperature Range:70 - 75 °F

CO2 Range:5000 - 10000 ppm

Growth Duration:14 - 21 Days

Cultivation Notes: Maintain sterile conditions and adequate moisture levels for optimum growth.

Liquid Culture

Supplies Needed

  • • Sterile Jar: Clean container for liquid culture inoculation.
  • • Modified Lid: Lid should have a filter port for gas exchange. Syringe Port Optional.
  • • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
  • • Nutrient Medium: Nutrition can be Light Malt Extract, Honey, Karo ext. For Mycelial Expansion.
  • • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the liquid culture medium to increase growth rates.
  • • Pressure Cooker: Equipment for sterilizing liquid culture medium.
  • • Scalpel or Syringe: Tool for transferring mycelial mass to growth medium.
  • • Alcohol Lamp or Burner: Sterilization tool for flame sterilizing instruments.

Growing Params

Recipe: MDPLC

Temperature Range:70 - 75 °F

CO2 Range:5000 - 10000 ppm

Growth Duration:10 - 14 Days

Cultivation Notes: Use sterile technique to avoid contamination.Stir Daily

Agar Cultivation
  1. Prepare the agar medium by mixing water, agar powder, and nutrients such as malt extract or potato dextrose agar in a flask.
  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 mushroom mycelium to grow on.
  4. Using a sterile technique, transfer a small piece of healthy lion's mane mushroom tissue onto the agar surface.
  5. Seal the petri dishes with parafilm or tape to prevent contamination and store them in a warm, dark place to encourage mycelium growth.
  6. Check the petri dishes regularly for signs of contamination or growth of the lion's mane mycelium.
  7. Once the mycelium has fully colonized the agar plates, you can use it to inoculate substrate for fruiting the lion's mane mushrooms.
Liquid Culture Cultivation
  1. Prepare a sterile work area by wiping down all surfaces with a disinfectant such as isopropyl alcohol.
  2. Gather your supplies, including a spore syringe or liquid culture syringe, a sterile syringe, a pressure cooker, and a clean glass jar.
  3. Fill the glass jar with sterilized water and add a small amount of light malt extract or another sugar source to provide nutrients for the mycelium.
  4. Using a flame-sterilized needle, inject the spore or liquid culture syringe into the jar of nutrient solution.
  5. Place the jar in a warm, dark area and allow the mycelium to grow and colonize the liquid culture. This process can take several weeks.
  6. Check the jar regularly for signs of contamination, such as mold growth or off smells. If contamination is present, discard the liquid culture and start over.
  7. Once the liquid culture is fully colonized with mycelium, it is ready to be used to inoculate your substrate for growing lions mane mushrooms.

Spawn Instructions

Supplies Needed

  • • Mason Jars or Bags: Containers for sterilizing and inoculating grains.
  • • Modified Lid: Lid should have a filter port for gas exchange. Syringe Port Optional.
  • • Grains: Substrate material for spawn inoculation. (e.g. Rye, Millet)
  • • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
  • • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the grain medium to increase growth rates.
  • • Pressure Cooker: Equipment for sterilizing grain substrate.
  • • Inoculation Tool : Tool for transferring colonized spawn to substrate. (e.g. Scalpel, Syringe)
  • • Alcohol Lamp or Burner: Sterilization tool for flame sterilizing instruments.

Growing Params

Spawn Material: Whole Oats

Temperature Range:70 - 75 °F

Moisture Content:49 - 55 %

Fresh Air Exchange:0 - 1 / Hour

CO2 Range:1500 - 2000 ppm

Growth Duration:10 - 14 Days

Grain Spawn Prep and Innoculation
  1. Prepare your grain substrate, such as rye or millet, by rinsing it thoroughly and soaking it overnight.
  2. Drain the soaked grains and fill your jars or bags with the substrate, leaving some space at the top for shaking.
  3. Sterilize the substrate by pressure cooking at 15 psi for 90 minutes to kill any competing organisms.
  4. Allow the substrate to cool completely before inoculation to prevent contamination.
  5. Inoculate the cooled substrate with lion's mane mushroom spawn using a sterile technique, such as a flow hood or glove box.
  6. Shake the jars or bags to evenly distribute the spawn throughout the substrate.
  7. Incubate the inoculated grain spawn in a warm, dark place for 2-4 weeks, or until fully colonized with mycelium.
  8. Once fully colonized, the grain spawn is ready to be used to inoculate your fruiting substrate for growing lion's mane mushrooms.

Substrate Instructions

Supplies Needed

  • • Substrate Mix: Substrate material for mushroom growth. (e.g., Sawdust, Wood Chips, Fast Fruiting Mix, Brown Rice)
  • • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the grain medium to increase growth rates.
  • • Substrate Container: Polypropylene Bags or Plastic Containers for sterilizing and inoculating substrate.
  • • Mycelial Mass: Typically Colonized Grain Jars or Liquid Culture for inoculation.
  • • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
  • • Pressure Cooker or Steam Sterilizer: Equipment for sterilizing substrate.

Growing Params

Substrate: Hardwood Sawdust

Sub to Spawn Ratio: 3:1

Sub to LC Ratio: 4ml/qt

Temperature Range:70 - 75 °F

Humidity Range:60 - 80 RH

Fresh Air Exchange:2 - 3 / Hour

CO2 Range:1500 - 2000 ppm

Growth Duration:14 - 21 Days

Substrate Prep and Innoculation
  1. Prepare the substrate by mixing hardwood sawdust and wheat bran in a ratio of 5:1 in a large container.
  2. Add water to the substrate mixture until it reaches a field capacity moisture level. The substrate should be damp but not dripping wet.
  3. Sterilize the substrate mixture by placing it in a pressure cooker or autoclave at 15 psi for 2 hours.
  4. Allow the substrate to cool to room temperature before proceeding to the next step.
  5. Inoculate the cooled substrate with lions-mane mushroom spawn. Break up the spawn and evenly distribute it throughout the substrate.
  6. Mix the spawn into the substrate thoroughly to ensure even colonization.
  7. Cover the inoculated substrate with a layer of plastic wrap or a breathable filter patch bag to maintain humidity.
  8. Incubate the inoculated substrate in a dark, warm (75-80°F) location for 2-4 weeks, or until fully colonized by the mycelium.
  9. Check the substrate regularly for contamination and adjust humidity levels if necessary.
  10. Once fully colonized, introduce fresh air and lower the temperature to around 55-65°F to induce fruiting.
  11. Maintain humidity levels around 90% and provide indirect light to encourage mushroom formation.
  12. Harvest the lions-mane mushrooms when they reach maturity, typically around 3-4 weeks after initiating fruiting conditions.

Primordia Instructions

Supplies Needed

  • • Fruiting Chamber: Controlled environment chamber for pinning and fruiting.
  • • Control Automation: Optional. Controller and sensors for maintaining temperature, humidity, lighting ext.
  • • Casing Layer: Optional. Species Dependant. Humidification material for maintaining humidity in the fruiting chamber.
  • • Hygrometer: Instrument for measuring humidity levels.
  • • Humidifier: Optional. Could be spray bottle or humidifer. Tool for misting and humidifying the fruiting chamber.

Growing Params

Casing Layer: None

Temperature Range:50 - 60 °F

Humidity Range:90 - 100 RH

Light Wave Length:450 - 495 nm

Light Intensity:500 - 1000 Lux

Light Duration: 12 Hours/Day

Fresh Air Exchange:4 - 8 / Hour

CO2 Range:500 - 750 ppm

Growth Duration:3 - 5 Days

Cultivation Notes: none

Primordia Initiation
  1. Prepare a clean and sanitized growing area with proper humidity and temperature control.
  2. Introduce the lion's mane mushroom culture to the substrate, ensuring even distribution.
  3. Cover the substrate and culture with a breathable material to maintain humidity levels.
  4. Monitor the temperature and humidity levels regularly to ensure optimal conditions for primordia initiation.
  5. Provide indirect light to simulate natural conditions and promote primordia formation.
  6. Continue to monitor the growth progress and adjust conditions as needed to support healthy primordia development.

Fruiting Instructions

Supplies Needed

  • • Fruiting Chamber: Controlled environment chamber for fruiting.
  • • Temperature Control System: Equipment for maintaining optimal fruiting temperatures.
  • • Fresh Air Exchange System: System to provide adequate fresh air exchange in the fruiting chamber.
  • • Light Source: Light source to provide required illumination for fruiting. (e.g., LED Grow Light)
  • • Harvesting Tools: Tools for harvesting mushrooms without damaging the mycelium. (e.g., Knife, Scissors)

Growing Params

Temperature Range:65 - 75 °F

Humidity Range:90 - 95 RH

Light Wave Length:450 - 495 nm

Light Intensity:500 - 1000 lux

Light Duration: 12 Hours/Day

Fresh Air Exchange:5 - 8 / Hour

CO2 Range:500 - 1000 ppm

Growth Duration:4 - 5 Days

Flushes:2 - 3

Flushing Schedule:12 - 14 Days

Cultivation Notes: none

Fruiting Preparation and Conditions
  1. Prepare a fruiting chamber by thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing it to prevent contamination.
  2. Fill the bottom of the chamber with a layer of damp perlite or another humidifying material to maintain high humidity levels.
  3. Place a clean and sterilized tray or container inside the chamber to hold the substrate for the mushrooms.
  4. Transfer the colonized lion's mane substrate into the tray, making sure it is evenly distributed and not compacted.
  5. Mist the substrate lightly with water to ensure it is moist but not waterlogged.
  6. Cover the tray with a clear plastic lid or plastic wrap to create a humid environment for the mushrooms to grow.
  7. Maintain the fruiting chamber at a temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and humidity levels around 90%.
  8. Provide indirect light to the mushrooms, either through natural light or a grow light on a 12-hour cycle.
  9. Monitor the humidity and temperature levels regularly, adjusting as needed to ensure optimal conditions for fruiting.
  10. Harvest the lion's mane mushrooms when they reach maturity, typically indicated by full size and a fluffy appearance.