How To Grow Lion's Mane at Home

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.

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.

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.