Shiitake Spore Print

Shiitake Spore Print (Lentinula edodes)

A spore print is a deposit of millions of Shiitake spores collected on a sterile surface. Spore prints are a genetic archive and a research tool: they store indefinitely at room temperature and carry the natural genetic variation of the species, which cultivators use to isolate and select new strains.

Unlike a clone culture, spores recombine — so germinating a print gives you a range of genetics to explore and select the strongest performers from.