* https://steemitimages.com/DQmVRYT7ce1jyE4SGiSfmQobZRdVXtf4Vx5KWEf2Hkcg6Yw/fungi.jpg

Disclaimer: I am not a mycologist... but... perhaps I will be in time.

While I was out for a walk, I happened to stumble by a mushroom. This is my first attempt at its indoor growth and reproduction. Mistakes have been made, but, that is just learning in disguise. While attempts at growing can be educational, eating a mushroom that has been misidentified can be deadly. There is no room for error. -

Step #1

Obtain a sample Most mushroom spores can be purchased from the net, but, this step is already complete, a fresh mushroom has been picked. -

Step #2

Identification Spore prints are easily made and required step when the species is unknown. This can be made by removing the stem, and placing the cap of the mushroom onto white paper or tinfoil for 8-12 hours. It is best to have the mushroom cap covered the entire time to prevent outside contaminants and preserve as many of the spores as possible. https://steemitimages.com/DQmakf4VLYcKXJnU7DJQqjx56NJ65BANsbUsDXDrLtzNQLT/20170825_194200.jpg Spore prints will come in a variety of sizes, color and patterns. Each one can help narrow down the selection through process of elimination. When spores are viewed under a microscope, it is possible to obtain much more information about the fungus in question. *https://steemitimages.com/DQmdBf4qScEqpttPMpSes3wmSN2pj3QugX5PYvSwdyS6VXx/microscope_spores_01.gif There are quite a few resources available on the net to help figure out what kind of fungus is being dealt with. Having more than one sample is best as color and shape of the fungus can vary depending on environment and damage done to it while growing. I used a few resources to come up with an educated guess as to which specific fungus I am dealing with. There are many more pages to be read before continuing any further. MycoKey / The Poisonous Plant Patch / Shroomery / Mushroom Expert

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Step #3

Create syringe Sterility is key for all steps gong forward. If any outside spores enter any part of the process until mushrooms are picked, the entire product might have to be discarded for safety purposes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKvrRLD9amY -

Step #4

Inoculation Depending on the mushrooms picked to grow, there are a few types of growing material available. Rye Grain with a mix of brown rice flower is the most popular choice, but it is possible to use popcorn kernels and even coffee grounds as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJ6P0EcM_0 After a few weeks to allow the contents to incubate and grow through the rye grain, you'll be left with a jar of mycelium. https://steemitimages.com/DQmNnGcN1EYLGQZt8RpwSLuB8kWz3oCtaFEFv5AQn5KLTSG/20170815_174321.jpg At this point, it is best to check for outside contaminants. Most times, it will be pretty obvious there is a second or third unwanted fungus by visually inspecting the jar. Here is an example of an early failure where I attempted to use coffee grounds instead of rye grain. The bottle was not properly decontaminated and contained excess water. Mold can be seen growing. Myclium is white, and the green patches, plus the hair like strands extending from the coffee grounds are both unwanted. Discard and try again. https://steemitimages.com/DQmcpPZzp63yNZDNbW2fQU73qyuQKhBuc1vBYbSbBtpQ1yV/20170820_133312.jpg After sterilizing the growing box and boiling the straw, I am ready to add in the rye grain mycelium. Day 1 https://steemitimages.com/DQmYDXSPBsxHAhhg5mACtZBvziSdbWnTfHtUvMxobjT5393/20170815_215916.jpg Day 6 https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ1q6VxFXvKW9hrbSLk68LT19x94jksnuBvopUwxsC8Pk/20170821_205948.jpg Day 7 https://steemitimages.com/DQmPs8CnCBjJubEgctDWz1FUKABGy3WE13X3MMkgeXfe5sS/20170822_124022.jpg Day 11 https://steemitimages.com/DQmW8bFKwHkG8UZ6ghbU66567yZWSGe8Tqij4DqgBocde3t/20170826_162036.jpg On the 12th day, the myclium was completely grown through the straw. I added a layer of sterilized peat moss. 36 hours later, it can be seen growing through that new layer too. Day 15 https://steemitimages.com/DQmVCqptppt4n4JadcZoq92Za9WV1ijDZzJUwz7N9oh2g6a/20170830_171336.jpg Day 16 https://steemitimages.com/DQmTcsyKuX7nobC7q1RK9eVVACLC3vPDnUE9bH1n8GywPwt/20170901_033714.jpg Day 18 https://steemitimages.com/DQmXg9UoFJx85nBwJ36iPSZnQxMk8q1bxUprjEedqX7ZUjc/20170903_204135.jpg A plastic lid or bag can be used to keep in the humidity. If the top layer is too dry, the mushrooms will stop growing. https://steemitimages.com/DQmb3c4XNU24eYVN737mCBMqVb383s9ugwXfdnNYC7R3GL7/20170903_204115.jpg The start of what is (hopefully) my first mushroom pins are now visible. https://steemitimages.com/DQmctnEjpRUhJHi8XJEcMttrsEoTi5yNh7mmKkDo7LVfHRp/20170903_204155.jpg

My education into the weird world of fungi continues... Thanks for taking the time to check out my post. I'll have a follow up for this out shortly. -MadHatt

Video sources - Mushroom Mike / Willy Myco Image sources - 1, 2,