Getting into mycology can initially seem daunting, especially when presented with all you have to learn. However, like any field, things get more manageable when you understand the basics and jargon. In no time, you will start cultivating mushrooms for medicine, food, or even as a hobby.
One of the most frequently asked questions about growing mushrooms is the difference between liquid culture and spore syringes. We will answer this question in this post and much more.
Liquid culture and liquid spore syringes were designed to make growing mushrooms easier. And importantly, these systems offer an easier way to obtain, transport, and grow mycelium. Both techniques have benefits and disadvantages. Liquid cultures are more sought-after than spore syringes, although both are usually mistaken for each other by newbies.
Most cultivators regard using spore syringes as more complex and reserved for scientists and experienced growers. Liquid cultures are resistant to contamination and are more likely to grow than spores. This is one reason cultivators prefer liquid culture to spores. Compared to spore syringes, liquid culture provides faster and more consistent growth.
The main difference between liquid cultures and spores is that the former contains live mycelium and is ready to grow after inoculation. In contrast, spore syringes require germination before they can start expanding. Liquid cultures usually have mycelia selected based on genetics. Conversely, spores may contain thousands of mycelium genetics in a syringe.
Understanding Liquid Culture
Liquid cultures are a fluid blend of live mycelium and other nutritious substances. Liquid culture will include sterilized water, raw honey, sugar, or honey, and live mushroom mycelium. The pieces of mycelium will suspend in this sterile liquid; if everything goes well, it grows and colonizes.
After colonization, the liquid culture is usually used to inoculate substrates, including grain, agar, and dung. All you need is a few drops to start thriving mushroom spawn. Liquid cultures are usually sold in syringes but can also be available in jars. Liquid cultures are consistent and are ideal for cultivators looking to repeat the same results.
Liquid Culture Benefits
1. Fast Colonization and Better Yield
One of the benefits of liquid cultures is its faster colonization features. This happens because the mycelium is already growing in the rich nutrient environment. Liquid cultures offer rapid colonization, resulting in quicker mushroom harvests. Liquid cultures also provide better yield than spore syringes. This is because the mycelium in liquid cultures tends to colonize substrates more effectively, resulting in bigger yields.
2. Cost Effective
Another benefit of liquid cultures is that they are cheaper than spore syringes. Due to the high risk of contamination, spore syringes are likely to go lousy, causing losses. Liquid cultures are resistant to contamination and more likely to flourish. With liquid cultures, you are sure to get returns on your investment.
3. Transportation Ease
Liquid culture syringes are designed to be easy to transport and store, making it the right choice for large-scale mushroom cultivators. Liquid cultures are stored in sterile syringes and locks, making them safe for transporting without the risk of spillage. In rare cases, liquid cultures can be stored in the refrigerator, where they can stay for months and even years.
The above are some of the reasons and benefits of choosing liquid cultures. Now, let's understand spore syringes and the benefits they offer mushroom cultivators.
4. The Legal Question
Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in most countries; however, liquid cultures are not. This is because liquid cultures have not yet been developed into psilocybin mushrooms. You can buy liquid cultures because they are not yet in the germination phase. However, not all liquid cultures contain psilocybin mushrooms. This is one of the reasons why it's essential to find the stain in the liquid culture before purchase.
Disadvantages
1. Limited Shelf Life
One of the main downsides of choosing liquid culture is storage. For liquid cultures to thrive, they must be kept refrigerated. Liquid cultures will not last if not refrigerated, unlike spore syringes. This happens because the blend of nutrients added to support the mycelium will go bad if you not keep it in the refrigerator. And even in refrigerated conditions, liquid cultures last only a short time, a year max. In rare cases, liquid cultures have been said to last for years.
2. Contamination Issues
Another disadvantage of liquid culture is the difficulty in contamination before it's too late. You can look out for clouds and strange colors; however, these signs are not always clear. When your liquid culture syringe becomes greenish, it's a definite sign it has become spoilt.
A foul smell is also another sign that your liquid culture is spoiled. A slimy texture is also another sign of a rotten liquid mushroom. The most accurate way of determining if your liquid culture has been contaminated is by growing a sample on a substrate like agar.
What are Spore Syringes
Spores are similar to seeds and are used to grow mushrooms. Spores are found under mushroom gills, also called caps. Syringes are used for several reasons: the ease they offer in transportation and application. A spore syringe contains spores suspended in a sterilized water solution.
Spore syringes usually include different mycelium genetics, creating a network. Under the right conditions, spores with matching genetics will start germinating. Spores work excellently on different substrate types. Spores germinate quickly on agar; expect mycelium growth on the agar surface between 3-6 days after dropping.
Spore syringes are ideal for those looking to build a strain collection. Spore syringes are also great for microscopy studies and research. Spores are also suitable for the development of new mushroom cultivars. Mycologists also use it to find the best genetic match ideal for a particular climate and place.
Spore Syringe Benefits
1. Longevity
One of the main advantages of choosing spore syringes is that they last long. Spores tend to last for months and can survive outside the fridge. This is not the same for liquid cultures that can't survive without refrigeration. Spores in syringes can last up to six months if kept under the right conditions. Storing spore syringes in cool and dark places in airtight containers is essential.
2. Diverse Genetics
Another benefit of using spore syringes is the array of genetics, leaving you with endless isolation options. In each spore syringe, there are usually thousands of mushroom strains. The diversity of the genetic network spores offer one advantage this method has over cultivating mushrooms via liquid culture.
3. Convenience
Spores in syringes are easy to transport and use. The storage of spore syringes is also easy and ideal for first-time users. Most stores sterilize syringes before they are used. Syringes are also usually shipped in clean, sealed containers. The cleanliness also increases inoculation as the syringes and containers have been sterilized.
Spores are typically made from fruiting bodies of mushrooms, making them more susceptible to contamination than liquid cultures. Freshly germinated spores usually hold bacteria, hence the importance of maintaining a sterile environment when working with spore syringes.
4. Legal Loophole
One of the advantages of spores is that it offers a legal loophole to laws against psilocybin possession. Possessing psilocybin is illegal in many places; however, technically, spores do not contain any psilocybin yet. It is only after the germination phase that mushrooms start to develop psilocybin.
This is why psilocybin spores are legally sold in many places with laws against their possession. Mushroom spores are legal in 47 of the 50 states in the US. It's essential to research the type of mushroom strains in the spore syringes before purchase. It's also advisable to check on the latest laws concerning psilocybin.
Disadvantages
1. Longer Colonization
One of the main disadvantages of using spores syringes in mushroom cultivation is the time it takes to colonize. Unlike liquid cultures, spores take longer to colonize because they have yet to go through the germination phase. It is after germination that mycelium begins to grow.
2. Not Finding a Match
There's a risk of spores needing help finding the right match to start the growth cycle since there are thousands of strains in one syringe.
3. Chances of Low Yield
A downside of growing mushrooms via spore syringes is the chance of harvesting low-yielding strains. This is mainly because of the range of mushroom strains available in spore syringes. As stated above, unlike liquid culture, which hosts specific genetics, spore syringes contain thousands of strains, making the outcome unpredictable.
Conclusion
Liquid cultures and spore syringes are the best ways to grow different mushroom strains. Liquid culture offers the most straightforward route to growing mushrooms. Spore syringes also work effectively but are a little more complex and ideal for expert and experienced growers. Regardless of your chosen method, buying your spore syringes and liquid cultures from notable brands, such as Magic Spore Labs, is best.