Mushroom Grow Kit FAQ (2024)

Whether you’re wondering how long it takes to grow psilocybe cubensis (and why you shouldn’t if you’re living in a jurisdiction where doing so is illegal) or what kind of mycology equipment should come with a great mushroom growing kit, this Monster Mushroom Company article is intended to answer all of your questions, including the ones you might not have even known you had!

You’re going to learn the answers to the following subjects:

  • Is it legal to buy mushroom grow kits?
  • If psilocybin has been decriminalized where I live, can I grow Psilocybe cubensis now? (Spoiler: no.)
  • Why is it legal to cultivate Psilocybe cubensis in New Mexico, and what special conditions apply?
  • What kind of mushroom growing supplies do I need to get started growing legal gourmet or ornamental mushrooms?
  • What should a good mushroom grow kit include?
  • What’s the difference between commercial mushroom growing equipment & DIY mushroom growing supplies?
  • What other mycology and mushroom growing resources should I familiarize myself with as a beginner or intermediate grower?

So, let’s begin by getting some of the “boring” topics out of the way first—legality concerning certain mushroom types, some important definitions you absolutely must understand, and why growing Psilocybe cubensis is actually legal in New Mexico, but pretty much nowhere else in the country.

Mushroom Grow Kit FAQ (1)Short answer: yes.

Long answer: yes. A mushroom growing kit is entirely legal, since the overwhelming majority of mushrooms are perfectly legal to grow, possess, dehydrate, re-hydrate, and enjoy in a delicious omelette. The kit itself is perfectly legal, but what you do with it—and what kind of mushrooms you grow—might not be, depending on where you live.

In most cases, the legal trouble you can run into with a mushroom grow kit is when you’re using it as a psilocybe grow kit in the USA… or in other words, when you’re using it as a magic mushroom grow kit.

So-called “magic mushrooms” contain psilocybin, which is listed in the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I substance. In other words, it’s illegal in most of the United States and many other countries too.

Having said that, if you plan to use one of our wonderful All-in-One Grow Kits to cultivate and harvest anything from shiitake to button mushrooms, nobody will bat an eye because you’re not doing anything wrong!

A little later in this article we’ll tell you all about everything you could ever want to know about the best mushroom grow kits—where to get them, what they should include, and more—but for now, let’s answer a few more legal questions, beginning with one that’s caused a lot of confusion, particularly in our hometown of Denver, Colorado.

You may have heard on the news that psilocybin has been recently decriminalized where you live—this is the case in Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and several other municipalities throughout the country.

However, and this isveryimportant to understand: the word “decriminalized” does NOT mean the same thing as “legalized”.

This has caused much confusion for would-be psychonauts in those areas. Again, if you are ever uncertain of your local laws, please consult with your local authorities to be absolutely sure that what you’re doing is legal. Now, let’s clear up some of that confusion and define the very, very important distinction between decriminalization and legalization.

Decriminalizationmeans that when an illegal act is performed, such as growing psilocybin mushrooms, criminal penalties aren’t likely to be enforced. However,civilpenalties, such as a fine or other punishment, may still apply. Decriminalization legislation takes many forms and can often be vague, but one thing is crystal clear: decriminalized acts are still against the law and punishments can and do occur—they just aren’t likely to be as severe as before decriminalization took place.

Legalizationrefers to when a previously illegal act is no longer so; in other words, what was once illegal is now legal. A good example of this is the end of the prohibition era in the United States: from 1920 to 1933, alcohol was illegal. After prohibition ended, it was made legal again, or it underwentlegalization. Please note that alcohol wasn’t “decriminalized” after prohibition, because that would have a very different meaning.

We apologize for the long-winded and somewhat boring explanation here, but as you now no doubt know, it’s very important to understand the differences between these two terms!

Mushroom Grow Kit FAQ (2)If you’re wondering how to growPsilocybe cubensis, otherwise known as “magic mushrooms”, please make sure that it’s legal to do so where you live! Psilocybin, the active psychedelic compound found inPsilocybe cubensisand other psychedelic mushrooms, is illegal in most of the United States and many other countries.

There is one noteworthy exception: the state of New Mexico. In 2005, the state Court of Appeals decided that cultivating psychoactive mushrooms isn’t prohibited under anti drug manufacturing laws.

The result of these changes in the law means that onecangrowPsilocybe cubensismushrooms in the state of New Mexico—and in fact over the past decade and a half, a small cottage industry has appeared in the state for “legal trippers” to come and enjoy the psilocybin experience.

There is, however, avery veryimportant condition to understand about growing cubensis mushrooms in New Mexico: they may not be dried or preserved in any way. Therefore, only fresh, unaltered mushrooms are legal to possess. In New Mexico, psilocybin containing mushrooms can be grown and even consumed legally, but never preserved. To law enforcement, this could appear as an intent tomanufacturepsilocybin, which is still very much illegal indeed.

Always, always check with your local authorities before doing anything relating to mushrooms. We’re not just talking about growing Psilocybe cubensis either—many areas place legal restrictions on truffle hunting or mushroom foraging. Be smart and don’t break the law.

Now that we’ve covered the most important legal aspects you need to be aware of when growing mushrooms, we can start to dive into some of the more fun topics. For example, the best mushroom growing equipment and what you need to get started.

Let’s dive in:

Note: skip the homework and get an All-in-One Mushroom Grow Kit here!

Mushroom cultivation is such a great hobby (or profession, as we explored in our blog post aboutprofitable mushroom growing) because it’s very affordable to get started in, you don’t need a ton of mushroom growing equipment, and you don’t even need all that much space—a section of your bedroom is even enough for a small-scale grow.

Mushroom Grow Kit FAQ (3)

You do, however, absolutely need afewthings. You’re going to need spores or colonized spawn, a growing chamber, and fruiting substrate at minimum. You’ll also need a sterile working environment. Other items, such as lab equipment, a hygrometer, a microscope for spore research, and so on are all nice to have but not strictly required (but as you get into the hobby, you’ll likely want all of these things—perhaps minus the microscope if you’re not a professional mycologist).

In the most basic of terms, one can think of mushroom spores as the “seeds” of the fungi, although they’re very different from plant seeds! Spores are how fungi propagate themselves, and can be acquired usually in the form of a spore syringe or spore print. A spore syringe contains mushroom spores in a non-nutrient based aqueous liquid (generally distilled water). A spore print is a sheet of paper which captured spores from a mushroom as they were expelled. Which you use is a matter of preference, though most mushroom growers strongly prefer spore syringes as they’re easier use and far less prone to contamination.

However you choose to house your spores, they’ll need to be introduced to a spawning substrate—a material that will promote mycelial colonization. A leading example is ourgrain spawn.

Once you have beautifully colonized grain spawn, you can introduce it to yourfruiting substrate. Typically, colonized grain spawn is broken up, distributed throughout the fruiting substrate, and then the entire mix is placed inside the growing chamber.

The next requirement is simply patience and taking good care of your mushrooms. If you follow ourmushroom cultivation guide, you’ll have a bountiful harvest in no time!

What we’ve discussed here is the absolute minimum needed to get started with mushroom growing, but there are certainly other things that will come in handy. You can get a better idea in our article aboutmycology supplies.

This is an easy one to answer: just look at what’s included with ourAll-in-One mushroom grow kit.

Seriously—we’ve thought of everything you could possibly want. While you might be able to find slightly cheaper mushroom grow kits out there in Internet-land, the fact of the matter is that we’rerealmushroom cultivators, and quality matters to us. We’ve hand picked every item in the kit because we know what you’re actually going to need. Accept no less than the best!

Mushroom Grow Kit FAQ (4)In a word, the difference between commercial mushroom growing supplies and your run-of-the-mill DIY mushroom growing equipment is this:quality.

When you choose toshop with The Monster Mushroom Company, you’re guaranteed a level of quality that you just can’t get from household items or stuff from the hardware or garden store.

This is true for everything in our product lineup—a great example are ourgrow bags. We’ve seen people try to use it all for grow bags; everything from grocery bags to zipper-lock freezer bags. Our mushroom grow bags are specifically designed for fungi—and, critically, they have a 5 micron filter patch for easy inoculation. Similarly, ourmushroom spawning bagshave self-healing injection ports to maximize sterility and to minimize the possibility of contamination.

Even something as deceptively simple as a monotub is better when you’re using a commercial-grade version. Our monotubs, included with our All-in-Onemushroom grow kit, are professionally made with smooth, perfectly spaced air intake holes, a sturdy construction, and locking handles for maximum security.

Make no mistake about it: the best way to learn is by doing—so go ahead and order yourself a Monster Mushroom CompanyAll-in-One Mushroom Grow Kitand get started. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty. It’s an absolute blast!

Having said that, if you’d like to learn a little more, we have many resources available here on the website. Start with ourtips for mushroom cultivation beginners, then read all aboutwhy monotubs are one of the best ways to grow mushrooms. You might also want to check out our detailed article where you’ll learn more than you ever thought there was to know aboutmushroom fruiting substrates.

If you’re more of a visual learner, you’ll love ourmushroom cultivation video guides.

Finally, if you haven’t downloaded our 100% free eBook yet, we strongly urge you to do so!The Fungi Crash Coursenot only includes a lot of key information about how to cultivate mushrooms, but also has a long and detailed glossary of terms that every at-home mycologist and mushroom growerneedsto know.

Get your copy below:

Mushroom Grow Kit FAQ (2024)

FAQs

Why is my mushroom growing kit not working? ›

Mushrooms not growing

Air Circulation: Poor air circulation can hinder growth. Ensure your growing area has adequate ventilation. Moisture Levels: Insufficient moisture is another common issue. Regularly mist your kit to maintain the necessary humidity.

How many times can you use a mushroom grow kit? ›

How long do mushroom growing kits last? Each grow kit usually lasts for about 2-3 harvests, but this will vary depending on the variety of grow kit you choose.

How do I get the most out of my mushroom grow kit? ›

Give your block some fresh air
  1. Take the mushroom block out of the box (and recycle the box!)
  2. Leave the block in the plastic bag.
  3. Place the block cut side up in a shady area where it will receive rainfall.
  4. Check on the block periodically, especially after rain or humid days.

How often should I water my mushroom kit? ›

Humidity is a key factor for successful mushroom growth. Spray the area around your kit with a few pumps of water whenever you have a chance, at least 2-3 times a day.

Should mushroom kits be kept in the dark? ›

environment. All our kits are recommended to be grown in a room with enough light that you can read a book by during the day. Because mushrooms don't photosynthesis the light doesn't need to be natural, they'll get all their nutrition from the substrate block, and will just use the light to initiate growth.

What do I do if mycelium isn't growing? ›

If the mycelium fails to develop properly during the first two days, reduce the RH and CO2 more gradually. This will stimulate more mycelium growth. This helps, but only to a limited extent. In addition, if the casing soil still shows black during pinhead development, look between the clumps of casing for pinheads.

Where is the best place to put a mushroom grow kit? ›

While this can be good, airflow is also important and small enclosed spaces can cause your mushrooms to suffer from lack of oxygen. We recommend placing your grow kit on your kitchen bench, out of direct sunlight.

How many days does it take for mycelium to grow? ›

Generally speaking the optimal time is 16 to 19 days, but there are certainly also exceptions. If the compost is colonised in the growing room, it is left there so the mycelium stays intact.

Can you grow mycelium indefinitely? ›

Longevity. In principle, a mycelium that can spread through the ground could keep on growing indefinitely and large, old mycelia are known.

What boosts mushroom growth? ›

Adequate air, moisture, carbohydrates, and nitrogen are all needed to help the compost pile stimulate mushroom growth. As we said earlier, mushroom cultivation isn't easy. However, if you use these tips, you'll be well on your way to a fruitful yield.

How clean does a mushroom grow room need to be? ›

Thoroughly clean the space, removing any dust, dirt, or debris. Sterilize the room by wiping surfaces with a mild bleach or disinfectant spray. Maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels is vital for the growth of mushrooms.

How can I make mycelium grow faster? ›

The higher the inoculation rate or amount of spawn added to the substrate, the faster the mycelium will grow through the substrate. The substrate likely will not produce a larger amount of mushrooms, so a high inoculation rate means more money spent on spawn per pound of mushrooms.

Should I shake my mushroom grow bag? ›

You won't throw off your mushroom colonization if you don't shake the grow bag. The fungi can still effectively colonize the substrate without a massage, but they'll have a much easier time navigating the substrate if you perform this action. It certainly improves the yield, so it's well worth doing!

How to tell if substrate is too dry? ›

A) lots of water dripping shows that the substrate is too wet. b) a few drops released with some pressure show that the substrate is well watered. If it is too dry then with no drops will be released with pressure.

How many flushes can you get from a mushroom grow kit? ›

How many flushes will one kit produce? We guarantee at least one fruiting of mushrooms off your kit, but depending on the species you choose to grow it is likely you will get a second, third, fourth, or even fifth fruiting with care and patience.

Why is my mushroom grow bag not growing? ›

Not enough humidity

Humidity is quite important for mushrooms. If there isn't enough humidity, the mushrooms may slow down and/or stop growing. It would be like if we don't hydrate ourselves on a hot day or when we're exercising – we begin to slow down and not feel too good. Solution: You should mist more often.

How do you restart a mushroom grow kit? ›

You can try rebooting the kit by soaking it in some water. Open the box at the top and gently lift out the block in the plastic. Place the block with the cut down into a bowl of water. Let the block soak water for around 20 minutes.

Why won't mushroom grow? ›

For mushrooms, the hardest parts are figuring out the right substrate from which they will grow, as well as providing consistent conditions. They require an even, warm, temperature as well as quite a bit of moisture once they have spawned (once the spores are on a substrate).

Do mushroom kits need light? ›

Your Mushroom Grow Kit will do best in a warm place with indirect sunlight. Place your grow kit with the box opening facing away from a window that doesn't get too much sun.

References

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