Guide to using Rootlab’s cordyceps militaris grow kit
This guide and FAQs will assist you in using our kit. Remember that this kit is designed for educational purposes to introduce you to the world of medicinal mushrooms. Always adhere to safety guidelines and do further research where necessary when consuming our cordyceps militaris as tincture or powder.
Step-by-step-instructions
Step 1: Setup
First, unpack all items and then watch the instructional video to familiarize yourself with the process.
Sanitize your work surface with the isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) that came with the kit. Store alcohol safely away from children and pets. This alcohol is not for consumption and is also highly flammable, so keep it away from naked flame.
Clean your work surface, gloves, scissors, substrate, and syringe with fresh paper towels, as shown in the video. It’s a good idea to leave the alcohol on the work surface and equipment for at least 30 seconds before wiping.
Step 2: Substrate Preparation
- Cut the corner of the substrate bag with sanitized scissors.
- Open the containers one container at a time and pour half the substrate in. To open the container for the first time, remove the plastic tab labeled “open” to release the lid. Each container should be filled to around 2 cm. Try not to get the substrate on the side wall. If some substrate gets stuck on the side wall, ignore it and do not attempt to clean it up to avoid contamination. Your main goal is to divide the substrate and the extra liquid in the substrate equally. Do not put all the liquid from the substrate in one container, as nothing will be left for the other container. You can choose to do this step simultaneously with 2 containers to divide them equally. Mix the substrate properly before cutting it and then pour the content.
- The bluish-green air filter on the lid should not be removed at any stage. This air filter ensures proper airflow for your mushrooms. It protects against contamination. There is no need to spray isopropyl alcohol on the lid. Both the container and the lid are made from polypropylene and can be autoclaved if you want to reuse them to grow more cordyceps in the future.
- Be sure to put the lid back on as soon as possible. Leaving it open increases the risk of contamination.
- Do the above steps quickly in a still room. Ensure no air-conditioning or fan is turned on, and that no window is left open.
Step 3: Leveling the Substrate
Tap the container until the substrate is somewhat flat. Uneven surfaces are fine; they won’t affect mushroom growth; they will only affect the aesthetics.
Step 4: Inoculation
- Inject 5 ml of the syringe contents into each container.
- Seal the lids of the substrate container; they must remain closed to avoid contamination. You may need to press down firmly all around the lid to ensure it is sealed. Listen for the click. Don’t put too much pressure; the container will break.
- Once the substrate has been inoculated, place it in complete darkness for 3-4 days and then place it underneath light for 14 hours straight and then in darkness for 10 hours straight each day (14/10 cycle). The light source should not emit heat. The best light source is a 6000-6500 k white LED strip. The temperature should not go above 20° C. The best temperature is 18°C.
Step 5: Monitoring
- Label each container with the date it was inoculated.
- Set a reminder for 45 days to check on the mushrooms for signs of growth. Meanwhile, monitor for contamination.
Step 6: Research and Community
- Start researching tincture preparation and join relevant Facebook groups.
- Please do not ask for tincture-making support from us (this area is out of our scope), and make sure to research proper dosages and safety for pets, children, and adults independently.
Step 7: Harvesting and storage
- At around the 60-day mark, loosen the cake from the container sides and remove it.
- Cut the mushrooms from the base and store them wrapped in a fresh paper towel.
- For maximum nutritional benefits, keep the harvested mushrooms in a zip-lock bag (wrapped in a paper towel) in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- You can also choose to dehydrate your mushroom.
Step 8: Next Steps
- Consider buying your own liquid culture and start growing Cordyceps at home on your own. You are not a beginner anymore, after all. You have grown one of the most difficult mushrooms to grow.
- We will answer all your questions relating to growing them via phone (Jae 1300 386 487), email ([email protected]), or website chat.
Cordyceps Grow Kit FAQ
[sp_easyaccordion id=”27847″]
Owner of Rootlab
2 Responses
Can i grow these kits in a room with just normal day and night hours? Or do i need to control the light schedule to be 12 day and 12 night hours to get fruiting?
You can grow them in normal day and night hours with indirect light(Artificial light is not required but recommended), no direct sunlight.As long as temp are below 20 they will fruit.