Newsgroups: alt.drugs
From: [email protected]
Subject: Results from the Shroom Grower's Survey
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 5 May 1993 07:10:30 GMT

                               PRESENTING:
            THE RESULTS OF THE GREAT GRAND SHROOM GROWERS SURVEY
                            Version 1.0 5/4/93
                by: Tony Galuhn, [email protected]

I said I'd post the results of this "sometime around the first week of May", so
here we are.  (It was either this or start grading this big stack of lab
reports that I really don't feel like reading.)

Feel free to distribute this in whatever form you wish, and it couldn't hurt
for it to be archived.  I'm mailing a copy to the person who told me he was
working on a full FAQ for growing shrooms, so eventually some form of this will
wind up in that.

OK, for those who don't know/don't remember, I posted two requests asking how
successful people had been with growing shrooms.  I also asked that those
replying give as many details as possible regarding sources, methods used, etc.

A couple more things before we get to the results- I've summarized what people
told me, rather than directly quote the messages people sent.  I can change
that, especially if one of the respondents wants to see their reply quoted.  No
names have been used, but if you responded and want credit, let me know.  Also,
if anyone who hasn't responded before wants to,  I can update the results in 
future versions.

Besides posting to alt.drugs, I'm e-mailing this to anyone who asked me to.  If
you'd like a copy, feel free to e-mail and ask me.  (Although, how would you
know to do that if you weren't reading this to begin with?)

OK, last thing, and then the results:
ObStandardDisclaimer:  This information is for entertainment purposes only, and
I am in no way advocating any illegal activities.  This information does not
reflect the opinion of, nor does it have anything to do with, Pomona College.
(Although it would be nice if it did.)

(Whoops, OK, this, for sure, is the ABSOLUTELY LAST THING before I get to the
results:  I refer below to the "brown rice method".  This refers to a method of
cultivation that gets posted to alt.drugs from time to time.  It can be found
in the file "mushrooms-growing.z" on "ftp.u.washingtion.edu".  The path is
"/pub/user-supported/alt.drugs".  All files in this directory are in gzip
format, which is not compatible with either standard UNIX uncompress or
PKware's pkunzip.  First get any file in that directory called "000-Readme-Zip"
or "Readme-zipformat" or whatever it might be called (I forget exactly).  It
tells you where to get gzip, and gives "quick and dirty" compiling
instructions.  This explanation of this growing method might also be available
from the new archive at "fenris.claremont.edu", but I don't know what it might
be called there.  (Files at fenris are in standard UNIX compress format.)

OK, now the results:

I must admit I was a bit disappointed with the number of respondents.  To those
who did respond, thank you once again.  I had 4 people reply saying they knew
someone who'd been successful, and 2 who had friends who'd not been successful.


YES's

4 positive responses, detailing the attempts of 6 separate people.

1) 3 separate people, all successful.  Used the brown rice method.  Worked in 
   draft free areas, and used much Lysol to control dust and airborne
   contaminants.  All present wore germ masks.  They were able to repeat their
   success, and improved their yields in successive generations.

2) 1 person.  Used the brown rice method.  6 of 12 jars were successful. 
   Grower then tried to make spore prints from the product under non-sterile
   conditions, but was unable to get these to grow.

3) 1 person.  Respondent unsure of method used, but person observes very
   careful sterile procedure- has converted a closet to a "transfer area", 
   which resembles a shower stall w/plastic wrap.

4) 1 person.  Used the brown rice method.  Obtained initial print from FMRC.
   Typical success rate, 4-5 out of 7 jars.  Besides spore prints, has also
   used live culture taken from an active jar, and even dust from a bag of
   purchased shrooms, all with the same success rate.  (I guess this person
   emits some sort of sterile field that suppresses the growth of anything that
   isn't desired- no one else could get things to work starting from such a 
   non-sterile source of spores.)


And now, the bad news-

NO's

2 respondents, with a total of 3 people making attempts.

1) 2 people with a total of 4 attempts, no details of method used.

2) 1 person.  Used brown rice method, with spores from Homestead Books.
   Mycelial growth started, but then mold struck.  Person had covered the jars
   with paper towels to allow air exchange, but will not be doing this "next
   time."


Well, that's what I've heard so far.  What's it mean?  Well, it is possible to
cultivate your own.  From what I've read from what people have sent, it would
seem to be best to be as paranoid as possible about sterility.  A recent
posting mentioned the use of a "glove box"- you would have a transparent lid on
 a box, with gloves on one side you could put your hands in to work.  The
inside of the box would then be sterilized, and all transfers of spores would
be done inside this box.  I don't know if one would need to go that far, but
definitely avoid drafty rooms, spray down with Lysol first, wear a mask, etc.

Also, the brown rice method DOES work, apparently with a decent amount of
success.  This method would seem to have an advantage in not requiring separate
culture and growth media, so you eliminate the risk of contamination when
transferring from the culture medium to the growth medium.

Well, that's it for now.  Any feedback is welcome.  I started this because I
read a long string of messages saying how hard it was, it never worked, etc,
and it seemed a bit odd for so many places to sell kits if they didn't work.
Also note, I've never tried this myself, so I have no personal experience with
this.  Feel free to ask any questions if I've managed to confuse anybody.  As
stated above, my e-mail address is:  [email protected]

peace, tony

"Reality is what you can get away with" - Robert Anton Wilson

=============================================================================

Newsgroups: alt.drugs
From: [email protected] (Scott Eckelman)
Subject: Re: Shroom Successes?
Message-ID: 
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 15:28:15 GMT

[quoted text deleted -cak]

The best way to grow shrooms is to grow a species which is native to
your climate.  When you've fruited as many caps as you can, just 
throw the spawn outside and let nature do the rest.  Two species which
are particularly hardy are P. Cubensis in warm climates, and 
P. Cyanescens in temperate areas like the Pacific Northwest.

Sterile technique is required for germinating spores, especially
if you start with a petrie dish of agar. This method is preferred
because you can select the best mycelia to transfer to the growing
medium but requires some practice to maintain sterility and extra cost
for the equipment (petrie dishes, agar, scalpel, alcohol lamp).  You can
start the spores directly on the growth medium, but you have no
control over quality.

The most important thing about sterile technique is to clean everything
twice.  Take a shower, wipe down the work area with soap and water, then
spray it and yourself with Lysol or some other disinfectant.  This doesn't
take more than 10 minutes and will almost insure success. I usually
work nude from the waist up to keep dust from clothes from getting
involved. If you wear clothes, make sure they are freshly laundered.
Work in an area without a draft, and use a glove box (best case),
or on a flat table underneath some sort of cover to protect from stray
contaminants from falling down.  Keep the lids on the jars or petrie dishes
and only open them for the minimum time necessary to add spores or
transfer mycelia to another jar. Don't make any sudden moves, though, as
this causes drafts and may lead to contamination.  Use a pressure cooker,
and sterilize at 15 lbs for at least 30 minutes. I generally go for an hour.

For growth medium, I use birdseed without sunflower seeds for
P. cubensis.  It's easy to sterilize because it's smooth without
a lot of nooks and crannies for bacteria to grow in, plus it's easier
to shake apart later.  This is important, because once you have a jar
or two of healthy uncontaminated mycelia, you can use them to inoculate
at least ten jars each of fresh growth medium.  Once the mycelium has
completely saturated the growth medium, transfer it to a larger 
container for growing.  At this point, sterile technique is no longer
required as the mycelia generates its own fungicides which keep other
contaminates from growing.  Use an open box or carton so  you can
easily get to the mushrooms when they sprout. 

Apply the casing layer to the spawn, and keep watered. When the mycelia
has permeated the casing layer, drop the temperature about 10 degrees to 
induce fruiting. When picking, use a razor blade or other sharp implement
to cut the fruit close to the soil.  Make sure you don't damage any of
the pinheads which will eventually grow to full size.  You should get two or
three flushes of mushrooms over the next couple of weeks. When no more
caps fruit, toss the contents outside in a shady area and wait for
next year.  You might also want to make some spore prints of your own.
To do this, cut off a mature cap and place on a piece of paper.  Cover
the cap with a glass or cup and let sit for a couple of hours.

Scott E.

"Disclaimers? We ain't got no disclaimers. We don' need no disclaimers.
I don' have to show you any stinkin' disclaimers!"