All-in-One Grow Bags

Grow gourmet mushrooms at home with ease! Inject liquid culture (LC) into your all-in-one grow bag, colonize it, and prepare it for fruiting. This guide will walk you through each step—from injection to harvest—so you can enjoy fresh mushrooms right from your kitchen.

What You'll Need:

  • Liquid Culture Syringe (3-5 cc per bag)

  • All-In-One Grow Bag (pre-sealed sterilized grain & substrate)

  • Alcohol Swabs (for sanitizing the injection port)

  • Clean Scissors or Knife (for making fruiting cuts)

  • Spray Bottle with Distilled Water (for misting)

  • Humidity Dome or Container (optional but helpful for maintaining high humidity)

  • Indirect Light

Step 1: Preparation

  1. Choose a Clean Area: Work in a clean area to reduce contamination risks. Wipe down surfaces and wash your hands thoroughly.

  2. Sterilize Injection Port: Locate the injection port on your all-in-one grow bag. Use an alcohol swab to sanitize the port to prevent contamination.

  3. Prepare Your LC Syringe: Shake the liquid culture syringe gently to disperse the mycelium. Remove the syringe tip, and attach the sterilized needle securely.

Step 2: Injection

  1. Inject LC into the Bag: Insert the needle into the injection port and slowly inject about 2-4 cc of liquid culture into the bag. Avoid injecting too much, as a small amount is enough to start colonization.

  2. Seal the Injection Port: Once injected, remove the syringe and place an alcohol swab on the port for a few seconds to ensure it stays clean.

Step 3: Colonization

  1. Place in Ideal Environment: Store the bag in a warm, dark area at a temperature of about 68-75°F. Avoid direct sunlight.

  2. Monitor the Bag: Over the next few weeks, observe the bag as the mycelium grows and spreads. You should see white mycelium colonizing the substrate.

  3. Break Up for Even Colonization: Once the grain at the bottom of the bag appears colonized, gently break up the contents by squeezing and shaking the bag to distribute the mycelium evenly.

  4. Ensure Complete Colonization: Allow the bag to reach full colonization, appearing entirely white. If you notice any colored spots, like red or green, this may indicate contamination.

Step 4: Fruiting

Fruiting requirements can vary by mushroom species, so follow these tips based on common varieties like oysters and Lion's Mane.

Preparing the Bag

  1. Locate Fruiting Spot: Once fully colonized, check the bag for an area where mushrooms might start to form. For oysters and Lion’s Mane, you typically need to make cuts for fruiting.

  2. Cut Slits or “X” Shapes: With a clean knife or scissors, make a small "X" or slit (about 3 inches) in the area where the mycelium is thickest and appears ready to fruit, typically near the center of the block. This opening will allow the mushrooms to grow out of the bag.

Fruiting Environment

  1. Maintain High Humidity: Mushrooms need high humidity for healthy fruiting. If the bag looks dry at the cut, lightly mist the slits daily with clean, distilled water.

  2. Provide Indirect Light: Place the bag where it will receive indirect light daily. A north-facing window works well, or you can use a grow light placed 2-3 feet away from the bag.

  3. Monitor Airflow and CO₂: Mushrooms need oxygen to grow properly, so fresh air is essential. Fan the area or gently open your container or dome daily to allow CO₂ to escape, preventing mushroom stems from becoming too long and thin.

  4. Other Fruiting Options:

    • Use a Humidity Dome: For a more controlled environment, place the entire bag in a large container or tote. You can cut more slits and place a plastic bag or cling wrap loosely over the container to trap humidity. Open it slightly daily for fresh air, and mist the inside of the container to keep it moist.

    • Cover with a Clear Plastic Bag: Create a mini greenhouse by covering the bag with a plastic dome or a loosely placed bag to trap humidity. Ensure some airflow by leaving a small gap or making small holes in the cover.

Step 5: Harvesting

  1. Watch for Pins: In about a week, you should see small mushroom “pins” forming at the cut. Allow them to grow until they reach a mature size for your variety.

  2. Harvest Carefully: Twist and pull gently when mushrooms reach your preferred size. Oysters are best harvested when the edges of their caps flatten; Lion’s Mane should be picked when they form full “pom-poms.”

Step 6: Second Flush (Optional)

  1. Rest the Bag: After the first harvest, let the bag rest for 7-10 days.

  2. Rehydrate if Necessary: If the substrate appears dry, mist it lightly. You can reapply the same fruiting steps to encourage a second flush.