If you are wanting to start growing your own mushrooms, you first need to procure spores. Buying spores can be an intimidating experience at first, so here are 12 things to know before you buy psilocybin spores.
Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a source of food and medicine, and with the dawn of a psychedelic renaissance, their popularity is rising. Growing your own mushrooms is an easy feat, so if you're interested in growing, buying psilocybin mushroom spores is a crucial first step. However there are certain things you should look out for before making a purchase. In this article, we'll cover 12 things to know before you buy psilocybin spores.
Spore imprint of psilocybin fungi |Dmytro Tyshchenko: Shutterstock
If you want to buy psilocybin spores, you need to know that the legality of buying them varies depending on the country and state/province you are in. In many countries, including the United States, the possession and sale of mushroom spores are legal, but the cultivation of mushrooms may be illegal. However, some states, such as California, Georgia, and Idaho, have made it illegal to buy mushroom spores. It's important to research the laws in your specific location before purchasing psilocybin mushroom spores. It's also worth noting that laws surrounding psilocybin are rapidly evolving, so it's important to stay up to date on any changes in legislation.
Read: What are psilocybin spores? Everything you need to know and grow
Mushroom print psilocybe cubensis in hand | Shutterstock: Fukume
When it comes to buying psilocybin spores, it's essential to find a reliable vendor that offers high-quality and viable spores. There are many online vendors that sell psilocybin spores, but not all of them are trustworthy or offer quality products. It's important to do your research and choose a vendor with a good reputation within the mushroom community to avoid falling victim to fraud and scams. Look for vendors that have positive reviews and testimonials from experienced growers and enthusiasts; you can browse Shroomery or subreddits like r/shrooms to learn more.
Also, consider the variety of strains that the vendor offers and their shipping and payment options. You can use the website SporeAuthority.com to browse reviews of spore vendors and cross-check by reading reviews on forums, too. Some reputable vendors to consider include Sporeworks, The Spore Depot, and Sporevision. These vendors offer a wide selection of psilocybin spores with good reviews from past buyers.
Read: How to grow magic mushrooms at home?
Just like with any business, reputation is everything, and it's essential to choose a vendor with a good reputation when purchasing psilocybin mushroom spores. Experienced growers and enthusiasts often share their experiences and opinions about different vendors, strains, and growing techniques online. A good thing to do is browse mushroom communities such as Shroomery or subreddits to ask about spore vendor recommendations and read first-hand accounts. By reading reviews and asking fellow enthusiasts questions, you will gain valuable insight into the reputations of different vendors within the mushroom community. It's essential to choose a vendor that has a positive reputation for providing high-quality and viable spores.
The cost of psilocybin mushroom spores can vary depending on various factors, including the strain, quality, and vendor. On average, a 10mL syringe of psilocybin mushroom spores can cost anywhere from $15 to $30, depending on the vendor and strain. Some rare or exotic strains may cost more due to their rarity and difficulty to cultivate. However, it's important to be wary of extremely low prices, as this could indicate poor quality or a scam.
Liquid culture of mycelium. Psilocybin mushroom | Shutterstock: Dmytro Tyshchenko
The most popular ways of buying spores come in the form of syringes, swabs, and sometimes spore prints. You need to know what kind of spores your tek requires. For example, if you are growing mushrooms in substrate (i.e. PF Tek or monotub), then it would be best to choose a spore syringe or create your own with a spore print, but the former is the easiest way to go for a beginner. Spore syringes are available in a 10mL size, which is enough for a beginner to grow a modest amount of mushrooms for their first time. If you are growing on agar plates, then spore swabs are the way to go. Make sure you do research prior to buying spores, as to not waste time and money. Decide whether you want to inoculate using substrate or agar plates, as this is going to be the main deciding factor in what form you want to buy psilocybin spores in.
When you buy psilocybin spores online, vendors usually ship them in a discreet and secure manner to avoid raising suspicions. Shipping is usually in plain packaging without any identifying logos or labels. The spores placed in a sterile syringe, or if they’re swabs, in sealed bags to prevent contamination and then packaged in an inconspicuous bag or box. Rarely, the vendor may require a signature upon delivery to ensure that the spores arrived at the correct location. In much rarer cases, vendors will offer stealth shipping, meaning that the spores are concealed in innocuous items such as books or toys to further enhance discreteness. Overall, vendors do not want to raise any suspicion or scrutiny during shipping, so you can rest assured that your spores will be shipped in a safe, discreet manner.
When buying mushroom spores, payment methods can be a surprisingly overlooked detail. Many reputable vendors accept payment through various methods, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies. However, it's important to note that purchasing psilocybin spores is illegal in some locations, so payment through credit or debit cards can leave a paper trail that may be traced by authorities. Therefore, some vendors may only accept payment through cryptocurrency, which offers more anonymity and security. If you are not sure how to pay for goods and services using cryptocurrency, do a search to learn how to get a crypto wallet set up and be able to send payments. In addition, some vendors also offer discounts or freebies for using specific payment methods (such as cryptocurrency). When buying psychedelics online, cryptocurrency is a common choice of payment, so be aware, if you're not be familiar with that..
Spores last a very long time, if stored properly. For spore prints, simply keep them in a cool, dry place, and they will last indefinitely. Spore syringes must be kept in the refrigerator and can last 18-24 months, but researchers have mentioned that they have kept spore syringes in the fridge for multiple years and have still been viable. Do not freeze your syringes, as the expansion caused by the freezing water will damage your syringe and introduce contamination.
Psilocybin mushroom spores come in a variety of strains, each with its unique characteristics. The strains can differ in their potency, growing speed, and yield, among other factors. Some of the most popular strains of psilocybin mushroom spores include Golden Teacher, B+, Mazatapec, and Penis Envy. Golden Teacher is a relatively easy strain to grow and is known for its spiritual and introspective effects. B+ is another popular strain that produces large, meaty mushrooms and is easy to cultivate. Mazatapec is a strain that originates from Mexico and is known for its hallucinogenic properties and intense visual effects. Penis Envy is a potent strain that produces small, dense mushrooms with high levels of psilocybin. It's important to research and choose a strain that suits your needs and growing experience.
To grow psilocybin mushrooms, a few materials are essential. Of coruse, you will need mushroom spores. In addition to spores, you will need a substrate material such as brown rice flour or vermiculite to provide a food source for the mushrooms to grow. Sterilized jars or bags will be necessary to hold the substrate and spores during the incubation and colonization phase. Once the jars or bags are colonized, you will need a growing chamber, which can be as simple as a plastic storage container, to provide the ideal conditions for fruiting the mushrooms. The growing chamber will require proper ventilation system to maintain temperature, humidity, and airflow. Sometimes, people use a humidifier and grow lights, but it is not absolutely necessary. Additionally, it's important to use sterile techniques when handling the spores and substrate to prevent contamination and ensure a successful grow.
Mushroom spores require specific growing conditions to successfully develop into fruiting bodies. First, the spores must be introduced to a nutrient-rich substrate in a sterile environment to avoid contamination. The substrate should be kept at a constant temperature of around 75-80°F, which is the ideal temperature range for most psilocybin mushroom strains to grow. Humidity levels should be kept between 90-100% during the colonization phase and then lowered to around 70% during fruiting. Adequate light should be provided during the fruiting phase, but direct sunlight should be avoided as it can damage the mushrooms. Proper air exchange is also essential to prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide and maintain a fresh oxygen supply for the mushrooms. With the right combination of temperature, humidity, lighting, and airflow, psilocybin mushrooms can be grown successfully from spores.
Sterility is essential when purchasing mushroom spores to avoid contamination and ensure that the spores are viable for growing. It's important to purchase spores from a reputable vendor who takes proper precautions to maintain sterility during the spore collection and packaging process. The spores should be shipped in a sterile environment and packaged in a way that minimizes the risk of contamination during transit. When receiving the spores, it's important to handle them carefully and use sterile equipment when inoculating jars or bags to avoid introducing outside contaminants. By practicing good sterile techniques and purchasing spores from a reputable vendor, growers can increase their chances of a successful grow and produce high-quality mushrooms. It's also essential to research the vendor and read customer reviews to ensure that they have a good reputation for providing quality spores and maintaining sterility throughout the process.
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