Grow Your Own DIY Mushroom Spawn (The Stem Butt Method) | GroCycle

Learn how to grow your own mushroom spawn using the stem butts from freshly harvested Oyster mushrooms.
The bottom 1-2" of an Oyster mushroom stem is still alive in the 24-48 hours after harvest, and given the right conditions, it can serve as spawn to grow fresh mycelium.
In this video we explain why, for most people, we think it is best to buy mushroom spawn from an existing supplier instead of trying to make it yourself.
However, for small amounts of spawn to grow mushrooms at home, there is a nice easy way to make your own low tech cardboard spawn using the stem butts from fresh Oyster mushrooms.
We show you how to do this by mixing stem butts with shredded cardboard in a food container.
If you'd like to learn more about low tech ways to grow mushrooms then download our free ebook here: grocycle.com/e-book
Want to learn more? Join us for a FREE workshop: How to Grow Mushrooms The Low Tech Way grocycle.com/workshop/

[@GroCycleTV]

To learn more, come and get your FREE ebook and video training here: grocycle.com/workshop/

[@DrawnSean]

What supplier do you use?

[@anthonysicily5768]

“We need an airtight container” then proceeds to make a load of holes in it 😂

[@RochelleAndMegan]

Loool

[@twina1996]

Can't wait to try this out with coco coir! I bought some oyster mushrooms from the grocery store and they started growing in my refrigerator!! I'm gonna try and clone them this way! There's mycelium growing in all over them! Even on the tops!

[@marto7357]

did this work?

[@ThomasShatter]

@@marto7357 It works. Bagged Plagron brand coco. You can pour boiling water over it if you want but even without it mycelium runs beautifully through it. Add vermiculite if you want.

[@meatcreap]

You all provide some of the most interesting methods ever. I love it. Thank you!!

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Bought mine in an online store……)

[@richardsonjackson3284]

On Instagram

[@Naturally-Kandice]

Great information guys! You have amazed me again!

[@loveandpanic]

Thank you for this beautifully simple and informative video! About to try this method!

[@041285man]

Thank you for sharing this method

[@Xerox482]

excellent simple and easy method , i hate other channels which use tons of chemicals which normal people do not have.

[@daisymonsalve1485]

here's several things you can try select the best type - there are lots available. grow them in the best conditions - some such as oyster muchrooms like cool humid areas and can be put outdoors (I learned these and the reasons they work on gregs mushroom grower site )

[@coffeebuzzz]

@@daisymonsalve1485 Stop with the spam. I will specifically never go to gregs mushroom grower site.

[@kaorumugen991]

Not a single channel or growing guide I've ever seen uses "tons of chemicals", or any chemicals at all. What are you talking about? Unless you mean ethanol for sanitization and agar for culture plates, in which case you're a troglodyte.

[@sebastianmaker6798]

@@kaorumugen991 You're very aggressive for being on a video about regrowing mushrooms.

[@kaorumugen991]

@@sebastianmaker6798 You mean, as opposed to the OP who hates people because he's ignorant? I just grew tired of people flipping out over dAnGeRoUs cHeMiCaLs in everything when they can't even list a single one of said chemicals and explain how it's dangerous. Also, what does the video topic have to do with anything? I'm commenting on the OP's comment, not on the video. My "aggression" is proportional to his ignorance and hate, fight fire with fire and all that.

[@henh3nhen]

wondering how many holes would be *just* right? worried about making too little or too many.. great video and great article, thank you so much for teaching! you guys are awesome

[@amiru-kunch.5988]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I LEARN SOMETHING NEW TODAY! XD

[@amiru-kunch.5988]

im here for my report. IT GROW!!!! IT GROW!!!!! IT GROOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM SO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@americanrebel413]

Thank you this was great info.

[@truyennam]

Awesome, engaging video

[@jarrelljet3704]

Great😊 i love this idea.. it doesnt require much time and cardboard is a good substrate as it is not too prone to green molds not like wheat grains and brown rice.. but am just wondering if will it produce a good strain of mycellium for a better yield?

[@sarcasmo57]

Even I could almost do that. Thanks for all this info.

[@whyunosubcribe433]

You CAN do it

[@victorrubahimbya1124]

So no need of buying the spawn from other sources you simply use your own mushroom stems

[@annawilliams7046]

You guys are the best! Another extremely useful, concise, video. Thanks so much for taking the time to make and share this. Really super helpful!

[@bettyrobinson8222]

Love this. How many air holes ? What was lighter for ? Thanks 🙏❤️

[@ashleyspenner2276]

Awesome video

[@michaelholmes2101]

Super Cool Man - Thank Yooo

[@dawnsmart9444]

You guys always provide such useful information and support videos! This may seem like a silly question, but is there any reason that mycelium/spawn won't grow on used tea leaves? Thanks :)

[@GroCycleTV]

They don't pack many nutrients as they leaves.

[@letaureauduforex6876]

It's not very often Ive been impressed but this video certainly caused me to say wow I need to ask - have you looked at the resource called Gregs Mushroom Grower look for it on google

[@sandraotto3527]

Can you do it by picking wild and just putting the whole mushroom in the sterile grain spawn

[@erumfatima1000]

Great video. As interested in growing mushroom just wanted to ask if insect infested barley grain can be used for substrate sterilization.

[@alexandrevaliquette1941]

Technically yes, if your sterilization is good, it should work. However, it leave less room for slightly uneven sterilization.

[@dassa440]

Can you do this with cubes ? Also how would you fruit them? Just add some coir or something as a case layer and fruit from the pot ?

[@walterh2lo]

I'm so impressed by the way your video's learn me so much, all is simple and logic but great! I only grow mushrooms as a hobby. When using the "stem butt method" is can I repeat this endless? Or do I have to order fresh grain spawn after a few "rounds"?

[@gowthamshetty5674]

This will be conciderd as mother spawn a top end spawn there is no need to buy a new spawn from shop..this method can be repeated but one need to choose good mushroom stems

[@tarbucktransom]

In another video they talk about using existing mycelium this way and their conclusion was that after using it twice, the chances of infection and mites and such goes up alot. I wonder about the process of starting it from spores

[@orfigo]

what are the ideal condition for the spawn to grow? where do you store the container to achieve this?

[@mrthaw9311]

Thanks you so much

[@ebobinn3698]

Great video... I'd only want to ask how to store this and for how long?

[@sabrinawanderer7560]

Amazing😃

[@katherine8362]

Hello, thanks for the video! What are the advantages for using cardboard? Could you use the same method initially with coffee grounds for instance (even if you were later mixing in with more coffee grounds)?

[@joshuafritz1386]

My theory is the cardboard is acidic. Same with coffee grounds. Kills bacteria

[@JeremyBear]

For those who may not have access to coffee would black tea be a suitable alternative? Perhaps a mix of black tea and coffee grounds?

[@maxbrumbergflutes]

What do you think about cloneing with airport lids and liquid culture glasses, I read about it in the ‘radical mycology’ book and it looked and sounded rather simple. Since you use airport glasses to clone and then later apply the liquid to the grain using sterilized airport glasses no steril surrounding is needed. Steril tools and clean workspace is clearly important.

[@tiktoknjue4992]

Nice thankyou

[@MAXLAMENACE2M03]

Hope have a answer...we can mix with any substract?

[@Amanda-jk3we]

Can this method be used for shiitake mushrooms?

[@carlosgeonzon7499]

Currently trying out this method. I used shredded cardboard, soaked in boiling water until cool, then inoculated with my remaining spawn, just a little bit of a pinch. Will update in the future.

Hey Carlos, any updates? Could you just keep re-using the stems indefinitely? Or did they go bad after a while?

[@pdfbrander]

Would this work better (or at all) by using spent grain from homebrewing instead of carboard?

[@anitamoraolayaamo]

Can you use this same technique to make spawn for other varieties of mushrooms? For example almond agaricus?

[@gowthamshetty5674]

Yes it's applicable

[@annawilliams7046]

How far apart are you making the air holes in the plastic box?

[@gabrielagemini4569]

Thank you for the instructions. What is the best temperature to keep it in the container with the mushroom spawn?

[@GroCycleTV]

20-24C is a good range to aim for. It is the incubation stage described in this article: grocycle.com/how-to-grow-oyster-mushrooms

[@dawnsmart9444]

@@GroCycleTV great video... so, keep the card/mushroom butts in the aerated sealed container at approx 20-24C but is that in a light or dark area? Thanks :)

[@jeffengel2607]

@@dawnsmart9444 Incubation time for oyster mushrooms should be dim or dark time; indirect light is for the fruiting stage.

[@kicknadeadcat]

Can you use the same method with the spores?

[@reforest4fertility]

Why not put the oyster stem butt in with what i have on hand: wheat bran & gluten free four, as i just did for morel spore slurry? Would adding molasses help, then moistening it with non sterilized but non-chlorinated water?

[@Higgiesmallz]

Hi Adam your videos are great! Such an interesting operation you run! This is such an informative video with the stem butt method. I seen in a video of an american guy who runs a "higher" tech mushroom operation cultivating spawn on petri dishes. Although this looks rather labour intensive. I seen you suggested buying in spawn from a supplier keeping it low tech and taking out some of the labour. Do you bulk buy pre colonised spawn bags and just add to your substrate? or do you colonise your own grain spawn at your farm for your substrate from mother cultures you get in? This is something i am looking into the logistics of. Potentially setting up a low tech farm like yours here in France :)

[@lilldilldb]

Ayyyy, good for you. Well-done😊

[@LAZY_PHILOMATH]

@@lilldilldb you didnt answer his question

[@lilldilldb]

@@LAZY_PHILOMATH Well, they didn't only ask a question, did they? They stated that they're prepping to set up a similar farm, and I'm encouraging them for their drive, and the work they must already be putting in, be it physical, financial or just mental. I wasn't attempting to answer their question. This is a layman breakdown, apparently you need something like this.

[@LAZY_PHILOMATH]

fair enough David, im just starting and im very curious, hope all is well

[@julianalberofrances6648]

Hi, good afternoon. I'm from Spain and I'm doing a project about a mushroom growing business. Could you tell me what design program you used to make the fuctification room? Thank you very much for the content

[@LizabettRusso]

Any type of cardboard is ok or should I choose specifically to avoid ones that are produced with chemicals?

[@ryaeon9793]

question.. did you pasteurized the cardboard? cold or heat pasteurized? and in my town no one sell fresh mushroom but can i use from market one?

[@nuraqilahbintiseman3135]

can i store my stem butt mushroom in the refrigerator before inoculated it? and how many days it can be keep in refrigerator?

[@FLPnotc]

Where do you put the container? light or dark area?

[@celtickitc]

Would like to try this with store bought baby portobello mushrooms

[@onaleronaphalatse5160]

what is the simplest grain to mix the spawn grain with in order to grow mushrooms. Any grain that i can find at a simple plant store ?

[@GroCycleTV]

I would mix it with something other than grain. Check out this article: grocycle.com/how-to-grow-oyster-mushrooms/

[@niranjantakle7031]

Can we use mushroom stems to innoculate the sterilized grains to make spawn?? If possible,would that make a better yield??

[@MrChangCJ]

i have the same question!

[@courtneykeeps]

Do you then use this as you would spawn or will the mushrooms fruit directly from this?

[@Nexusjr]

This is such a underrated tip. Question; does the mycelium age with this process? I know your experiment with expanding mycelium explained a drop in production.

[@paulfoote7869]

You've been watching too many youtube videos trying to sell you a mushroom kit. Mycellum age is a red herring to get you to throw away perfectly good mycellum. Mycellum goes dormant when it runs out of food. Cut up a spent mushroom kit of mycellum and you can start more mushrooms by using the old mycellum as your seed stock - all it needs is more food. All this nonsense about sterilization and aging is BS to keep you from doing it on the cheap.

[@whyunosubcribe433]

Will this method work also with shiitake mushrooms?

[@bluefernlove]

I wonder if soaking the cardboard in rice water (the water you wash rice with) could add some of those needed nutrients. Boiling it first, of course. Same with coffee.

[@ddasher1113]

Could you fruit directly from that stage (for a small yield), where the mycelium has fully colonized the plastic Tupperware?

[@leekahyao9680]

can i use this method with shiitake mushroom?

[@engizmo]

Any similar tricks for lions mane which has a much less aggressive mushroom? I found oyster mushroom is so aggressive so this helps with many propagation methods. But lions mane is another thing all together.

[@GroCycleTV]

No direct experience and not sure at all that will work unfortunately

[@Nexusjr]

I tried this first with lions mane from a grow kit.. works amazingly as long as you keep clean and quick.

[@matthewjacobs141]

Question to you...I'm a newbie to growing mushrooms...I live in a hot environment ( So. California)...because of that my next mushroom project will be the Milky mushroom that can handle the heat...my question is growing Milky spawn...It grows in hay substrate...can I inoculate to Masters mix or must I stay with hay?

[@paulfoote7869]

Go to your local agricultural store and buy some grain seed or use a bag of whole grain rice. Cardboard does not have as much nutrition. Soak the grain, drain the water out, let it dry out a little and then add your mushroom stems. You could also use straw pellets the same way.

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Hit him up

[@richardsonjackson3284]

On Instagram 👆and telegram 👆

[@richardsonjackson3284]

He will direct you

[@fin267]

does it work with mushrooms purchased online?

[@resurrection2020]

Lovely homemade spawn, if not using straight away, do you keep the container in the fridge or just in cool room?

[@nuraqilahbintiseman3135]

Hi, have u try this? keep the stem butt in fridge before using? does it works?

[@jackcockle4796]

Is there any reason why cardboard is used rather than a more nutritious substrate such as coffee for example?

[@Sasscat58]

So the white stuff will grow into mushrooms? How long does that take?

[@jimmymisle910]

out of 5 containers i made using this method, only one took and was not contaminated...

[@Nectarman]

Ty for the note

[@ernestutd]

Hi guys! Very helpful! Where should I put this cardboard-stem mixture for those 11 days though?! Dark room, window, basement, room temp or colder ... ?

[@indibro1909]

You can keep it in a dark room where the humidity level is high and the temperature is stable between 23-24°Centigrade.

[@morkamorkevicius9267]

​@@indibro1909thanks.and how many days have to stay. One more question is How I have to know mushrooms ready I'm mean to take spaws?

[@indibro1909]

@@morkamorkevicius9267 10-14 days maintaining suitable temp. And you will see little heads of mushrooms,

[@XboxGamersAndMore]

In what conditions should the spawn container be stored while the mycelium grows? Dark and warm I assume?

[@ketav-thebubblydemeanor5324]

Can we use this spawn to grow mushrooms at home, could you please link this to your other videos as next step to grow from there..

[@ThahnG413]

you'd be better off buying grain spawn

[@josephzeigler6853]

How do you avoid mold infection? Do you have to cover the hole you like with the screws with paper or anything like that?

[@robertimmanuel577]

No. Just keep it in a sterile environment. Like your closet. Oyster mushrooms are pretty resistant to contamination than you might think

[@GroCycleTV]

As @Wondering Man says, no need to cover the holes as Oyster mycelium is fast and resilient

[@siliuksas2533]

Would be good idea to mix it alot of stems with sterilized grains and use as a spawn or sterilized straw instead of cardboard and make as primary substrate?

[@WildCreationz]

No

[@MrChangCJ]

that's what i thought as well. why use cardboard?

[@siliuksas2533]

I saw some people from India making spawn from stems and looks successfull, just wonderig how that affect the yields 🤔

[@bigno53]

Thanks for the info and demonstration! Would it also work to simply mix the mushroom stems with the coffee ground mixture directly?

[@bigno53]

Update: I tried it and it worked to some extent but it took several weeks to colonize and I also noticed some mold contamination toward the end. It still fruited but I only got like 4 mushrooms, probably because of the mold.

[@garryj6311]

Please how do I get or make the cardboard.

[@samalex2702]

Would shredded paper and spent coffee grounds potentially work as a better substrate? I just recently harvested my first batch of oysters from a DIY grow kit and am already thinking about trying to clone them repeatedly for as long as I can. After some brief research, I noticed that coffee grounds, by themselves, can become too dense for good and rapid colonization, which got me thinking about maybe using some shredded paper to break up the medium (like one would do with straw) since that might be easier to pasteurize than straw. Thoughts?

[@scandalingmusic2160]

Have you tried it yet? I'd like to know as well

[@samstheman42]

@@scandalingmusic2160 yeah, it worked!

[@scandalingmusic2160]

@@samstheman42 thank you! I might try this...

[@valeriesievers6981]

Do you use used coffee grounds for the substrate?

[@novepe]

Would i get a better yeld in the end if I used coffee grounds on this stage aswell?

[@GroCycleTV]

It's best to just add coffee grounds to the final substrate

[@MAXLAMENACE2M03]

@@GroCycleTV example straw?

[@josephgao4657]

Hello, I haven’t found any sources providing information on the ideal temperature for inoculation. What temperature should I keep my mycelium?

[@jonathanheywoodsparks4968]

2200 degrees celsius worked for me...

[@alexandrevaliquette1941]

@@jonathanheywoodsparks4968 Great comment Capt'n Flame!

[@jamesrosal8059]

This work for cubensis?

[@nervouss]

After the mycelium has spread to the cardboard then what? remove the lid and allow fruiting? do you need a fruiting chamber?

[@CharlieLui]

I think you'd use this as a regular mushroom spawn: mix it with more substrate in plastic bag and go through the regular 6 week cycle for fruiting

[@jordanlarson6488]

Why can't you do this technique to grain? Does it have to be cardboard to grow spawn from stems?

[@rakelkieding6732]

Im wondering: why does the scissors and the hands (gloves) need to be sterile but the cardboard and box not seem to matter if it's sterile?

[@luckyfeatherfarm4685]

The cardboard was sterilized when they poured the boiling water on it. And I assume the container was also cleaned even though they didn’t say it.

[@robertimmanuel577]

Does oyster grow on Coco coir ? I was thinking of new ways to grow oyster faster. But since this is a wood lover I don't think it would work

[@GroCycleTV]

yes Oysters will grow on coco coir 👍

[@T-Gunnn]

How do you store these and do you have to water them? Also How do you do the coffee method?

[@veraglee8547]

Lookup mush_trips on Instagram,he’s products works magically and professionaly treated.A friend recommended him to me.They've got spores, shrooms and growing kits.

[@whitetiger3038]

Awesome bro in Australia it costs around $30 for just 20g of grain spawn.

[@victorrubahimbya1124]

Yet in the beginning of the video he says you rather buy the spawn than make it yourst...🙄🤔this process is to easy even a fruit fly could do this ...or am I wrong coz I don't see why I should buy spawn all the time

[@mememomo101]

@@victorrubahimbya1124 spawn is easy to contaminate .. that why. its not like 100 percent success rate if u make your own spawn

[@j-fries4611]

Does this method works on all mushroom or just oyster mushroom, i want to try this with shiitake mushroom

[@k98killer]

Paul Stamets recommends using the stem butts of Stropharia rugosoannulata (wine cap/king stropharia/garden giant) to directly propagate in a garden environment. From what I have read but not confirmed experimentally, oyster mushrooms are the most aggressive and more likely to succeed with this kind of technique, but using flesh from the mushroom cap for cloning in agar is a very common technique regardless of species.

[@josephthomason447]

Hi guys, just found your videos. I am curious if this method results in the problems with senescence/pests you mentioned in the video about using substrate as spawn.

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Bought mine in an online store

[@richardsonjackson3284]

On ig

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Tombenjamin01_………)

[@richardsonjackson3284]

He will guide you

[@goingintherain]

looks great , do i need to sterilize the cardboard first ? do i need to add some nitrogen into it ?

[@robertimmanuel577]

Just soak in boiling water. If you're growing oyster mushroom, sterilization is almost not needed, even if everything's pre-sterilized it will still grow. Just make sure it's oyster if you're gonna take this advice.

[@goingintherain]

@@robertimmanuel577 i got it thankyou

[@kirkhardes]

Hi guys, I was wondering whether this method would also work by placing spawn prints directly into the wet cardboard rather than butts? Thanks!

[@superresistant0]

yes

[@janakpurivlogger2244]

Nd after this we can make mother spwn for making further spawn..

[@michaeldob2153]

Can I use this method for wild growing mushroom too? Found wild enorkis and would like to cultivate them in my garden. The next question is can I use this mycel and add to sterilized plugs? Is there a way to sterilize wooden plugs without a pressure cooker? Maybe water bath in a jar in boiling water? Or in oven by 350C for 30 min? Thx and thumbs up for your great work

[@GlobalAidFederation]

From everything I know the answer is yes to all those questions. This is just making the spawn. Once you have an innoculated container then you can add plugs, grain, rice, anything you want into it to innoculate those objects. And without a pressure cooker hot water is the easiest way to sterilize anything. I think it needs to be over a certain tempature. Make a video if it works. It will be the first one on KZbin of someone propogating wild mushrooms!

[@michaeldob2153]

I will see. It is too warm now for the enoki. So I think I will try to cut sone plugs out

[@GlobalAidFederation]

@@michaeldob2153 Good luck. I'm planning to try this next week.

[@michaeldob2153]

Good luck for you

[@wecan1048]

i have a doubt about it. to make airholes is important or not?

[@mander321]

Does this method only work on oysters? Can other types of mushrooms grow using this method as well?

[@PeterSedesse]

Oyster spores grow remarkably well on cardboard, it will overwhelm containment spores. Other mushroom types will grow slower in cardboard and so contamination will be a bigger issue. You will need to use grains or other media

[@meichen4164]

No sterilization required?

[@kiyomiyun6022]

But what do you do with the white stuff?

[@kabylmakeshov6060]

May I ask what is the supplier you're getting your spawn from? Thanks

[@freeclassified5392]

I can supply you where are located?

[@peregrind9048]

thats classified information

[@jaslyn1962]

In Italy, mushrooms are sold with the 'root' and soil still attached, should i wash the stem butts first for cleanliness or cut peices with the soil. There'sstill a lot of mycellium mixed with the soil.

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Bought mine in an online store…….)

[@richardsonjackson3284]

On Instagram

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Tombenjamin01_……………)

[@richardsonjackson3284]

He will guide you

[@robertblashock1786]

The disadvantages actually seem like advantages. Once you understand that process you will only go up from there.

[@berniebru]

How do you do this with edible puffballs? As puffballs don't have stems.

[@GroCycleTV]

Puffballs are not so easy to cultivate, and don't work well with this method.

[@austin2842]

Why card specially? Can I use hardwood woodchips instead?

[@Nectarman]

This is my question as well

[@Daantjer]

Is 6-7 euros/50 grams of oyster spawn a normal price or am I looking in the wrong places? Seems hard to be profitable this way.

[@ashingurung7401]

Hello watching from nepal iam a mushroom farmer i watched all of your videos it was excellent but iam still confused about that how we made mushroom culture so can u suggest more about this ....Thank you love & respect from nepal.

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Bought mine in an online store

[@richardsonjackson3284]

On ig

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Tombenjamin01_……………)

[@robertrobert5188]

You state that grain has more nutrients than cardboard. Any reason not to add grain to your card mix?

[@jayashreedeb1037]

What is the black ?? ingredients

[@theUAPwhisperer]

Is this method only doable for oyster mushroom.. Or can it be replicated for store bought crimini / white/brown buttons 🍄too? @GroCycle

[@richardsonjackson3284]

Hit him up

[@richardsonjackson3284]

On Instagram 👆and telegram👆

[@richardsonjackson3284]

He will direct you