How to bypass agar with liquid culture

In this video, I show the steps needed to expand spawn with liquid culture. Fresh from the Farm Fungi is a gourmet mushroom farm in Denver, CO. For more information please visit our website
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Please give us a thumbs up if you enjoy this video and subscribe to our channel for more videos on how to grow gourmet mushrooms at home! MUSHLOVE

[@svengabelbart586]

I have watched pretty much all of your videos in one sitting :) Thank you so much!!! I look forward to more videos.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Thanks for watching! We have so many planned stay tuned and spread the word 🙂 MUSHLOVE

[@legalizationnow420]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi so have I

[@PlanetEarthExploration]

We love liquid culture!!! It's always our goal to achieve liquid cultures. Thanks for all the great content!

[@axlbrayan60]

I know im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me

[@addisondraper3574]

Thank you for making these videos. They have been very helpful to me as I am just getting started in mycology and your videos have really helped me to learn from my mistakes. I really appreciate all the info.

[@benredbeard7023]

I think that's a quart jar just for those tracking inoculation rates...?

[@momsmushroomsjodyfoster5786]

Your my new favorite online teacher

[@HeyRaeSunnyDay]

Outstanding information. Thank you Gary!

[@Allyourbase1990]

I just did my first agar to grain today . I usually always just use a syringe straight to grain . Knock on wood, haven’t had problems yet

[@rollzolo]

Bought a poop tent on Amazon for this kinda work. Put everything inside, sprayed with lysol, wait a few minutes and do my inoculation.

[@chicofromph33nix64]

A poop tent😂😂... hey, if it works then you are good

[@anthonytimmer9545]

Great vid. Lots of good info

[@raeshemicro]

I love this !

[@daniildanzig2842]

Great video, as always. I really appreciate your style of teaching. I am having some difficulty in understanding the expansion of mycelium. From what I understand, we can only expand up to 3 times with grain spawn, yet somehow, we can expand in LC or agar "forever". Why is that? Wouldn't senescence kick in at some point? I have been trying to understand this point for some time now, but haven't found any answers that clear this question up for me. Appreciate any input you or anyone else has on this point. Thanks, Danny.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

This is sort of true. When I expand from agar to LC I am taking from a mother culture (slant, master plate etc. that has not been expanded, then go through the process and store that for term). The reason people say not to expand grains and bulk is that it is prone to contamination. So you can be expanding contaminants and not know until it’s too late. Agar is the best media to expand on because you can see the contaminants for the most part. Senescence will always happen some strains are more resilient and you should always keep an untouched reserve of mother culture to start over from time to time. Hope that all makes sense!

[@daniildanzig2842]

Sorry, KZbin wasn't notifying me of replies. THANK YOU so MUCH! You really cleared that up for me.. I have spent hours trying on YT trying to figure that one out. Really appreciate the content!

[@guachingman]

I have fed countless orphaned contams with my agar

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

*sacrifices to the mushroom gods* MUSHLOVE

[@guachingman]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi may they always populate your grains!

[@fishmut]

Got to give this a go , would button mushrooms work with this liquid culture inoculation .

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Ytanythinggoes Yes those would work the same just on grains not sawdust

[@fishmut]

Fresh from the Farm Fungi LLC ... thank you so much , I will try it , fingers crossed eventually I’ll get it right 👍

[@expatprepper8804]

Can you inject liquid mycelium culture directly in fruiting substrate avoiding the grain process and if that's not possible how about putting grain in the top of the fruiting bag and just let it colonize the grain at the top of the bag and then spread to the fruiting substrate????

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Expat Prepper Excellent question! I have performed experiments in the past using liquid cultures to inoculate large bulk substrates with success (it takes a long time to colonize 4-6 weeks) - By skipping over the spawning jars which produce dense, healthy mycelium in a small container I discovered that a huge amount of space was being used for bulk substrate that was sterilized in the bags and waiting to be colonized by the liquid culture. This created space issues so doing the jars helps speed up the process and wastes less space as the mycelium colonizes the bags much faster in the two-step process. If there was a way to work around this it could save a lot of work in the future - MUSHLOVE

[@mattnsim]

Colonise in a week!!! Incredible

[@TayyabMohammadtay]

hi again Gery how to make fast and quick mycelium for oyster mushroom the liquid culture, the ingredients am looking for .

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

4% honey water 👍

[@zacharyswain7034]

Is it better to go LC to grain then grain to sub? I thought people squirt LC directly into sub blocks?

[@markcarney9144]

Maybe I'm being picky, but that first jaar is NOT a pint jar, it's a quart jar. And the smaller jars are pint sized, not half pint. A half pint is one cup.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Mark Carney Thanks for the observation we appreciate the volume corrections MUSHLOVE

[@monkee014]

What is the reasoning behind the upside down lids? I have seen people do it both ways but i am very curious the pros/cons! First time mushroom grower soaking up all the info!

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It is convenient for air exchange and allows for pressure release during sterilization - I usually will use them this way until they rust through then switch to a one-piece lid with filter/injection port MUSHLOVE

[@xaviervanbegin6233]

Nice vid. Thanks for sharing. One question, I see you do not use filter patch for gaz exchange. Does the mycelium grow well without ?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It has enough air exchange through the threading of the lid - however, I do use filters nowadays - check out the video on how to make injection port lids with filters 👍 MUSHLOVE

[@xaviervanbegin6233]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi thanks Gary. Crystal clear.

[@brentlarson1587]

My guess is he doesn't tight seal his jars. He said he flips the lids upside down to write on them this means they are not quite air tight. It's a low tech work around for gas exchange. I'm new at this so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

[@brianagiraldo-frendo7442]

Hey Gary, what is the best way to cool down a needle after flame sterilizing/before stabbing it into the injection port?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

just wait a few seconds until it cools - I rarely use open flames in my lab and prefer a new or freshly sterilized needle (they make glass syringes with autoclavable injection needles that can be sterilized in pouches or foil)

[@Carriclay_handmade]

Great informative videos! Would you do a video on how to make saw dust spawn? I searched all youtube but i can only find bulk substrate.. maybe the method is same?? Also, can you use saw dust spawn with saw dust substrate? If so, any nutrients to add? Thanks for all you do! It makes Mycology so interesting!

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Thanks for watching along - It's simple! I sometimes use a sawdust blend usually oak, maple hardwoods as spawn - you can add a small amount of wheat bran (8-10%) but the idea is to not need supplementation. You can use sawdust to inoculate bulk substrates just use a higher inoculation rate (1:1 or 1:2) Be aware that when making batches in a large tote mix well or the top portion will be dry and the bottom will be too wet this is the drawback of sawdust as spawn but consistent mixing helps - sawdust spawn into supplemented bulk substrates also works well and requires less rate of inoculation just play around with the ratio and use what works for you! MUSHLOVE

[@dressedanddepressed2301]

What gauge needles do you use for LC? I have a few 16 (new industry standard it seems) but I also have more 18 gauges (used to be the standard) I’ve seen a lot of people say the 18’s are still perfect and dont destroy the ship’s with gaping holes over time lol idk it’s only a few thousandths difference so I would think it wouldn’t matter of clog that much

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

I have used them all hah the smaller help with the ports the larger are nice because mycelium clumps dont clog up the needle - It’s really just personal preference - I prefer to use larger because of the clumping

[@jasongiangregorio7055]

Do you use and have a recipe for cvg?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

I usually just blend until it looks like “ground beef” consistency (about 2 - 1 or 3 - 1 ratio) and hydrate to field capacity

[@wigglewigglewiggle7021]

So every time I watch your videos I have more questions and my question is can you use sawdust for all mushrooms. And can you use agar in sawdust instead of grain.. also how do you introduce the mycelium to the liquid culture. I have had mixed results with grains I have access to almost all of them on the wheat and corn even after pressure cooking for an hour and a half it seemed the heart would turn green in those two greens I've had the best result from Milo and pretty good results with White millet.

[@cjmac3636]

Hi Gary, Have you ever experimented with putting in a little sawdust and soy hulls in with LC like a 1/2 teaspoon each to adapt the LC to what you are growing in bulk later. This may make it more cloudy but it could increase the efficiency and decrease the incubation time later on. whats your thoughts?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Cjmac # I have tried other nutrient additives in the past but prefer a clear solution because any contamination is detrimental in liquid cultures.

[@cjmac3636]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi cool thanks Gary. Surely it wouldn't risk more contamination due it being sterilised with the honey water solution.

[@kerspaprogbalceram3669]

@@cjmac3636 You'll probably just clog the syringe, the sawdust will expand when hydrated.

[@kerspaprogbalceram3669]

Also what he meant was if he added particulate it could be harder to see contamination in the LC.

[@codyquinn4954]

Just picked up a media extractor, where do you get your 14ga needles?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

amazon ha

[@dalesteiner150]

pint or quart.....?

[@MatteoFitness]

Thought agar was used to isolate clean growth, as I heard spores tend to be dirty....is this not the case?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It can be used for both - check out the playlist breeding mushrooms from spores it will make more sense - agar is simply a 2 dimensional filter so you can observe growth on one plane

[@tellittotherain7137]

Can I use spent grains from beer brewing? I have a lot of that and was looking for something do do with it other than composting it.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

bruce dodd You can but it needs to be jarred and sterilized almost immediately because bacteria/yeast will start to colonize the spent grains very quickly

[@muckimuck733]

You say on the comment that spores from the Syringe to LC is not good :( i did that and see tiny mycelium Growing luck ore is the chance of Mold there? Can i use agar with the maybe contaminate LC and test it out how it goes? I have some jars with rye too with Spores hopefully i have luck with 1 of my 5 jars.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

always is best to test on agar - watch our video on colors of mycology

[@bengallacher8652]

Hello this is Ben from Coloradoas well I am having trouble with my mycelium getting started any good pointers since you're also a mile up

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Try a few different substrates and see what works every mushroom has it’s preference

[@bengallacher8652]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi I have tried everything bird seed corn rye berries wood chips draw I can't get anything to grow other than black and green mold

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Ben Gallacher research “aseptic technique” and make sure your substrate is completely sterile

[@bengallacher8652]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi I know pressure cooker for 90 minutes at 15lb I've even gone as far as 2 hours I've tried microwaving these things obviously have KZbin I've tried every technique. I've even tried ordering pre-made stuff from like four or five different places.I've worked indoors work outdoors taking showers have even gone as far as buying a brand new body suit. I let my substrates dry for one day some dry for two days some drying as far as a week. I've even gone in with the rye berries almost completely dry back to original size nothing. But besides all that you have a shop here in Denver. Do you sell made jars or bagsready to be inoculated I'm thinking it all has to do with it being shipped in the mail. If I could go down to the store and pick some upalready I think that's my main problem is everything's coming in the mail and it's getting hot getting cold by the time I get to it almost 4 Weeks later I believe it's at its turning by the time I inoculate.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Ben Gallacher Check out Lions Mane in Denver! (RiNo District) They have a full equipment supply shop - we sell our bags their but they need to be hydrated and sterilized - Matt is super knowledgeable and might be able to help you figure out your issue. Also, MushroomCult.net for cultivation classes in the area - we help teach them in the off-season but right now are very busy with markets and summer production - MUSHLOVE

[@eueueu91]

There's no means for air exchange in your lid? Is it not necessary for spawn?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

The air exchange is where the lid connects to the jar if you flip the lids over the gasket faces upward and the space between the threading and the metal allows for air exchange. This isn’t ideal but it works - if you watch our video on making lids you can see a better method but we usually do it this way until they rust through and then upgrade to more sustainable solutions. MUSHLOVE

[@alit7313]

What kind of syringes are autoclavable?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

glass, and the pp5 ones work but the rubber stopper may get warped

[@alit7313]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi Thanks! : )

[@asamusicdude]

What type of wood saw dust is it?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It’s a blend of local cottonwood, elm and maple. I also use oak

[@john-smith.]

Whats your LC Recipe??? 10g Honey to 500ml??

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

john smith 4% honey solution

[@yitzchakshapiro3182]

10:00 THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

[@davidjohnston4726]

excellent thanks

[@mattnsim]

Do the jars have air exchange? Great video

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Matthew Taudevin The air exchange is through the seam in the lid and ring. Not ideal but it does the job 👍🏻

[@mattnsim]

Fresh from the Farm Fungi LLC Great! I’ve been messing around with micropore tape and drilling holes in lids, then rust sets in. Blurgh!

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

@@mattnsim yes, once rust shows I typically switch over to plastic or stainless steel

[@euclidpanarchy1502]

Matthew Taudevin plastic bro: you can sterilize plastic lidded jars in a microwave easy peezy

[@mattnsim]

Euclid Panarchy cheers mate, don’t own a microwave. And we are soon going to be living off grid so owning one won’t be on the cards. 😇

[@alexc1105]

I got all excited thinking that you were skipping agar to go from spore to liquid spawn which I've tried without success...

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

I have created multi-spore solutions before - it needs to come from a sterile print or sterile mushroom (cordyceps) to grow out properly

[@delftmushrooms822]

Nice work

[@waynekaczmarek946]

Oh no"! All the mycelium went into the first jar. I watched it" i knew i could see it good and i was just waiting for u to shake that syrenge. I bet this didnt go real well for you. Could you please comment on it G😊ary

[@surefiremushroomsmicrogreens]

Question if it’s a sterile needle then why do you need to sterilize the needle again unless it sat out for some time but in my opinion if it’s still in the sterile package the sterile syringe is sterile....a waste of time.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Good observation I think out of habit I over sterilized and also just moving back and forth between the hood and close to the camera threw me off usually I work completely in zen mode under the hood

[@Enochulate88]

Second time watching

[@Dave-zz3sn]

so you don't need an additional hole with pore tape over it during this step?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It’s only necessary to alleviate pressure as the liquid is dispensing in a non-sterile environment or any environment. With the loose caps you don’t need this (plus colorado is very dry and moisture leaks out of filter patches quickly at higher elevations) Just make sure the jar has some head space for air

[@elefantkaki]

One does not simply bypass agar

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It can be done successfully although I do not suggest this method as the method of choice as I regularly do QC on all my cultures - if you are in a pinch you could do a needle biopsy from fresh mushroom tissue to LC and then onto grains and follow it through - I guess it’s not “simple” but doable

[@BarackObamaJedi]

8:27 wait a 60ml for 6-7 jars? I think you could get away with 2ml/jar, depending on how dense the mycelium is in the lc syringe

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

I have had success with very small quantities but more inoculate = faster colonization

[@ahmedeus7354]

Do you have to factor in the amount of water you soak the grains in, in order to makeup for the 10ml of LC that you're going to add later? To avoid too wet grains and possible contam Thanks for the amazing content.

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Definitely a 1.5x video.

[@andrefecteau]

why not skip this an innoculate the whole block?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It’s a space Issue ill do a video on this

[@cjparrott]

nothing says professional like a cell phone video

[@BasherOffline]

Are you saying this to discredit the video? I found it quite insightful

[@cjparrott]

@@BasherOffline no it’s good but if you’re going to make a video use a proper camera

[@joshjewell1960]

A-gar not ah-ger

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

Agar A G A R agar Ugar ugar I don't know

[@anxiousbeachbums]

Ewwwwwwww......!!!......I was only using 1-2 cc's on a quart-sized jar. Live and learn, huh?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

More mycelium = faster colonization

[@anxiousbeachbums]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi Right........I'm with you there. Hoping to pickup some product from your store in the next 1-2 weeks. I'll check your website.......You do any one-on-one classes at your facility? Have a son in Superior, CO........Could work in a visit with him and a couple days of instruction w/ you.

[@Ralphgtx280]

I nearly have a stroke every time you say auger there is one other american that does it too. Its not a dam drill bit its A-gar the A from ABC and gar or like how a pirate might say it

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

strong Buffalonian accent coming through - all my college professors/ professional colleagues pronounce it as such.

[@kerspaprogbalceram3669]

that is the correct way to pronounce it whether we like it or not

[@johnnyseko]

Dam - a wall built across a river that stops the river's flow and collects the water Hilarious. Some level of hypocrisy here…

[@GaryWRose]

I hate vertical format it shows nothing

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

we switched to horizontal as the videos progress