HOW TO MAKE LIQUID CULTURE FOR MUSHROOM GROWING, Vented Lid Jars from Start to Finish

A comprehensive overview of how I make my liquid culture from start to finish. For me, this is the first step in growing your own mushrooms at home. In this video, I focus on using VENTED LID JARS, which allow for air exchange and automatic pressure equalization when pressure cooking. Vented lids are easier to use for beginning cultivators, and are desirable when you need tons of mycelium quickly like when you are using the "mycelium flood" inoculation technique demonstrated in our Cordyceps growing video. I highly recommend 14 - 16 GAUGE NEEDLES to prevent clogs when using vented lids because of the super chunky mycelium.
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Here's a link to Microppose, the company with the awesome stick-on injection ports and filter discs:
microppose.com/

[@marcusdeangelis4143]

Great walk-through, packed with handy tips and small details. Thanks so much!

[@tonywebster8884]

Thank you!!! I have been growing for 3 months and I have decided to go full in with growing g. Your video has been so helpful to get started making liquid culture. Well Done.

[@relentless_m7614]

Outstanding video! Thank you so much for the help. Those micropose ports seem very helpful. Will order some.

[@casanova1925]

I use powdered malted barley as a substitute for the soy peptone. It’s available in bulk at home brew stores and can be easily ground into a powder. It’s been used for many centuries for feeding and stimulating the yeasts in bread making and works equally as well for mushroom production.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Good stuff 👍

[@Unclemushlovin]

Cheers just starting out wit mushroom growing out getting some good information from the community great content thanks

[@dan7163]

Great vid. I just loosen the lids cover loosely with foil pressure cook then let cool overnight in the cooker. I open the cooker in front of the flow table and screw them down as I remove from cooker. Never a single issue

[@archieh4058]

Finally; someone honest about culture times. 2 weeks to a couple of months. I think its interesting how everyone else miraculously can get full mycelium growth in 2 weeks.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Peptone does make a big difference in colonization time, but it can vary quite a bit. Thanks for watchin 👍

[@SuperiorDave]

I just mixed up a batch of lc jars, agar and grains, each with a bit of stinky peptone for growth boosting nitrogen levels. Careful not to over do it though. I would imagine using too mush can burn things up, I would think, right?

[@charis3256]

I went to full colonization in 2 weeks🤷🏼‍♀️ but we also used peptone.

[@drwinston333]

Is that the version of the Presto designed for electric/ convection hobs? Positively surprised you're using an electric hot plate.

[@woopyass]

You are the man. Thank you for showing me this.

[@frankostrowski3416]

You Rock man! Thanks for the mushroom education 5 🌟

[@SirBoden]

Well explained, thank you.

[@beentheredonethatoriginals5673]

I started using pp5 plastic canning lids, great for pressure canner, and I still use red RTV and micropore tape. Plus you can get silicone seals that are replaceable so they don't rust and will last forever. When heating needle you can sometimes burn some bits still in there and then you push them into your jar and they try to fool you looking like contamination. So you can slightly pull back on your syringe right before you flame it. Toss a glass marble in the jar before you sterilize, makes a cheap stirrer that breaks the mycelium up nicely and lasts forever. I love watching these videos. Getting ready to kick it into a higher gear, it's always great to hear from guys that really know what they're doing, your low contamination rate says it all.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I use stainless steel ball bearings, but I've heard glass marbles work well too. Thanks for watching and putting in your 2 cents.

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

I use PTFE magnetic stir bars. They sure have made life easier for me

[@myhobbygrow]

Awesome content and information. Thanks for sharing

[@greenleaftreefrog]

Excellent video

[@nicenicnicnic8362]

Super helpful and informative good vid

[@ozoneswiftak]

Just what I needed . Thanks

[@azsunburns]

I find watching a variety of mycology enthusiasts quite fascinating. I love the free tutorial aspect and I greatly appreciate your efforts in producing helpful educational content... I'm also always pleasantly surprised to see the fluidity in mother nature and the subtle ways she tips her hat to her abundance against humanity's attempts at "rules". While you go for a 4% sugar solution using light caro, another enthusiast will teach sticking to a 2% solution using other forms such as glucose, dextrose,etc. While you teach using soy peptone, many enthusiasts never use it. We attempt turning everything into an absolute, a "science", while nature reminds us there's a million nutrients mushrooms can use & it's not as difficult as we try and portray it. There's room to breathe ❤️

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Glad you are enjoying the content. Yes there are many recipes that are effective in all aspects of mushroom cultivation, liquid culture, spawn, substrate, etc. One of my favorite things about creating content for the channel is being able to experiment with new techniques and share results with thousands of other like-minded people.

[@sidnguyen122]

It's a great video. Thank you.

[@theiceageiscoming.5516]

Great video, thanks from N.C.! 💪😎🇺🇲

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Guys this tek grows some very chunky LC even under refrigeration, so make sure you use 14 or 16 gauge hypodermic needles in your syringes or you may get clogs if you intend to pull syringes from these jars.

[@zuul902]

do you have a link to these from amazon?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@zuul902 No, they are harder to find nowadays. Veterinary suppliers can be a good place to look, but Shroom Supply has 14 gauge needles which would work fine. Here's a link: www.shroomsupply.com/syringes-needles/sterile-needles

[@donkulasmushroomsandagri3123]

Thanks for sharing this idol 🍄 very interesting content .new friend sir see you idol🍄🥰

[@diy_mushroomguy]

You can find the thicker gauge needles at tractor supply. They have the syringes as well.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@diy_mushroomguy Good tip, thank you

[@DMT4Dinner]

Thanks, gonna use this info w aerated lc

[@nachmanedes9460]

AWESOME - THANK YOU BROTHER!!

[@Its_me12759]

Thank you for useful video

[@get1moore]

I love your videos. I followed your instructions and used your techniques and methods and my spawn turned out great. I'm now at the fruiting stage and I can't wait for the harvest. I would like to know how you clear your jars and lids after using them so I can reuse them for another batch. Can you enlighten me? Thanks for all the great information.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Awesome, glad your grow is going well. I have a round bristle brush on a stick I use for cleaning jars. Just warm soapy water works great. I gently wash my lids with a sponge.

[@SEA-U2]

Glad I found you & Subscribed 👍💖🤗🙏

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Me too 😁 Thx for watching, much more to come.

[@Venkata_CV]

Xlnt Video...very detailed. Supa!

[@citylotgardening6171]

Great video thanks for sharing 👍

[@coachfernley]

When I do the RTV lids I drill another hole and use either micropore tape, or pillow stuffing over it so it can air exchange just like the other ones : ) I've been looking for anybody who regularly uses wheat as it's what I can get for cheap where I am. Making my way though ALL of your videos fella thanks so much!!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Cool, let me know if you have any questions and thanks for watchin 👊

[@quadlawnmowerman]

WOW! First time I have seen a video on mushrooms with the flow hood setup and being used correctly. You should not sit directly in front of a horizontal flow laminar flow hood, you are meant to sit to the side of the laminar air flow, sitting in front of the flow causes it to go up your body , back towards the filter and then back down into the airflow contaminating it. Well done good sir. To sit in front of a flow hood you have to use a vertical (top down) flowing flow hood.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I think it always just made sense to me to do it that way, so that's how I set the table up. Glad I got it right 👍😁 I've always had very little contamination even though my basement is far from a sterile setting. The flowhood does the trick. Thanks for watching.

[@ThePinkBinks]

Thanks for saying this. It seemed totally wrong to me to have it blasting into your eyes. It’d roll a wave of contam back into your workspace and spores into your eyes and lungs. Glad to have the confirmation that it needs to be at the side. 😁

[@ghz24]

LOL That is not going to happen. Use a smoking incense or cigar or sprinkle some flour above the air flow and see how far it makes it. Air molecules don't bounce upstream at these velocities.

[@quadlawnmowerman]

​@@ghz24 lol yourself, clearly you don't have or have used a flow hood, flour indeed.... Use some fluorescing trace powder actually meant for this kind of testing and you will see how much of a difference it makes. Vertical flow for working in front, horizontal flow for working to the side, there is a reason actual labs use vertical hoods for clean work.

[@ghz24]

@@quadlawnmowerman Use whatever powder you want it still cannot swim upstream. You obviously don't understand the term laminar flow. Why do the manufacturers put those side panels right in the way? Why don't the manufacturers photos portray users sitting in the "right" place? Successful sterile technique can be accomplished from either place it's more about placement of hands, tools, and cultures relative to the air flow. Better quality horizontal flow hoods have the return plenum under and around the opening to avoid turbulent air near the edge of the bench closer to the filter. This is because contaminates can no more swim up a 100 foot per minute air flow than you can swim up Niagara falls. BTW horizontal laminar flow hoods are superior to vertical designs due to the back wall having an inherently turbulent zone. Turbulent being the opposite of laminar. Vertical designs are usually selected over horizontal ones due to bench space or floor space considerations not for performance. Most vertical designs can't even technically be called laminar flow, they are turbulent by design.

[@carlfranz]

I really like the tone and pace of your videos. I held off on the video about jar lids -- jar lids? -- and now wish I'd seen it weeks ago. I have some jars of LC that look like yours and others more like frog eggs, with spots. I assume these are bad but I intend to grow them out, just to see what happens.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Thank you for your kind words. I rarely if ever get contamination in my liquid culture, but it is nearly impossible to tell just by looking at it. Mycelium grows in all kinds of crazy ways in LC. I always recommend testing a new batch on a grain jar before going big with it.

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

I would have to agree. His tone and pace makes for easy digestion of the information he is relaying, and his info is good as well. I came across this video in my recommended feed, and even though Ive known this info for many years, he kept me watching anyway, lol

[@judyhowell7075]

And he’s good looking too! 😅

[@Ssimone202]

thank you!

[@jacobjamar]

Been watching your videos for a while! Love them! Have you gotten a stir plate and stir bars yet? Just curious.. Keep it up dude!!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No, not yet, still doing the old manual shake. At some point I would like to though. Glad you are enjoying the videos 👍

[@beentheredonethatoriginals5673]

Usually when I'm working with flame and alcohol it's July and I've recently visited a nearby rez. And the wife is still mad about how much I spent. But your point is well taken.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

😂

[@rogerhilton3781]

Loving all your walkthroughs, they're really helping me get my head around the whole mushroom growing process before I jump into it. What pressure cooker are you using? And can it be used with both gas and electric heat source?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I run two Presto 23 quart PCs that I bought 15 years ago. Other than changing the rubber seals and plastic over-pressure plug occassionally, they still run great. They recommend electric, so I've always run them on heavy duty commercial single hot plates (1300 watt minimum). I have had viewers comment however, that they have run theirs on gas for years with no issues.

[@rogerhilton3781]

Thanks for the info RM, I've ordered the same model you use plus an electric hot plate. Should be churning out my own LC and spawn by mid January. On with building my flow hood whilst I wait for delivery. Keep the videos coming, super inspiring and I really appreciate the knowledge you share.

[@didgeridooblue]

A wooden dowel will also work as a stir bar.

[@SuperiorDave]

FYI, Hole punches for paper make a clean edged, perfect size hole for injection port and filter.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I've heard that but never tried one, good suggestion 👍

[@benshreefter5734]

great video! have learned so much from your channel, thanks! During colonization, How do you store the tote with the LC jars? in a dark place or just out in the open?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Just sitting on a table in my basement with a bath towel over the top to give it a little shade. They don't need total darkness, you just don't want any direct bright light. Glad you are finding helpful info here 👍

[@jmonge1]

thank you

[@ivanangelototola2472]

Ótimo ensinamento.

[@isaac70073]

Those fish are 🔥🔥

[@tombennett7722]

Hi, Thanks for the really great video tutorial. Your videos ares some of the best. I was wondering what the spec is on the blower you used on the laminar flow hood. I am about to build one and the info would be useful. Kind regards from the UK,

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It's an Aero-Flo CF Series 6" centrifugal fan. 460 cfm free air flow. They actually make centrifugal fans that you can control with a rheostat as well, so you can dial the fan up and down. I used one of those when I built my second flowhood for a friend.

[@tombennett7722]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thanks mate, really appreciate the prompt reply. One other thing as a newcomer, which is why I watch the best tutorials which are yours. Quick question; Once the substrate is inoculated and the bag sealed, placed on some shelving to incubate and colonize; do I need high humidity, or is that best left to the fruiting chamber once colonized ?? Cheers, Tom

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@tombennett7722 The bag provides all the humidity during colonization so you don't have to worry about it until fruiting. Thank you for the kind words.

[@diy_mushroomguy]

I put two marbles in my liquid cultures I make. I'm gonna have to try the peptone out though. The recipe I've been using is just LME (light malt extract), and corn syrup or honey. And they last so far up to a year for certainty.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Stainless ball bearings work well too. The peptone is nice if you need a ton of mycelium quickly, it's insane how fast and thick it grows.

[@diy_mushroomguy]

@@RenegadeMushrooms believe it or not I've actually heard ppl suggest using broken Glass as a stir bar 😂

[@claytonsmoking]

I use broken glass it cutts it up real fine when you swirl long enough

[@kumhoshin8736]

I love your video. I have question, if you done this, when can you use them?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Usually the jars are ready to use in about 2 weeks, but it depends on the mushroom species and also temperature. When you swirl the jar and there are little bits or chunks of mycelium well distributed throughout the liquid, they are ready to use. Thank you for watching!

[@MooreprideVIII]

Great video! When the culture gets old but you love the mushrooms that the culture produces. Can you use a syringe of it to Inoculate a new jar to keep it going?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, you can, but there are some nuances to that process. I'm actually working on a video on that exact topic now. Should be out in a few weeks.

[@donnybrown6837]

found the link Thanks

[@joanneweisbeck3812]

Thank you for all the info. I only have a instant pot, do you have instructions for that type pot?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Sorry, never used one, but I'm sure there are instructions online somewhere.

[@joy14348]

Thank you for all your amazing vedio tutorials. One tiny question. Why dont you let the lid be slightly unscrewed while pc sterilizing and then close it with the foil on top after the removal?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You don't need to vent the lids on these jars because the filter disc in the lid allows the pressure to equalize. After I inject them, I leave the foil lid off for a bit to allow the filter discs to dry out. Once they are dry, I recover them with foil. If the filter disc remain wet, they will eventually contaminate with mold.

[@kumhoshin8736]

I love your videos. the more I watch your presentation, the more I am interested in running this business. I have questions, I want to start this business but I am wondering if there are markets that I can sell them.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I wrote this to another subscriber who asked the same question. "I started out my online business 15 years ago intending for it to be primarily gourmet. I quickly realized 95% of my customers were looking for medicinal so I shifted gears. Nowadays I have an Etsy site where I sell both (dried product), but the majority of my business is still medicinal. Online you will fair better going dried medicinal product IMO. There is a high demand, and a shortage, of USA grown high quality medicinal mushrooms. As far as the fresh gourmets go, target local high end restaurants and develop relationships with the chefs, that's where the money is. Dry your unsold gourmet product and market it online. Just my 2 cents."

[@kumhoshin8736]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thank you very much my friend. Have a blessed night

[@wonsuchu3463]

Thanks very for your video. Lots of good information. When you almost finish liquid culture jar can you use the liquid culture in the jar to expanse to make another batch liquid culture jars? So we don’t need to buy liquid culture again . Thank you

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, you can use that original jar to keep making new jars. Also, you should refresh them on to new nutrient broth once a year, even if you're jar isn't empty.

[@melhawk6284]

@@RenegadeMushrooms could you make a video explaining the refresh? Or would you just make a new LC broth, pasteurize it, and then shoot it into the old jar on top of what is left?

[@creggcoffelt295]

started my LC like you did trying to follow your procedures. after a week one of my blue oyster mix developed one 3/8" white solid like disc that floats on top. what is it and is it bad? love your vids. thanks

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

That's normal. Usually it happens when you're not swirling your jars regularly to mix them up, but it's not a big deal. It's just your mycelium forming a heavy mat at the surface of your liquid culture. When you go to pull syringes out you'll just have to give it a little swirl to move the mat out of the way so it doesn't clog your needle.

[@BadddDoggg-id4po]

Just found you, I subbed!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

👊

[@slimsung3971]

great information thank you. How many grain jars can you inoculate with a pint of colonized mycelium?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

If you're doing quart grain jars, I would say about 60. Thanks for watching 👍

[@catemawson9994]

First try at inoculating with LC done today. Hoping I could ask 2 questions: 1) If I am going to store the LC left in the syringes for about 6 months in the frig, is it okay to leave the needle on the syringe or should I put the plastic cap back on the syringe? 2) When I am storing the LC during the incubation period, do I sterilize the aluminum foil caps when I place them back on the jars after the microscreen dries out? 3) Thank you so much for responding and the great video.:)

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You can leave the needle on, but you should have a plastic cap that goes over the needle. Make sure that cap is in place, and then place it in a clean sealed plastic bag. There is a chance that the mycelium will grow enough to clog the syringe even under refrigeration though, just so you know. It is not necessary to re-sterilize your foil, as long as everything is dry, you will be fine.

[@seanpinnell4806]

Great video, thanks! How do you know when your liquid culture is "done"? Kind of a loaded questions, but any tips are greatly appreciated :)

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It usually takes a couple of weeks of incubation, sometimes longer depending on species. You want the liquid to look soupy with mycelium when you stir or shake the jar. That will ensure you get plenty of mycelium in your syringes when you pull them.

[@markskorupa3728]

Great video, can't get enough of them!!! Got a question, I did all of the procedure the same way you did and inoculate six different jars with six different strains. After few days five of the jars are same color as they were before with nice build up of mycelium but one strain turn the liquid kind of cloudy. Do you think it could be just how mycelium grows for this particular strain or could be a sign of a problem?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Sorry for the late reply and thank you for your kind words. It may be indicative of the species in that jar. Some species like Hericium tend to stain the LC. What species is turning color on you?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Any cloudiness probably means yeast or bacterial contamination.

[@markskorupa3728]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thank you

[@charleschristianson2730]

You buy it. Got it. A 30 minute video, answered in the first 45 seconds.

[@tytuttu458]

Awesome. Thanks. Can you use honey (or something else that is easier to attain loacally) in stead of light corn syrup? What is the reason you don`t crank the heat up to full when heating up the pressure cooker?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes honey works well, lots of recipes online. I've always heard that it's better for your containers, jars or bags, to not just crank up the heat on your PC. Helps prevent cracking, bag failure, etc. I usually start on medium high and give it about an hour to warm and pressurize up.

[@orionsbelt3827]

Really enjoying your content!! When cultures are in incubation, are they receiving any light?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No light is needed during incubation generally. A little light won't hurt, but direct bright light is detrimental and should be avoided. Thanks for watching 👍

[@orionsbelt3827]

@@RenegadeMushrooms thanks for doing what you do

[@josephpuentes3788]

Fabulous Videos!. . .thanks so much. Two related questions 1) If properly cared for what is the shelf life of the culture in the syringes and 2) What is the shelf life of the fully cultured liquid in the jars? If the variety matters use Cordyceps as an example. Thanks again!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Cordyceps cultures degrade very quickly, they are very different from most other mushroom species. 3 months is considered max as a general rule for cordyceps LC under refrigeration whether in a syringe, or a jar. Most other species I would say 6 months for a syringe or 1 year for a jar under refrigeration.

[@josephpuentes3788]

@@RenegadeMushrooms so do you continuously buy syringe filled culture or can you use the fully cultured jar cordyceps to start more culture as you approach the 3 month limit on its self life?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@josephpuentes3788 If you are looking to do Cordyceps, you will need to buy new syringes every few months, unless you want to do your own ascospore isolates, which is a whole other ball of wax. Also, you need to buy good cultures, there are alot of junk Cordyceps cultures floating around out there. For most other species, you can just refresh your cultures once a year and ride them for many years.

[@Flumphinator]

@@RenegadeMushrooms I would really love to see how fresh cultures are made!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@Flumphinator I recommend joining the Cordyceps Cultivation Facebook Group if you're interested. The genetics end of it is fascinating.

[@kumhoshin8736]

Your video presentation is always inspired me. Question about liquid culture. is it the same way to make liquid culture for concepts and mushrooms?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Thank you for your kind words, if you are asking about Cordyceps, yes you use the same method for the liquid culture, but you must use it within 7 days for best results. With other mushrooms, the liquid culture is good for a year or more.

[@kumhoshin8736]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thank you very much my friend. I will do it. Have a Blessed night.

[@atanasdimitrov8496]

Hi. Can I substitute the peptone for a malt extract as a food source? I can't find peptone in my location. And if yes, is the ratio water to corn syrup to malt is the same?

[@toddwmac]

Thank RM, much appreciation. Was wondering if you think a simple pin hole covered with micropore tape would suffice for pressure management on LC only jars. Being a moto mechanic, I've got a ton of HT gasket goo around the workshop and would love to roll my own lids if possible. Also had a question on your lam flow unit. Are you running any kind of special venting outside your workspace or is the unit just sitting on your bench? Thanks again.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, there are people that use micropore tape, but if you do, go with two layers. I prefer the synthetic filter discs personally. My flowhood is just sitting on the bench, no special venting.

[@toddwmac]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thanks!

[@nolanhoiting]

Great video, thank you. Just wondering, what do you think of micropore tape over air exchange hole instead of those discs?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It works in a pinch, but I recommend using two layers of tape. I much prefer the discs if you can afford them.

[@nolanhoiting]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Okay, I'm just getting started, might try a couple layers of tape or pillow stuffing. I am starting with some easy ones: lionsmane and oyster. The discs are a good price, just shipping em to Canada is a bit pricey. Thanks for the help, love your channel

[@DrGaryGreen]

Where can I look up what strain needs what conditions? Thanks again for all you do.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Mycelium Emporium is a great resource and they have a ton of cultures. In terms of books, I would go Stamets or Tradd Cotter, most recent editions.

[@DrGaryGreen]

Thanks

[@drcobb84]

When you said there was contimination. Did you see it in the jar. Or was it when you tested on grain/agar?? Keep up the awesome work btw

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Typically you can't see contamination in liquid culture, so it's best to test it on agar or a small grain jar before going into production with it.

[@memoponschido6657]

hello renegade!!! is there an alternative to soy peptone? In Spain it is difficult to obtain and very expensive. Many greetins !!!!! Thanks very much for yours videos!!!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You can skip the soy peptone and just use the karo syrup. The mycelium will grow more slowly, but it will still work fine.

[@ranjanty]

I used your method and have 3 jars going one with cordyceps, lions mane and pioppino. I bought them from Fresh from the Fungi he gave me the pioppino for free. They are ready to use but I'm not. Can I refrigerate them to slow down the growth? I finally have my flow hood done. It has low, med and high and I added a receptacle next to the speed control switch. looks nice.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Awesome, you're going to love that flowhood. Yes, all those species can be refrigerated once the jars look nice and colonized. It will definitely slow the growth down. I always store the jars in a small storage tote in the fridge. The Cordyceps should be used as soon as possible but it can hang for a bit in the fridge. I can't wait to hear how your grows go 👍

[@el_teeny]

do those syringe filters also regulate the pressure? how tight should those lids be while in the PC? sweet video!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

The lids should be tight in the PC, the filter regulates your pressure for you. You just have to try to keep it dry when pulling syringes from your jar once colonized. Repeatedly immersing your filter will eventually cause contamination.

[@philrogers6251]

Hey thanks for the great video. I'm just starting with my first syringe of culture that I purchased. In case I make a mistake I am trying to expand that culture into jars. I notice from your video that you put an entire syringe into one jar to grow more culture. Can I use my syringe and spread it over more than one jar so I have a safety net of more than one jar available to me? What's the minimum I can squirt into each jar to make more culture?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, you can do two or three jars of LC with a 10cc syringe no problem.

[@brightlights72]

Magnetic stir is the best

[@davist-mq5db]

Sweet man I am thinking about trying out growing 🍄 mushrooms but it's definitely seems scary

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It's only scary if you can't handle failure. There's a learning curve and some failure is inevitable, but the reward is worth the risk.

[@peakerelief6549]

What temperature do you incubate the culture? Thanks for the great videos!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

About 65 F. Thank you for watching 👍

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

depends on which strain you are colonizing, In my experience faster colonization for most strains occurs at around 77F. However, there are a few that do like a cooler temperatures, but not many. Hope this helps! Mush love :)

[@brianbarton477]

I will receive my cultures this Friday, When should I do the sterilizing process with the pressure cooker. thanks

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

You could sterilize your LC jars whenever you have time this week and just store them in the fridge in a storage container until you are ready to shoot them up with your syringes. I've stored them for several weeks with no issues. Just make sure you get some 12 gauge hypodermic needles to pull from your jars when they are colonized, otherwise you may get clogs. These vented lids and this peptone recipe grows some crazy chunky LC. Aaaand...remember to keep those filter discs dry.

[@Elev8minh]

Man Great Video Bro quick question do you by chance have the link on where you purchased your soy peptone? I wanted the non gmo kind thanks a million 👌🏻

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

www.shroomsupply.com/agar-culture-media/bottled-media-mixes-additives/soy-peptone 👍

[@Elev8minh]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thank you so much my friend!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@dressedanddepressed2301]

Hey what kind of fan/blower is that on your flow hood? Seems like a grow tent exhaust fan instead of a dayton styled blower fan? I’ve always wondered if those grow fans would work !

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, it's an inline duct fan and they work great on both of the hoods that I've built. You can even get models that run on a rheostat so you can manually control the cfm output.

[@johnparry9307]

I'm using lids with injection port and micro filter. When they come out the PC I'm going to try wiping the microfilter with isopropyl alcohol, and putting a stick on injection port on. And see if that will stop mold when you swirl the jars and get the filter wet. What do you think? Do you think that would hurt anything?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Are you talking about putting a port over the top of your filter disc, or removing the filter disc and replacing with an injection port? I'm not sure just adding a port over top of the disc will stop mold growth if you repeatedly get the filter wet. Better I think to avoid getting it wet or just don't use a filter and manually equalize pressure after the PC run. Always cool to try new things though, so let me know how it goes if you try it.

[@user-xg2jg6ex1h]

Hi, wat to do with the liquid cultures? Do I nid to inject them into the sugar water like in your video? Here in Singapore I can only find liquid cultures.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

That's the best way if you want to expand your culture. 4% sugar solution. Corn syrup or honey works well.

[@catemawson9994]

Great video. Just starting out. My LC syringes have just arrived. Can gypsum be used instead of soy peptone? Thanks.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No, just skip the soy peptone and use the karo. It will be fine. Peptone is a nice additive if you need a lot of mycelium asap, but it's not necessary. I'm always here if you need help 👍 Good luck.

[@ehbarooo]

I use both in my LC and it’s 🔥

[@gustavoares170]

Could you share the link where u got the Cordyceps M? Appreciate it!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

www.terrestrialfungi.com/

[@ah1864]

I have a question...if I fill a syringe with water and pc it for 10 minutes will it be sterile enough to make grain liquid culture (myceliated water)

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Probably, but I've never tried it. The smallest volume I've done is one pint. If it were me, I would probably go a bit longer to be safe. I'm also wondering if some of your LC will leak out of the syringe, but not sure on that.

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

Your liquid jars you made once colinized can you also make a bunch of innockulated syringes. Sorry I'm new. Love your video just found you and subscribed.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Cool, thank you and welcome to the channel. Yes, once your jar is colonized, you can pull hundreds of syringes from that single jar and use them to make grain spawn. Then, once your grain spawn is ready, you can spawn that to your substrate. If you want to see the next step (using your LC to make grain spawn) check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4iun4eBh9ymi5o

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

@@RenegadeMushrooms awesome I really appreciate your help. I will check that video out with others. Thanks 👌

[@Mobil351]

Hey I joy your videos, can I make pint size jars of grain spawn I’m just starting I want to make lions mane

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Absolutely, pints work well for spawn. I would use about 2 to 3 ccs of liquid culture per pint.

[@Lemonz1989]

Thanks for the nice explanation. Very helpful. ☺️ How long do they last in the fridge and in room temperature? And how long do they last in a syringe (also in room temperature and in the fridge)?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

It's very species dependent, so you should always ask your culture supplier for storage recommendations. Some cultures like Cordyceps militaris senesce very quickly and should be used asap. Some tropical cultures like pink oyster will die at fridge storage temps. In general, for cold tolerant species, I always store them in the fridge. Jars will last a year or so and syringes can too, but they often become clogged with dense mycelium so I typically say no more than a few months.

[@Lemonz1989]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Thanks again! I was just wondering, because I’m considering buying some liquid cultures from the US, and it will take some time for delivery to Denmark, and I was hoping I could buy multiple and keep them stored for later use. 🙃 Mushroom growing isn’t that popular here, so there are only a few culture suppliers, and all of the ones I’ve found sell it in “dry” form. It’s fine like that, I guess, but I really like the idea of having liquid cultures.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@Lemonz1989 I'm a liquid culture guy all the way. I've talked to quite a few people that have had good luck ordering internationally. Only one way to find out, give it a try 👍

[@jcmc8220]

How did it go? Greetings from Finland

[@emea9818]

Thank you for the video! there is a problem if I use concentrated corn syrup, because I can not get light corn syrup here in Argentina. Or I can get corn syrup but it's dark, the concentrated one is light (I mean the color). Thank you again!

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Concentrated corn syrup should work fine, you can also use honey 👍

[@emea9818]

@@RenegadeMushrooms Hey! it's an honor to have your answer, thank you very much

[@tomcatmeow69]

so I have watched both videos on using a sealed rtv lid verses the stick on system. I gathered from your mention about the stick on system is a more recent change for you. Are you still having the same good results with very little contamination?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yes, I'm still having good results with the stick-on system. It's a simpler more user-friendly setup and that's why I recommend it for beginners. That being said, I personally only use that setup for liquid culture if I'm going to use it with the mycelium flood method like I show in my Cordyceps video. For stock culture jars, I much prefer just the RTV injection port with no filter.

[@sindrerudshaug]

One or two weeks before full colonization of my substrate in my monotub, two lonely shrooms decided to fruit/grow, they were finished within maybe 4-5 days. One is laying down. Should I open up the lid and pick them or will the rest start to fruit, long before the colonization is finished, because of inlet of oxygene? Will they maybe rot or contaminate if staying long time inside? Especially the one lying on the substrate-bed. Thanks

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I would pick them and get them out of there. If you leave them, you definitely are risking contamination.

[@ironmarkgolf]

Any idea why my LC has a black tar type build up on it? I just started using the filter discs you have in this video. I just switched to the constant stir method and that's when I started having this issue. I use normal bee honey

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Not sure on that one, never seen that before with any of my jars. It could be contamination. I just swirl occassionally/being careful not to get the filter wet. How long did you pressure cook them for?

[@blenderbenderguy]

Great info.... thanks! I just bought a bunch of stainless steel lids with silicone gaskets for other purposes but am wondering if the silicone would hold up in the pressure cooker if I tried to use them for LC's?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I've only ever used RTV silicone, but that holds up very well in the PC. You can check the physical properties of what you have against the temp of a PC at 15 psi which is 252 F.

[@oeovelour7515]

It will 😁

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

long time amateur mycologist here (almost 30yrs), and I promise you that red high-temp RTV will definitely hold up to not only a pressure cooker, but a pressure canner as well. I used it for many years, and it can be used through many sterilizations. However, I would like to mention to you that eBay has self healing injection ports in quantities of 100 for the price of a tube of high temp RTV that are better (in my opinion), and look much more professional than the Microppose adhesives he is using. Also to note, syringe filters are pretty cheap (less than a dollar each, less then half that if you purchase in bulk) and work considerably better and are much more durable than those filters or micropore tape. PP5 plastic lids are so much better (again, in my opinion) than metal lids. However, I would like to reiterate that I used metal lids and RTV for many many years, and they certainly did the job, no problems. This guy in the video is definitely teaching tried and true techniques. Just my 2c, hope this helps you. Mush love :)

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag Lots of people digging the PP5 plastic lids, I'll have to try them out. Do you use a gasket under them? Have you tried the Microppose products? They are actually proving to be quite durable and easy to use for me. I'm a fan. I've never seen a pre-made injection port even come close to the durability of RTV, and I've tried a lot of them. If you found good one's on ebay, please post a link.

[@SwiggitySwagDopeInTheBag]

@@RenegadeMushrooms The PP5 lids are a game changer, I know youll like them. I have tried the Microppose injection ports and filter discs both for my lids and tubs. The adhesive didnt fair well for repeated use on the lids (might be the difference between PP5 and metal, not sure). I still use them for my tubs though (way better than micropore tape, in my opinion). Ill find you a link for the injection ports. I use the cheap ones and change them out every 15 sterilizations or so, just for good measure. Theyre super cheap, and super easy to replace, takes me maybe 5 sec

[@rhb30001]

Can the water on the bottom of the PC touch the bottom of the mason jars? I thought we had to use a lift to make sure that the jars are not sitting on water during the PC cycle? Or is it ok?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

No it's fine, the bottoms of the jars can sit in water. If you are running a 23 qt. Presto PC like me I always add about 2 liters of water.

[@drewcaisse7942]

If you put it in the fridge will that stop it from growing? Slow it down? Or will it keep growing at the same rate? At what temperature do you keep your fridge? I keep mine at 35 degrees. Is that to cold? Great video by the way. This way can save a lot of people alot of money.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I keep my LC fridge at about 40 F. You don't want anything to freeze if it gets pushed to the back. The effect depends on the species. Cold-tolerant species will continue to grow, just more slowly. Warmer species will stall. Fridge temps will kill tropical cultures like pink oyster, almond agaricus, etc., so those are best kept at room temp.

[@drewcaisse7942]

@@RenegadeMushrooms awesome! Thank you for the great vids, getting back to us, and having such great knowledge! You are the best!

[@nealtyson8535]

What’s the best temp to keep the jars at after being inoculated.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Depends on the temperature preferences of the species, but 65 to 70F is what I go with typically.

[@momsmushroomsjodyfoster5786]

This was a really helpful video on making liquid culture. Not sure why but I had been under the impression that cordyceps liquid culture would be mature within 5 to 7 days. I understand after that it goes right into the refrigerator. But I thought it was supposed to be used within 10 days?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I incubate my Cordy LC at room temp for 7 days, it should be getting nice and chunky by then if you use peptone. Then I either use it immediately or refrigerate it.

[@diegocebrian913]

@@RenegadeMushrooms IS THE SOY PEPTONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER PEPTONE?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

@@diegocebrian913 From what I've heard, yes it is. But I've only ever used soy, so I'm not 100% sure. This recipe will work fine without the peptone as well, growth will just be slower.

[@makeyousmile326]

where can i get the syringe's and what's the liquid already present inside the syringe that you've injected.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

The liquid inside the syringe is living mycelium suspended in a nutrient broth (called "liquid culture"). There are tons of liquid culture suppliers online. If you need empty syringes, I get them from here: www.shroomsupply.com/syringes-needles/sterile-syringes/?referrer=CNWR_684691708647669

[@Wesleyholla]

Would this recipe work fine without the peptone? I am willing to wait longer for growth but I already have everything else needed laying around so it would be nice to not have to buy an additional ingredient

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Yeah it will work fine without it, just slower growth.

[@creggcoffelt295]

at what point do you move the inoculated bag from the tub into the fruiting chamber? My cultures came from Liquid Fungi blue, golden and shiitake. the shiitake seems very slow to culture up. is that normal? what's the best temps for fruiting and how long do you keep the lights on in the fruiting stage? all the time or how many light and dark hours? thanks for the quick reply last time appreciate it.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

When growing oysters, I leave them in the tubs until the pins are about an inch long, then I move then to the chamber where they can get enough free air exchange to develop normally. Lights are 12 hours on, 12 hours off, LEDs in the 6500K spectrum.

[@paulhierholzer7278]

Great video, thanks. I'm sorry if you already answered this question. I'm brand new to this, but I'm a medical professional. We use sterile needles right out of the package and inject people with various things (vaccines, medicines, etc) without flaming the needle or wiping it with alcohol, as it's sterile out of the plastic cap. Why do all of the mushroom growers sterilize the needle when it's already sterile?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I'm using the same needle for multiple transfers so I flame between steps. There is no need to for the first use right out of the package of course, but you get in the habit, so it's just muscle memory. Plus my needles have been sitting on a dusty old basement shelf for 15 years, so it's a "trust but verify" kinda thing.

[@paulhierholzer7278]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[@createurimage]

Hello, is what’s in the syringe is liquid culture? I was curious how to inject agar culture into liquid culture without opening the jar or the flask of inoculated liquid culture. Thank you.

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Easiest way is to just cut an agar wedge and drop it in a jar of sterilized liquid culture. You can do that with a glove box or flowhood, but you have to lift the lid.

[@ustotz]

Thank you for your interesting and helpful videos. You keep talking about the 4 percent sugar solution based on Karo Light Corn Syrup. If I am correctly informed, Karo Light Corn Syrup contains 33.3% glucose. So your recipe with the 4 percent Karo Light Corn Syrup results in a glucose solution of about 1.3%. Did I understand that correctly? Many greetings Urs

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

I don't think the sugar content for light karo is that low. Information I found says 76% sugar. At any rate, just add 4% karo and a pinch of soy peptone and anything will grow like crazy on it.

[@ustotz]

@@RenegadeMushrooms In Switzerland you hardly ever find corn syrup, and certainly not Karo Light Corn Syrup. That's why I have to convert it to glucose. Corn syrup is mainly based on glucose, 76% glucose sugar, as you wrote to me. So your LC mixture has around 3% glucose + soy peptone. Thank you!

[@robinmevlille9486]

Good morning, I have another question. Can I use Agave instead of corn syrup?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Most natural sugars work, but I've never heard of anyone trying agave. Try it out and let us know.

[@dylski4294]

Could you just steam the liquid atop the stove in a large sterilizing pot to sterilize it? Or is a pressure cooker necessary?

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

A pressure cooker is necessary for true sterilization. I typically do 25 minutes at 15 psi for liquid culture jars.

[@creggcoffelt295]

after the first pick do you have to do anything to the block in preparation for the 2nd or 3rd flushes

[@RenegadeMushrooms]

Typically no. With most gourmets you just keep the block in humid conditions and they will flush again. If pins form under the plastic you may need to cut some new holes and set them free.