Fruit in the bag Instructions

 

Inoculation

Proper handling of your sterile grain and substrate begins the moment it arrives. Remove all products from their original packaging immediately to prevent contamination and allow air circulation through the filters.

Inspect all bags carefully for damage sustained during shipping—any compromised packaging risks contamination and may affect product viability. Contact us with photos and order details if you discover defects so we can arrange a replacement.

Keep your grain and substrate in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and moisture. Do not refrigerate, as temperature fluctuations and condensation can compromise sterility.

We know you are excited to get growing but we recommend leaving your grain and substrate bags to sit for 7-10 days before inoculation to confirm sterility. Although you can inoculate straight away.

As refunds cannot be given once inoculated.

When ready to begin, follow proper aseptic technique:

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Close all windows and doors, shower, put on clean clothes, and glove up. Sanitize all work surfaces with 70% isopropyl alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide applied to a paper towel. Then wipe your hands with the hand wipe provided.

Step 2: Inoculate Your Grain

Using the small wipe included in your kit, carefully clean the injection port on your bag to ensure it is sterile.

Remove the lid from your syringe and insert the needle through the injection port, then inject 2-3ml of your liquid culture or mushroom spore solution into the bag. Work deliberately and maintain sterile technique throughout.

Step 3: Initial Incubation

After inoculation, place your bags upright in a dark warm location (ideally 22-23°C) with the filter unobstructed. If you used spores, allow time for germination before mycelium development begins. Expect around 14 days before first signs of mycelium appear—this timeline may extend longer depending on conditions and spore viability.

If you used liquid culture, you should see growth much more quickly, typically within a few days to 10 days, as the culture is already actively growing. Allow colonization to proceed undisturbed during the initial phase.

Step 4: Break and Shake 30/60/90

We like to do 3 break and shakes: one at 30%, one at 60%, and lastly at 90% to ensure the mycelium bounces back and is healthy before going to substrate.

Once your grain reaches approximately 30% colonisation, you can accelerate the process by carefully redistributing the mycelium throughout the rest of the bag. This speeds up overall colonisation without compromising sterility.

When ready to proceed, carefully break up the colonised grains until they are all separate—avoid damaging the bag during this process. Shake the bag firmly to mix everything together evenly.

Step 5: Continue Incubation

Return your bag to incubation in a warm location. The break and shake substantially accelerates colonisation, and you should be ready to proceed within a few days when your grain is fully colonised. Uncolonised grains are the most common cause of contamination in subsequent stages.

Step 6: Grain to Substrate

Break up the mycelium once more by carefully separating all colonised grains without damaging the bag, then shake thoroughly to distribute evenly.

Once complete, cut the top off your grain bag to open it. As long as everything was fully colonised, contamination will not be an issue—the mycelium has consumed all available nutrients, leaving nothing for contaminants to thrive on.

Next, open your CVG substrate bag by cutting off the top, keeping the cut level with the seal for a clean opening.

Pour the entire contents of your grain spawn bag into the substrate bag, taking care to minimize spillage.

Fold down the top of your substrate bag three times below the filter, then fold it in on itself to prevent spillage during mixing. Thoroughly mix the grain spawn and substrate together with vigorous shaking and manipulation. The better the distribution of spawn throughout the substrate, the faster the final colonisation stage will proceed.

Gently flatten out the substrate surface using your hands on the outside of the bag to maximize the surface area available for mushroom growth.

After mixing, fold down the bag once and secure it lightly with paper clips.

Stretch the elastic band around the bag approximately 1-2 inches below the substrate surface to discourage pinning on the sides of the bag.

Step 7: Final Colonisation

Return your bag to incubation and allow the substrate to fully colonise. This stage typically takes around 7 days if your spawn and substrate were mixed thoroughly. When your substrate is fully colonised, you are ready to initiate fruiting.

Step 8: Fruiting

Keep your bag fully extended and upright with the paper clips secured in place, ensuring the filter patch remains free of obstructions. Move your bag to a location with indirect light. Room temperature is suitable for UK (around 22°C is ideal).

Cut a 2-inch slit under the filter patch to introduce fresh air. Condensation should be visible on the inside of the bag.

Only mist lightly with water if the substrate is looking dry—otherwise leave it alone!

Once you observe hyphal knots forming on the substrate surface, mushrooms should begin to develop within approximately one week. They will start small but grow rapidly in size if conditions remain optimal.

Congratulations! You have now grown your own mushrooms!