1. Inject 3mls of spores or liquid culture about 1/4 in into the self-healing injection port on the bag. Now put the bag into a dark, warm location around 75-80 degrees for about 10 days or until the bag is 50% colonized. Once the bag is halfway colonized, mix the bag thoroughly and allow it to colonize fully.

 

2. Next, the fully colonized spawn is added to a bag of sterilized substrate. We recommend using 2 parts of colonized spawn to 3 parts of substrate. Mix these together and allow the bag to colonize for an additional 10-14 days in a dark, warm location around 75-80 degrees. After 10-14 firmly pat the side of the block to see if it feels solid. If it’s solid, then it’s ready to go, and it still feels loose, let it sit longer.

 

 3. Fill a tub with 3-4 quarts of perlite. Add water to the perlite until it is fully saturated and no longer can hold water. Place a piece of aluminum foil inside the tub, on top of the perlite. Now, remove the fully colonized block and place it on the aluminum foil. 

 

Daily light and fresh air exchanged are now introduced to initiate pinning:

A) Provide the tub with 8-12 hours of light per day: light can be in the form of non-direct sunlight by placing the tub by a window or it can be by using a light bulb or led light strip.

B) Provide the tub with a minimum of 3-4 fresh air exchanges a day are required by fanning out the tub to circulate new air in. Simply remove the lid from the tub and use it to fan in new air and fan out the old air.

A light misting is recommended 2-3 times a day, to keep the tub wet and prevent the block from drying out.  Be sure to always keep the sides of the tub misted to the point that water droplets begin to roll down into the perlite, however, only a light misting on the block itself is needed (never mist the block to the point that water droplets form and roll off the block.)

 

4. After 10-14 days, the blocks will be ready to harvest. After harvesting, submerge blocks in distilled water for 12-16 hours. Do not use sink water as it may contain chemicals that will inhibit growth. Place blocks back into the fruiting chamber and repeat fruiting instructions.

Repeat these steps until the block no longer fruits or contamination naturally begins to decompose the block (about 3-4+ flushes).
If you have an air purifier running it will help remove airborne contaminants and may help delay this process.