Step 1:   Make sure all surfaces and surroundings are wiped down and sanitized well with isopropyl alcohol.

Step 2:   Wash your hands thoroughly and wipe them down with alcohol.  If you decide to use gloves be sure to wipe them down well with alcohol before you remove the cap from your syringe.

Step 2:   Wash your hands thoroughly and wipe them down with alcohol.  If you decide to use gloves be sure to wipe them down well with alcohol before you remove the cap from your syringe.

Step 3:   Have an alcohol wipe opened and ready or put some alcohol on a small area of paper towel if that’s what you have.

Step 4:   With the cap on, shake your spore syringe somewhat aggressively to break up your spores as much as you can.  Take the cap off the needle and very gently squeeze literally the first few drops into a sink, or disposal area - this is to clear any potential contaminants that, although unlikely, may be lingering inside the needle before you start.

Step 5:   Wipe the needle with alcohol and then wipe the surface of the rubber self-healing injection port on the jar.

Step 6:   Insert the needle through the center of the injection port and if possible, get the tip of the needle against the side of the glass jar (this helps get spores to the bottom of the jar).  You want your needle to be inserted at least 1/2 way to 3/4 way into the injection port.  Gently inject spores from the syringe.  IMPORTANT: Take your alcohol wipe (or paper towel w/ alcohol) and use it to hold down the rubber injection port and then slowly pull out the needle.  If you do not hold down the injection port you run the risk of the port coming out along with your needle and potential contamination.

Step 7:   Repeat steps 5 and 6 for all remaining jars.

***NOTE: After every 2 or 3 jars it is a good idea to replace your alcohol wipe with a fresh one or use a fresh area of paper towel with isopropyl alcohol. Additionally, wipe down your hands/gloves occasionally with alcohol if you are inoculating 12 jars or more (wipe down after every 3 or 4 jars). Always keep it clean, clean, clean and you won’t go wrong.

Step 8:   Once all of your jars have been inoculated put them in total darkness and wait for them to fully colonize. Keeping your jars at room temperature is generally OK. Keep the temperature between 68°F and 74°F and mycelium will slowly take over the contents of your jars. Colonization time is often much slower in lower/cooler temperatures and liquid cultures will generally grow faster than spores alone. Once fully colonized (white healthy mycelium covering 100% of the jar) it’s to move on to the next phase - which will vary depending on the type of substrate you are using. Certain substrates, such as Brown Rice Flour + Vermiculite, allow for mushrooms to fruit directly from the colonized substrate. Other substrates, such as Grains, will be best utilized in a MonoTub setup combined with additional nutrients (Coir, Gypsum, etc..).