A mycophile attempts a large-scale, simple bulk fruiting experiment with Psilocybe cubensis, Hawaiian strain. The process involves inoculating birdseed with a spore syringe, creating synthetic compost, and cloning the best fruit bodies. Cloning is done by cutting a chunk from the main fruiting body, rinsing it in 3% H2O2, and placing it in a jar with sterile distilled water and peroxide. The jar is left at room temperature for 2 weeks before being placed on agar for colonization. The birdseed spawn is prepared by simmering, straining, drying, and inoculating the jar with the peroxidated agar. A quart of birdseed spawn is used to create a bulk substrate of straw and aged cow dung. The substrate is sterilized, inoculated with the colonized spawn, and placed in a fruiting container lined with plastic bags. The mixture is colonized and casced, with the plastic sheet removed daily to expose the mycelium to light and misted with tap water. The fruits are harvested before over-maturation, and the experiment is repeated with a different strain and half-filled substrate for comparison.

The post discusses the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mushroom cultivation. H2O2 protects grains and provides an additional layer of safety, especially when dealing with non-sterile materials and open-air environments. It was used to ensure the process was both simple and effective. Colonization time for the substrate was over a week, with over- colonization leading to a yellow jelly on the surface. The post also addresses the possibility of using colonized brown rice flour/vermiculite as a spawn replacement for birdseed, suggesting a mix of whole grains and cakes for optimal nutrient levels. The humidity levels in the working room were generally in the 30s-40s for the first experiment and higher (60s-80s) for subsequent ones. The potency of the mushrooms is more affected by maturity than size, with different flushes producing varying levels of potency.