The Maitake Liquid Culture Syringe contains liquid mycelium developed from pure mushroom cultures which in turn have been grown with high-quality malt and yeast extracts. This type of liquid mycelium is considerably more effective than cultures made with spores. A major advantage of using a liquid culture is its even distribution through a substrate, such as grain, resulting in faster and more efficient colonization.

The contents of this syringe are specifically intended for colonizing substrates and should not be consumed directly. The Maitake mushroom, the end product of this culture, has a rich history in cultural and traditional practices, mainly within Asian communities. Its special value in society is also reflected in its nickname, which emphasizes the excitement and appreciation people feel when finding this mushroom. Today, Maitake’s popularity remains high, whether for culinary use, as a supplement, or because of its supposed health benefits.

Contents

These items are further packaged in a zippered bag to further protect against contamination.

• 1x 20ml liquid culture in a syringe
• 1x alcohol wipe
• 1x sterile needle

Use

• Add 1-2ml per 1L jar of sterilized grain.
• Shake the liquid culture well before use
• Be patient after inoculation. The Maitake mycelium has slow and sometimes irregular growth. It may seem like no growth is taking place, but the process has probably already begun.

After use

• Store it again in the refrigerator.
• Dry the needle thoroughly with a new alcohol wipe before replacing the protective cap to prevent rust.
• Optional: use a lighter to heat the needle and evaporate any remaining water. Then let it cool before replacing the cap.
• Put the liquid culture in a ziplock bag for extra protection and place it back in the refrigerator.

These instructions ensure that the liquid culture remains effective and usable for as long as possible.

What substrate do we grow on?

Large-scale cultivation of Maitake requires a specific bulk substrate. You can use different hardwoods for this purpose, such as hardwoods (poplar, oak, alder, maple, birch, ash, beech, elm) mixed with bran. Another popular mix is the “master’s mix,” which contains an equal ratio of hardwood sawdust and soybean hulls. Should you prefer a more natural approach, it is also possible to cultivate Maitake outdoors directly on hardwood logs.

Stage 1: Growth conditions

• Phase 1: Mycelial growth
• Temperature: 21 – 24°C
• Humidity: 95 – 100%
• Duration: 14 – 30 days, then rest period 30 days
• Light: n/a.

Phase 2: Primordia formation phase -1

• Temperature: 10 – 15.6 °C
• Humidity: 95%
• Duration: 5 – 10 days
• Light: 100 – 500 lux

Phase 3: Primordia phase -2

• Temperature: 10 – 15.6 °C
• Humidity: 90 – 95%
• Duration: 10 – 14 days
• Light: 100 – 500 lux

Stage 4: fruiting and harvesting

• Temperature: 13 – 16 (18)°C
• Humidity: 75 -85%
• Duration: 14 – 21 days
• Light: 500 – 1,000 lux
• Cropping cycle: 2 rinses, every 3-4 weeks

Storage advice

• Use the liquid culture within 2 months.
• Store it in the refrigerator or another cool, dark location.
• Avoid exposure to UV light.