🍄 PF Tek Growing Guide

• Method: Brown Rice Flour (BRF) cakes in jars
• Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
• Timeline: 4-6 weeks from inoculation to harvest
• Yield: 1-4 ounces per 12-jar batch
• Cost: $50-100 for initial setup
• Space: Can be done in a closet or small room
• Best Strains: B+, Golden Teacher, Ecuador

Total Time: 4-6 weeks from start to first harvest

Complete Materials List

Substrate Ingredients (for 12 jars):

• Brown rice flour (BRF) - 2.5 cups (organic recommended)
• Vermiculite - 8 cups (medium or fine grade)
• Water - filtered or distilled (4 cups)

Jars & Lids:

• 12 x Half-pint wide-mouth mason jars (or 12 x 250ml jars)
• Jar lids with 4 holes each (1/4" diameter)
• Aluminum foil - to cover lids during sterilization

Sterilization:

• Large pot with lid (for steam sterilization)
• OR Pressure cooker (faster, optional)
• Jar rack or cloth - to keep jars off pot bottom
• Thermometer - to monitor water temperature

Inoculation:

• Spore syringe - 10-12cc (B+, Golden Teacher, or Ecuador recommended)
• Lighter or alcohol lamp - for sterilizing needle
• Rubbing alcohol (70%) - for disinfection
• Gloves - nitrile or latex
• Face mask - to prevent contamination

Fruiting Chamber:

• Clear storage tote - 50-66 quart with lid
• Perlite - 10-15 lbs (for humidity)
• Spray bottle - for misting
• Hygrometer - to monitor humidity (optional but helpful)
• Jar lids or foil - to elevate cakes off perlite

Birthing & Rolling:

• Large bowl or bucket - for dunking cakes
• Extra vermiculite - for rolling (dry)
• Plate or tray - for rolling surface

Mixing the Substrate

1. Measure ingredients in a large bowl:
   • 8 cups vermiculite
   • 4 cups water
2. Mix thoroughly until vermiculite is evenly moist (should hold together when squeezed but not drip)
3. Drain excess water through a strainer - substrate should be moist, not soaking
4. Add 2.5 cups brown rice flour and mix until evenly distributed

Filling the Jars

1. Prepare jar lids with 4 holes each (use hammer and nail, about 1/4" holes at edges of lid)
2. Fill each jar loosely with substrate mixture, leaving 1/2" space at top
3. Wipe jar rims clean with damp paper towel
4. Add dry vermiculite layer (1/2") on top as contamination barrier
5. Screw on lids finger-tight (don't over-tighten)
6. Cover with aluminum foil (prevents water entering holes during sterilization)

Steam Sterilization Method (Most Common)

1. Place jar rack or cloth in bottom of large pot (keeps jars off direct heat)
2. Add jars to pot (can stack if needed, but not ideal)
3. Add water to pot - about 3-4 inches deep (should not reach jar lids)
4. Cover pot with lid and bring to boil
5. Reduce to medium heat - maintain gentle rolling boil
6. Steam for 90 minutes from when water starts boiling
7. Monitor water level - add more if getting low (don't let pot run dry!)
8. Turn off heat after 90 minutes and let cool naturally

Pressure Cooker Method (Optional, Faster)

1. Follow pressure cooker instructions for your model
2. Sterilize at 15 PSI for 60 minutes
3. Allow natural pressure release

Cooling

• Leave jars in pot overnight to cool completely (12-24 hours)
• Don't rush this step - inoculating warm jars kills spores
• Jars must be room temperature before next step

Sterile Technique Setup

This is the most critical step for avoiding contamination.

1. Choose clean room - bathroom after hot shower is ideal (steam settles airborne contaminants)
2. Disinfect work area with 70% rubbing alcohol
3. Wash hands thoroughly and put on gloves
4. Wear face mask to prevent breathing on jars
5. Lay out jars and remove foil covers (leave lids on)
6. Have lighter and alcohol ready for sterilizing needle

Inoculation Process

1. Shake spore syringe vigorously to distribute spores evenly
2. Flame sterilize needle until red-hot, let cool 10 seconds
3. Wipe injection site (one of the 4 holes in lid) with alcohol
4. Insert needle at an angle against jar side, going about 1/2" deep into substrate
5. Inject 0.25-0.5cc of spore solution (small amount)
6. Withdraw needle carefully
7. Repeat for each of 4 holes in the lid (total 1-2cc per jar)
8. Move to next jar - flame sterilize needle between jars
9. Replace foil covers after inoculating all jars

Incubation Conditions

• Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C) - ideal range
• Location: Dark or low-light area (closet, cabinet, shelf)
• Duration: 2-4 weeks depending on temperature and strain
• Check weekly for progress and contamination

What to Expect

• Days 3-7: First white fuzzy growth appears at inoculation points
• Weeks 1-2: Mycelium spreads throughout jar (looks like white roots)
• Weeks 2-4: Full colonization - entire cake appears white
• Ready when: 100% white with no visible substrate, wait 7 more days after full colonization ("consolidation")

Contamination Recognition

When to Birth

• Cakes are 100% colonized (completely white)
• Wait 7 additional days after full colonization
• This "consolidation period" strengthens mycelium

Birthing Process

1. Disinfect work area with alcohol
2. Remove jar lid
3. Turn jar upside down and gently tap bottom
4. Cake should slide out - if stuck, tap sides gently or use butter knife around edges
5. Remove dry vermiculite layer from top (now bottom)
6. Inspect for contamination - discard if any green/black/pink spots
7. Repeat for all jars

Dunking (Rehydration)

1. Fill large bowl or pot with cold water (filtered/distilled preferred)
2. Submerge cakes completely
3. Weight down if needed (with plate) to keep submerged
4. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours (cold shock also triggers pinning)
5. Remove and let drain for a few minutes

Rolling in Vermiculite

1. Pour dry vermiculite onto clean plate
2. Roll each damp cake in vermiculite until coated
3. Purpose: Creates humidity layer around cake, provides microclimate
4. Gently shake off excess but maintain good coating

SGFC (Simple Glove Box Fruiting Chamber)

1. Drill holes in tote:
   • 2" holes in a grid pattern (spaced 2" apart)
   • All 4 sides and lid (NOT bottom)
   • Approximately 30-40 holes total
2. Add perlite layer:
   • Soak perlite in water for 5 minutes
   • Drain thoroughly
   • Spread 4-5 inches deep on chamber bottom
3. Place foil squares or jar lids on perlite (to keep cakes from direct contact)
4. Set cakes on foil/lids - space them apart for airflow
5. Close lid but don't seal (allow air exchange)

Fruiting Conditions

• Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
• Humidity: 90-95% (maintained by perlite)
• Light: Indirect natural light 12 hours/day or LED light
• Fresh Air Exchange: 3-4 times daily (fan chamber or wave lid)
• Misting: 2-3 times daily (spray walls and lid, NOT cakes directly)

Daily Maintenance

• Mist chamber walls 2-3x daily
• Fan fresh air 3-4x daily (30 seconds)
• Check humidity (should see tiny water droplets on chamber walls)
• Monitor for contamination

Pin Formation

• Days 5-10: Tiny "pins" appear (baby mushrooms)
• Pins look like: Small white dots that grow into mushroom shapes
• Once pinning starts: Maintain conditions exactly - don't change anything

Growth Stage

• Days 7-14: Mushrooms grow rapidly
• Continue misting & fanning - consistency is key
• They double in size daily once growing

When to Harvest

• Optimal timing: Just as veil breaks (membrane under cap tears)
• Before spores drop: Once veil breaks, mushrooms are mature
• Waiting longer: Doesn't increase potency, makes messy spore prints

Harvesting Technique

1. Wash hands or wear gloves
2. Grasp mushroom at base
3. Twist and pull gently - should come off cleanly
4. Harvest entire clusters at once when possible
5. Clean up aborts (small mushrooms that stopped growing)

After First Flush

1. Remove all pins and aborts
2. Dunk cakes again (12-24 hours in water)
3. Roll in vermiculite (optional for subsequent flushes)
4. Return to fruiting chamber
5. Repeat process for 2nd, 3rd, 4th flushes

Expected Yields

• First flush: Largest yield (40-60% of total)
• Second flush: Good yield (20-30% of total)
• Third+ flushes: Diminishing returns
• Total: 1-4 ounces dried per 12-jar batch (strain dependent)
• Cakes typically produce 3-5 flushes before exhaustion

Drying Methods

Method 1: Food Dehydrator (Best)

• Set temperature to 95-115°F (35-46°C)
• Dry for 4-8 hours until cracker-dry
• Check by bending - should snap cleanly

Method 2: Fan Drying

• Place on mesh screen or paper towels
• Point fan at mushrooms (not directly)
• Dry for 24-48 hours
• Less effective but works

Method 3: Desiccant Drying

• Pre-dry with fan for 24 hours
• Place in airtight container with desiccant
• Leave for 3-7 days until cracker-dry

Storage

• Container: Airtight jar or vacuum-sealed bag
• Add desiccant pack to prevent moisture
• Store in cool, dark place
• Shelf life: 1-2 years if properly dried and stored
• Freezing: Optional for longer storage (ensure cracker-dry first)