• Define the LC: A sterile sugar-water solution where mycelium grows and stays suspended.
• Mix: Use clean water with 2–4% light malt extract or honey (e.g., 2–4 g per 100 mL).
• Container: Use a jar with a breathable, filtered lid and a magnetic stir bar (optional).
• Fill: Leave headspace (no more than 50–70% full) for gas exchange and stirring.
• Label: Write LC recipe, date, and target species on tape.

Keep everything minimal and clean. Simpler media reduces contamination risks.

• Pressure cook: Sterilize LC jars at 15 psi for 20–30 minutes. Let cool fully.
• Lid integrity: Ensure filter is dry and intact; avoid wetting filters during sterilization.
• Cool down: Wait until jars reach room temperature before inoculation.

Do not rush cooling. Hot LC can kill spores or culture and create vacuum issues.

• Work clean: Wipe area with alcohol; flame-sterilize needle; wear gloves.
• Inject: Use sterile spore syringe or clean culture; insert through injection port/filtered lid.
• Mix: Swirl or stir gently to distribute inoculum.

Minimize open air exposure. Move quickly and deliberately.

• Environment: Room-warm, low light, undisturbed space.
• Agitation: Brief swirl daily or use a magnetic stirrer at low speed.
• Observation: Look for thin, wispy clouds of mycelium growing over 3–10 days.

If the LC turns murky or smells off, do not use it. Start over clean.

• Small test: Inoculate a tiny jar of sterile grain with a few drops of LC.
• Result window: Check in 2–4 days for clean, white growth (no colors, no slime).
• Pass/Fail: Clean growth = proceed. Off odors or colored fuzz = discard LC.

Testing saves time and substrate. Use minimal LC to avoid flooding the grain.

• Grain prep: Hydrate, drain, and sterilize grain (e.g., 90–120 min at 15 psi).
• Inject LC: In a clean space, add a small volume of LC to each grain jar/bag.
• Mix: Shake gently to distribute. Do not over-wet.

Less is more. Excess LC can stall or invite contaminants.

• Place: Room-warm, low light, still area.
• Timeline: 5–14 days, depending on species and LC strength.
• Checkpoint: Even white growth across grains with no colored patches.

If you see green/black growth or sour smell, stop and discard.

• Substrate: Use pasteurized straw or hydrated coco coir at field capacity (moist, not dripping).
• Combine: In a clean tub/shoebox, mix colonized grain evenly into the substrate.
• Level: Flatten the surface lightly; avoid compacting.

Moisture balance and even distribution drive consistent pin formation.

• Light: Indirect, gentle light.
• Humidity: Mist walls/lid 2–3× daily; avoid puddles on substrate.
• Fresh air: Open lid briefly 2–3× daily to exchange air.
• Watch: Pins (small buttons) form and enlarge over a few days.

Balance humidity and airflow. Too wet stalls; too dry aborts pins.

• Timing: Harvest when caps are formed and edges start to flatten; avoid heavy spore drop.
• Method: Twist at base or cut cleanly. Support substrate while removing.
• Reset: Resume mist/air for potential additional flushes.

Keep the surface tidy; remove base remnants to reduce rot.

• Clean routine: Wash hands; wipe tools and surfaces; keep lids on when not working.
• Moisture control: Substrate damp, not wet. Mist walls/lid rather than soaking the surface.
• Contamination: Green/black fuzz or sour odors = seal and discard. Do not salvage.
• Food safety: Cook thoroughly. If quality is uncertain, do not eat.

Consistency and cleanliness are more important than speed.