Need help to start growing shrroms.

[kaotickaos]

I have no idea what the process is to start or even what you need. Could someone give me some advice on how to start growing?

EDIT: Lurked ^_^

[jesusfish]

I'm a little short on time right now so I can't right up a full description but the basics behind the process are:

Preparationp
Gather your supplies, prepare your substrate, and sterilize *everything.* It is extremely important that everything is clean and germ free, contamination is going to be your biggest problem.

Innoculation
Introduce the spores into the substrate - I suggest using a syringe as it is easier to sterilize and the substrate is exposed tot he least amount of air. Run the needle through an alcohol flame (candles and lighters don't burn clean) until it glows. Cool it by squirting a little of the solution out, and then squirt a bit into your jar through a hole in the top.

Incubation
Store the jars in a dark place with a temperature of 85 degrees F and a high humidty. Check them regularly for signs of contamination: any odd odors, colors, or odd paterns in the growth. Immedietly remove the contaminated jars. After several weeks in those conditions the jars should be completely colonized.

Fruiting
Remove the cakes from the jars and place in a container with enough space for mushrooms to grow. If you plan on casing, now is the time. A light is not necessary because mushrooms do not obtain any energy from light as plants do, but they will grow towards a light source. So if you want your mushrooms to grow upwards rather than in all directions you should expose them to light for a few hours a day. A simple box with a clear top will surfice. Continue to check for signs of contamination and also remove any of the black spots where mushrooms failed to form.

Harvesting
You'll want to pick your mushrooms when the veil just begins to tear from the cap. Some people suggest use a clean pair of scissors to cut the mushroom away from the cake and preserving as much of the colony as possible while others simply pull gently at the base.

Preparation
Mushrooms must be taken or dried immedietly after they are harvested. Any moisture will cause them to rot. The simplest way of drying is to lay them on a bed of rice and place in the refrigerator. If you can't put them in the fridge try to put them in a cool, dark, and dry spot with a fan blowing across them.

Storing
Keep the dried mushrooms away from heat, light, moisture, and air. The method I use (as discussed in another thread) is to fill mason jars with CO2 and store them in the fridge.

A few FAQs you should read:

Flesh of the Gods: The Magic Mushroom FAQ
Mushroom Drying and Storage
Growing Mushrooms for Fun and Profit (INSTALLMENT 2)

Also check out shroomery.org and read a few of the guides. They're fairly short, usually only a few pages in length, and there are very few variations in the methods. Once you read a few you should have a pretty good idea of what you are doing but if you have any questions feel free to ask us.