Lexi Webster
While magic mushrooms are illegal in Australia, there are still many other types of mushrooms that can be grown at home. Mushroom growing kits are available for purchase online, and they make the process easy and fun. Mushrooms have specific conditions for growth, but these kits allow you to grow your own gourmet mushrooms without the hassle. You can grow mushrooms in a bucket or in a kit, and there are videos online that can help you get started. Mushrooms grow from spores, which are collected and propagated on sterile cereal grain to produce spawn. This spawn is then mixed with a substrate and placed on trays in growing rooms. The growing rooms are carefully controlled to promote growth, and soon mushrooms appear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Species | Agaricus bisporus, Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe subaeruginosa, Oyster, Shiitake |
| Mushroom Type | Edible, Magic/Psychedelic |
| Growing Method | Commercial Farming, Mushroom Kits, Bucket |
| Spawn | Sterile Cereal Grain |
| Compost | Organic mixture with nutrients, carbon, and nitrogen |
| Substrate | Large trays or beds |
| Temperature | Broad range, room temperature |
| Humidity | Controlled |
| Carbon Dioxide Levels | Controlled |
| Harvesting | By hand, 4-5 flushes per cycle, refrigerated post-harvest |
| Shipping | Within 24 hours of picking |
| Legal Status | Cultivation, manufacture, possession, use, and supply of psilocybin are illegal |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushroom biodiversity in Australia
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms that produce psilocybin, are understudied in Australia due to their status as controlled substances. Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound with effects similar to LSD. While over 200 species of mushrooms worldwide are known to produce psilocybin, there are only an estimated 20-30 species of magic mushrooms in Australia, some native and some introduced.
The University of Queensland is home to Australia's first legal, living collection of native magic mushrooms, curated by mycologist and evolutionary biologist Dr Alistair McTaggart. Dr McTaggart's research aims to safeguard the genetic diversity of magic mushrooms in Australia and understand their biology. He believes that Australian species of psychoactive mushrooms are unique from their global relatives and may have evolved different methods for psilocybin production.
Dr McTaggart's research also focuses on the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms. Clinical trials are currently underway at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, where terminally ill patients are being treated with psilocybin under medical supervision. It is hoped that psychedelic medicines will give these patients a new perspective on their lives and reduce their fear and depression.
In addition to their therapeutic potential, magic mushrooms have historically played a role in medicine in Australia. Dr Alistair McTaggart has studied the history of Australian magic mushrooms and their medicinal uses. However, consuming magic mushrooms can be dangerous as they can be mistaken for toxic mushrooms.
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Magic mushroom cultivation kits
That being said, there are companies that sell magic mushroom cultivation kits, such as North Spore, which offers premium mushroom grow kits, sterile substrates, organic grain, and sawdust spawn. Another company, Little Acre, offers mushroom grow kits that are suitable for a variety of temperatures and climates. Their kits are known to "fruit" in a broad temperature range, making them comfortable in most Australian climates.
These kits typically come with everything needed to get started, including a growing bag, quick setup instructions, and locally sourced ingredients. Some kits even include additional items like alcohol pads, hand sanitizer, rubber bands, bag clips, and stickers. The process of growing magic mushrooms with these kits is often described as fun and easy, and many people report successful harvests.
When using a cultivation kit, it is important to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer. However, some general tips for growing mushrooms include creating conditions that are relatively cool, moist, and shady, as mushrooms prefer indirect sunlight and high humidity. Additionally, mushrooms should be grown in a well-ventilated area to prevent spore load, especially if there are individuals with respiratory allergies or compromised immune systems in the household. It is also recommended to keep pets away from the mushrooms, as they can get sick if they eat them raw.
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How to grow magic mushrooms in a bucket
In Australia, mushrooms are typically grown in highly controlled indoor environments. However, if you're a beginner, growing mushrooms in a bucket is a great way to get started. You can grow mushrooms in a variety of containers, but buckets are simple and useful. They are easy to come by, reusable, self-supporting, stackable, and suitable for small-scale production.
To grow mushrooms in a bucket, you will need a heavy-duty 5-gallon bucket with a locking lid, a large cooking pot, water, and your substrate. Before inoculation, sterilise your workstation and the substrate. Wipe down all surfaces with isopropyl alcohol, close the windows, turn off any fans, remove any animals, and wear a mask. Add your substrate to the bucket; this can be composted manure, straw, wood pellets, coffee grounds, or a mixture of substrates. Bring ¾ to 1 gallon of water to a boil and add it to the bucket with the substrate. Quickly mix and put the lid on. The boiling water will kill any unwanted bacteria.
Let the mixture sit and cool overnight. Once cooled, prepare the spawn. The spawn is the mycelium starter used for mushroom production. It can be purchased from specialised spawn producers. Mix the spawn with the substrate and place it in the bucket. A layer of peat moss can be spread over the substrate to help retain moisture. The mycelium will spread throughout the substrate, allowing the mushrooms to get the necessary nutrients.
Oyster mushrooms are the greatest choice for bucket growing. They grow quickly and are less sensitive to environmental factors. With the right care, you can successfully grow mushrooms in a bucket and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
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Magic mushroom growing conditions
Magic mushrooms are part of the Psilocybe genus of fungi, which contains over 200 species that produce psilocybin worldwide. In Australia, there are an estimated 20–30 species of magic mushrooms, some native and some introduced.
Magic mushrooms grow in dung or in leaf litter on damp forest floors. They require very specific conditions to grow and flourish. They grow in abundance from the tip of Queensland to the southernmost forests of Tasmania.
To grow magic mushrooms, you will need to purchase a grow kit or source the materials and set up the growing space yourself. The growing space should be a highly controlled environment with carefully controlled temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels to promote growth. The growing medium should be pasteurised to keep it clean and free of unwanted insects, weeds, and organisms. The resulting compost is a rich, organic mixture that provides the mushroom spawn with the necessary nutrients, carbon, and nitrogen for growth.
Once the growing medium is prepared, the spawn is mixed with the substrate and placed on large trays or ‘beds’ in the growing rooms. A layer of peat moss is spread over the substrate because it helps to retain moisture. A web-like mass called mycelium spreads throughout the substrate, allowing the mushrooms to get the nutrients they need to grow. Pin-like mushrooms will soon appear on top of the peat moss.
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Harvesting magic mushrooms
Initiation
Initiation is a critical step in the mushroom cultivation process. For Oyster, Chestnut, and Pioppino mushrooms, initiation involves cutting the bags diagonally from corner to corner on the broad side. This allows for side or top fruiting. It is important to note that second flushes will occur from the same cuts. Lion's mane mushrooms require small Vs or Xs to be cut into the bag, typically two on the broad side and one on the compact side. These cuts provide space for the mushrooms to develop, so adequate spacing is crucial.
Timing is Key
Mushrooms grow in "flushes," and it is essential to harvest them at just the right time. Each flush typically lasts about three weeks, and mushrooms can produce four to five flushes in one growing cycle. Harvesters must carefully monitor the mushrooms' growth to ensure they are not too big or too small when picked. Additionally, if mature mushrooms are not harvested early enough, they will release spores, potentially making it more challenging to get another flush from the same area.
Dehydration and Rehydration
After harvesting the first flush, the mycelium can be rehydrated to induce subsequent flushes. Dehydrating the mushrooms after harvesting helps preserve them. However, it is important to act quickly, as mushrooms only stay fresh for about a week.
Environmental Considerations
Maintaining optimal environmental conditions is crucial for successful mushroom cultivation and harvesting. Grow rooms should have controlled temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. Proper ventilation is also essential, with a general rule of exchanging all the air in the room every five to ten minutes. When using fans, it is better to blast new air in for a minute or two rather than having a low-level fan running constantly.
Post-Harvest Care
After harvesting, it is common to steam the growing rooms at 65°C to eliminate pest contamination. The harvested mushrooms are then immediately refrigerated to maintain freshness. Quick shipping ensures that the mushrooms reach their destination within 24 hours of being picked, preserving their quality.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the cultivation, manufacture, possession, use and supply of psilocybin is illegal throughout Australia.
Magic mushrooms grow in dung or in leaf litter on damp forest floors. You can also buy a mushroom growing kit, which will provide the right conditions for your mushrooms to grow.
Mushroom growing kits provide everything you need to learn the full mushroom cultivation process. They are perfect for beginners and can be used indoors.
There are an estimated 20-30 species of magic mushrooms in Australia, some of which are native. Oyster mushrooms are a popular variety, as are shiitake mushrooms.
Mushrooms can produce four to five 'flushes' from one growing cycle, which can last up to 3 weeks with constant harvesting.
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