Buying Mushroom Spores: Legality, Types and Cost

So you’ve just come off your latest mushroom trip with a newfound perspective and purpose in life. However, obtaining more shrooms to keep up the good vibes with a microdose regimen or the occasional cup of shroom tea proves to be a chore.

Your friend of a friend is just too unreliable, while the guy you got some caps and stems from at the phish show is long gone. Or maybe you just can’t afford to buy magic mushrooms at what they cost in your area.

If you’re ready to take the next step in satisfying your interest in magic mushrooms and decide to grow your own, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a breakdown of the very first step in growing your own mushrooms – obtaining spores.

What are Psychedelic Mushroom Spores?

Just as all plants begin with seeds, mushrooms begin with spores. Spores contain the genetic material needed to form different subspecies of fungi.

We’re not talking about ordinary shiitake spores for making mushroom soup – we’re talking about Psilocybe cubensis spores, the most commonly cultivated psychedelic mushroom. Spores for other species of psilocybin mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cyanescens and others, can also be obtained. For the sake of an easy learning curve, let’s start with Cubensis.

Once a medium is inoculated with spores or introduced into the host substrate or medium and absorbed, a network of threadlike, white, branched filaments called mycelium forms.

The mycelium grows best in substrates such as brown rice flour, coir, manure or other enriched media. Once the substrate is fully colonized with mycelium at a healthy white concentration, it is then incubated at the right temperature, humidity and light for the mushrooms to grow or fruit.

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What is a spore print?

Spores develop in a mushroom’s gills and will shoot out or fall from a fully mature mushroom that has already fruited. Growers can make spore prints from the gills of fresh mushrooms by placing a sheet of plastic, paper, or foil under the mushroom cap. Over the course of several hours, the residue that forms the spore print should be visible.

Imprints can then be scraped off for powder and placed in a spore syringe.

What are spore injections?

Spore prints are placed in spore syringes to best place them in a substrate to achieve their main goals – colonization and germination. These syringes consist of sterilized water and spores of a specific type of fungus. Vendors manufacture these spore solutions and syringes in a sterilized laboratory to eliminate any possible contamination.

Syringe sizes are typically 10cc (or 10mL). Normally an average of 2-4 ml of spore solution is required to achieve proper colonization. It is recommended not to exceed the typical injection amount of 2-4cc to reduce excess moisture in substrate containers that could lead to irreversible mold growth. Leftover spore solution can be used for other substrates if stored and sterilized properly.

Spore vendors also ship a sterile needle attachment that attaches to a syringe to insert or inoculate the spores directly into the substrate. Although these needles are shipped sterile, as with most mushroom growing methods, always re-sterilize before use.

Are magic mushroom spores legal to buy?

Possession of psilocybin is illegal in the US. Psilocybin is not present in the spores themselves, but it develops later as the mushroom grows. Because of this, the legality of shipping and possessing spores that transform into psychedelic mushrooms is unclear.

Spore sellers typically ship to 47 out of 50 US states – California, Idaho and Georgia currently have bans restricting the sale of spores even though they don’t actually contain psilocybin. Be sure to check your state’s specific laws.

Trusted vendors often sell spurs for educational purposes only and often do not sell cultures to customers under the age of 18.

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How and where to buy magic mushroom spores?

Web forums like mycotopia.net have numerous comment threads from a worldwide community of mushroom growers. We can’t personally vouch for any company, but we recommend doing your research – the most reputable companies have kept their businesses running for years with best practices, trusted products, and strong customer service. Don’t hesitate to contact a specific provider via email or phone if you have any questions or concerns.

How much do fungal spore syringes cost?

Expect to pay between $18 and $25 per spore syringe, shipping not included. Many suppliers offer bundle discounts for multiple sprayers of the same subspecies, or offer mix-and-match options for those looking for a variety of subspecies to grow.

Spore syringes can be easily purchased online from a trusted vendor using a credit or debit card. Some providers accept digital payments via Cashapp, Applepay, and Bitcoin for discretion, while others are more old-school in their payment methods, requiring a phone call or cash (yep, CASH) to place orders.

How are spore syringes packaged and shipped?

Spore syringes are typically shipped domestically via USPS or carriers such as UPS, in ziplock plastic bags and in plain boxes.

Most spore sellers operate on common sense principles – meaning no identifiable information is visible stating what the package contains. Many spore companies also use alternative shipping names for themselves on the label for an added level of anonymity.

Before ordering, check your local laws and be sure to confirm shipping practices and package contents with your carrier.

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How do I store spore syringes?

Keep spore syringes in the fridge until ready to use, especially if you decide not to vaccinate immediately or if you have some spores left over from a vaccination. They should be kept in the refrigerator in a clean and sterile ziplock bag for maximum shelf life. This practice keeps the sprayers away from airborne contaminants and humidity changes that could affect the spores.

There is some back and forth as to how long properly stored and clean spore syringes can still be used successfully. Some mycologists believe that any spores stored after six months are degraded. Others claim to have successfully germinated mushrooms with spores that were several years to several decades old! It’s all about how many mushrooms you want to grow at one time, sterilization and storage methods, and the quality of the spore genetics involved.

However, the best way to optimize your purchase is to vaccinate sooner rather than later, ideally within six months.

What subspecies of mushrooms should I grow?

Given an ideal temperature and humidity, and a sterile environment, many subspecies of psychedelic mushrooms will practically grow by themselves.

To be safe, start with a Cubensis subspecies such as B+, Golden Teachers, Penis Envy, Ecuadorian, Amazonian, or Cambodian Spores. All of these grow easily and aggressively, both the mycelium in the substrate and the fruiting bodies. These subspecies are often more tolerant of minor changes in temperature, humidity, and habitat.

Can I make my own spore syringes?

Many experienced breeders make their own spore prints and syringes. However, if you are new to mushroom growing, we recommend that you first master the basics of the mushroom growing process. Once you’ve completed the entire process and checked your local laws, move on to the next phase by making your own casts and syringes.

The spore print process – much like mushroom cultivation in general – is highly dependent on successful sterilization processes.

Anthony DiMeo

Anthony DiMeo is a cannabis advocate and journalist who still believes countercultural evolution is possible. His work and dedication has been featured in DOPE, Extraction Magazine, Terpenes & Testing Magazine and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Check out Anthony DiMeo’s articles

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