How to Make a Spore Syringe – Easy Steps

A spore syringe is a device used for cultivating mushrooms. It consists of a syringe filled with spores, which are microscopic fungal seeds. The spores can be injected into a substrate (such as rice or sawdust) to create a mushroom culture. Simple home-based instructions and a few inexpensive supplies are all that are required to make a spore syringe. We will demonstrate how to make a spore syringe in this guide.

Materials you’ll need

• Spore print
• Sterile syringe (10-20 mL)
• Sterile water or saline solution
• Alcohol (70% or higher)
• Flame or alcohol burner
• Sterile work area (such as a laminar flow hood)

Step 1: Obtain a spore print

A grown mushroom cap placed on some paper or glass will produce a spore print, which is a collection of spores. The spores will drop onto the surface of the paper or glass, leaving behind a pattern of spores that can be used to identify the mushroom species. You can obtain a spore print by following these steps:

1. Select a mature mushroom with a cap that is fully opened and flat.
2. Cut off the stem close to the cap.
3. Place the cap, gills down, on a piece of sterile paper or glass.
4. To prevent it from drying out, place the cap inside a small glass or bowl.
5. Leave the cap undisturbed for 24-48 hours.
6. Remove the glass or bowl and carefully lift the cap away from the paper or glass.
7. You should now have a spore print on the paper or glass.

Step 2: Prepare the syringe

Before filling the syringe with spores, it’s important to ensure that it is sterile to avoid contamination. Follow these steps to prepare the syringe:

1. Remove the needle from the syringe and set it aside.
2. Draw up alcohol into the syringe and swirl it around to coat the inside of the syringe.
3. Expel the alcohol from the syringe.
4. Draw up sterile water or saline solution into the syringe, leaving a small amount of air at the top.
5. Replace the needle and sterilize it by holding it over a flame or passing it through an alcohol burner.

RELATED: Difference Between Mushroom Spawn from Mushroom Spores

Step 3: Add spores to the syringe

Now that the syringe is prepared, it’s time to add the spores. Follow these steps:

1. Use sterile forceps to pick up the spore print.
2. Break off a small piece of the spore print and drop it into the syringe.
3. Gently tap the syringe to dislodge any spores that may be stuck to the sides.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary to get all of the spores into the syringe.
5. Expel any air bubbles from the syringe by slowly pushing the plunger until a small drop of solution comes out of the needle.

Step 4: Store the spore syringe

After making the spore syringe, it’s important to store it properly to ensure that the spores remain viable. Follow these steps:

1. Label the syringe with the mushroom species and the date it was made.
2. Store the syringe in a cool, dark place (such as a refrigerator) until ready to use.
3. Before using the syringe, inspect it for any signs of contamination (such as cloudiness or discoloration).
4. If the syringe appears contaminated, do not use it.

Conclusion

Making a spore syringe is a relatively simple process that can be completed at home with just a few basic materials.