Can anyone help or give advice. I’d like to grow my own but the process is so overwhelming. What is the easiest way to just start and not worry about introducing additional microorganisms?
I agree with Indicah, if you’re a first timer Uncle Ben’s tek is the way to go. You can always move up to sterilizing your own grain. I also recommend making and using a still air box (SAB), it will greatly reduce your risk of introducing contamination and make your growing experience much better. Learn and practice sterile techniques. You can never be too careful with sanitization and sterilization.
If you’re a visual learner watch the videos on 90 Second Mycology youtube channel, and PhillyGoldenTeacher is awesome too, link also on the sidebar.
shroomery.org has a metric fuckton of information available, but it can be kinda daunting for beginners. Don’t let it intimidate you tho, there’s lots of good info there. Use the search bar.
Just know that even though there’s plenty of ways a grow can go wrong, most of it can be avoided by using sterile techniques. But you dont need anything fancy, just some spores, UB bags, SAB, couple small clear plastic tubs, and some coco coir. Start simple and grow from there :)
If you have any specific questions, ask us! I’ve found most online shroom communities are chill and helpful, and I’d like to continue that here on lemmy :)
You buy the growkit. You keep it in an empty compartment of the closet. You disinfect that compartment carefully. You only ever open the growkit wearing fresh gloves, having washed and disinfected hands and re desinfexted the area in which you open it.
Your main enemy is mould spores. They float in the air. Imagine you have a sterile lab like where they make co outer chips or sth
You follow the advice that comes with the growkit to the letter! Especially on the water you put in there and the soaking of the substrate!
Uncle Ben Tek imo, some people dislike it, but it’s the easiest and cheapest way to start without a pressure cooker. Check out the link to 90 second mycology in the sidebar.
shroomery.org and check out the cultivation sub forum.