How to Grow Cordyceps Militaris Full Tutorial

Summary

This video from Sporn Sprout offers two methods for cultivating the highly valuable Cordyceps militaris mushrooms, renowned for their medicinal properties. The first method involves creating a liquid culture using honey dissolved in warm water, which is then pressure sterilized and inoculated with spores. The substrate and broth are prepared with specific ingredients and cooked in a rice cooker. The mixture is cooled under a laminar flow hood and transferred to a sterilized bin, inoculated, and incubated in darkness. The second method uses jars with a similar substrate but different measurements, followed by pressure sterilization and inoculation. Both methods require careful incubation and lighting to initiate fruiting, with the mushrooms maturing between the 50th and 60th day.

Takeaways

• 🍄 CPS militaris is a highly valuable mushroom due to its medicinal compounds.
• 📊 The process begins with creating a liquid culture using honey dissolved in warm water.
• 🔬 A magnetic stir bar is recommended for mixing the honey water to speed up the process.
• 🔄 The honey water mixture is pressure sterilized at 15 psi for 30 minutes.
• 🌡 After cooling, the sterilized honey water is inoculated with CPS militaris liquid culture.
• 🧪 Liquid culture should be sourced from a reputable supplier like Ryan Paul Gates at Terrestrial Fungi.
• 🌱 The substrate and broth are made by blending water, malt extract, yeast extract, and brown rice.
• 🍚 The brown rice and broth mixture is cooked in an instant rice cooker and then cooled in a laminar flow hood.
• 🧴 The sterilite container is prepared with air holes and wiped down with bleach water and isopropyl alcohol.
• 💉 Liquid culture is added to the cooled rice, and the container is sealed with micropore tape for incubation.
• 💡 After incubation, the mycelium is exposed to light for fruiting, using an LED light strip or under cabinet lights.
• 🕒 The fruiting process takes approximately 14 days to start pinning, with full maturity between the 50th and 60th day.

Q & A

What are the two methods mentioned in the video for growing Cordyceps militaris?

The two methods mentioned in the video for growing Cordyceps militaris are the bulk bin method and the individual jar method.

Why is Cordyceps militaris considered one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world?

Cordyceps militaris is considered one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world due to the medicinal compounds it contains, such as nucleotides, polysaccharides, sterols, proteins, amino acids, and polypeptides.

What is the first step in growing Cordyceps militaris according to the video?

The first step is to create a large amount of liquid culture using honey dissolved in warm water, which is then pressure sterilized.

What is recommended to speed up the process of dissolving honey in water?

Using a magnetic stir bar is recommended to speed up the process of dissolving honey in water.

At what pressure and duration should the honey water be pressure sterilized?

The honey water should be pressure sterilized at 15 psi for 30 minutes.

Who is recommended to purchase the liquid culture from for growing Cordyceps militaris?

The video recommends purchasing the liquid culture from Ryan Paul Gates at Terrestrial Fungi.

What should be done with the master syringe received from Ryan Paul Gates?

The master syringe received from Ryan Paul Gates should be immediately stored inside the refrigerator until use.

What is the purpose of using a laminar flow hood when handling the substrate and broth?

The laminar flow hood is used to maintain a sterile environment while handling the substrate and broth, preventing contamination.

How long should the inoculated rice in the bin be incubated in complete darkness?

The inoculated rice in the bin should be incubated in complete darkness for 3 days at no higher than 70° F.

What is the potential issue that can occur if the substrate is not exposed to lighting after 3 to 4 days of incubation?

If the substrate is not exposed to lighting after 3 to 4 days of incubation, a problem called 'overlay' can occur, where the mycelium becomes very thick on top of the substrate and prevents any further growth.

What is the recommended temperature range for fruiting Cordyceps militaris?

The recommended temperature range for fruiting Cordyceps militaris is between 65 and 68° F.

How long does it typically take for the Cordyceps militaris cups to fully mature?

The Cordyceps militaris cups will be fully mature between the 50th and 60th day after initiating fruiting.

Outlines

00:00

🍄 Introduction to Growing Cordyceps Militaris

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on cultivating Cordyceps Militaris, a highly valuable mushroom known for its medicinal properties such as nucleotides, polysaccharides, sterile proteins, amino acids, and polypeptides. The video promises to demonstrate two methods for growing this mushroom: the bulk bin method and the individual jar method. The initial step involves creating a liquid culture using honey dissolved in warm water, which is then pressure sterilized. After cooling, this honey water is inoculated with Cordyceps Militaris liquid culture obtained from Ryan Paul Gates at Terrestrial Fungi. The process also includes using a magnetic stir bar for mixing and incubating the liquid culture in the dark at temperatures not exceeding 70°F.

05:26

🌱 Preparing Substrate and Broth for Bulk Bin Method

The second paragraph details the preparation of the substrate and broth for the bulk bin method of growing Cordyceps Militaris. It involves blending water with malt and yeast extracts and then combining this mixture with brown rice in an instant rice cooker. After cooking, the rice is cooled in a laminar flow hood using a sterile spoon. The bin is prepared by poking holes for air exchange, cleaning with bleach water and isopropyl alcohol, and then adding the cooled rice and liquid culture. The bin is covered with micropore tape and incubated in darkness for three days at a temperature not exceeding 70°F. This paragraph also introduces an alternative method for those without a laminar flow hood, involving different measurements for the substrate and broth.

10:28

🔬 Sterilization and Inoculation for Individual Jar Method

The final paragraph explains the sterilization and inoculation process for the individual jar method. It includes pressure sterilizing a jar containing a mixture of water, malt extract, yeast extract, and brown rice at 15 psi for 45 minutes. After cooling, the jar is inoculated with liquid culture using a sterile syringe, ensuring the entire surface is covered to prevent excessive mycelium replication. The inoculated jar is then incubated in the dark for three days at a temperature not exceeding 70°F. The paragraph warns against incubating for more than 3 to 4 days to avoid a problem called 'overlay,' where excessive mycelium growth can hinder further development. The process concludes with the use of an LED light strip and a light timer to initiate pinning, with the optimal temperature range being 65 to 68°F. The video ends with a note on the expected maturation period of the mushrooms, which is between the 50th and 60th day.

Keywords

💡Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris is a species of medicinal mushroom known for its high value due to the health benefits it provides. In the video, it is the primary focus as the host demonstrates two methods for cultivating this mushroom. The script mentions that it contains various beneficial compounds such as nucleotides, polysaccharides, sterols, proteins, amino acids, and polypeptides, which contribute to its high cost and demand.

💡Liquid culture

A liquid culture in the context of the video refers to a method of growing microorganisms in a liquid medium. It is an essential first step in cultivating Cordyceps militaris, as it involves dissolving honey in water, sterilizing the solution, and then inoculating it with the mushroom's spores. The liquid culture is then incubated to allow the mycelium to grow, serving as the foundation for the subsequent steps in mushroom cultivation.

💡Inoculation

Inoculation is the process of introducing a microorganism or a fungus into a substrate to initiate growth. In the video, inoculation is mentioned when the sterilized honey water is introduced to the Cordyceps militaris liquid culture. This step is crucial as it starts the growth of the mycelium, which will eventually lead to the development of the mushroom.

💡Substrate

A substrate in mushroom cultivation is the material on which the fungus grows. In the video, brown rice is used as the substrate, mixed with water, malt extract, and yeast extract to create a nutritious environment for the Cordyceps militaris mycelium to grow. The substrate provides the necessary nutrients for the mushroom's development.

💡Broth

Broth in this context refers to a nutrient-rich liquid that is used to enhance the growth of the mycelium. The script describes a recipe for making broth that includes water, malt extract, and yeast extract. This broth is combined with brown rice to create a suitable environment for the Cordyceps militaris to grow.

💡Instant rice cooker

An instant rice cooker is an appliance used to cook rice quickly and easily. In the video, it is used to prepare the substrate by cooking the brown rice with the broth. The rice cooker simplifies the process and ensures that the rice is cooked properly before it is combined with the mycelium.

💡Laminar flow hood

A laminar flow hood is a device that provides a sterile environment by directing a constant flow of filtered air over the work area. In the video, it is used when preparing the substrate and inoculating the rice with the liquid culture to prevent contamination and ensure a clean cultivation process.

💡Pressure sterilization

Pressure sterilization is a method of sterilizing materials using high pressure and temperature. In the video, this process is used to sterilize the honey water and the jar containing the substrate and broth at 15 psi for a specified time, ensuring that all potential contaminants are killed, which is essential for successful mushroom cultivation.

💡Incubation

Incubation refers to the period during which the mycelium is allowed to grow and colonize the substrate. In the video, the liquid culture and the inoculated substrate are both incubated in the dark at temperatures no higher than 70°F for several days to promote mycelial growth.

💡Fring

Fring, or pinning, is the term used to describe the initial formation of mushroom fruiting bodies. In the video, after the incubation period, the substrate is exposed to light, which triggers the fringing process. The script mentions using an LED light strip and a light timer to provide the appropriate light and temperature conditions for fringing to occur.

💡Mycelia

Mycelia, or mycelium, is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments called hyphae. In the context of the video, the mycelium of Cordyceps militaris grows from the liquid culture and colonizes the substrate, eventually leading to the formation of mushroom fruiting bodies.

Highlights

Introduction to two methods for growing Cordyceps militaris, a highly valuable medicinal mushroom.

Cordyceps militaris contains important medicinal compounds such as nucleotides, polysaccharides, sterols, proteins, amino acids, and polypeptides.

Creating a liquid culture is the first step in growing Cordyceps militaris.

Using honey dissolved in warm water to create the liquid culture for Cordyceps militaris.

Pressure sterilization of the honey water at 15 psi for 30 minutes.

Inoculating the sterilized honey water with Cordyceps militaris liquid culture.

Recommendation to purchase liquid culture from Ryan Paul Gates at Terrestrial Fungi.

Instructions for storing the master syringe of liquid culture in the refrigerator.

Preparing the substrate and broth by blending water, malt extract, and yeast extract with brown rice.

Cooking the substrate in an instant rice cooker and cooling it in a laminar flow hood.

Preparation of the 16-quart Sterilite container for the bulk bin method.

Incubation of the inoculated rice in complete darkness for 3 days at temperatures not exceeding 70°F.

Alternative individual jar method for those without a laminar flow hood.

Pressure sterilization of the jar with substrate and broth at 15 psi for 45 minutes.

Inoculation of the jar with liquid culture through the self-healing injection port.

Incubation of the inoculated jar in the dark for 3 days at temperatures not exceeding 70°F to prevent 'overlay'.

Initiating fruiting by wrapping an LED light strip around the bin and setting a light schedule.

Maintaining temperatures between 65 and 68°F during the fruiting stage.

Expectation of pinning after about 14 days and full maturity of the cups between the 50th and 60th day.

Transcripts

welcome back to sporn sprout in this

video I'm going to show you two

different ways to grow CPS

militaris first I will show you the bulk

bin method and then I will show you the

individual jar

method CPS militaris is one of the most

expensive mushrooms in the world due to

the medicinal compounds that they

contain nucleotides polysaccharides

steriles proteins amino acids and

polypeptides can be found in Corps

militaris the first step is to create a

large amount of liquid

culture I like to use one tpoon of Honey

dissolved into 600 mL of warm

water using a magnetic stir bar is

recommended to speed up the

process

pressure sterilize the honey water at 15

psi for 30

minutes

after the sterilized honey water has

come to room temperature it is now time

to inoculate it with corp's militarist

liquid culture a breeder will isolate

two ASCO spores and mate them together

to form a new

line I recommend that you purchase your

liquid culture from Ryan Paul Gates at

terrestrial fungi the master syringe you

receive from him should be immediately

stored inside the refrigerator until

use now inoculate your sterilized honey

water with 1 to 2 ml of the liquid

culture

the liquid culture should now be

incubated in the dark at no higher than

70°

f after about 5 days of using the

magnetic stirbar the liquid culture

should look something like like

this once the liquid culture is ready to

be used you can start making the

substrate and

broth start by blending together 1 liter

of water 2 tbsp of light M extract and 2

tbspoon of yeast

extract

add five cups of brown rice and the

broth to an instant rice cooker and use

the brown rice

function

after the cycle has finished you'll have

to shut it off yourself or it will keep

it warm and burn the

bottom while it is still hot open up the

rice cooker in front of a laminar Flo

hood and stir it with a sterile

spoon

remove the insert from the instant rice

cooker and allow it to cool down

completely in front of the laminar flo

hood while the rice is cooling down you

can start prepping your 16q sterilite

container poke a hole in each of the

four corners to allow for fresh air

exchange we will cover these holes after

adding the

rice you will need to wipe down the bin

with bleach water and isopropyl alcohol

because we will not be pressure

sterilizing

it after the rice has cooled down to

room temperature it is now time to add

200 50 mL of liquid

culture

wipe the bin off one last time with

isopropyl alcohol and then add all of

the rice to the bottom in an even

layer

now just cover each hole on the Li with

one layer of micropore

tape this bin will now be incubated in

complete darkness for 3 days at no

higher than 70°

F if you don't have a laminar Flo Hood

this second method is going to be better

suited for

you we will be using the same substrate

in bro bro but just in different

measurements for this batch I don't need

a whole liter of broth so I'm going to

cut it in half and use 500 mL of

water 1 tbspoon of light Mal extract and

1 tbsp of yeast

extract

measure out 35 G of brown

rice

now just add 45 mL of the broth to the

jar of rice not including the

foam

the next step is to pressure sterilize

the jar at 15 psi for 45

minutes

once the jar is cooled down to room

temperature you can now inoculate it

with the liquid

culture

use a sterile syringe to extract the

liquid culture from the

jar

inject the jar through the self-healing

injection port with 10 to 12 mL of the

liquid

culture try to cover the whole surface

to prevent the melium from replicating

excessively the jar will now be

incubated in the dark for 3 days at no

higher than 70° f

it is important not to incubate longer

than 3 to 4 days or you will run into a

problem called

overlay if the substrate is not exposed

to lighting after 3 to 4 days the

mycelium will become very thick on top

of the substrate and it will prevent any

growth the next step is is to wrap an

LED light strip around the bin to

initiate

Fring you should use a light timer to

set the schedule for 12 hours on and 12

hours

off another option would be to use these

under cabinet

lights it is best to keep the

temperatures between 65 and 68° F while

Fring after about 14 days you should

start to see some

pinning the cups will be fully mature

between the 50th and 60th

day and that's all there is to it if you

have any questions leave a comment down

below and don't forget to Subs subscribe

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