Spore Germination
Awakening the genetic potential. Working with prints, swabs, and syringes.
The Swabbing Technique
Use sterile cotton-tipped wood applicators. Pro-Tip: Lightly rub between the gills. If you see the spores on the swab, you've likely rubbed too hard and collected tissue. Spores are microscopic—if they are visible to the naked eye, there are already millions of them.
Drying: Let your swabs dry out in your sterile field (SAB or FFU) before repackaging for storage.
Making Spore Prints
Harvest a fresh mushroom and place the cap gills-down on a piece of aluminum foil. Cover with a clean container to keep out dust. After 12–24 hours, you'll have a concentrated genetic map on the foil.
From Spore to Mycelium
Spores are a genetic shuffle. Germinate them on agar to select strong growth. Identifying healthy early mycelium vs. early contaminants is the skill that separates the alchemists from the amateurs.