Mycelium Phase 1
In class, we started in phase 1. We purchased the mycelium kit, which included the sealed bag of mushroom material, 8 tablespoons of flour, a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol, face mask, and some nitrile gloves. We first wore nitrile gloves and cleaned the work area as well as our gloves using the alcohol spray and paper towels in order to prevent contamination. We also wore a face mask to prevent the germs from exhaling and possible irritation from inhaling. Then we cut the bag of mushroom material following the marked line. We mixed 4 tablespoons of flour, half what was included in the kit, with 3 cups of tap water in a separate bowl. We poured this bowl of mixture into the bag of mushroom material. We held the bag entrance and shook gently for 2-3 minutes to evenly distribute the mixture through the mushroom material. Then we taped the bag entrance. After class, we brought this bag of mushroom material back to our dorm and kept it in a dark area for about one week.
The bag of mushroom material mixed with the flour and water mixture. Materials used for this process are in the background of the picture.
The bag of mushroom material a few days after phase 1.
It didn’t seem to grow because it was an old batch. So, we went to the making center to exchange this bag into a new one and redid the phase 1 process described above. We waited for it to grow for about a week.
