How to Use Your DIY Grow Kit

**How to Use Your DIY Grow Kit**

**WHAT’S IN THE BOX**  
Sterilized grain (2.5 lb) • Substrate (2.5 lb) • Gloves • Alcohol wipes • Clips • Optional liquid culture

**READ FIRST (60 SECONDS)**  
• Work clean: wipe surfaces with **70% isopropyl alcohol**, **gloves on**, move **slowly**.  
• Use a **still-air box** or **flow hood** if you have one.  
• This guide covers **all substrate types** (CVG, manure/compost mixes, Master’s Mix, etc.).  
• **Gourmet/educational use only.**

**TOOLS YOU PROVIDE**  
Legal spores or liquid culture (not included) • Lighter/flame source • Paper towels • Scissors • Tape/labels • (Optional) SAB/flow hood

**PRE-STEP — OXYGEN REFRESH (DO THIS FIRST)**  
1) Gently pull the bag open at the **filter area** to let a bit of air in. Do **not** damage the filter.  
2) Set the grain bag aside for **about 1 hour** so oxygen can equilibrate.  
3) Right before inoculating, **loosen the grain** by breaking up any clumps.

**DAY 0 — INOCULATE THE GRAIN**  
1) **Needle check:**  
   • **Brand-new needle** from sealed packaging: **no wipe, no flame**.  
   • **Previously used needle:** wipe with **70% isopropyl alcohol**, then **flame-sterilize** the tip to red-hot. Let it cool **5–10 seconds**.  

2) **Prep the injection port:**  
   • Swab the bag’s **injection port** with an alcohol wipe.  
   • Do **not** puncture the filter patch.

3) **Dose (cc = mL):**  
   • **Spores:** inject the **full syringe** (typical syringes are ~10 mL).  
   • **Liquid culture:** inject **2 cc per pound of grain**.  
     – **Formula:** LC dose (mL) = **2 × bag weight (lb)**  
     – **Examples:** 1 lb bag → 2 mL; **2.5 lb bag → 5 mL**; 5 lb bag → 10 mL

4) **After injection:**  
   • If you injected **spores**: **do not mix**. Set the bag upright at **72–80°F**.  
   • If you injected **liquid culture**: **mix now** by **massaging the bag** so the liquid spreads evenly through the grain. Then set upright at **72–80°F**.

5) **Label** the bag with **date, culture type, and dose**. Keep handling to a minimum for the next few days.

**RULE OF THUMB AFTER DAY 0**  
• **Spores:** wait to mix until you see **early growth**; then do **one shake at ~30%** colonization.  
• **Liquid culture:** one gentle **mix right after injection** is good; then leave it alone until **~30%** before the next shake.

**DAYS 3–14+ — COLONIZE THE GRAIN**  
1) Watch for **white, even growth**. Bright colors or **sour/wet slime** = **contamination → discard**.  
2) When **~30% colonized**: **shake once** to redistribute, then return to **72–80°F**.  
3) **Finish to 100%** before moving on.

**COMBINE GRAIN WITH YOUR SUBSTRATE**  
1) **Clean** the substrate bag’s **seal area** with **70% isopropyl alcohol**.  
2) **Open briefly**, **add the fully colonized grain**, **close immediately** (clip or seal).  
3) **Mix thoroughly** so grain is evenly distributed.  
4) **Incubate at 72–80°F** until the block is **uniformly white/colonized**.

**FRUITING — PICK THE PATH THAT MATCHES YOUR PROJECT**  
**A) General bulk substrates** (e.g., CVG, manure/compost blends)  
• Use a fruiting environment with **fresh air exchange (FAE)**, **high humidity**, and a **day/night light cycle**.  
• Avoid **direct sun**; keep in the species’ preferred **temperature range**.  
• Harvest when fruit bodies are mature but **before heavy spore drop**.

**B) Wood-loving species on Master’s Mix** (oyster, lion’s mane, etc.)  
• **Oyster:** cut **4–8 small X-slits** on the **sides** of the bag. Maintain **high humidity** and steady **FAE**.  
• **Lion’s Mane:** cut **1–2 small cross-cuts** or a **top opening**. Keep **humidity high**; avoid strong direct airflow on the forming teeth.

**TROUBLESHOOTING**  
• **Green fuzz or bright color** = **mold → discard** the bag.  
• **Wet, slimy kernels or sour smell** = **bacteria → discard**.  
• **No growth after ~7 days:** check **temperature (72–80°F)**, culture **viability**, and **injection volume**.  
• **Condensation** on bag walls is **normal**.  
• **Slow growth:** hold **72–80°F**, minimize handling, verify culture quality.

**STORAGE**  
• Use grain within **1–2 weeks** or **refrigerate** if delaying.  
• Keep substrate **cool and sealed** until use. Avoid **heat** (cars/garages).

**NEED HELP?**  
Text/Call **(512) 670-8352** • Email **info@armadillomycosupply.com**  
**Gourmet/educational use only.**