Materials and Space Needed

– Clean (sanitized) area with indirect sunlight, temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees F, and a relative humidity of 85% to 90%

– Gloves, isopropyl alcohol, scissors, strong adhesive tape or sealer

– Good Mushroom Chaga liquid culture syringe

– Good Mushroom Starter Grain Jar/Bag

– Good Mushroom Substrate Grow Bag

– Optional materials include hair net, face mask, monotube for bulk grow

Step 1 – Sanitize all materials using isopropyl alcohol including your work space, liquid culture syringe and needle, and the entirety of the starter grain jar/bag

Step 2 – Shake the liquid culture syringe thoroughly to mix the mycelium. Attach the needle to the syringe, and inject 2 to 3 ml of liquid culture through the self healing port of the starter grain jar/bag in 3 to 4 different locations within the grain

Step 3 – Re-sterilize the self healing port with isopropyl alcohol and place the starter grain jar/bag in a dark room temp location and let it be

Step 4 – After 30% to 40% of the grain has been colonized, gently redistribute the mycelium throughout the jar/bag to help increase the rate of growth and coverage. Let it sit until it is 100% colonized

Step 5 – Thoroughly sanitize your gloved hands, the work space, colonized grain jar/bag, substrate grow bag, and scissors

Step 6 – Break up the grain and mycelium (shake jar or massage bag) until all of the grain is loose

Step 7 – Open the very top of the substrate grow bag by cutting it with sanitized scissors, and empty the contents of the starter grain into the top of the substrate grow bag

Step 8 – Seal the top of the substrate grow bag above the micron filter with the sealer or strong adhesive tape

Step 9 – Distribute the starter grain thoroughly by shaking and massaging the substrate grow bag until the colonized grain has been thoroughly mixed with the substrate. This will help with fast and equal colonization

Step 10 – Place the bag in the same colonization location (dark and at a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees F) and do not disturb it for 5 to 7 days. Do not open the bag until it is fully colonized

Step 11 – After 5 to 7 days, gently massage and redistribute the mycelium through out the substrate grow bag and place back in colonization location

Step 12 – Once fully colonized, sanitize your gloved hands, the entire outside of the substrate grow bag, and Xacto or precision knife. Lay the bag on its side, upright, or hang, and with the knife cut an “X” in the bag where the mushrooms have begun to pin. This will introduce FAE (fresh air exchange) and space for the fruit to grow, while helping to keep the mycelium and new mushrooms moist.

*Note – your growing location will be your controlled location including a sanitized surface, indirect sunlight 8 to 12 hours per day,temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees fahrenheit, and a relative humidity of 85% to 90%

Step 13 – Harvesting your mushrooms will take place when the conch grows to about the size of a grapefruit. This can take some time since Chaga is a very slow grower. Also, Chaga that is grown indoors can lack some of the health beneficial compounds. Live birch trees provide the nutrients for Chaga, such as betulinic acid, to be fully medicinal.

To grow your Chaga outdoors, utilize sterilized birch wood dowels to colonize. Once these dowels are fully colonized you need to find live birch trees to drill into, insert the colonized wood dowels, and be very patient. Your first harvest of Chaga could take 4 to 6 years, but would possess the health beneficial compounds that this amazing mushroom offers.