Before you start making your spore syringe, it is important to ensure that the space you are making it in is clean and sterile. It is essential that you minimize contamination from other fungi spores or bacteria. The process of making a spore syringe is relatively simple. A spore syringe contains sterile water containing hydrated spores, which is referred to as spore solution. The hydration of your spores is incredibly important as dry spores are highly unlikely to germinate. This makes it a vital process before mushroom breeding can begin. As the spores in spore syringes are naturally hydrated and ready to go, spore syringes are very convenient to use.

You will need the following to make a spore syringe:

    •    Water
    •    A spore print
    •    Empty & sterile syringes
    •    A beaker or a narrow-necked glass flask
    •    Pressure cooker
    •    Tweezers
    •    Scalpel
    •    Tin foil
    •    Burner or gas hob
 

The process of making a spore syringe

    •    The first step in making your spore syringe is to sterilize your water and glass beaker.  Once sterilized, fill your beaker halfway with water and cover it with tin foil to prevent any air from entering the beaker.

    •    Next, place your beaker/bottle in the pressure cooker and heat it until it reaches 15psi. Once 15psi is reached, lower the temperature of your pressure cooker so that it is maintained for approximately 30 minutes.

    •    After 30 minutes, turn off the heat completely and allow the water to cool to room temperature.

This is a vital step in the process of making your spore syringe. If you proceed while the water is still hot, you run a big risk of killing the mushroom spores. It will take a few hours for the water to cool down to room temperature. A good idea is to let the water sit overnight.

    •    Once the cooling process is completed, you are ready to make your spore syringe. Start by sterilizing your tweezers and scalpel in a flame.

    •    Remove the tin foil you placed over your beaker.

    •    Using your sterilized tweezers, remove the spore print from its storage and hold it over the opening of the beaker.

    •    Use your sterilized scalpel to carefully scrape some of the spores into the water.

    •    Fill your syringe instantly by placing the tip of your first syringe in the water and filling it up as soon as you’ve scraped the spores into the water. It is a good idea to empty the syringe back into the beaker, and to repeat this process a few times. This will ensure that there is a good spread of spores throughout the water. Do this every time you add more mushroom spores to the water.

    •    Once you’ve filled your syringe, leave it at room temperature for 2-3 days in order for the spores to fully hydrate.

    •    After 2-3 days, store your syringe in an airtight zip lock bag or in a fridge for future use. Once properly stored, your spore syringes will remain viable for 2-6 months.

This is one method that can be used to make a mushroom spore syringe. There are several variations of this method, some of which use more advanced equipment and containers to increase the chances of your mixture staying sterile. This method is however a good solid foundation that will undoubtedly yield a great success rate and excellent results.