While Golden Teachers are known for their resilience and moderate fruiting, patience and proper technique are essential for a successful harvest.
The process of growing Golden Teachers is similar to other strains, which we’ll detail below. This strain benefits greatly from a consistent environment with adequate humidity. We’ve found that growing this strain in monotubs with proper ventilation and humidity control yields the best results.
You can check out our complete guide to shroom cultivation for more information.
Step 1: Prepare Your Substrate
First, mix your substrate. The best mixture for Golden Teachers is 2 parts vermiculite, 2 parts brown rice flour, and 1 part water. Fill your mason jar up to about three centimeters from the rim, and then fill the rest with dry vermiculite to act as a contamination barrier.
Step 2: Sterilization
Next, sterilize your substrate. Cover your mason jar with an upside-down lid or tinfoil, and place it in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Increase the pressure and bring it up to sterilization temperatures (over 121 degrees F) for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Inoculation
Once the substrate is sterilized and cooled, inoculate it with your Golden Teachers spores. Ensure a sterile environment during this process to avoid contamination. Use a flame-sterilized needle to inject the spores into the substrate through holes in the lid.
Step 4: Incubation & Colonization
Incubate your sealed jar at around 85% humidity or greater and between 70 and 80 degrees F. Keep the jar in the dark until the entire substrate is covered in white mycelium, indicating full colonization.
Step 5: Fruiting
Add your colonized substrate to a fruiting chamber with moist vermiculite or another humidity-retaining layer. Maintain a humidity level of around 85% and a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees F. Ensure proper ventilation to encourage fruiting.
Step 6: Harvest
Once your mushrooms are ripe (the veil on the bottom side of the shrooms will break), you’re ready to harvest. You should be able to get multiple flushes from each batch. After the first flush, you can dunk the substrate in water for a few hours to rehydrate it before returning it to the fruiting chamber for additional flushes.
Golden Teachers can provide several good flushes before contamination risks increase. If contamination does occur, discard the affected substrate to prevent it from spreading to other batches.
By following these steps and maintaining a controlled environment, you can successfully grow Golden Teachers and enjoy their unique characteristics and effects.
FAQs
- How long does it take for Golden Teachers to colonize?The colonization process for Golden Teachers typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity levels maintained during incubation.
- What is the optimal fruiting temperature for Golden Teachers?The optimal fruiting temperature for Golden Teachers is between 65 and 75 degrees F. Maintaining this temperature range will promote healthy growth and fruiting.
- How can I prevent contamination during the inoculation process?To prevent contamination, ensure you work in a clean environment. Sterilize all tools and surfaces, use a flame-sterilized needle for spore injection, and wear gloves and a mask to minimize the introduction of contaminants.
- How many flushes can I expect from Golden Teachers?You can typically expect 3 to 4 good flushes from Golden Teachers before the substrate becomes exhausted or contamination risks increase.
- What should I do if my substrate becomes contaminated?If your substrate becomes contaminated, it’s best to discard it immediately to prevent the spread of contaminants to other batches. Always maintain cleanliness and sterilization throughout the growing process to minimize contamination risks.
