We Guarantee our PF Tek Kits up to the fully colonized stage provided you adhere to the following:
- Use one 10ml MyShrooms Syringe with one MyShrooms PF Tek Kit.
- Inoculate the PF Tek Kit within 4 days of receiving it. If this is unavoidable we suggest storing the kit in the fridge.
- Follow all of our growing instructions below.
- Email pictures of the PF Tek Kit if it is not growing correctly to sales@myshrooms.co.za with your order number.
- Once we are happy that you have followed the instructions and been given the go ahead that we will replace the kit, please replace your order through our online store. When you checkout choose the EFT option (do not make payment) and get back to us with your invoice number so we can process your replacement order.
Please note that while the culture syringes can be stored for a few weeks the PF Tek Kits need to be inoculated as soon as possible after the delivery.
Step 1
Gather everything you need:
- Liquid Culture Syringe
- Tek Kit
- Alcohol Swabs
- Lighter
It is best to work in a clean room with as little airflow as possible, with all windows and doors closed. Make sure you do a visual inspection of the Tek Kit to ensure there is no contamination – the most common form of infection will appear as a green mould. If you are unsure take a photo and email it to sales@myshrooms.co.za.
Step 2
Keep clean, take a shower scrub your hair, hands and arms.
Remove the rubber band keeping the syringe plunger in place, shake the syringe thoroughly.
Step 3
Use the alcohol swabs provided to wipe down and around each injection port and leave the swabs in place over the port.
Step 4
Use the lighter flame to sterilize the syringe needle until it glows.
Let it cool down for about 15 seconds before use.
Step 5
Insert the needle fully into the first inoculation port of the Tek Kit.
Try to angle the needle and inject the culture so it runs down the side of the Tek Kit.
Inject HALF the contents in a steady stream down the side of the container. When removing the syringe hold down the grey injection port with two fingers while removing the syringe with your other hand.
Repeat step 4 by flame sterilizing the needle.
Inject the rest of the contents into the second injection port.
If when squirting syringe into Tek Kit if feels like it is getting blocked try draw some liquid back in and push again.
Step 6
With a marker clearly label your Tek Kit with the inoculation date & type of mushroom you are growing.
Place into a dark cupboard at room temperature and wait for colonization.
Keep the plastic bag it came in to fruit the Tek Kit once it is colonized but do not keep the Tek Kit in the plastic bag while it is colonizing.
Depending on the species the fastest growth occurs between 20 – 27 C and will usually take 4-6 weeks.
Step 7
Once the Tek Kit is 100% colonized it is time to remove your mushroom cake from the Tek Kit and fruit your mushrooms.
Remove the lid from the container, turn it upside down and remove the mushroom cake – try be as gentle as possible.
The cake has a 3cm layer of Vermiculite at the top (closest to where the lid was) which helps prevent contamination, this needs to be removed before fruiting. It may have white strands of mycelium that has grown into this layer but the layer should be gently scraped away while running under water until you reach the solid cake.
Soak the cake in a container of water in the fridge overnight for 6-12 hours.
It is now ready to Fruit.
There are many different fruiting methods, the simplest is to place the cake on a small plate or plastic lid and place inside a plastic bag. Do not seal the bag as it needs some airflow.
A light mist should be applied a few times daily to keep the humidity high, this should be applied to the sides of the bag, try not get the cake directly wet.
Each time you mist it fan in some fresh air for 30 seconds.
They will grow best in a light area but should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
We advise doing some google/youtube searches on:
“how to fruit your PF Tek Kit ”
The mycelium growth inside your Tek Kits is generally pure white (depending on species) but if a green mould appears it is likely that is trichoderma which is an infection and then it should be discarded immediately.
While the syringe cultures will last a few weeks the Tek Kits should be inoculated within a few days of receiving.
Thanks for your support , we hope to hear from you soon.
If there is a product or strain you would like that we do not have listed please let us know.