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The Magical Spores learning centre

Learn to grow gourmet mushrooms with confidence

Step by step grow guides, the Mushroom Library, a troubleshooting guide and free calculators, written by growers for growers.

Popular:How to Grow Lion’s Mane at Home: The Complete UK GuideIs My Grow Bag Contaminated? How to Spot and Deal With ContaminationHow to Use a Mushroom Grow BoxHow to Take a Clean Spore Print
Not sure where to start?Which mushroom should I grow?

Answer five quick questions about your space, temperature and experience and we will match you with the right species and kit.

Take the 60 second quiz
Learning paths

Follow a path from first harvest to lab work

BeginnerYour first harvest

Grow fresh oyster mushrooms on your worktop within a fortnight.

  1. 01How to Use a Mushroom Grow Box
  2. 02Oyster vs Lion’s Mane: Which Should You Grow First?
  3. 03The Best Mushrooms to Grow in a Cold UK Winter
  4. 04How to Take a Clean Spore Print
All beginner guides →
IntermediateGrow from culture

Inoculate your own grow bags and understand colonisation.

  1. 01How to Grow Lion’s Mane at Home: The Complete UK Guide
  2. 02How to Use an All in One Grow Bag: Inoculation to Harvest
  3. 03Is My Grow Bag Contaminated? How to Spot and Deal With Contamination
  4. 04Why Is My Grow Bag Not Colonising?
All intermediate guides →
AdvancedLab and bulk growing

Grain spawn, monotubs and scaling up with clean technique.

  1. 01How to Make Grain Spawn Step by Step
All advanced guides →
Featured

Essential guides to start with

Blue Oyster All in One Grow Bag with grown blue oyster mushroomsBeginnerGrow guidesOyster vs Lion’s Mane: Which Should You Grow First?Two of the most popular mushrooms for home growers, compared on speed, difficulty, flavour and yield so you can choose the right first grow.2 min read
Lion's Mane All in One Grow Bag with grown lion's mane mushroomsIntermediateGrow guidesHow to Grow Lion’s Mane at Home: The Complete UK Guide3 min readBlue Oyster mushroom grow kit boxBeginnerGrow guidesHow to Use a Mushroom Grow Box2 min read
Mushroom Library

Get to know every mushroom we grow

Browse the full library →
Lion's Mane Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlLion’s ManeHericium erinaceusShiitake Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlShiitakeLentinula edodesBlue Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlBlue OysterPleurotus ostreatus var. columbinusPink Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlPink OysterPleurotus djamorGolden Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlGolden OysterPleurotus citrinopileatusKing Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlKing OysterPleurotus eryngiiReishi Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlReishiGanoderma lucidumCordyceps Militaris Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlCordycepsCordyceps militarisTurkey Tail Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlTurkey TailTrametes versicolorSpeckled Chestnut Mushroom Fruiting BlockChestnut MushroomPholiota adiposa
Browse by topic

Everything you need to know, in one place

Grow guidesStep by step guides to growing gourmet and functional mushrooms at home.TechniquesCore skills from inoculating bags to making grain spawn and taking spore prints.TroubleshootingSpot contamination, fix stalled grows and get your kit back on track.MicroscopySpore prints, slides and the science of studying fungi under the microscope.Free toolsCalculators, quizzes and the problem finder to help you plan and fix your grows.Mushroom LibraryConditions, timings, flavour and uses for every species.
Latest

New guides and articles

AllBeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Pink Oyster mushroom grow kit boxBeginnerGrow guidesHow to Grow Mushrooms at Home: A UK Beginner’s Guide4 min readGolden Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlBeginnerTechniquesLiquid Culture vs Spore Syringe: What’s the Difference?6 min readGolden Teacher Spores Syringe 10mlBeginnerMicroscopyMagic Mushrooms in the UK: What They Are, Where They Grow and the Law9 min readSterilised Rye Grain Spawn Bag 1.5kgAdvancedTechniquesHow to Make Grain Spawn Step by Step2 min readBlue Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlBeginnerGrow guidesThe Best Mushrooms to Grow in a Cold UK Winter2 min readPearl Oyster Liquid Culture Syringe 10mlBeginnerMicroscopyHow to Take a Clean Spore Print2 min read
Troubleshooting

Is it contamination?

Compare what you are seeing with our photo guide to common problems, then follow the fix. Most issues are caught early if you know what to look for.

Open the problem finder
Trichoderma green mould colonyGreen mould (trichoderma)White, fluffy patches that turn bright or dark green as they spread,…Orange Neurospora mould growthPink or orange mouldBright orange or salmon pink fluffy growth that spreads quickly, often through…Black Aspergillus mould spotsBlack mouldDark grey to black powdery spots or fuzzy growth with black tips.Healthy white oyster mushroom myceliumFuzzy white growth on stemsSoft white fuzz around the base of mushrooms or on the surface…
Free tools

Calculators and quick tools

Photo guideMushroom Problem Finder: Is It Contamination?A photo guide to common problems in grow bags, blocks and kits, from green mould to harmless fuzzy feet, with what to do about each one.Open tool →CalculatorSubstrate Hydration CalculatorWork out exactly how much water to add to CVG, coir or hardwood substrate to reach field capacity.Open tool →CalculatorSpawn to Substrate Ratio CalculatorFind out how much grain spawn you need for your monotub or bulk substrate at the spawn rate you choose.Open tool →EstimatorMushroom Yield EstimatorEstimate how many fresh mushrooms you can expect from a grow box, block or bag over one to three flushes.Open tool →QuizWhich Mushroom Should I Grow?Answer five quick questions about your space, temperature and experience and we will match you with the right species and kit.Open tool →