Bear's Head Tooth Liquid Culture Syringe

• Use malt extract agar (MEA) or potato dextrose agar (PDA) for initial culturing of the mycelium.
• Incubate Petri dishes at 21-24°C (70-75°F) in a dark environment until fully colonized.

• Grain spawn (oats, rye, millet, or sorghum) is recommended for inoculating the bulk substrate.
• Sterilize the grains and inoculate with the colonized agar from the Petri dishes.
• Incubate the grain spawn at 21-24°C (70-75°F) until fully colonized.

• Hericium americanum can be grown on hardwood sawdust, enriched with supplements like wheat bran or rice bran.
• Ensure the substrate is well sterilized to prevent contamination and provide a nutrient-rich environment for the fungus.

• Optimal temperature for mycelium growth: 21-24°C (70-75°F)
• Optimal temperature for fruiting: 15-18°C (59-64°F)

• Maintain high humidity levels of 85-95% during both mycelium growth and fruiting stages.
• Mist the substrate regularly to maintain adequate moisture levels.

Hericium americanum requires low to moderate light conditions during the fruiting stage to help the mushrooms orient themselves. Indirect sunlight or artificial lighting that simulates natural light can be used.

• Good air circulation is essential to prevent the buildup of CO2 and to provide fresh air, which is critical during the fruiting stage.
• Ensure proper ventilation to maintain fresh air exchange.

• Colonization of the substrate typically takes 2-3 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.
• Fruiting can be expected within 1-2 weeks after the substrate is fully colonized and conditions are adjusted for fruiting.
• Total growing time from inoculation to harvest is approximately 4-6 weeks.

The ideal pH range for cultivating Hericium americanum is typically between 5.5 and 6.5. Maintaining this pH range helps optimize the conditions for the mycelium to thrive and produce fruiting bodies efficiently. Adjusting the pH of your substrate according to these guidelines can significantly impact the success of your Hericium cultivation.