How to grow mushrooms at home with the Toolbox
Set-Up
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1.
You'll need a spore or culture syringe (3–10ml), sourced separately. Mentis supplies the equipment and substrate only — we don't sell or recommend spores.
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2.
Find a cool place for your Toolbox.
Remove any sources of heat (e.g. radiator) nearby.
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3.
Make sure that this place receives daylight.
But NOT direct sunlight.
Step 1 - Inject the bag
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4.
Remove the plastic cap of your syringe and screw on the needle protector.
Do not remove the needle protector until you are ready to inject.
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5.
Thoroughly wipe the injection port with the sterilising wipe.
N.B. The injection port is now a black circle.
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6.
Remove the needle protector.
Ensure that the needle does not touch anything before injecting.
Inject 3-5ml of the syringe through the injection port.
Store the syringe in the fridge if there's still some liquid left.
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7.
Tie the thermal sleeve around the Toolbox.
Carefully insert the Grow Bag.
Leave the lid open.
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8.
Set the temperature on the thermal sleeve to 30°C.
Wait 3-4 weeks, until your bag has a patch of white around the size of your fist.
The patch of white may appear anywhere on your grow bag.
Step 2 - Squeeze the bag
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9.
Remove the Grow Bag from the Toolbox.
Vigorously squeeze the soil.
Do this until:
- You can no longer see any white.
- You can no longer feel any clumps in the soil.
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10.
Place the Grow Bag back into the Toolbox.
Leave the lid open.
You're almost there! You should see mushrooms in 4-8 weeks.
If you are unsure, please contact us and include photos.
Step 3 - Harvest mushrooms
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11.
Simply cut open the bag and carefully remove the mushrooms.
Hold the bag closed using a paperclip. It doesn't need to be closed tightly - fold the opening once on itself.
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12.
Fresh mushrooms only last for a few days.
As soon as you've harvested your mushrooms, dehydrate them.
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13.
To get your second, third (and maybe even more) harvests, perform the Soak Step.
We are here to help!
If you are unsure about anything, email us at hello@getmentis.com