SHROOMFOLK
AIO GROWTUB CONTAINER - TUB ONLY KIT
Instructions for Use
Your Tub Only Kit Contains
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✓ All-in-One Growtub Container Sterile rye grain (bottom layer) CVG substrate (top layer) ✘ Agar Test Plate ✓ Humidity Grow Bag |
✓ Alcohol Wipes (2) ✘Nitrile Gloves ✘ Spray Mister ✘ Perlite Bag ✘ Culture syringe (Not Provided) |
Your Microbox has two layers. Inject ONLY into the lower grain layer through the bottom injection port.
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⚠ CRITICAL WARNINGS • Never inject into the substrate layer — only the rye grain layer accepts liquid culture • Always wear PPE — re-sanitize gloves before handling open container • Never open during colonization — this introduces contamination • Use only sterile/distilled water — tap water contains contaminants |
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1 |
PRE-INOCULATION PREP |
• Clean your work surface thoroughly with included alcohol wipes.
• Put on the provided nitrile gloves. Wear a face mask if available.
• Wipe BOTH injection ports on the container lid with an alcohol wipe.
• Have your culture syringe, agar plate, and container ready before proceeding.
Work in a still, draft-free room. Turn off fans and close windows.
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2 |
AGAR TESTING (MANDATORY) |
Test your culture BEFORE injecting into your kit. This protects your investment.
• Shake your liquid culture syringe vigorously for 30 seconds.
• Inject exactly 0.5ml (about 3 drops) onto the agar plate surface.
• Seal the agar plate and store at 75-80°F for 3-5 days.
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✔ HEALTHY — Proceed Pure white, fluffy growth radiating from the drop points. No discoloration. |
✘ CONTAMINATED — Discard Any green, black, pink, or yellow colors. Sour smell. Slimy or wet patches. |
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⚠️ |
If your agar test shows contamination, DO NOT inject into your kit. Contact your culture supplier for a replacement. |
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3 |
INOCULATION |
• Shake the liquid culture syringe vigorously for 30 seconds to break up and distribute the mycelium.
• Wipe the injection port on the container with a fresh alcohol wipe.
• Insert the syringe needle through one of the injection port.
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⚠️ |
INJECT INTO THE GRAIN LAYER ONLY. The needle should reach into the rye grain at the bottom. Never inject into the substrate layer on top. |
• Slowly inject 1-5ml of liquid culture while gently rotating the container to distribute the culture across the grain.
• After injection, swirl the container vigorously for 15 seconds to coat all grains evenly.
Even distribution is critical — uneven inoculation causes patchy colonization and increases contamination risk.
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4 |
COLONIZATION |
• Place the container in complete darkness at 70-75°F (21-24°C). A closet or cabinet works well.
• DO NOT OPEN the container during colonization. The filtered lid handles gas exchange.
• Check progress every few days by looking through the container walls — do not open.
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LIQUID CULTURE 4-8 weeks for full colonization |
SPORE SYRINGE 8-12 weeks for full colonization |
Fully Colonized = Ready to Fruit
• Entire substrate appears bright white — no brown or uncolonized patches visible.
• Dense, fluffy mycelium covers all grains and substrate.
• You may see small white bumps (primordia/pins) forming — this means it is ready.
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5 |
FRUITING SETUP |
Once your container is fully colonized, it is time to trigger fruiting conditions.
A. Prepare the humidity bag: Remove container from humidity bag and pour in the included perlite. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the bag (1-2cm deep).
B. Add water: Pour distilled water into the bag until the perlite is damp throughout. There should be NO standing water pour off any excess.
C. Open the container: Wipe your gloves with an alcohol wipe. Remove the lid from the fully colonized container. Set the lid aside.
D. Place in bag: Set the open container centered on the damp perlite bed inside the humidity bag.
E. Mist: Using the provided mister, lightly mist the surface of the substrate with distilled water.
F. Close the bag: Fold the top of the bag over a couple of times and secure with a clothespin or paperclip (
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6 |
FRUITING & HARVESTING |
Daily Maintenance
• Mist the inner walls of the bag and substrate 2x daily with distilled water.
• Open and refold the bag top during misting for fresh air exchange.
Conditions to Maintain
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TEMPERATURE 65-70°F |
HUMIDITY 85-95% |
LIGHT 12hr/day (indirect) |
When to Harvest
• Caps have fully uncurled and opened but have NOT yet dropped spores (dark powder on the surface).
• Stems feel firm and solid, not mushy.
• Harvest by gently twisting and pulling the mushroom at the base. Do not cut.
Multiple Flushes
After harvesting, soak the substrate by pouring distilled water into the container until the substrate is submerged. Let it sit for 6-12 hours, then drain off the excess water. Return the container to the humidity bag and resume fruiting conditions. Most kits produce 2-4 flushes.
REUSING YOUR CONTAINER
Your container is autoclavable and reusable 20+ times. After your final flush:
1. Empty the spent substrate (great for garden compost).
2. Scrub the container and lid with 10% bleach solution.
3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
4. Refill with fresh substrate and repeat the process.
5. Re-sterilize in a pressure cooker (90 min at 15 PSI).(See instruction below)
How Autoclave(Sterilize) containers filled with medium
1. Fill the containers with medium
2. Place a piece of non-woven tissue on one edge of each container before loosely closing lids, allowing for vapor to enter the Microbox during autoclaving
3. If condensation is a problem, cover lids loosely with aluminum foil to prevent filters from getting wet
4. Put containers in autoclave
5. Slowly build up pressure to prevent lids from closing
6. After sterilization, slowly reduce the pressure in the autoclave and remove container
7. Remove non-woven tissue and carefully snap cover around entire rim to securely close
8. Note: if the box is still warm, make sure pressure is applied on the lid and rim of the box when closing. Don’t press down on the entire box to prevent deforming and/or breaking
9. Store containers with medium in a clean area.
Questions? Email support@shroomfolk.com