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Grow / Supplies

Home-grow supplies catalog

28 vetted supplies across 7 categories and 3 tiers — from beginner-friendly kits and spray bottles to advanced HEPA flow hoods and milligram precision scales. Affiliate-linked to suppliers Joe trusts. Same price as buying direct.

Showing 32 of 32 supplies.

BeginnerGrow kitsAffiliate

Lion's Mane Grow Kit

Pre-colonized 5-lb sawdust block. First harvest in 14-21 days.

A fully-colonized lion's mane block ready to fruit. The producer has handled the sterilization, inoculation, and incubation phases — you receive a 5-lb block of dense white mycelium ready to fruit. Cut the bag, mist twice daily, and watch icicle-like fruit bodies emerge. Yields 0.5-1.5 lb fresh across 2-3 flushes.

Use: Stage 1-5 of the beginner cultivation course

Weight
5 lb colonized substrate
Species
Hericium erinaceus
Expected yield
0.5-1.5 lb fresh, 2-3 flushes
Time to first harvest
14-21 days
BeginnerGrow kitsAffiliate

Blue Oyster Grow Kit

Fast-fruiting blue oyster. First flush in as little as 10 days.

Pre-colonized blue oyster block — the fastest beginner-friendly grow on the market. Cut, mist, harvest. The blue color is most intense at cooler temps (under 65°F) and fades to grey-brown as caps mature. Excellent for stir-fries and pasta.

Use: Stage 1-5 of the beginner cultivation course

Weight
5 lb colonized substrate
Species
Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus (PoHu)
Expected yield
1-2.5 lb fresh, 2-3 flushes
Time to first harvest
10-16 days
BeginnerMonitoring + trackingAffiliate

Misting Spray Bottle (32 oz, fine mist)

Continuous-spray bottle for misting kits.

A 32oz pump-pressurized spray bottle that produces a fine continuous mist rather than a coarse stream. Cheap, but the fineness of the mist matters — coarse droplets pool on the substrate cut, breeding bacteria.

Use: Stage 2 onward of beginner course; standard tool for fruiting all kits

Capacity
32 oz
Spray pattern
Continuous fine mist
BeginnerMonitoring + trackingAffiliate

Distilled Water (1 gal)

Chlorine-free water for misting and substrate prep.

Tap water with chlorine or chloramine stresses mycelium and reduces yields. Distilled water (or RO water) eliminates the variable.

Use: Misting kits, hydrating substrate

Volume
1 gallon
BeginnerMonitoring + trackingAffiliate

Digital Kitchen Scale (0.1g resolution)

Track yields. Calibrate substrate hydration.

A precision kitchen scale lets you weigh harvests to compare flush sizes, and dial in substrate hydration by mass rather than guesswork. 0.1g resolution is the sweet spot — finer is overkill, coarser misses small spawn batches.

Use: All tiers — yield tracking, substrate prep

Resolution
0.1 g
Capacity
5 kg
IntermediateSpawn + culturesAffiliate

Liquid Culture Syringe — Lion's Mane

10cc of mycelium-in-broth, ready to inoculate grain spawn.

A pre-grown liquid culture of Hericium erinaceus mycelium suspended in nutrient broth. Faster and more reliable than spore for inoculating grain spawn — the colony is already established. Refrigerate on receipt; use within 30 days for best vigor.

Use: Stage 1-3 of intermediate course (grain inoculation)

Volume
10 cc
Species
Hericium erinaceus
Inoculations per syringe
5-8 quart jars
IntermediateSpawn + culturesAffiliate

Liquid Culture Syringe — Blue Oyster (PoHu)

Fast-colonizing PoHu strain in 10cc liquid culture.

Liquid culture of the Hungarian PoHu blue oyster strain — the fastest-colonizing oyster on the market. Inoculate 5-8 quart jars of grain per syringe. Refrigerate on receipt; full vigor for 30+ days.

Use: Stage 1-3 of intermediate course

Volume
10 cc
Strain
PoHu
Inoculations per syringe
5-8 quart jars
IntermediateSubstrate + grainAffiliate

Whole Rye Berries (5 lb)

Standard grain substrate for spawn jars.

Whole rye is the standard grain spawn substrate for gourmet mushroom cultivation. The seed coat resists bacterial breakdown during pressure-cooking, and rye colonizes faster than rice or millet for most species.

Use: Stage 2 of intermediate course (grain prep)

Weight
5 lb
Use
Soak overnight, simmer 15 min, pressure cook 90 min @ 15 PSI
IntermediateSubstrate + grainAffiliate

Spawn Jars w/ Self-Healing Injection Port (12-pack)

Quart mason jars with modified lids — synthetic-filter + injection port.

12 quart mason jars with custom lids: a synthetic-filter disc for gas exchange and a self-healing silicone injection port for sterile inoculation. Pressure-cooker safe. Reuse for years.

Use: Stage 2-3 of intermediate course

Capacity
1 quart per jar
Quantity
12 jars
Lid type
Synthetic filter + silicone injection port
IntermediateSubstrate + grainAffiliate

Supplemented Hardwood Sawdust (5 lb)

Pasteurized oak/maple pellet substrate, ready to hydrate.

Hardwood pellet fuel pellets — usually oak or maple — are the foundation of bulk fruiting substrate for most gourmet species. Already kiln-dried, so adding water and pasteurizing is sufficient (no autoclave needed).

Use: Stage 5 of intermediate course (bulk substrate)

Weight
5 lb dry
Hydrated weight
~12 lb at 60% moisture
IntermediateSubstrate + grainAffiliate

Soy Hulls (5 lb)

Nitrogen-rich supplement for master's mix.

Soy hulls combined 50/50 with hardwood sawdust make 'master's mix' — the most productive supplemented substrate for oyster, lion's mane, and king trumpet. Adds protein and pushes biological efficiency past 100% of substrate dry weight.

Use: Stage 5 of intermediate course

Weight
5 lb dry
Optimal mix
50/50 with hardwood sawdust by dry weight
IntermediateSubstrate + grainAffiliate

Mushroom Grow Bags w/ Filter Patch (5 lb capacity, 25-pack)

Autoclavable polypropylene bags with 0.2µm filter patch.

Standard polypropylene grow bags with sealed 0.2µm filter patches that allow gas exchange while blocking contaminants. Autoclave-safe to 250°F. The 5-lb capacity is the workhorse size for home production.

Use: Stage 5-6 of intermediate course (bulk fruiting)

Capacity
5 lb hydrated substrate
Quantity
25 bags
Filter
0.2 µm hydrophobic
IntermediateSubstrate + grainAffiliate

Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate, 1 lb)

Buffers grain pH, reduces clumping during sterilization.

Food-grade calcium sulfate added to grain spawn (about 1 tablespoon per kg dry grain) buffers pH against acidification during pressure cooking, and prevents grain berries from clumping into a single mass. Standard mushroom-cultivation supplement.

Use: Stage 2 of intermediate course

Weight
1 lb
Dose
~1 tbsp / kg dry grain
IntermediateSterile-workflow toolsAffiliate

Pressure Cooker (10-quart, 15 PSI)

The single most important piece of equipment in cultivation.

A 10-quart pressure cooker capable of holding 15 PSI is the bare minimum for sterilizing grain spawn and culture media. 15 PSI = 250°F internal temperature, the threshold required to kill bacterial endospores. Stovetop is fine; electric pressure cookers (Instant Pot Max, etc.) work if rated to 15 PSI — most aren't, so verify.

Use: Stage 2 of intermediate course onward; daily-driver for advanced

Capacity
10 quart (fits ~7 qt-jars)
Pressure
15 PSI rated
Temperature at 15 PSI
250°F / 121°C
IntermediateSterile-workflow toolsAffiliate

Still-Air Box (clear tote, 18-gallon)

DIY sterile workspace. Sub-$30 setup.

A clear plastic storage tote, 18-gallon, with two arm-holes cut on the side. Inverted on a clean surface, surface-sterilized with 70% iso, it provides a still-air sterile field where airborne contaminants settle out before they can land on your work. This is the budget alternative to a flow hood for the intermediate tier.

Use: Stage 3 of intermediate course onward

Capacity
18 gallons
Setup
Cut 4-inch arm-holes on long side, invert
IntermediateSterile-workflow toolsAffiliate

70% Isopropyl Alcohol (32 oz spray)

Surface sterilizer. 70% is correct — 91% is not.

70% isopropyl is the correct concentration for surface sterilization (more water = better protein denaturation contact time). 91% evaporates too fast to fully sterilize. Used for SAB walls, gloves, syringe ports, work surfaces.

Use: Every sterile workflow stage

Concentration
70%
Volume
32 oz
IntermediateSterile-workflow toolsAffiliate

Sterile Syringe Needles (16ga, 10-pack)

Stainless steel needles for spawn jar inoculation.

16-gauge stainless needles to fit standard liquid culture and spore syringes. Flame-sterilize between jars. Sealed individually for sterility on first use.

Use: Inoculating grain spawn

Gauge
16ga (1.5 inch)
Quantity
10 needles
IntermediateFruiting chambersAffiliate

Martha-Tent Fruiting Chamber (4-tier greenhouse)

Vertical fruiting chamber. Holds 8-12 grow bags.

A 4-tier shelving unit covered in clear PVC — a 'Martha tent', after Martha Stewart's televised mention of the design. Adds 12-20 sq ft of fruiting space in a 2x3 ft footprint. Accepts an ultrasonic humidifier, allows easy daily fanning, holds 8-12 standard 5-lb fruit bags.

Use: Stage 6 of intermediate course (fruiting at scale)

Footprint
2 x 3 ft
Tiers
4
Capacity
8-12 grow bags
IntermediateFruiting chambersAffiliate

Ultrasonic Humidifier (4L tank, programmable)

Hands-off humidity for fruiting chambers.

An ultrasonic humidifier with a programmable timer eliminates daily misting fatigue. Set 30 seconds on / 5 minutes off, target humidity 90%, walk away. The cool mist won't condense on cold substrate the way warm-mist humidifiers do.

Use: Stage 6 of intermediate course onward

Tank
4 L
Run time
20-40 hours per fill
Mist type
Cool ultrasonic
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

DIY Flow Hood Kit (HEPA + blower)

HEPA filter + sealed squirrel-cage blower. Build a benchtop hood.

Components for a benchtop laminar flow hood: a 2x4 ft HEPA filter rated to 99.99% at 0.3 µm, plus a sealed squirrel-cage blower capable of 2 inches of static pressure. With a plywood box around it (DIY) you'll have a flow hood for under $500 vs $1,200 commercial.

Use: Stage 1 of advanced course onward

Filter
2x4 ft, 99.99% @ 0.3 µm
Blower
Sealed squirrel cage, 600+ CFM
Velocity at filter face
90-100 fpm target
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

HEPA Filter (2x4 ft, 99.99% @ 0.3 µm)

Replacement / standalone HEPA filter for flow hood builds.

Standalone 2x4 ft HEPA filter for flow hood builds where you already have a blower. Rated 99.99% efficiency at 0.3 µm — the standard for biosafety cabinets. Replace every 3-5 years of regular use.

Use: Stage 1 of advanced course

Dimensions
24 x 48 inches
Efficiency
99.99% at 0.3 µm
Service life
3-5 years typical
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Pre-Sterilized Petri Dishes (100mm, 100-pack)

Standard 100mm dishes for agar work.

Polystyrene Petri dishes, 100mm diameter, individually sealed in sleeves of 20, gamma-sterilized. The standard format for mycology agar work. Cheap and disposable.

Use: Stage 2-3 of advanced course (agar plating)

Diameter
100 mm
Quantity
100 dishes
Sterilization
Gamma-sterilized
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Light Malt Extract (DME, 1 lb)

Sugar source for MEA agar plates.

Dried malt extract, light variety. The carbohydrate base for malt extract agar (MEA) — the most-used media for mycology. 20g per liter of water + 20g of agar = standard MEA recipe.

Use: Stage 2 of advanced course (agar pour)

Type
Dry malt extract (DME), light
Weight
1 lb
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Agar Powder (Bacteriological Grade, 100g)

Solidifying agent for agar plates and slants.

Bacteriological-grade agar powder. Dissolves at boiling, sets at ~95°F. 20g per liter is standard for MEA plates. Avoid cheap food-grade agar — the gel strength is inconsistent and bacterial co-contaminants are common.

Use: Stage 2 of advanced course

Weight
100 g
Grade
Bacteriological
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Disposable Scalpels (#11 blade, 10-pack)

Pre-sterilized scalpels for agar transfers.

Sterile #11 disposable scalpels for cutting agar squares during isolate transfer. One per session keeps technique fast and reliable; reusable scalpels lose edge and require flame-sterilization between every cut.

Use: Stage 3 of advanced course (isolate transfer)

Blade
#11 (pointed)
Quantity
10
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Nichrome Inoculation Loop (4 mm)

Reusable wire loop for spore streaking.

A nichrome wire inoculation loop, flame-sterilizable infinitely. The standard tool for streaking spore prints across agar plates and for transferring small mycelium fragments.

Use: Stage 3 of advanced course (multi-spore germination)

Wire
Nichrome
Loop diameter
4 mm
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Erlenmeyer Flask (1 L, borosilicate)

Pressure-cooker safe flask for agar prep.

A 1-liter borosilicate Erlenmeyer flask is the standard vessel for preparing agar media. Boil + dissolve on a hot plate, pressure-cook 30 minutes at 15 PSI, swirl to mix, pour 15-20 mL per plate. Borosilicate handles the thermal shock; standard glass cracks.

Use: Stage 2 of advanced course

Capacity
1 L
Material
Borosilicate glass
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Pre-poured Agar Slant Set (12 tubes)

MEA slants in 16x125mm screwcap tubes for culture banking.

Pre-sterilized MEA agar slants in screwcap tubes. The standard format for refrigerated culture banking. Each slant accepts a transfer from a parent plate and can be stored at 4°C for 6-12 months.

Use: Stage 4 of advanced course (strain banking)

Tubes
12 x (16 x 125 mm)
Media
Malt extract agar
Storage life
6-12 months refrigerated
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Cryovials w/ Screw Cap (10-pack)

For distilled-water long-term culture archival.

Sterile 2 mL cryovials with screw caps and silicone gaskets. Used for distilled-water culture archival — small cubes of mycelium-on-agar suspended in sterile water at 4°C, viable 5-10 years.

Use: Stage 4 of advanced course

Volume
2 mL
Quantity
10
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Cryo-Compatible Lab Labels (500-pack)

Freezer-safe adhesive labels — won't peel at 4°C or -20°C.

Adhesive labels rated for freezer + refrigeration use. Standard paper labels peel within weeks at 4°C; cryo-compatible adhesive holds for years. Essential for any culture library.

Use: Strain banking — every tier

Quantity
500
Temp range
-80°C to +120°C
AdvancedLab gearAffiliate

Lab Precision Scale (0.001g resolution, 200g capacity)

Milligram-resolution scale for media + supplement measurement.

0.001g (milligram) resolution scale for accurate media preparation. Saves variable in agar pours, supplement ratios, and trace-element work. 200g capacity is plenty for typical lab volumes.

Use: Stage 2-5 of advanced course

Resolution
0.001 g (1 mg)
Capacity
200 g
AdvancedMonitoring + trackingComing soon

Cultivation Grow Log (printable, 50-page bundle)

Track every cycle. Strain comparison made data-driven.

A structured grow log template — substrate batch, hydration %, inoculation date, colonization completion date, pinning date, harvest weights per flush, contamination events. Printable PDF; serious growers run trials with this kind of structure.

Use: Stage 5 of advanced course (side-by-side strain trials)

Format
PDF, 50 pages

TBA

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