REFRESH🍄LIQUID CULTURE, How and When

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of refreshing your liquid culture (LC) for mushroom cultivation. You'll learn when to refresh your LC, the techniques to invigorate sluggish cultures, and tips for maintaining your cultures effectively over the long term.

Step 1: Determine When to Refresh Your Liquid Culture

• Signs of Sluggishness: Before refreshing, observe your LC for signs of inactivity such as slow growth or a decrease in mycelial activity.
• Frequency: Generally, you should refresh your LC every 6-12 months, depending on usage and storage conditions. Cultures that are frequently used may need more regular refreshing.

Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace

• Sanitization: Ensure your workspace is clean and sterile to prevent contamination.
• Gather Supplies: Collect the necessary materials:
  • Liquid culture jars
  • Sterile syringes
  • Nutrient-rich broth (such as light malt extract or potato dextrose)
  • Alcohol wipes or spray for sanitization

Step 3: Refreshing the Liquid Culture

• Transfer Mycelium:

  1. Use a sterile syringe to withdraw a small amount of the existing liquid culture.
  2. Inject this into a new jar containing fresh nutrient broth.

• Optimal Conditions:

  • Temperature: Keep the new culture at room temperature, ideally between 70°F and 75°F.
  • Light: Provide indirect light to promote growth without overheating.

Step 4: Supercharge the Liquid Culture

• Cool Trick: If your LC is sluggish, consider adding a small amount of fresh, healthy mycelium from another vigorous culture to stimulate growth.
• Mixing: Gently swirl the culture to mix, ensuring the new mycelium is evenly distributed throughout the broth.

Step 5: Storage and Maintenance

• Labeling: Clearly label your jars with the date and type of culture for future reference.
• Monitoring: Check your cultures regularly for signs of growth and contamination.
• Refrigeration: If not in use, store your jars in the refrigerator to slow down metabolism and prolong viability.

Conclusion

Refreshing your liquid culture is vital for maintaining healthy and vigorous mushroom cultivation. By monitoring your cultures, preparing a clean workspace, and following the steps outlined, you can ensure that your cultures remain productive for years. Consider experimenting with the supercharging technique to enhance sluggish cultures. For further learning, check out the video linked in the description, and explore resources for mushroom cultivation supplies.