MycoNaut: Advanced Mushroom Cultivation Workshop with Dr Sam Gandy

Learning  the ropes of mushroom growing can be an intimidating hobby for beginner  growers, but being able to cultivate one’s own mushrooms yields many  benefits, promoting independence and self-sufficiency. There is a  growing recognition of the therapeutic and health promoting potential of  the many types of mushrooms. So rather than having to rely on buying  expensive supplements or store bought products, why not learn to easily  grow your own mushrooms in bulk at home?

Through  a mixture of theory and practical demonstration, Sam will lead you  through the process of growing your own mushrooms in bulk, from spore to  spore, with a tried and tested method that is suitable for beginner and  seasoned growers alike. He will break down the different stages of the  process into a clear and accessible format using a simple approach that  is highly effective and immensely rewarding. Low cost and requiring  minimal equipment or expensive tools, this advanced technique has a low  environmental footprint.

• An introduction to working with agar, and inoculating it with spores
• Construction of a simple still air box and glove box for fungi inoculations
• An introduction to simple liquid culture techniques
• Grain substrate preparation
• Jar lid customisation
• Performing inoculations using sterile procedure
• Using a pressure cooker for sterilisation
• Monotub fruiting chamber construction
• Preparation and pasteurisation of bulk substrate for bulk fruiting
• Taking spore prints
• Recommendations on harvesting, drying and storage
• A guided walkthrough using presentation and practical experience of the process from start to finish
• Detailed support resources people have access to following workshop

These  core methods can be applied to many different types of mushrooms, and  by attending this workshop you will come away with the knowledge  necessary for embarking on your own bulk mushroom growing journey.

Post workshop, you will have access to a walkthrough guide and a variety of other resources to help them get growing.