Welcome to the Grower's Portal

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Cultivation Guide
by SoulCraft Apotheca

Thank you for choosing to walk this sacred path of cultivation.
At SoulCraft Apotheca, we believe that tending to fungi is not just a practice, it’s a return to ancestral rhythms, a remembering of unseen worlds.

You are about to witness the quiet miracle of growth.

Getting Started: First Steps

1. Storage

  • Keep your liquid culture refrigerated (36–40°F / 2–4°C) until you're ready to inoculate.

  • Use within 2–3 months for best vitality.

2. Preparing for Inoculation

  • Work in a sterile environment, use a still air box, glove box, or flow hood if possible.

  • Gather your sterilized grain jars, agar plates, or prepared liquid culture broth.

  • Sterilize your needle by flaming it until red-hot. Allow it to cool before use.

  • Shake your syringe gently to mix the mycelium evenly.

3. Inoculating Your Media

  • Inject 1–2cc of liquid culture into each sterilized jar or plate.

  • If using grain, inoculate at several points for faster colonization.

4. Colonization Phase

  • Store inoculated jars/plates at 65–75°F (18–24°C) in a dark or dimly lit area.

  • Monitor for clean white mycelium growth. (Discoloration, foul smell, or fuzzy contaminants indicate contamination.)

5. Fruiting & Beyond

  • Once fully colonized, transfer to a fruiting substrate (like supplemented hardwood sawdust).

  • Maintain high humidity and gentle airflow to encourage Lion’s Mane fruiting bodies.

Reminders Along the Journey:

  • Patience is magic. Mycelium teaches us the pace of nature.

  • Sterility is key. Every step of cleanliness nurtures your success.

  • Intention matters. Breathe gratitude into your work, fungi listen.

More Resources: (Coming Soon)

  • Full Growing Tutorials

  • Tips for Advanced Cultivation

  • Harvesting & Medicinal Use Guides

[Explore the Full Apotheca Grower's Library]

Sacred Growth. Rooted Wisdom. Guided by Nature.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Growing Lion’s Mane with SoulCraft Apotheca Liquid Culture

My jar isn't showing any growth after 7–10 days:

  • Patience: Lion’s Mane can take slightly longer than some other species to show visible growth (especially at lower temperatures).

  • Check temperature: Ideal colonization temps are 65–75°F (18–24°C).

  • Moisture balance: If grain looks too dry or too wet, colonization may slow down.

I see fuzzy, off-color growth or smell something strange:

  • Contamination alert: Healthy Lion’s Mane mycelium is white and slightly fluffy. Green, black, pink, orange, or foul smells are signs of contamination.

  • What to do: Safely dispose of contaminated jars. Never try to salvage contaminated projects, it risks spreading spores.

My syringe looks separated/cloudy after storage:

  • Normal: Nutrient sediment may settle during storage. Gently shake the syringe before use to redistribute mycelium evenly.

My grain jar looks too wet after inoculation:

  • Possible causes: Injecting too much liquid or starting with overly hydrated grain.

  • Tip: Use 1–2cc of liquid culture per standard quart jar. Too much moisture can slow colonization or invite contaminants.

I'm unsure if my needle is sterile:

  • Solution: Always flame-sterilize your needle until it glows red before every use. Let it cool naturally (don't wave it around).

How long can I store my syringe before using it?

  • Best within 2–3 months, refrigerated. After 3 months, viability may gradually decline.

Gentle Reminders:

  • Mycelium teaches patience, observation, and humility.

  • Cleanliness and stillness are your greatest allies.

  • Trust the slow magic unfolding beneath the surface.