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Spore & Culture

Liquid Culture Syringe

Sterile nutrient solution carrying live mycelium, ready to inject.

Illustration of a liquid culture syringe
Typical specifications
Typical volume10 ml – 30 ml
SterilityPre-sterilised, single use
Viability window2–6 weeks refrigerated
Storage temperature2–8 °C (36–46 °F)
Needle gauge16–18 G, removable
Best used within24 hours of warming to room temperature
Spore & CultureSmall to large batches

Overview

A liquid culture syringe holds mycelium suspended in a lightly sweetened sterile broth. Because the mycelium is already alive and dispersed, it colonises grain or substrate far faster than spores, and a single syringe can be expanded into many jars or bags. It is the most forgiving starting point for growers who want speed without a full agar workflow.

Primary stage: Inoculation

Where it fits in the grow

Injection into grain jars, grain bags or supplemented sawdust blocks.

Safety & handling

Never reuse a needle. Wipe the injection port with 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after every puncture, and work in still air — a draughty room is the most common cause of a contaminated syringe.

Practical advice

Warm the syringe in your hand for ten minutes before use; cold mycelium is sluggish. Inject in several spots rather than one, and shake the grain afterwards to spread the culture through the jar.

Educational only. Mycelium Works does not sell this or any other product, and we receive no payment for listing it. Specifications vary by manufacturer — always follow the maker’s instructions and local regulations.
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