A Guide to Growing Mushrooms for Beginners
Growing Mushrooms: The Best Strains For Beginners
Growing mushrooms is one of the most profitable forms of agriculture in the world. To cultivate the best strains in the mushroom industry, it’s essential to explore the history of mycology and the legends who have made it so well known.
Golden Teacher
The Golden Teacher has been a crowd favorite since its debut in the July 1991 issue of High Times by Steven Woodbury, who advertised spores through classified ads. This strain is popular due to its aggressive growth and ease of success. The Golden Teacher is known to grow faster and more easily compared to varieties like Penis Envy or Stargazer. Most beginner mushroom growers look for an easy-to-cultivate strain, and the Golden Teacher fits this requirement perfectly. GT, short for Golden Teacher, has made significant waves in the world of psychedelics. These mushrooms have a distinct look but are nearly impossible to identify visually among Psilocybe Cubensis strains. However, their faster maturation can help in identifying them.
Blue Meanie
The Blue Meanie Psilocybe Cubensis is often confused with the more potent Panaeolus Cyanescens. The Blue Meanie, brought to market by a mycologist known as “The Keeper,” was allegedly harvested in Australia. Its potency ranges from 0.37% to 1.3% active compounds of psilocybin. In contrast, Golden Teacher typically has a potency below 1%, leading to its milder effects.
Growing Mushrooms: Malabar
The Malabar strain originates from the subtropical Malabar Coast of India. Known for its large caps, Malabar mushrooms thrive in various tropical conditions. Historically referred to as “Soma” in the Vedas, these mushrooms are known as the food of the gods. Malabar mushrooms are prized for their ability to drop dense spore prints, making them popular among spore vendors. Their aggressive growth and resilience to contamination make them an excellent choice for beginner growers.
Inca Stargazer
The Inca Stargazer, a landrace from the Andes mountains, was used by the Inca tribe to communicate with the gods and prepare warriors for battle. This strain is known for its deep indigo blue bruising inside the stem, indicating high potency. Stargazers produce smaller fruiting bodies but offer a unique psychoactive experience.
Growing Mushrooms: Penis Envy
The term “Penis Envy” was coined by Richard G in the late 1980s. This strain, known for its phallic shape and blue bruising, was isolated from Amazonian Psilocybe Cubensis mushrooms. Despite its slower growth and higher maintenance requirements, Penis Envy is prized for its large size and potency. Beginners can successfully grow this strain if they maintain consistent conditions, though unfavorable mutations like blobs can occur if temperatures are too low.
Conclusion
For beginner mushroom growers, choosing the right strain can significantly impact the success and enjoyment of the cultivation process. Strains like Golden Teacher and Malabar are excellent choices due to their ease of growth and resilience. More adventurous growers might enjoy the unique traits of Blue Meanie, Inca Stargazer, or Penis Envy, though these strains may require more careful attention to cultivation conditions.