Magic mushrooms have long been regarded as one of the easiest fungi to cultivate at home, thanks to their remarkable adaptability. Unlike gourmet mushrooms like Lion’s Mane or Reishi, Psilocybe cubensis thrives in a variety of environmental conditions and can grow on unexpected substrates—even paper, books, and dollar bills.

Golden Teacher Psilocybe Mushrooms growing on money.

From the early days of underground forums to the rise of e-commerce mycology, the way we grow magic mushrooms has transformed. This guide explores the history, modern techniques, and future of mushroom cultivation, including insights from legendary cultivators, groundbreaking genetics, and essential growing methods.

The Shroomery Era: Where It All Began

Before YouTube tutorials and Amazon grow kits, The Shroomery was the go-to source for learning how to cultivate mushrooms. Created as an international forum for mushroom enthusiasts, it became the epicenter of psychedelic mycology, where cultivators shared spore strains, teks (techniques), and hard-earned wisdom.

Roger Rabbit aka Mark Kieth’s mushroom experiment growing on a bible.

The Influence of Roger Rabbit (Mark Keith)

One of the most respected figures on The Shroomery was Mark Keith, better known as Roger Rabbit (RR).

• Over 44,000 posts on The Shroomery
• Created some of the best-known video guides on spore inoculation, sterile grain spawn, and still-air box techniques
• Revolutionized the way amateur cultivators learned mushroom cultivation fundamentals

Even today, his classic YouTube videos remain essential for those wanting to master basic mycology techniques.

You can still watch his videos on Youtube here https://www.youtube.com/@MushroomsRR.

The Shift to Modern Mushroom Cultivation

As the industry evolved, so did the tools and techniques. The days of sterilizing grain in glass mason jars gave way to industrial-grade polypropylene grow bags, making large-scale sterilization more efficient and less risky.

From Spore Syringes to Liquid Culture

🔹 Traditional Spore Syringes – Used to inoculate grain spawn, but often results in genetic variability.
🔹 Liquid Culture (LC) – A more efficient method where mycelium is pre-grown in a nutrient-rich solution, leading to faster colonization.

The Rise of Pre-Sterilized Mushroom Supplies

• Pre-made agar plates – No need to pour your own dishes.
• Polypropylene 6mm bags – Can be pressure sterilized at 15 PSI for hours without breaking.
• Still-Air Boxes on Amazon – Available for under $30, making sterile work more accessible than ever.

With online marketplaces offering everything from pre-sterilized substrates to liquid cultures, getting started in mushroom cultivation has never been easier.

Mastering Spore Work: How to Preserve and Isolate Genetics

While spore syringes and liquid cultures are great for getting started, working with spore prints and agar plates opens the door to isolation, strain improvement, and long-term storage.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing from Spores

1️⃣ Build a Still-Air Box (SAB) – Ensures a clean workspace.
2️⃣ Buy a Pressure Cooker – Essential for sterilizing agar plates.
3️⃣ Pour and Seal Agar Plates – If buying pre-made plates, skip this step.
4️⃣ Sterilize a Scalpel & Transfer Spores – Use a flame to heat the scalpel before scratching the spore print onto agar.
5️⃣ Incubate at 77–80°F – After a week, mycelium should start to grow.
6️⃣ Sector and Transfer – Identify rhizomorphic (rope-like) mycelium and transfer to new plates.
7️⃣ Long-Term Storage – Keep agar wedges in cold slants (fridge storage) for years of preservation.

For many beginners, working with agar can feel like “walking on the moon”, but mastering it allows you to create stable, high-performing genetics.

The Future of Mushroom Strains: Endless New Variations

Mushroom genetics continue to evolve as mycologists experiment with new isolations. Some of the most notable strain developments include:

Thrasher & P95: The Evolution of Penis Envy Genetics

• Thrasher – A Penis Envy isolation derived from Homestead Melmac, now widely grown in California.
• P95 – Isolated from Thrasher spores, named after its tendency to produce 95g wet mushrooms.

While new strains emerge constantly, most will never achieve stability, resulting in inconsistent potency and growth patterns.

Enigma: The Game-Changer in Mushroom Potency

When Enigma first entered the Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup, it stunned the community by winning 1st place. However, as more tests were conducted in later years, potency levels declined, leading some to believe:

• The substrate used (lack of manure) may affect potency.
• The genetic pool may have weakened over time.

Enigma remains one of the most fascinating and mysterious mutations in cubensis history, proving that genetics alone don’t determine potency—environmental factors also play a huge role.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Magic Mushroom Cultivation

The journey from spore to fruiting body is more than just a process—it’s an art, a science, and a lifelong learning experience.

• We’ve come a long way from The Shroomery era, where pioneers like Roger Rabbit shaped the future of home cultivation.
• Advancements in mycology tools have made growing more accessible than ever—pre-sterilized substrates, liquid cultures, and online resources have revolutionized the industry.
• Mushroom genetics continue to evolve, with new isolations emerging every year, but not all will remain stable.

Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps or a seasoned grower pushing the boundaries of genetics, one thing is clear:

The future of Psilocybe cubensis cultivation is limitless—and we’re only getting started.