12 replies to this topic

[Mush Zombie]

Every species of mushroom has various sub-strains that differ from each other, in various ways. Some of the differences you will notice are physical, I.E., size, look, density, and another is fruiting potential. The purpose of this thread is to show how to identify these sub-strains, and isolate them, for whatever reason the cultivator has, in this example it is to attempt obtain a high yielding sub-strain, and have less competition in a bulk substrate which will allow for higher yield in its self.

It is best to do this with a clone of a mushroom, because you have a good idea of the genetics that you are after, with a clone. If you attempt this from Multi-spore, you will have no idea as to what you might get. Just luck of the draw really.

This thread is focused primarily on Psilocybe Cubensis, as it has certain characteristics of growth, that not ever species of mushroom has. However, reading this will greatly enhance your knowledge of the subject, and with a little observation you can apply anything you learn here to any species of mushroom.

Psilocybe Cubensis has a couple of forms of growth. At the base of any mycelial growth that is capable of producing mushrooms, is dikaryotic mycelium. From dikaryotic mycelium comes tomentose mycelium, and rhizomorphic mycelium. Since both are dikaryotic mycelium, both are capable of producing fruits, however rhizomorphic growth is more promising to find high yielding sub-strains.

Example A (multi-spore inoculation)
Rhizomorphic growth (clone)

You will notice, on agar, that there are lines, and impressions in the mycelium. These barren (most of the time) lines are known as sectors (seen in example A). Sectors occur when two different dikaryotic mycelia encounter each other. So on either side of the sector are two different sub-strains. They cannot mate at this point, and basically stop growing when encountering another sub-strain. This makes it easy for the Cultivator to isolate the sub-strains that are present in the dish.

In this tek, we are isolating the first linear rhizomorphic growth (as seen in the green circle in example A), to its own culture dish. The mycelium will be grown out in that dish, then transferred to grain spawn, and spawned to bulk substrate.




Visual Results:


More on:

Dikaryotic Mycelium- www.iscid.org/encyclopedia/Dikaryotic_Cell

[Str0be]

When you isolate a substrain like this, and you end up with a dish with nothing but linear rhizomorphic mycelium, is it generally always a fruitable strain? Or can you end up isolating a strain that doesn't even produce?

[Mush Zombie]

Str0be, on 20 February 2012 - 12:17 AM, said:

When you isolate a substrain like this, and you end up with a dish with nothing but linear rhizomorphic mycelium, is it generally always a fruitable strain? Or can you end up isolating a strain that doesn't even produce?

Yes you can wind up isolating a substrain that does not have good fruiting potential, even if its rhizomorphic.

Thats why its best to start the isolation process with a clone of a mushroom from a large cluster, if a high yielding sub-strain is what you are after.

[BEYOND2]

thanks MZ ive been waitn for thread like this

[AL2O3]

thanks for the post MZ. Great information

[SquidHead]

Mush Zombie, on 20 February 2012 - 12:20 AM, said:

Yes you can wind up isolating a substrain that does not have good fruiting potential, even if its rhizomorphic.

Thats why its best to start the isolation process with a clone of a mushroom from a large cluster, if a high yielding sub-strain is what you are after.

A method I have been using and seems to do me justice is to induce fruiting on the plate itself. You will then see right away which sectors are good possible candidates before transfering just by the pin sets. Its a quick and effective way to get a preview of what you are possibly growing.

MZ is right use big clusters


And you can get big flushes

[Dozzer]

Thank you MZ for posting this, it will help everyone new and old, and very easy to follow and understand


Peace From The East
**D**

[Str0be]

SquidHead, on 20 February 2012 - 02:21 AM, said:

A method I have been using and seems to do me justice is to induce fruiting on the plate itself. You will then see right away which sectors are good possible candidates before transfering just by the pin sets. Its a quick and effective way to get a preview of what you are possibly growing.

MZ is right use big clusters
014.JPG

And you can get big flushes
23.jpg 1stflushhawaiian.jpg

By inducing fruiting, you mean just putting your agar dishes in the same environment as you would to fruit? Basically just a room with a temp around 68 - 72?

[Mush Zombie]

If you are using the agar jars definately. I have done that many times, not purposefully, just being a slacker. They will pin if you just leave them out somewhere like you described.

Even PE!

[SquidHead]

Yeah if you wait long enough they will automatically. Yes you can get them to pin by dropping temps slightly and giving them some light. They remain sealed though, until I am in front of a hood and doing transfers. My theory is if they can fruit abundantly on agar then they will do even better on a nutrient rich substrate.

[BEYOND2]

damn that shits crazy!!!!!

[neowulf]

awesome i hope to start doing this with results from first grow

[Taven9]

Good info and well presented.