Common Mistakes To Avoid

Mushroom cultivation is simple when done right—but small mistakes can lead to contamination, poor yields, or total grow failure. These are the most frequent errors we see among new growers and how to avoid them:

Inoculating in an unclean environment
Always sanitize your workspace. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol to wipe surfaces and the injection port. Never inoculate near fans, open windows, or where there’s airflow—air currents carry contaminants.

Touching the injection site or needle
Once sterilized, avoid touching the needle or injection port with your hands. This introduces bacteria or mold spores that can compromise your grow.

Not refrigerating the liquid culture
Cultures must be stored at 35–41°F. Leaving them at room temperature reduces viability and increases the risk of contamination or weak colonization.

Opening the bag too early
Do not cut or open the grow bag until colonization is 100% complete and you’ve reached the fruiting stage (or harvest, in the case of research strains). Early exposure introduces contaminants and ruins colonization.

Incorrect fruiting method for your strain
Gourmet and medicinal strains require a small “X” cut and daily misting for fruiting. Research strains should never be cut open until harvest. Know your strain before proceeding.

Storing the grow bag improperly
Store in a dark, dry location at room temperature. Never refrigerate your grow bag or place it in direct sunlight, high humidity, or cold floors.

Failing to reseal after first flush (for research strains)
After harvesting the first flush, reseal the bag with paper clips to retain moisture and trigger additional flushes. Leaving it exposed may dry out the substrate.

Mistaking contamination for healthy growth
Mycelium is bright white and spreads evenly. If you see green, black, or foul-smelling patches, that’s contamination. Dispose of the bag and contact support.

Using expired or damaged materials
Kits and cultures have a shelf life. Always check storage instructions and use within recommended time frames for best results.

Overhandling or squeezing the bag
Once inoculated, avoid squeezing or moving the bag unnecessarily. Excess handling disrupts mycelial growth and can introduce bacteria.

Avoiding these common mistakes will dramatically increase your success rate. Follow the instructions, stay sterile, and reach out to support if anything seems off—your kit is backed by our lifetime contamination guarantee.