Summary

At Ryza, we want to make it easy for you, so here’s a summary of the below post:

Store syringe or jar in a sealed bag in the fridge.
Keep at 35-46°F (2-8°C); do not freeze.
Use within 6 months; can last up to 12 months or more.
Warm to room temperature slowly before inoculation.

For a specific guide related to their slightly different needs, check out our page on storing mushroom spore syringes

Interested in growing mushrooms with liquid cultures? Our RyzaPods offer an all-in-one ecosystem designed for this. If you'd like to learn more about how it works, feel free to explore here.

If you're diving into the world of home mycology, understanding how to store your mushroom liquid culture is essential for a successful harvest. New buyers will often purchase liquid culture or spore syringes, and may need to store cultures or spores for extended periods. Here at Ryza, we're all about making mushroom cultivation as simple as possible, which is why we're offering you a guide on how to store and use your liquid culture syringe correctly.

Why Proper Storage Matters

A mushroom liquid culture consists of mushroom mycelium suspended in a nutrient-rich liquid like a broth. This culture plays a vital role in your mushroom cultivation journey as it helps initiate mushroom growth in your RyzaPods. Ensuring it is stored and used properly can directly influence the health of your mycelium and, ultimately, the yield of your mushrooms. This guide also offers the same information as where to store mushroom spores.

Optimal Temperature Conditions

For optimal longevity and health of your liquid culture, it's best to store it in a refrigerator, ideally at temperatures between 2-8°C (35-46°F). Never freeze a liquid culture (or spores), as this will kill the living culture inside. Refrigerating the culture helps to slow the growth of the mycelium, allowing the culture to be viable for longer periods. This is in sharp contrast to the best temperature for mycelium growth, which is much closer to room temperature, between 68-76 degrees F. As for where to store mushroom spores - in the refrigerator for the longest possible shelf life.

Prevent Contamination

Storing your liquid culture in a sealed, sterile environment is key to preventing contamination. Always use clean hands or gloves when handling, and store the culture in a sealed container or bag to prevent exposure to potential contaminants. In addition, it’s best to use the entire syringe during a single inoculation session, using the sterile needle just one time. If a needle must be reused at a later time, it’s best to flame sterilize the tip. Always discard of the needle portion of the syringe properly, with care and consideration for the waste management professionals upon whom we all rely.

Usage and Shelf Life

Before using your liquid culture with our RyzaPods, allow it to reach room temperature. This can help promote better mycelium growth when introduced to the RyzaPods. While liquid cultures can be stored for many months, we recommend using them within six months for the best results. In our experience, liquid cultures of nearly any variety can grow even after a year of storage in the refrigerator. How long can you store mushroom spore syringes? About a year or more when kept in the refrigerator.

What If I See Contamination?

Liquid cultures of healthy mycelium appear as white or off-white translucent globules that can move around inside the liquid when you agitate it. If you notice any discoloration, cloudiness, or strange growth in your liquid culture, it may be contaminated. It's best not to use this culture with your RyzaPods to prevent the risk of the entire pod becoming contaminated. The most obvious signs of contamination of a liquid culture are cloudiness throughout the entire liquid that may or may not settle out.

How Long Does Liquid Culture Take To Grow?

Liquid cultures get to work almost immediately once a mushroom grow kit or other spawn material is inoculated. Generally, the time it takes depends on the amount of substrate being inoculated, as well as how much liquid culture is being used. The more liquid culture added, the faster things get moving. Other factors, including incubation temperature, are also important

Closing Thoughts

Storing your mushroom liquid culture properly is vital for a successful harvest with your RyzaPods. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned mycologist with abundant, healthy mushroom yields.

Interested in learning more about peoples’ success with RyzaPods? Check out some our testimonials or take a peek at our TrustPilot reviews.

The Ultimate Guide to Storing Mushroom Liquid Culture