This video tutorial outlines the comprehensive process of cloning and cultivating the wild pheasantback mushroom (Polyporus squamosus), also known as the dryad saddle. The presenter demonstrates how to aseptically transfer sterile inner tissue from a harvested wild mushroom onto nutrient agar plates in a controlled environment. The mycelial growth is then propagated from the agar plates into sterilized rye grain jars, followed by transfer to a sawdust and wheat bran substrate. The video tracks the colonization of the substrate and showcases the rapid fruiting process in a chamber, emphasizing key indicators for optimal harvest, such as the characteristic dark mycelial discoloration and the mushroom's physical appearance.
Summarizing the Cloning and Growing of Pheasantback Mushrooms
0:00 Introduction to Pheasantback: The video introduces the pheasantback mushroom (Polyporus squamosus), highlighting its distinctive saddle-like shape, feather-patterned cap, and its status as one of the first mushrooms to fruit in spring. The goal is to clone and cultivate it from a wild specimen.
1:01 Setting Up for Cloning: A sterile work area is established, preferably using a laminar flow hood or a still airbox, along with pre-sterilized nutrient agar plates.
1:20 Sterile Tissue Transfer: To prevent contamination, the presenter wears a mask and gloves, sterilizing a stainless steel tool with isopropyl alcohol or a blow torch. The mushroom is ripped open to expose sterile inner tissue, which is then carefully transferred to the agar plates.
2:37 Agar Plate Incubation: The inoculated agar plates are sealed with Parafilm and incubated at approximately 75°F for two weeks until the mycelium fully colonizes the agar.
3:11 Transfer to Grain Spawn: After mycelial growth on the agar, wedges are taken and added to jars of sterilized rye grain to initiate the next growth phase. Optionally, wedges can be transferred to new agar plates for further cleanup or propagation.
3:55 Grain Colonization Process: Maintaining a sterile environment (re-sterilizing tools with a blowtorch), agar wedges are transferred to rye grain jars. The jars are shaken to distribute the mycelium, incubated at 75°F for one week until faint growth appears, and then shaken again to accelerate full colonization.
5:32 Substrate Preparation: Once the rye grain is fully colonized by mycelium, it is mixed with a sterilized sawdust substrate supplemented with wheat bran in a filter patch bag.
8:04 Substrate Incubation: The substrate bag is sealed with an impulse sealer and incubated at around 75°F for 3 to 4 weeks until the mycelium completely colonizes the entire block. It is noted that it's normal for pheasantback mycelium to turn dark black/brown and secrete a dark metabolite liquid.
8:39 Fruiting in Chamber: The colonized substrate block is moved to a shotgun fruiting chamber, where it quickly begins fruiting, showing significant growth and cap development within a few days.
9:33 Optimal Harvest Stage: The presenter advises harvesting the mushrooms when the caps are much larger and feathery, before they age and become tougher in texture, which makes them less desirable.
9:38 Product Availability: The presenter mentions that liquid culture of this species will be available on their website in about a week for those interested in growing it.