PF Tek (Psilocybe-Fanaticus Tek)

The PF Tek (Psilocybe Fanaticus Tek) is a popular method for growing psilocybin-containing mushrooms, particularly Psilocybe cubensis, at a small scale. Here are easy-to-follow steps and the supplies required:

Supplies Required:

• 1/2 pint or pint-sized glass jars with lids
• Brown rice flour
• Vermiculite
• Water
• Spore syringe or mushroom spore print
• Pressure cooker
• Mixing bowl
• Aluminum foil
• Drill with a 1/4 inch bit
• Measuring cups
• Plastic bags or containers for fruiting (Shotgun Fruiting Chamber or Dub Tub)
• Hygrometer (optional but recommended)
• Perlite (for humidification)

Prepare the Substrate: 

• In a mixing bowl, combine 2 parts vermiculite, 1 part brown rice flour, and 1 part water. Mix until it forms a dough-like consistency.

Fill Jars: 

• Fill each glass jar with the substrate mixture, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top.

Sterilize Jars: 

• Cover the jar openings with aluminum foil and place them in a pressure cooker. Follow the pressure cooker's instructions to sterilize the jars for about 90 minutes at 15 PSI.

Inoculate Jars:

•  Allow the sterilized jars to cool. In a clean and sterile environment, inoculate each jar with spores from a spore syringe. Inject spores into the substrate at four or five points. Seal the holes with tape or silicone after inoculation.

Incubate Jars: 

• Place the inoculated jars in a warm (75-80°F or 24-27°C), dark, and clean area for colonization. This will take several weeks to a few months. Mycelium (the white, thread-like growth) should cover the substrate.

Prepare for Fruiting: 

• Once the jars are fully colonized, prepare the fruiting chamber. You can use a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC) or a Dub Tub with holes for air exchange and humidity.

Birth the Cakes: 

• Remove the cakes from the jars when the mycelium has fully colonized them. Soak the cakes in water for 12-24 hours to rehydrate them.

Fruiting Conditions: 

• Place the cakes on a layer of perlite in your fruiting chamber. Maintain high humidity (90-95%) and temperatures around 70-75°F (21-24°C). Ensure good air exchange by fanning or using a fan on a timer.

Harvest: 

• Mushrooms will start to grow from the cakes in a few weeks. Harvest them when the caps are still closed and before they fully open.

Repeat or Store Spores: 

• Optionally, save some mature mushrooms to obtain spore prints for future use or repeat the process with new jars.

Tips

• Keep everything clean and sterile to prevent contamination.
• Follow the pressure cooker's safety instructions when sterilizing jars.
• Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels in the fruiting chamber.
• Be patient; mushroom growth can take time.

 

Please be aware cultivation and possession of certain mushroom species may be illegal in your area, and ethical considerations apply. Always research the laws and regulations in your region before attempting to cultivate mushrooms.