How to Grow Panaeolus Cyanescens AKA “Blue Meanies”

If you’re looking to cultivate a potent and unique strain of psychedelic mushrooms, then Panaeolus Cyanescens should be on your radar. Pan Cyans, AKA Blue Meanies, are known for their intense and euphoric effects. Panaeolus Cyanescens are considered to be more difficult to grow than other species, however, in this guide, we will try to simplify the process and take you through the basic steps to successfully cultivate the strain.

What are Panaeolus Cyanescens Mushrooms?

Panaeolus Cyanescens, also known as the “Blue Meanie,” is a species of psilocybin mushroom that is known for its potent and unique effects. The mushroom is native to several regions of the world, including Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. It is a small to medium-sized mushroom that typically grows in clusters on dung or composted material, such as cow or horse manure. Panaeolus Cyanescens contains high levels of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound that induces the hallucinogenic effects, making it a popular choice among psychedelic enthusiasts. It is important to note that psilocybin mushrooms, including Panaeolus Cyanescens, are illegal in many countries and should only be grown and consumed where it is legal to do so.

Whats the Difference Between Panaeolus Cyanescens and Psilocybe Cubensis?

Panaeolus Cyanescens and Psilocybe Cubensis are two completely different species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. While there are some similarities between the two strains, here are some of the key differences between these two species:

1. Potency: Panaeolus Cyanescens are generally considered to be more potent than Psilocybe Cubensis. The active ingredient in both species is psilocybin, but Panaeolus Cyanescens typically contains a higher concentration of psilocybin per gram of dried mushroom.
2. Appearance: Panaeolus Cyanescens and Psilocybe Cubensis have different physical characteristics. Panaeolus Cyanescens has a darker and more robust appearance, with a brown to black coloration and a thicker stem. Psilocybe Cubensis has a lighter coloration, with a tan to brown cap and a thin stem.
3. Habitat: Panaeolus Cyanescens and Psilocybe Cubensis also have different habitat preferences. Panaeolus Cyanescens is often found growing in the wild on cow or horse manure, whereas Psilocybe Cubensis is commonly found growing in the wild on rotting plant matter.
4. Growing conditions: The optimal growing conditions for Panaeolus Cyanescens and Psilocybe Cubensis are also slightly different. Panaeolus Cyanescens prefers a higher humidity level and a slightly lower temperature than Psilocybe Cubensis.
5. Availability: Panaeolus Cyanescens is generally considered to be a more rare and difficult-to-find species than Psilocybe Cubensis. It is less commonly cultivated and is often found growing in the wild in specific geographic regions.

While both Panaeolus Cyanescens and Psilocybe Cubensis are psilocybin-containing mushrooms, they have some distinct differences in terms of potency, appearance, habitat, growing conditions, and availability.

How to Grow Panaeolus Cyanescens

If you’ve grown P. Cubensis, then growing Panaeolus Cyanescens shouldn’t be too much of a learning curve for you. The primary differences between growing the two species has to do with environmental conditions, i.e. FAE and humidity levels, as well as adding a casing layer, which is typically not required for cubensis varieties. Here are the steps to grow Panaeolus Cyanescens:

1. Spore Inoculation: The first step is to obtain spores or a culture of Panaeolus Cyanescens. You can purchase spore syringes online through a reputable seller. Once you have your spores, you will need to inoculate your spawning material.
2. Prepare the Spawn Substrate: Panaeolus Cyanescens grow well in all sorts of grains. Commonly used grains include Rye, WBS, Millet, Milo, and Whole Corn. The spawn substrate will need to be prepared prior to inoculation which includes hydration, drying, packing, and sterilization. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, then you can read about how to make your own grain here. Or if you want to save yourself some time and headache, you can find fully prepared spawn bags here.
3. Inoculate the Spawn: Assuming you are using a spore syringe, then inoculation of the bag should be pretty easy. Clean all surfaces, tools, and materials down with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Insert the needle through the injection port and push down on the plunger. You will want to use 3-6cc of spore solution per 3lb spawn bag.
4. Incubate the Spawn: After inoculation, the substrate should be incubated in a warm and dark location. The ideal temperature for the incubation of Panaeolus Cyanescens is between 75-80°F (24-27°C). Incubation time will vary on the genetic as well as the conditions of the incubation space. However, within 3 weeks you should have a healthy mycelial cluster engulfing the grain spawn. It is a best practice to break up the grain when the mycelium has colonized 60-70% of the grain. This helps to speed up the colonization of the grain.
5. Prepare the Substrate: Once your grain bag is fully colonized it is time to spawn to a bulk substrate. Panaeolus Cyanescens grows best in a nutritious substrate that is rich in nitrogen. A common substrate used for this strain is a mix of cow manure and straw. Many growers will use a combination of commonly used manure-based substrate materials such as Coco Coir, manure, vermiculite, and/or Peat Moss. Use your preferred bulk substrate recipe or buy ready-to-use substrate online. If making your own, the substrate should be pasteurized to kill off any competing bacteria or fungi spores in the substrate.
6. Prepare Your Fruiting Chamber: If you are familiar with growing Cubensis, then you are well aware that there are a variety of different fruiting chamber techniques you can use, from Monotubs, and shoebox containers, to tin foil containers. Choose your preferred fruiting chamber method and begin adding a substrate layer of roughly 1.5 inches in depth.
7. Inoculate the Substrate: Once your substrate layer has been added, you will begin to add your colonized grain spawn. Completely cover the substrate layer with colonized grain, adding about .5 inches of depth, then using gloves you will begin to mix the spawn with the substrate, equally distributing the grains with the substrate. Once mixed, cover the fruiting chamber with a lid or plastic wrap.
8. Colonization: Set the grow chamber aside for the colonization phase. You will want to put it in a dark dry space with an ambient temperature of 75-80°F (24-27°C). It may take several weeks for the mycelium to fully colonize the substrate. You will know it has fully colonized when the substrate is white and fluffy with no visible uncolonized areas.
9. Casing: Once the substrate has fully colonized, it is time to add a casing layer. This layer provides additional nutrients and moisture for the mushrooms to grow. A common casing layer for Panaeolus Cyanescens is a mix of peat moss and vermiculite. Put a thin layer of casing evenly across the colonized substrate. You want just enough to ensure all of the colonized substrate is hidden below the casing layer. Below is a simple Pan Cyan Casing Layer Recipe.
   • 2 quarts peat moss (or 2000ml)
   • 2 quarts vermiculte (or 2000ml)
   • 15g (or 2 TBSP) calcium hydroxide (pickling lime) (or 40g (or 5 TBSP) calcium carbonate) mixed into
   • 1-quart water (or 1000ml)
10. Fruiting: After the casing layer has been applied, replace the lid, and the substrate should be placed in a fruiting chamber with high humidity and good air circulation. The ideal temperature for fruiting is between 70-75°F (21-24°C). ‘During this time it is important to increase fresh air exchange. Its recommended to fan the tub 3X per day at this time. The mushrooms should start to appear within a week or two.
11. Harvesting: The mushrooms will have matured when the caps have fully opened. Harvest your mushrooms by gently twisting and pulling them from the substrate.

Growing Panaeolus Cyanescens requires a nutritious substrate, proper inoculation, and careful management of environmental conditions. With the right techniques and attention to detail, you can produce a bountiful harvest of this potent and unique mushroom strain.