Oak Ridge Magic Mushrooms
The Oak Ridge magic mushrooms are domesticated and easy-to-grow mushrooms that provide its users with a chill, relaxed vibe. This mushroom colonizes quickly and is known to produce uniform medium-sized fruits with slender stalks and golden/brown caps. The effects of this mushroom are reported to be less intense than other p. cubensis variants. Perhaps this is due to its unique origin story. Reportedly the original specimen was a mutation collected 5 miles west of a nuclear weapons facility in Oak Ridge Tennesse.
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Summary:
The Oak Ridge mushroom is a mutation of the P. cubensis species. This variant is an aggressive colonizer and is forgiving to less-than-ideal conditions, making it a great choice for beginner growers. The original specimen was collected near a nuclear facility in Tennessee; leading some to speculate that it had mutated as a result of exposure to nuclear radiation. Oak Ridge produces uniform mushroom fruit bodies with golden brown caps and slender white stalks.
How To Grow Oak Ridge Magic Mushrooms
This variety is considered easy to grow, making it ideal for new growers.
There are a variety of different ways to grow Oak Ridge mushrooms. Yet, the most beginner-friendly method is to fruit directly from the bag using an all-in-one bag such as this one from Mushroomsupplies.com.
However, if you are looking for more hands-on experience, we would recommend using a grow-chamber setup using grain spawn and a manure-based substrate. We have found that the easiest grow chamber setup consists of using a tin container. You can read the full post on how to grow mushrooms using tin containers here.
Below is a summary of this post:
- Innoculate grain bag with 3-5cc of Oak Ridge liquid culture or spores via spore syringe.
- Store the inoculated grain bag in a dry area for colonization making sure to maintain a substrate temperature of 84-86. Colonizing mycelium generates its own heat, so an ambient room temperature in the high 70s is recommended.
- Once fully colonized, prepare the tin container and begin layering the substrate and colonized grain. Begin and end with a layer of the substrate.
- Set aside for re-colonization (10-14 days)
- Prepare the li by adding fresh air holes and cover with micro-pore tape.
- Replace the lid and place the tin into fruiting conditions. Reduce the ambient temperatures to reduce the substrate temperatures to 74-78 degrees F.
- Mist the inside of the chamber lid when needed.
- Harvest
Oak Ridge Magic Mushroom Growing Parameters:
| Preferred Substrate(s): | Various grain types, compost, pasteurized dung/straw |
| Substrate Temperature (Colonization): | 84/86 degrees F. |
| Substrate Temperature (Fruiting): | 74/78 degrees F. |
| Humidity/FAE | During Colonization: 100%RH, 0 FAE: During Fruiting: 90%RH, FAE 2-5x per day |
Note: Substrate temps should be measured internally using a probe thermometer. We’ve found that multi-probe thermometers, such as this dual probe and this quad probe thermometer are easy and very accurate.
Sources: The Mushroom Cultivator (P. Stamets), psilosophy.info – psilopedia.com – spores101.co
Have you grown Oak Ridge? Have an experience you care to share? Let us know in the comments your experience.
Products mentioned in this article include:
