Machine Elf

Machine Elf Mushroom Strain: A Unique Psilocybe cubensis Variety

The Machine Elf Mushroom Strain is a fascinating and unique type of Psilocybe cubensis. It was created through a process called anastomosis hybridization. Imagine it like mushroom breeding! This strain is the result of crossing a wild Psilocybe cubensis from Peru with the well-known “Penis Envy Uncut” (PEU) variety.

This breeding project was both fun and challenging. The Penis Envy Uncut strain has mostly recessive traits, which made it tricky to bring out some of its signature features in the Machine Elf. Breeders worked to try and get traits like the PEU’s wrinkled, striped appearance and non-hollow stem to show up in the new strain.

The name “Machine Elf” is inspired by the stories of Terrence McKenna, a famous ethnobotanist. He talked about encountering “Machine Elves” in what he described as the quantum fields of reality. This name captures the unique and perhaps otherworldly nature of this mushroom strain.

Spore Characteristics:

If you’re collecting spores from the Machine Elf strain, you’ll want to look closely at the gills underneath the mushroom cap. Machine Elf mushrooms typically have gills that are medium to large and very tightly packed together. This tight gill formation makes them well-suited for spore collection.

Under a microscope, the spores of the Machine Elf strain have distinctive features. They are a purplish-brown color and are quite small, measuring about 7 x 12 micrometers. When you look at germinating spores, you’ll often see “clamp connections” and a delicate, feathery type of mycelium (the vegetative part of the mushroom). To see these details, you’ll need a microscope and magnification equipment.

How to Grow Machine Elf Magic Mushrooms:

The Machine Elf strain is considered relatively easy to cultivate, making it a good option for growers with some experience. It can grow on common substrates like:

• Rye grain
• Brown rice flour
• Wild bird seed
• Grain spawn

For the best results growing Machine Elf mushrooms, a grow chamber setup using grain spawn and a manure-based substrate is recommended. A simple and effective grow chamber can be made using a tin container. Here’s a summary of how to grow them in tin containers:

1. Inoculation: Inject a grain bag with 3-5cc of Machine Elf liquid culture or spores using a spore syringe.
2. Colonization: Store the inoculated grain bag in a dry area to allow the mycelium to colonize the grain. Keep the substrate temperature between 84-86°F (29-30°C). Remember that the mycelium itself generates heat, so the room temperature should be in the high 70s°F (around 25-26°C).
3. Layering Substrate: Once the grain is fully colonized by the mycelium, prepare your tin container. Layer the bottom with a manure-based substrate, then add a layer of the colonized grain spawn, and finish with a top layer of the manure-based substrate.
4. Re-colonization: Set the tin container aside for 10-14 days to allow the mycelium to re-colonize the new substrate layers.
5. Prepare Lid for Fruiting: Modify the tin container lid by adding fresh air holes and covering these holes with micro-pore tape. This allows for air exchange while keeping contaminants out.
6. Fruiting Conditions: Replace the lid and move the tin container to fruiting conditions. Lower the ambient temperature to reduce the substrate temperature to 74-78°F (23-26°C).
7. Maintain Humidity: Mist the inside of the chamber lid as needed to maintain a high relative humidity of 90-95% during the fruiting stage.
8. Harvest: Once the mushrooms mature, harvest them.

Machine Elf Growing Parameters Summary:

• Preferred Substrates: Various grains, compost, pasteurized dung/straw mixes. Buy substrate here. 
• Substrate Temperature (Colonization): 84-86°F (29-30°C)
• Substrate Temperature (Fruiting): 74-78°F (23-26°C)
• Humidity/Fresh Air Exchange (FAE):
  • Colonization: 100% Relative Humidity (RH), 0 Fresh Air Exchange (FAE)
  • Fruiting: 90% RH, Fresh Air Exchange 2-5 times per day