The Complete Guide to Growing Psilocybin Mushrooms in a Monotub

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Psilocybin mushrooms are controlled substances under federal law in the United States (Schedule I). Cultivation is illegal at the federal level and in most states. In Colorado, as of 2023, personal possession, use, and limited cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms for adults 21+ has been decriminalized under Proposition 122 (Natural Medicine Health Act), but commercial sale remains illegal, and local regulations may vary. Always verify current local, state, and federal laws before proceeding. Proper safety, sterility, and hygiene are critical to avoid health risks like contamination or legal issues. This process involves mycology basics and assumes you have legal access to spores (which are legal to possess in most places for microscopy, but not for cultivation).

This guide covers growing Psilocybe cubensis (a common beginner species) using the monotub tek—a simple, low-maintenance fruiting chamber method popularized in mycology communities. It yields 1–4+ ounces dry per flush from a standard 54-quart tub, with multiple flushes possible.

Materials List

Spore and Inoculation

• Psilocybe cubensis spore syringe (10 mL). Save 20% at Spores MD using this link.
• Grain spawn jars and injection port lids (e.g., quart-sized wide-mouth Mason jars with modified lids: hole for injection + filter)
• Rye grain or whole oats (organic preferred, ~2–3 lbs per 5 jars)

Substrate and Tub

• 54-quart clear plastic storage bin (monotub) with lid
• Coco coir (1 brick, ~650g)
• Vermiculite (2–4 quarts for texture)
• Gypsum (optional, 1–2 cups for ph balance)
• Pasteurized horse manure or compost (optional alternative substrate)
• Black duct tape or liner for lower tub sides (light blocking)
• Polyfill (synthetic pillow stuffing) for ventilation holes

Tools and Sterility

• Pressure cooker (15 PSI minimum) or large pot for steaming
• Still air box (SAB) or laminar flow hood (optional but recommended)
• 70% isopropyl alcohol, flame sterilizer (e.g., butane torch), gloves, mask
• Drill with 1–2 inch hole saw (for tub vents)
• Hydrated lime or pasteurization setup
• pH meter (optional, aim for 7–8)
• Spray bottle for misting
• Hygrometer/thermometer combo
• LED lights (6500K daylight spectrum, low wattage)

Miscellaneous

• Aluminum foil
• Micropore tape
• Timer for light cycle

Step 1: Spore Syringe Preparation and Grain Spawn Inoculation

1. Prepare Grain Jars:
   • Soak rye/oats in water for 12–24 hours.
   • Boil/simmer for 20–30 min until kernels are hydrated but not burst.
   • Drain, steam dry for 30 min.
   • Add gypsum if using (1–2% by weight).
   • Fill jars 2/3 full, leaving headspace.
   • Lid setup: Drill 1/4-inch hole, cover with micropore tape; add polyfill or silicone injection port. Or buy premade spawn jar lids.
   • Pressure cook at 15 PSI for 90–120 min. Cool overnight in cooker.
2. Sterile Inoculation:
   • Work in a still air box: Wipe everything with 70% alcohol, wear gloves/mask.
   • Flame-needle the syringe until red hot, cool in alcohol wipe.
   • Inject 1–2 mL spores per jar through port/tape (shake syringe first).
   • Incubate at 75–80°F (24–27°C) in dark. Colonization: 2–4 weeks. Shake jars at 20–30% colonization to speed.

Signs of Success: White mycelium spreading. Contam Check: Green (Trichoderma), black, or pink = discard.

Step 2: Substrate Preparation (Bulk)

Monotub uses a CVG mix (Coir-Vermiculite-Gypsum) at field capacity (moist but no excess water when squeezed).

1. Pasteurize Substrate:
   • Break coir brick in 5-gallon bucket with boiling water (cover brick + 1–2 inches).Let hydrate 1–2 hours.Mix in vermiculite (2:1 coir:verm ratio) and gypsum (4% by volume).Pasteurize: Heat to 140–160°F for 60–90 min (oven, sous-vide, or hot water bath). Do NOT sterilize (kills beneficial microbes). If unable to pasturize, the Bucketek method will suffice with good results. Cool to room temp. Field capacity test: Squeeze handful—few drops only.
   Quantity for 54qt tub: 650g coir brick + 4–5 quarts verm + 2 cups gypsum → ~5–6 gallons hydrated. You are aiming for a 3 inch substrate depth.

Step 3: Monotub Setup

1. Drill Holes:
   • Bottom row: 4 holes (2 per long side) ~4–6 inches from bottom for fresh air exchange (FAE) and CO2 drain.
   • Top row: 2 holes (1 per short side) higher up.
   • Stuff loosely with polyfill.
2. Liner and Light Block:
   • Optional black trash bag liner on bottom/sides to prevent side-pinning.
   • Tape lower 6–8 inches black to block light.
3. Layering:
   • Clean tub with alcohol.
   • Add 2–4 inch substrate layer.
   • Crumble fully colonized grain spawn evenly on top (1:2 to 1:4 spawn:substrate ratio; e.g., 5 jars to 5–6 gal substrate).
   • Mix top 1 inch gently (or top-layer spawn for even pinset).
   • Add 1/2–1 inch casing layer (50/50 coir:verm, pasteurized)—optional but improves yields/humidity.
   • Pat flat, lid on.

Step 4: Colonization Phase

• Incubate at 75–80°F in dark.
• Full colonization: 7–14 days (mycelium covers surface).
• Wait 3–7 more days for consolidation (prevents overlay).

Step 5: Fruiting Conditions

Trigger pinning by introducing fruiting parameters:

1. Environment:
   • Temp: Drop to 68–75°F (20–24°C).
   • Humidity: 90–95% (mist if below; fan 4–6x/day).
   • FAE: Polyfill allows passive exchange; fan manually if CO2 builds (dank smell).
   • Light: 12/12 cycle, 6500K, indirect/low intensity (mycelium doesn’t photosynthesize but light triggers pinning).
   • Monitor with hygrometer.
2. Maintenance:
   • Mist walls/surface if dry (avoid direct on pins).
   • Fan after misting.
   • Pins appear 5–10 days post-conditions.

Step 6: Harvesting and Flushes

1. Harvest:
   • Pick when veils break (caps opening, spores dropping).
   • Twist/pull gently or cut at base.
   • First flush: 7–14 days after pinning.
   • Yield: 100–500g wet (~10–50g dry) per flush.
2. Rehydration for Next Flush:
   • Dunk substrate 2–12 hours in water (or heavy mist).
   • Drain, return to fruiting.
   • 2–4 flushes total (diminishing).
3. Drying:
   • Fan dry 24–72 hours, or dehydrator at <95°F until cracker-dry.
   • Store in airtight jars with silica.

Advanced Tips and Variations

• Strains: Golden Teacher (forgiving), B+ (resilient), Penis Envy (potent but slower).
• Contam Prevention: Always flame-sterilize, use SAB, avoid over-wet substrate.
• Yield Optimization: 1:3 spawn ratio, proper casing, genetics.
• PF Tek Alternative: For beginners—use brown rice flour/verm cakes instead of grain.
• Scaling: Multiple tubs or Uncle Ben’s ready rice bags for no-PC method (higher contam risk).
• Troubleshooting:
  • No pins: Low FAE, high CO2, wrong temp.
  • Aborts: Dry air, stress.
  • Overlay: Too consolidated—scratch surface.

Safety and Legal Notes

• Mycelium produces allergens; wear mask.
• Contams like mold can be hazardous—discard at the first sight of contamination.
• Psilocybin potency varies; start low (1–2g dry).
• This is mycology—spores ≠ mushrooms legally in many places, but intent matters.

Total timeline: 4–8 weeks from inoculation to first harvest. Patience and sterility are key. Happy growing (legally)!