Beginner Grow Guide
Clean. Simple. Reliable.
This quick-start guide shows you exactly how to use:
All‑In‑One Grow Kits
Sterilized Grain Bags
CVG Bulk Substrate
No experience needed.
What You’ll Need (Most People Already Have This)
• Your Simple Substrate bag(s)
• Spore syringe or liquid culture syringe
• Lighter (torch is better, but a normal lighter works)
• Isopropyl alcohol (70% preferred)
• Clean paper towel
• Tape or micropore tape
• Clean table or counter
Optional but helpful:
• Nitrile or latex gloves
• Face mask
Clean Habits = Better Results
You do NOT need a lab. You just need to reduce contamination as much as possible.
Before you start:
• Wipe your work surface with alcohol
• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Wipe the outside of your bags with alcohol
• Wipe your syringe and needle packaging
Work calmly and slowly.
Avoid talking, coughing, or breathing directly over open ports or needles.
IMPORTANT – How To Flame Sterilize Your Needle
This step is critical.
• Remove the needle cap
• Hold the needle over a flame
• Heat the entire metal needle until it glows red
Preferred:
A small torch gives faster and more even heat.
If using a lighter:
Hold the flame directly on the needle for several seconds and rotate it so the whole needle is heated.
After heating:
• Do NOT touch the needle
• Do NOT wipe the needle
• Let it cool in the air for 5–10 seconds
If you must cool it faster, you can gently squirt a tiny drop of culture out of the needle tip before injecting.
Always re‑flame the needle between every bag.
OPTION 1 – Using an All‑In‑One Grow Kit
Your kit contains grain and substrate in one bag. READ ALL STEPS THOROUGHLY BEFORE STARTING
Step 0 – Sanitize first (recommended)
• Wipe the outside of the bag with alcohol
• Wipe the syringe body
• Wash or sanitize your hands
Clean handling greatly improves your success rate.
Step 1 – Inoculate (do NOT mix yet)
• Flame sterilize your needle
• Inject your culture through the injection port
• Use a slow, steady push
Typical amount:
2–4 ml per bag is plenty.
Important:
Do NOT mix the bag at this stage.
Let the grain colonize first.
Step 2 – Let the grain colonize first
• Place the bag somewhere clean and out of direct sunlight
• Ideal temperature: room temperature
Wait until roughly 20–30% of the grain layer is visibly white.
Step 3 – One gentle mix (only once)
Once you see strong grain colonization:
• Gently break up the grain
• Gently fold and mix the grain into the substrate
Do not crush the bag or shake aggressively.
Only mix one time.
Step 4 – Full colonization
Return the bag to incubation.
Over the next 1–3 weeks the bag will turn white as mycelium grows.
Wait until the entire bag is fully colonized and evenly white.
Step 5 – Fresh air slit
After about 10 days of full colonization:
• Cut a small slit about 1 inch long
• Place the slit near the top of the bag
• Make the slit above the filter patch
This increases oxygen and helps trigger fruiting.
OPTION 2 – Using a Sterilized Grain Bag
Step 0 – Sanitize first (recommended)
• Wipe the outside of the bag with alcohol
• Wipe the syringe body
• Wash or sanitize your hands
Clean handling greatly improves your success rate.
Grain is used to grow your culture first before mixing into substrate.
Step 1 – Inoculate the grain
• Flame sterilize the needle
• Inject through the injection port
• Use 2–4 ml
Step 2 – Incubate
Place the bag in a clean, dark, room‑temperature area.
Wait until the grain becomes mostly white.
Step 3 – Break and shake
When about 30–50% colonized:
• Gently break the grain apart
• Mix it evenly
This speeds up colonization.
Step 4 – Fully colonize
Wait until the entire grain bag is white and healthy.
Now it is ready to be used with CVG substrate.
OPTION 3 – Using CVG Bulk Substrate
Step 0 – Sanitize first (recommended)
• Wipe your work surface with alcohol
• Wipe the outside of your grain bag and CVG bag
• Wash or sanitize your hands
Clean handling greatly improves your success rate.
CVG is used after your grain is fully colonized.
Step 1 – Prepare your container
You can use:
• A plastic tote
• A clean food-safe container
• OR the CVG grow bag itself
If using the CVG bag itself:
• You will mix and colonize directly inside the bag
• After mixing, gently shape the block
• Close the top of the bag and secure it with a rubber band or binder clips
• If you have a sealer, you may heat‑seal the bag instead
Wash any container and wipe it with alcohol before use.
Step 2 – Mix grain and CVG
• Open your colonized grain bag
• Open your CVG bag
• Gently mix the grain evenly into the CVG
Do not over‑mix or smash the substrate.
Step 3 – Level and close
Lightly level the surface.
Close the lid.
Do not fan or open repeatedly.
Optional (fruiting directly in the CVG bag instead of a tub):
You may also use the CVG bag itself as your fruiting container.
• After mixing in your fully colonized grain, gently shape the block in the bag
• Close the top of the bag and secure it with a rubber band or binder clips
• If you have a sealer, you may heat‑seal the bag instead
Make sure the bag is closed cleanly so outside air and contaminants are not pulled inside during colonization.
Step 4 – Colonization
Leave the container closed until the surface turns mostly white.
This usually takes 7–14 days.
Step 5 – Fruiting
Once colonized, introduce fresh air and light according to your growing method.
General Success Tips
• Always flame sterilize between bags
• Keep your bags sealed
• Do not over‑inject
• Avoid handling the bags constantly
• Healthy mycelium is bright white and strong
Important Notes
Growing results depend on genetics, environment, and technique.
This guide is intended for legal, gourmet and medicinal mushroom cultivation.
Simple Substrate
Clean inputs. Better grows.