What strains are most popular among home mycologists? There are many, but one variety deserves special mention – Albino Penis Envy. This mushroom is unique in many ways, and its mycelium always provides new, intriguing observations. In this article, I’d like to take a closer look at the APE Growkit Full Auto, tell you about its unique properties, where it came from, and who would be the perfect choice for such a package. Read it now!
What is the APE Growkit Full Auto?
Let’s start with the history, as it dates back to the 1970s. The McKenna brothers (Terence and Denis) were exploring the wilds of the Amazon jungle at the time. It’s rich in a variety of natural treasures. One of these, however, was a unique mushroom from the Psilocybe cubensis family—powerful for the species, Penis Envy. Both researchers were so impressed by this organism that they decided to collect spores and “transplant” them to American soil. As you might expect, this could have been quite a shock for the mushroom itself. Pulling “spores” from the humid Amazon forests and transporting them to the states wouldn’t necessarily have yielded any results.
That’s where Steven Pollock came in. He was responsible for ensuring Penis Envy took off in the laboratory and for creating a stable strain. This method allowed the production of one of the most alkaloid-rich P mushrooms, cubensis. However, achieving an albino was still quite a long way off.
So who is ultimately responsible for the creation of APE? According to sources, the creator of this mutation was Richard Guttierez. While working on Penis Envy, he experimented with combining it with another strain, already albino – Albino PF. The result? Probably the first growkit Albino Penis Envy! As befits an albino, APE lacks any pigment, so it has a characteristic pale color (only the caps may have a bluish to bluish tint). The mushrooms themselves grow on thick stems with numerous swellings and visible filaments. They’re usually not very long, but they can be surprising. The caps are rather small, have a characteristic, ball-like shape, and their edges curl upward.
What’s worth knowing about the grow kit itself? First and foremost, it’s a product intended exclusively for microscopic examination. The package is used to grow mycelium, which can be observed either under magnification or on a glass slide. Both methods are an intriguing experience for any mycology enthusiast. Besides that, it’s a Full Auto product. This means that the mycelium growth process has been fully automated (more on this below).
What distinguishes Albino Penis Envy from other strains?
First and foremost – it’s an albino variant. Albino mutants are quite rare on the market, and are among the most sought-after. In licensed laboratories, the APE grow kit is exceptionally popular due to the high psilocybin content of its fruiting bodies. It is said to be one of the richest strains of Psilocybe cubensis, allowing for the extraction of this characteristic alkaloid for research. I’ll keep reminding you – only in licensed labs.
Why is the APE growkit so popular?
Its popularity stems from several factors. First and foremost, observations of mycelium colonization yield many intriguing conclusions. Furthermore, it is more stable than other varieties, which sometimes literally consume the substrate. This gives mycologists the opportunity for longer studies. On the other hand, the behavior of this variety’s “rootlets” can be intriguing and surprising.
Furthermore, Albino Penis Envy is characterized by a relatively high resistance to infection. While the Full Auto grow kit limits the risk of contamination, its strong genetics also help ensure the mycelium remains healthy. This is especially important for those with less experience. Furthermore, it’s a relatively rare strain, so whenever it appears, it’s in high demand.
Who is the Albino Penis Envy Full Auto grow kit for?
There’s no consensus among mycologists on this matter, other than that it shouldn’t be used as a strain for initial observations. For those with no experience in mycological research, a Golden Teacher, for example, is a much better choice. However, if you already have some understanding of this science, observing Albino Penis Envy will be a real treat.
And how do you use the APE grow kit? The simplicity of using this “grow kit” makes it easy for even less experienced mycologists to handle. This is because after receiving the package, simply place the package in an appropriate location, i.e.:
- away from sources of infection (no flowers, etc.),
- warm (approx. 21°-25° C),
- airy, but without drafts,
- away from sunlight,
And the magic will—literally—happen. Just be careful when collecting the mycelium for testing so as not to contaminate the contents of the growkit. And that’s it!
Check out the APE growkit at Mykolaborian or browse other packages!
APE is definitely one of the most intriguing varieties with a rich history. The powerful mycelium creates striking patterns, and its activity will surprise many a mushroom research enthusiast. For this reason, Albino Penis Envy is so popular among mycologists. So check it out now or browse other options available at Mykolaborian.