Mykolaborian offers a wide variety of grow kits. Some are undisputed classics, including the Golden Teacher and Albino Penis Envy. Others, however, are less common products that provide intriguing observations under a microscope. I have no doubt that the growkit Nutcracker Full Auto is one of them. Why? That’s exactly what I’d like to talk about in this article. I encourage you to read it now.
What is the Nutcracker growkit?
“Nutcracker” isn’t exactly a typical name for a mushroom, is it? And yet… This strain was named that way. Maybe it’s because of how its mycelium works, creating truly fairytale-like forms? Or because of what magic mushroom enthusiasts “discovered,” deciding to use them differently than they should?
Either way, this mushroom is another representative of Psilocybe cubensis, which has been repeatedly mutated to achieve this effect. It’s one of several to a dozen albino mushrooms available on the market. In grow kit form, it provides significant research material that will surely appeal to those who observe the behavior of “roots” and those who long to admire the beauty of nature. Anyone familiar with Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” knows how fanciful this story was. The Nutcracker mycelium spins its own incredible story on the plate, creating beautiful ornaments.
For the record, I remind you that the grow kit is a product created solely for observing the early development phase of representatives of the Fungi kingdom. Let’s leave the safe development of fruiting bodies to those who have the license and therefore the permissions.
Where did the Nutcracker strain come from?
Sources say that Myco Clay worked on this strain and was the one who managed to isolate Nutcracker. The material used to create it was True Albino Teacher. Interestingly, the original name was “Nutsack.” However, due to certain… erotic associations, the decision was quickly made to change it to the much more accessible version we know today. The “Nutcracker” itself was scheduled for release in March 2021. It quickly gained recognition throughout the mycological community and remains one of the most sought-after mutants, characterized by high genetic stability (compared to other varieties).
What are the characteristics of a mature specimen of the Nutcracker variety?
Although only professional, licensed laboratories have the right to cultivate the mushrooms themselves, it’s worth knowing what the mature fruiting bodies look like. These, in turn, are truly beautiful. Fruiting takes a bit longer with this strain, so it will be a while before the lab technician sees the mature mushroom.
However, when it does grow… It’s usually really big. Nutcrackers can twist, and their caps sometimes resemble a Bonnie hat (a hat characteristic of American forces during the Vietnam War) pulled tightly over the head, only not in a camouflage pattern, but a bluish one.
The pale color with blue discoloration of the cap indicates its albino origins. The mature mushroom is characterized by a soft stem. It’s worth noting that this strain does not shed spores. However, it has another property that makes these mushrooms popular, among others. In laboratories, a long maturation period produces a lot of alkaloids, a key research resource for professional scientists.
Working with the Nutcracker Growkit – how to obtain research material?
Working with this strain is an incredible experience. The Nutcracker Growkit in Poland is very popular precisely because of how aggressive and imaginative its mycelium can be! It colonizes at the speed of Formula 1, especially when provided with the right thermal conditions.
This is, in fact, one of the few conditions that must be met. It’s a Growkit Full Auto, so you don’t have to worry about any maintenance or misting. Simply place it away from drafts and dirt, in a warm, shaded spot… and watch, waiting for the mycelium to develop.
Will the Nutcracker Growkit be right for you?
This is one of the more beginner-friendly growkits, but experienced amateur mycologists will also have a lot of fun with it. So if you’re looking for an interesting albino strain whose behavior in the dish is unpredictable, go for the Nutcracker. I guarantee the research on it is very interesting.