One of the biggest nightmares of every mycologist is the potential contamination of their material. Mold, bacterial infections… These can ruin all mycelium research work. Therefore, in this article, I’ll tell you more about how to recognize mold in a grow kit, as well as what you can do (and when) when the first symptoms of infection appear. I encourage you to read it.
How to recognize mold in a grow kit?
Mold is a parasitic filamentous fungus that appears as a hair-like coating. It has various types, including: Colors range from black, through green, blue, gray, pink, and even red. Importantly, it is highly toxic, both to humans and animals and other organisms.
Theoretically, everyone knows what mold looks like. However, in the case of mycelium, certain doubts may arise. Other traces may appear on its surface, which at first glance may raise concerns.
So what does mold look like on mycelium? Typically, the efflorescence takes the form of hair-like spots in one of the colors mentioned above. Furthermore, the infection develops very quickly – mold “spots” grow and spread rapidly.
Mold also causes stains. Therefore, if you notice such a spot, it’s worth taking a sterile cotton swab and rubbing it against the lesion. If the cotton swab remains dirty, you can be sure that an infection is developing in the grow kit.
Finally, contamination of the mycelium with this saprophyte also results in a change in odor. A healthy “grow kit” emits a mushroom-like odor when opened. A diseased plant, on the other hand, will have a distinct odor of dampness and mold.
Symptoms of Other Grow Kit Infections
It’s worth remembering that mold isn’t the only threat that can appear in a grow kit. Bacterial infections can also occur. The mycelium becomes slimy and sticky. Additionally, there’s a rotten or ammonia-like odor. Discoloration, including yellow or brown spots, may also appear on the substrate and “dough.” These are the result of the bacteria’s metabolic processes. All of this is often accompanied by water condensation at the bottom of the package, which only further promotes the growth of microorganisms.
What symptoms are normal?
Beginner mycologists are often very concerned about their research material. Any unusual phenomena can raise concerns about contamination. However, it’s worth knowing that not all changes are associated with contamination.
For example, greenish-blue spots in a growth package, especially right after receiving an order, do not always indicate contamination. This color is caused by oxidizing compounds contained in the mycelium itself. So if you notice such changes and the package is intact, it’s probably not mold. It’s always worth doing the “stick test” in such cases.
White fluff on the mycelium is often cause for concern. However, it’s the mycelium itself. This is the material you can observe and examine under a microscope. Be careful, though, because these “hairs” can develop into pins!
Mold in the Grow Kit – Can the Mycelium Be Saved?
The question remains: what should we do once we’re sure the mycelium is infected? Is there a way to use a growkit if it’s experiencing these problems? Much depends on the extent of the infection and the type of mold. If it’s small and green, you can potentially still try to save the package, although this is a “game” for more experienced mycologists.
For example, try cutting out a section of the mycelium and spraying the surrounding area with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. It’s worth remembering that you’re removing the mold with an excess of material, meaning about 2 cm on each side.
Will this treatment help? Unfortunately, practice shows that it’s rarely successful. The probability of success, i.e., that the mold won’t reappear, is 5-10%. This is because its spores still remain in the package. It’s worth noting that if you notice mold growths in an unopened bag you ordered from Mykolaborian, you have the right to file a complaint. However, customers have rarely reported similar problems (it occurs in 0.01% of cases annually).
However, if the infected area is larger than, say, a nickel or the mold is a different color, then the research material should only be discarded. This is important because even inhaling mold spores can cause health problems. For this reason, it’s better not to risk it and dispose of the product safely.
How to prevent grow kit contamination?
Mold and bacterial infections can ruin long-term work on any mycelium. That’s why it’s so important to use sterile tools when collecting material and to keep your hands clean. Furthermore, the package itself should be kept away from sources of contamination, including plants. Fortunately, by choosing growkity from Mykolaborian, the risk of contamination is minimal, as these are Full Auto packages. You set them up and they work on their own, and you just collect fragments for microscopic observation.