If you're looking to expand your mycelium cultivation setup,
liquid culture is a great way to grow and store mycelium efficiently.
It's especially helpful for quickly inoculating multiple jars or bags later on.
Here’s how I make mine using high-temperature sterilization.
✅ What You’ll Need
• Pressure cooker
• Autoclave tape
• Mycelium in syringe form
• Ethanol (for disinfection)
• Mushroom filter
• Aluminum foil
• Glass jar
• Liquid culture lid (available on Amazon)
• Light corn syrup
• Magnetic stirrer + stir bar
1. Add warm water to your glass jar.
Warm water helps dissolve the syrup more easily.
2. Add corn syrup and stir.
Use 4% corn syrup based on the water volume.
Mix until fully dissolved.
3. Drop in your magnetic stir bar.
4. Install the Liquid Culture lid.
5. Apply autoclave tape to each jar.
6. Wrap the lid with aluminum foil for extra protection during sterilization.
7. Add ~1 inch of water to the pressure cooker.
8. Place the steam rack in the cooker and stack your Liquid Culture jars on it.
9. Sterilize at 15 psi for 20 minutes.
10. Let everything cool completely before moving forward.
11. Check your Autoclave Tape
It should have turned black if the sterilization was successful.
12. Disinfect all tools and surfaces with ethanol.
Sterilize the port and needle thoroughly.
I usually flame-sterilize the needle, then wipe with ethanol for extra assurance.
13. Inject the mycelium into the Liquid Culture jar through the injection port on the lid.
✅ How to Store Liquid Culture
• Store in a dark place with a steady temp between 65–75°F (18–24°C).
• Liquid Culture typically lasts about 6 months. After that, growth slows down noticeably.
• Use a magnetic stirrer to mix daily.
If you don’t stir regularly, the mycelium may clump together like a cloudy blob.
❌ What Failed Liquid Culture Looks Like
• No visible mycelial growth after 2+ weeks = likely a dud.
• If you see dark or murky particles, the culture is contaminated and should be discarded immediately.
✅ How to Use Liquid Culture
• Sterilize the syringe needle with ethanol (I flame it first, then wipe).
• Inject the Liquid Culture into your sterilized bottles or bags.