A friend of a friend of mine, recently took up growing Golden Teacher mushrooms, and after hearing about his experience, I was inspired to share the process with you.
He was new to growing mushrooms, but with some patience and a good setup, he managed to grow an impressive batch.
If you’re interested in learning how to grow Golden Teacher mushrooms, his experience provides a great roadmap for beginners.
Why Grow Golden Teacher Mushrooms?
Golden Teacher mushrooms are one of the most popular types to grow, especially for beginners.
My friend’s friend chose them because they’re known for being relatively forgiving compared to other strains.
Plus, they have a rich history and are admired for their golden caps and deep spiritual connections.
From what I heard, he was drawn to their reputation for providing both a gentle and enlightening experience, making them a favorite for both recreational and spiritual purposes.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
According to my friend’s friend, the first step is gathering the right materials. He made sure to have everything prepared in advance, which saved him a lot of hassle. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Golden Teacher spore syringe (this contains the spores you’ll use to start the process)
- Substrate (brown rice flour and vermiculite are beginner-friendly)
- Mason jars or grow bags (to hold the substrate and spawn)
- Pressure cooker (to sterilize the substrate)
- Sterile gloves and a mask (to prevent contamination)
- Spray bottle (to maintain humidity during the growing process)
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Golden Teacher Mushrooms
Step 1: Preparing the Substrate
The first thing my friend’s friend did was prepare the substrate.
He used a simple mix of brown rice flour, vermiculite, and water, which is perfect for beginners.
After mixing it all together, he loaded the mixture into sterilized Mason jars.
This substrate acts as the food source for the mushrooms, so getting this part right is important.
He mentioned that pasteurizing or sterilizing the substrate is crucial—without it, there’s a high chance of contamination.
Using a pressure cooker, he sterilized the jars, which took about an hour. Then, he let them cool overnight before proceeding.
Step 2: Inoculating the Substrate with Spores
Once the jars were cool, he injected the Golden Teacher spores into the substrate.
Using a spore syringe, he made about four injection points per jar to evenly distribute the spores.
Sterile gloves and a mask are a must at this stage—he learned early on that contamination can ruin the entire batch if you’re not careful.
After inoculation, the jars were sealed and stored in a dark, warm area for a couple of weeks.
The ideal temperature for Golden Teacher mushrooms is around 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F). According to him, patience is key here—don’t rush the process.
Step 3: Incubation and Colonization
Over the next few weeks, mycelium began to form inside the jars.
The white, web-like growth spread through the substrate, which is a good sign that the spores were colonizing successfully.
My friend’s friend told me he checked the jars regularly, but never opened them. This was his way of ensuring the environment remained sterile and free from contaminants.
Once the substrate was fully colonized (which took about 3-4 weeks), it was time to move to the next stage: fruiting.
Step 4: Moving to the Fruiting Stage
After the jars were fully colonized, he transferred the cakes (the solidified mycelium) into a fruiting chamber.
He used a large plastic container with holes drilled for airflow, and lined the bottom with perlite to maintain high humidity.
Golden Teacher mushrooms need humidity levels around 90% to fruit properly, so he misted the chamber daily and fanned it to provide fresh air.
After a week or so, tiny mushroom pins began to appear, which he said was one of the most exciting parts of the process.
Step 5: Harvesting the Mushrooms
When the mushrooms were fully grown, with caps that had started to flatten but hadn’t completely opened yet, it was time to harvest.
My friend’s friend twisted them gently at the base to remove them from the cakes without damaging the mycelium.
He told me that Golden Teachers grow fast, so it’s important to keep an eye on them.
Harvesting them at the right time—just before the caps fully open—ensures they’re at their peak potency and flavor.
Common Challenges and Solutions
One of the biggest challenges he faced was maintaining the right humidity levels.
Golden Teacher mushrooms thrive in humid environments, so he misted the chamber regularly and used a hygrometer to monitor the humidity.
Another challenge was avoiding contamination. He learned early on to be meticulous with cleanliness.
Every tool, every jar, every surface had to be sterilized to avoid introducing harmful bacteria.
Final Thoughts from My Friend’s Friend
Based on his experience, growing Golden Teacher mushrooms is definitely doable, even for a beginner.
He emphasized that patience and attention to detail are key—rushing the process or skipping sterilization can easily ruin the batch.
However, once you see those first mushrooms start to pin, all the work feels worth it.
If you’re thinking about growing your own Golden Teacher mushrooms, I’d say go for it.
After hearing his story and seeing his results, it’s clear that with the right setup and a bit of care, you can have a successful harvest in no time.