The Mycelium Network

Maitake Liquid Culture

Maitake Liquid Culture

£10.00

Grow the legendary “Hen of the Woods” at home with our high-quality Maitake liquid culture. Known for its layered, ruffled appearance and rich, earthy flavour, Maitake is a prized culinary mushroom and rare to come across in the wild. This culture is lab-prepared and suspended in a nutrient-rich solution. Perfect for inoculating hardwood-based substrates or logs.

SKU: 001 M LC
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Maitake Mushroom Liquid Culture

(Grifola frondosa)

Discover the unique and beautiful “Hen of the Woods” with our premium Maitake liquid culture. Grifola frondosa forms large, ruffled clusters prized for their distinctive growth pattern and rich, earthy appearance. This species is popular among foragers and cultivators for both its culinary versatility and nutritional content.

Prepared under sterile lab conditions and suspended in a nutrient-rich solution, this culture is ideal for hardwood-loving indoor grows or outdoor log inoculations. A versatile addition for hobbyists and small-scale growers alike.

Features:

  • 1x 10ml of high-quality, actively growing culture
  • 1x sterile needle
  • Tested to ensure only mushroom mycelium is present
  • Ideal for hardwood sawdust, logs, or supplemented substrates
  • Suitable for expansion to grain, agar, or other media

Suitable Substrates:

  • Hardwood sawdust
  • Supplemented sawdust blocks
  • Sterilized wood chips or logs

How to Use:

  1. Shake Before Use
    Gently shake the syringe to evenly distribute the mycelium throughout the liquid.

  2. Work Sterile
    Ensure a clean work environment. Use a still air box or laminar flow hood, and sanitize all surfaces, tools, and gloves with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

  3. Inoculate Substrate
    Inject 1–2 ml of liquid culture into your sterile substrate. Maitake thrives on hardwood sawdust or enriched sawdust mixes. Use a sterile needle and injection port for best results.

  4. Incubate
    Keep inoculated containers in the dark at 20–24°C (68–75°F). Maitake mycelium can be slow to establish. Allow 3–6 weeks for full colonization.

  5. Introduce to Fruiting Conditions
    Move to a fruiting chamber with high humidity, fresh air exchange, and indirect light. Maitake prefers cooler temperatures (12–18°C / 54–64°F) and may take several weeks to begin fruiting. Be patient, this mushroom is well worth the wait.

Store under 5°C. Refrigerate.

Use within 3 months for best results

Note on Packaging:

You may receive a “Beta Label” that lists Dextrose. We’ve since swapped to an Extra Light Malt Extract (ELME) formula for superior and more consistent mycelial growth. We are simply using up our remaining label stock to reduce waste!

Weight 19 g

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FAQs

Tinctures

What Are Mushroom Tinctures?

Mushroom tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts made from mushrooms, typically using alcohol and/or water to extract beneficial compounds.

How do I take mushroom tinctures?

Most people take tinctures by placing a few drops under the tongue or mixing them into water, tea, coffee, or smoothies. Follow the recommended dosage on the bottle.

How much should I take?

Dosage varies by tincture type and individual needs. The recommended daily dose is 1-2 droppers (1-2 ml) per day. That’s 1-2 whole pipettes.

When is the best time to take mushroom tinctures?

It depends on the type of mushroom:

  • Chaga: Anytime for immune support.
  • Lion’s Mane: Morning or midday for focus and cognitive support.
  • Reishi: Evening for relaxation and sleep.
  • Cordyceps: Morning for energy and endurance.

What’s the difference between single and dual extraction?

Single extraction uses only alcohol or water.

Dual extraction (which we use) combines both, ensuring the full spectrum of beneficial compounds is extracted.

Are your tinctures organic?

We don’t have the certification to be ‘organic’ (we aim to in the future) but that doesn’t mean we don’t put the upmost attention to our process and where we source our ingredients from. Our mushrooms are only grown with natural ingredients (such as hardwood sawdust and rye grain). Our tinctures are the same, containing only natural ingredients; water, organic grain ethanol and dried mushrooms.

Do your tinctures contain alcohol?

Yes, our tinctures use alcohol as a preservative and to extract certain compounds. If you prefer, you can mix the tincture into hot tea to allow some of the alcohol to evaporate. All together our tinctures contain 35% alcohol. The whole bottle contains about 17.5ml of alcohol, that’s less than a standard shot at the pub.

Are mushroom tinctures safe for everyone?

Most people tolerate them well, but if you’re pregnant, nursing, on medications, or have a medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Can I take multiple tinctures at once?

Some mushrooms (like Reishi) may interact with blood thinners or immune-suppressing drugs. If you’re on medication, consult a healthcare professional before use.

How should I store my tincture?

Keep it in a cool, dark place. No need to refrigerate.

How long do tinctures last?

Properly stored tinctures last 2+ years due to the alcohol content.

Why is my tincture cloudy or has sediment at the bottom?

Cloudiness or natural sediment in your tincture is completely normal — and actually a good sign. It often comes from beneficial compounds like polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and triterpenes, which are key active components in medicinal mushrooms. These compounds are not always fully soluble in alcohol or water, so they can settle or cause cloudiness over time. We avoid over-filtration to preserve the full-spectrum goodness. Just give your bottle a good shake before each use to evenly distribute the actives.

Dried Mushrooms

How should I use dried mushrooms?

Rehydrate them in warm water for 20-30 minutes before cooking, or grind them into powder for soups and teas.

How much dried mushroom equals fresh?

About 10g of dried mushrooms = 100g fresh (roughly a 10:1 ratio).

What different options do you offer dried mushrooms in?

We offer dried (dehydrated) and dried and powdered.

How do I store dried mushrooms?

Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration can extend shelf life.

How long do dried mushrooms last?

Properly stored, they last 1-2 years or longer if vacuum-sealed.

Cultures & Spores

What’s the difference between liquid culture and spore syringes?

Liquid culture: Contains live mycelium, grows faster.

Spore syringe: Contains spores, takes longer to germinate.

How do I store spore syringes and liquid cultures?

Store spore syringes in a cool, dark place (refrigeration optional).

Keep liquid cultures in the fridge for 2-6 months.

How do I use liquid culture to inoculate grain spawn?

Inject 1-2 ml of liquid culture into sterilized grain and incubate at the recommended temperature.

Are spore syringes legal?

Most culinary and medicinal mushrooms are legal, but always check local laws regarding spore sales.

Can I use spores to grow mushrooms at home?

Yes, but they require sterile conditions for best success.