• It is best practice to wait a minimum of 1 week after arrival before using sterile substrates to ensure they were not compromised during transit. Rest assured that your purchase is 100% guaranteed. If your substrate is compromised, we will replace it.
• We recommend clean hands, latex or nitrile gloves, and sterile technique using a still air box or flow hood to reduce the introduction of contaminants. 70% isopropyl alcohol, a scalpal or scissors and an alcohol burner are all helpful tools for an inoculation space. Please be aware of alcohol flammability and never use both alcohol and a flame inside of a still air box.
• If using grain spawn, start by making sure the grain spawn has been thoroughly broken up. Then, slice the Mastr’s Mix bag just below the seal and add a small amount of grain spawn. Immediately reseal the Mastr’s mix bag and shake or massage the bag to evenly distribute the spawn.
• If using liquid culture, purchase optional injection ports and stick a single port onto the center of a Mastr’s Mix bag. Once adhered, clean the port and your liquid culture syringe needle with alcohol, allowing the alcohol to air dry just before use. Using your liquid culture syringe, inject a full syringe into the block. Just as with grain, the next step is to mix the bag up to evenly distribute the mycelium. Recognize that liquid culture may take about twice as long as grain to colonize.

Mastr Mix should be stored at room temperature out of direct sunlight. No refrigeration is necessary. It can also be stored for several months before use.

Our Mastr Mix is sterilized in a commercial-grade autoclave. Sterility is verified using biological indicators and bacterial plate tests of the substrate from sample bags post-sterilization.