When it comes to cultivating mushrooms at home, the penis envy mushroom stands out as one of the most sought-after—primarily due to its distinctive appearance and challenging grow cycle. While many people are drawn to this strain for various reasons, growing it successfully requires a little more patience and attention than your typical variety. If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, this guide walks you through the essentials of growing penis envy mushrooms at home.
Understanding Penis Envy Mushrooms
Before diving into the growing process, it’s helpful to understand what sets the penis envy mushroom apart. Known for its thick stem and bulbous cap, this variety is a mutation of Psilocybe cubensis, originally bred and popularized by well-known ethnobotanists. What makes it different from standard strains isn’t just its appearance—it also has a slower growth cycle and a higher rate of contamination if not handled properly.
This means that cleanliness, preparation, and attention to environmental factors are especially critical when working with penis envy spores or cultures.
Supplies You’ll Need to Start Growing
To grow penis envy mushrooms, you’ll need a few key materials. Many growers prefer to start with a spore syringe or liquid culture. Here’s what you should have ready:
Penis envy spore syringe or culture
A sterile growing environment (glove box or still air box)
Pressure cooker for sterilizing grain
Rye berries or another mushroom-friendly grain
Mason jars or grow bags
Substrate mix (often a combination of coco coir, vermiculite, and gypsum)
Monotub or grow bin with air filters
Misting bottle and hygrometer
Penis envy spores can be purchased for research purposes, and many vendors offer high-quality genetics if you do your due diligence.
Step-by-Step Growing Process
1. Sterilize Your Grain
The process begins with sterilizing your grain jars or bags using a pressure cooker. This eliminates bacteria and competing fungi that could contaminate your penis envy mushroom culture. Once cooled, inoculate the jars with your spore syringe or liquid culture using a sterile technique.
2. Colonize the Grain
Store your inoculated jars in a dark space at around 75–80°F. Penis envy mushrooms tend to colonize more slowly than other strains, so don’t be alarmed if progress seems sluggish. Expect colonization to take several weeks.
3. Prepare the Substrate
Once your grain is fully colonized, it’s time to transfer it into a bulk substrate. Many growers prefer coco coir-based mixtures. Pasteurize your substrate before mixing with the colonized grain.
4. Spawn to Bulk and Wait for Fruiting
Spread the mixture evenly in your monotub. Cover and let the mycelium take over the bulk substrate. This process is called “spawning to bulk,” and for penis envy, it can take another couple of weeks before you see signs of pinning.
5. Maintain Fruiting Conditions
Once pins appear, ensure high humidity and indirect light. Regular misting and fanning may be needed, depending on your setup. Penis envy mushrooms grow slowly but are worth the wait.
Final Thoughts
Growing penis envy mushrooms isn’t for the impatient, but with care, cleanliness, and consistency, you can cultivate a rewarding harvest. This unique strain may take longer to develop, but the learning experience is well worth the effort.
