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Liquid Culture Syringes
A liquid culture syringe is a 20 ml syringe of living mycelium suspended in a sterile nutrient solution, supplied with a needle and disinfectant wipes. We stock 29 cultures in three groups: magic mushroom liquid cultures, magic truffle liquid cultures and one gourmet oyster mushroom culture. All are sold for microscopy, taxonomy, educational and research purposes and keep for up to 2–3 months in the fridge at 2–8 °C.
What is inside a liquid culture syringe?
Mycelium is the vegetative stage of a fungus: a network of fine threads, called hyphae, that exists long before any mushroom or truffle appears. In a liquid culture syringe that mycelium floats in a clear nutrient solution, usually as small strands or cloudy clumps. Each culture starts from one selected line, so every syringe of the same strain carries the same genetics. That makes liquid culture a practical format for anyone who wants to look at living hyphae under a microscope or compare one defined strain with another.
Which liquid culture do you need?
The choice in this section comes down to species. The three subcategories hold fungi that behave very differently, so start there.
| Group | What it contains | Cultures |
|---|---|---|
| Magic mushroom liquid cultures | 19 Psilocybe cubensis strains plus one Psilocybe azurescens | 20 |
| Magic truffle liquid cultures | Strains of species that form sclerotia (magic truffles) | 7 |
| Gourmet and functional liquid cultures | Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus | 1 |
One name trips people up: Mexicana. It exists as a Psilocybe cubensis strain and as the truffle-forming species Psilocybe mexicana. They are different fungi, so check which group you are in before you order. The edible oyster culture sits in its own gourmet and functional mushroom liquid cultures category, away from the Psilocybe range.
Liquid culture or spore syringe?
Both come as a syringe, but they hold the fungus at different points in its life cycle. A spore syringe contains dormant spores, and every spore is genetically slightly different. A liquid culture contains mycelium that is already growing, taken from one selected line. Spores are the classic subject for microscopy of spore shape and colour; liquid culture shows you living hyphae and gives you uniform genetics. The trade-off is shelf life: spores keep longer, living mycelium does not. The spore range is under spores.
Storage and shelf life
- Put the syringe in the fridge at 2–8 °C as soon as it arrives.
- Do not freeze it, and keep it away from light and heat.
- Shelf life is up to 2–3 months; fresher culture is more active.
You may come across longer storage figures on other sites. For our syringes the guidance is 2–3 months refrigerated, and that is the number to plan around. Orders leave on working days within 24 hours; delivery times per country are on our shipping overview.
Intended use and legal status
All liquid cultures are sold for microscopy, taxonomy, educational and research purposes. The rules on fungal cultures differ per country, so check your local law before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is a liquid culture syringe?
A liquid culture syringe holds living mycelium in a sterile nutrient solution. At Mondo Growkits each syringe contains 20 ml and comes with a needle and disinfectant wipes. Unlike a spore syringe, the fungus is already in its growing mycelial stage.
How long does a liquid culture syringe last?
Up to 2–3 months when kept in the fridge at 2–8 °C. Do not freeze it and keep it out of the light. The sooner it is used, the more active the mycelium.
What is the difference between liquid culture and spores?
Liquid culture is living mycelium from one selected line, so its genetics are uniform. A spore syringe holds dormant spores, each genetically a little different. Spores keep longer; liquid culture has a shorter shelf life of up to 2–3 months.
Can a Psilocybe cubensis culture form magic truffles?
No. Psilocybe cubensis does not form sclerotia, the structures sold as magic truffles. Only certain other species do, such as Psilocybe tampanensis and Psilocybe mexicana, and those are in the magic truffle liquid cultures category.
What comes with a Mondo liquid culture syringe?
A 20 ml syringe of liquid culture, a sterile needle and disinfectant wipes. Orders are shipped in discreet packaging.
Are liquid culture syringes legal?
That depends on where you live. Our liquid cultures are sold for microscopy, taxonomy, educational and research purposes, and rules on fungal cultures differ per country. Check your local regulations before ordering.
