Mushroom Cloning: An Advanced Guide for Mycological Growers

Cloning mushrooms is an essential technique for mycologists, whether amateurs or experts. It allows the characteristics of a specific specimen to be faithfully reproduced and crop yields to be maximized. This detailed guide explains the advantages, methods and practical steps to successfully clone your favorite mushrooms.

Introduction to Mushroom Cloning

Cloning, in mycological terms, involves taking a piece of tissue from an existing fungus and growing it to create a genetically identical copy. This method is particularly useful when you want to preserve the specific characteristics of an exceptional mushroom. Unlike growing from spores, cloning provides consistent and reproducible results.

Why Clone Mushrooms?

1. Preservation of Unique Strains

By cloning mushrooms found in nature, it is possible to cultivate rare or uncommon strains. This contributes to the preservation of fungal biodiversity and can even make it possible to discover new varieties. Passionate growers use this method to protect local, endangered or medicinal species.

2. Reproduction of Specific Traits

Cloning makes it possible to reproduce mushrooms with particular characteristics, such as rapid growth, large size, or increased medicinal properties. By doing this, it is possible to stabilize a lineage which will systematically offer exceptional qualities during harvests.

3. Economy of Time and Money

By cloning a mushroom, you reduce your reliance on spores, which can be expensive and sometimes have low germination rates. By starting from a clone, it is easier to produce mycelium and start new crops.

4. Preparation for Outdoor Cultivation

Some wild species can adapt to cultivated environments by first cloning them under controlled conditions and then gradually acclimating them outdoors. This allows mushrooms to be reproduced with strong resilience to varied environmental conditions.

Selection of the Mushroom to Clone

The choice of mushroom to clone is decisive for the success of the operation. Here are the criteria to take into account:

• Mushroom Health: Avoid mushrooms showing signs of disease or contamination, as these problems may persist in the cloned mycelium.
• Freshness of the Specimen: Choose a freshly picked mushroom to maximize the chances of success. Fresh tissues have more vitality and are less likely to harbor contaminants.
• Desirable Characteristics: Identify the traits you want to reproduce: size, growth rate, mycelium density, etc. Specimens with these qualities will be the best candidates for cloning.

Necessary Equipment

To clone mushrooms, you will need:

1. Agar Plates : A basic malted agar recipe works well to get started. You can use pre-poured plates or make your own. We particularly recommend our Sabouraud chloramphenicol media . The addition of this antibiotic will limit the growth of bacteria, which is often problematic for beginners and professionals with wild-harvested mushrooms.
2. Fresh Mushroom: The mushroom must be the same species as the one you want to grow. We advise you to clean it well with a brush, and then clean it with water. If you can, immerse it for 30 seconds in hydrogen peroxide, this will deactivate most of the spores of potential contaminants, with minimal impact on the mycelium.
3. Sterile Environment: A laminar flow hood, a still air box (glove boxes) or a Bunsen burner to limit contaminants. In your kitchen, you can work as close as possible to your gas cooker.
4. Sterile Scalpel : Sterilize with a flame before each use.
5. Sterilization Products: Use 70% isopropyl alcohol or a diluted bleach solution to clean equipment and work surfaces.
6. Adhesive Tape or Parafilm : To seal Petri dishes and prevent contamination.

Cloning Methods

Traditional Method with Agar

1. Preparation of petri dishes
   Prepare your petri dishes according to our instructions , or order our pre-poured petri dishes . Clean the work surface, tools, and disinfect the mushroom to be cloned.

2. Tissue Sampling
   Tear open the mushroom to access the sterile internal tissues. Take a small piece of flesh and place it on the agar. Use a sterilized scalpel by passing it over a flame beforehand to avoid the introduction of contaminants. The pieces must be small, the larger it is, the more you risk bringing in contaminants. Cut a triangle: in 3 movements you can take a small piece of 2-3 mm².

3. Incubation and Monitoring
   Seal the boxes with tape and place them in a temperature-controlled environment (21-24°C). Monitor the growth of the mycelium and transfer healthy parts to new media for purification.

4. Isolation and Pure Culture
   If the mycelium grows without contamination, you have a pure culture ready to be transferred to a mycelium on grains or sawdust substrate for further growth.

Alternative Method: Cloning with Moistured Cardboard

This technique is useful for outdoor situations, or when laboratory equipment is not available.

1. Preparation of the Cardboard
   Soak the cardboard in boiling water to sterilize it, then let it cool.

2. Placement of Mushroom Fabric
   Lay a piece of mushroom tissue between two layers of damp cardboard, then roll it up and place it in a plastic bag.

3. Growth and Transfer
   Allow the mycelium to grow inside the cardboard. Once it has colonized well, you can transfer the mycelium to a more nutritious substrate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mushroom Cloning

• How many times can you clone a mushroom?
  Although cloning can be carried out over several generations, it is best to use new genetic sources periodically to avoid loss of vigor due to senescence.

• Can you clone store bought mushrooms?
  Yes, as long as they are fresh. However, some species are easier to clone than others. Button mushrooms have specific nitrogen requirements and are not the easiest to start with. We recommend starting with oyster mushrooms.

Maintenance and Preservation Techniques

It is recommended to store cultures at low temperatures and renew lines regularly using spores or new strains to reintroduce genetic diversity.

Conclusion

Mushroom cloning is a fascinating and versatile technique, ideal for growers wanting to achieve consistent results while exploring mycology in more depth. With proper sterility practices and good crop management, it is possible to master this technique and derive significant benefits for mushroom growing projects.