High-Quality Mushroom Substrate
Unlock the full potential of your mushroom cultivation with our premium mushroom substrate offerings. Providing the essential nutrients and support for healthy mycelial growth, our substrates are carefully prepared to ensure optimal results. From CVG mix to sterilised rye grain, we offer a range of options to cater to various mushroom species and cultivation preferences.
At Spore Buddies, we stock a wide range of high-quality substrates and supplements to support your growing needs.
Understanding Mushroom Substrate
Mushroom substrate serves as the foundation for mushroom growth, providing the necessary nutrients and moisture for mycelial colonisation and fruiting. Different mushroom species have varying substrate preferences, making it crucial to select the appropriate type for your chosen variety.
A Variety of Substrate Options
There are many different types of substrate available, each with its own unique traits. These are some of the most popular ones available from our online store:
CVG Mix
CVG mix is a versatile and popular substrate, made up of three key ingredients: coco coir, vermiculite, and gypsum. These components provide moisture retention (coco coir), enhanced aeration (vermiculite), and essential minerals (gypsum). CVG is a common choice for bulk grows due to its ease of use and consistent results.
Coco Coir
Coco coir is a natural fibre derived from coconut husks. It is widely used in mushroom cultivation as a base substrate due to its excellent water retention, resistance to contamination, and neutral pH. Often combined with vermiculite and gypsum, it forms the backbone of many home-growing setups.
Sterilised Rye Grain
Another popular substrate for growing mushrooms, sterilised rye grain, is a staple substrate for mycologists looking to cultivate grain-loving species. This efficient substrate provides a readily available food source, which promotes rapid mycelial growth and dense colonisation.
Horse Manure and BRF
Horse manure combined with brown rice flour (BRF) creates a highly nutritious substrate blend that closely mimics natural growing environments. This mix supports vigorous mycelial growth and is suitable for a range of gourmet mushroom species when properly pasteurised or sterilised.
Black Gold Horse Pellets
Black Gold horse pellets are compressed, pasteurised manure designed for easy substrate preparation. They offer excellent nutrition and water retention for mushrooms.
Important: If you’re ordering Black Gold horse pellets or Horse Manure from outside the UK, check with your local customs office first, as some countries restrict the import of animal-based products to prevent the spread of agricultural diseases.
Substrate Supplements
Supplements are added to base substrates to improve nutritional content and boost yields. Here are two of the most commonly used:
Sterilised Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mineral that expands when heated and is commonly added to substrates to help retain moisture and improve aeration. While it contains no nutritional value, it plays a vital supporting role in many substrate mixes, particularly BRF cakes and CVG setups.
Wheat Bran
Wheat bran is a high-nutrient supplement often mixed with hardwood-based substrates. It provides essential proteins and carbohydrates that help support sustained mushroom growth. Because it’s highly nutritious, proper sterilisation is required to reduce contamination risk.
Using Mushroom Substrate with Liquid Cultures
Liquid cultures provide a clean and efficient method for inoculating substrates. Our high-quality substrates enhance the success of liquid culture inoculation by providing a sterile and nutrient-rich environment. If you’re not using pre-prepared substrate, your first step is to hydrate and sterilise your chosen substrate (CVG mix, rye grain, or otherwise) using a pressure cooker or autoclave. Allow the sterilised substrate to cool completely, and then, in a sterile environment, introduce the liquid culture, ensuring even distribution. Place the inoculated substrate in a controlled environment, such as a
grow tent or
monotub, and
maintain optimal temperature and humidity for mycelial colonisation.
The Very Best in Mushroom Substrates
Here at Spore Buddies, we believe our customers deserve nothing but the best when it comes to mushroom-growing materials and equipment. That’s why all our pre-prepared substrates and supplements are carefully selected for quality and performance. Our products are tested at our in-house cultivation facility to ensure reliable results every time. New to mushroom growing? Visit our
Knowledge Base for helpful tips on substrate use and preparation.
Premium Mushroom Substrates Available Worldwide
We supply mushroom substrates and supplements to beginners and professionals across the globe. Every order is securely packaged to protect it during transit, and we handle all relevant customs documentation for overseas customers. We work with trusted couriers to ensure your package arrives safely and on time.
Legal Considerations: The cultivation of
Psilocybe mushrooms is illegal in the United Kingdom. Our mushroom substrate is intended only for the cultivation of legal mushroom species. Please ensure you comply with all local laws and regulations in your region.
