The Mushroom Culture Library, Preserving Genetics & the Basics of Breeding

For the best mushroom cultures on the market, visit True Blue Genetics
https://truebluegenetics.org/?coupon=fungaia
Discount code: FUNGAIA

Made with love by Fungaia, a heart-centered, donation-based mushroom company:
https://www.fungaia.life/

This is a follow-up to my previous video:
Mycology Lab 101: Agar Work, Cloning, Spores & Sterile Culture Technique for Mushroom Cultivation
https://youtu.be/Cw0MzDxMKHI

How to Grow Mushrooms the Easy Way:
https://youtu.be/LjOQeaVxmsw

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Take a deep dive into the fascinating realm of fungal genetics in this DIY mycology masterclass. Building on our previous lessons in sterile culture technique and mushroom cultivation, we'll learn all the magic tricks to keep our mushroom cultures happy, healthy and productive for many years to come.

In part 1, we'll learn about senescence and genetic decline, and what we can do to preserve and restore genetic vitality. We'll discuss 7 strategies for maintaining the long-term health of our mycelium, in turn increasing yields, medicinal benefit and overall productivity.

In part 2, we'll explore a variety of methods for preserving fungal genetics. We'll discuss agar plates (Petri dishes), how to make test tube slants, the benefits aqueous backups, how to take a spore print and a bit about cryopreservation. We'll look at the pros and cons of each method, long-term recovery rates and some tips for storage.

Part 3 is an exploration of the mushroom culture library, where we'll learn how to track, manage and organize our lab work, and set ourselves up for long-term success. We'll discuss culture codes, workflows and lots of tips and tricks.

In part 4, we'll cover three ways to source new genetics: cloning, breeding and exchange. We'll spend a good deal of time talking about the three main strategies for basic fungal breeding, which will allow us to create lots of new and exciting mushroom strains. Then we'll hear a rant about naming genetics and take a look at some more advanced techniques.

In the final part of the video, we'll learn about how biodiversity loss is one of the biggest environmental problems in human history, what we can do about it, and why mushroom cultivators and the DIY mycology breeder community are the best candidates for fostering a creative global solution. We'll hear a vision for a decentralized yet unified global gene bank, and some inspiring words for all of us who stand together at this crossroads of history.

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Resources for Further Reading (You Shameless Nerds!)

Fungi: Experimental Methods In Biology
by Ramesh Maheshwari (2011)
https://amzn.to/3H2qm33

Fungal Genetics: Principles and Practice
by Cees Bos (2019)
https://amzn.to/4lZRZsN

Fungi in Ecosystem Processes
by John Dighton (2016)
https://amzn.to/41fvffW

Defensive Mutualism in Microbial Symbiosis
James F. White Jr. & Monica S. Torres (2009)
https://amzn.to/4fj9Rft

(These are affiliate links. I get a small commission if you use them. So, of course, I would never suggest that you search for PDFs of these titles on sci-hub. That would be completely irresponsible.)

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Useful Supplies

The Fungaia Cube Kit
https://www.fungaia.life/shop/kits/?q=cube_kit
An organic, all-in-one grow kit for dung-lover mushrooms

Pre-Sterilized Grain Bags
https://www.fungaia.life/shop/fertilesubstrate/?q=7lb_grain

Pasteurized, Manure-Based Mushroom Substrate
https://www.fungaia.life/shop/fertilesubstrate/?q=poo_sub

Monotubs and monotub filters: Microppose
https://microppose.com/r?id=h776jn
Discount code FUNGAIA

15mL pre-sterilized conical centrifuge tubes
https://amzn.to/4leKKvP

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Created by Paul Lynn. All rights reserved.
Made using some free stock footage.
© 2025 Alembic Enterprises LLC

0:00 Intro
3:24 Background
7:12 Part 1: Senescence & Genetic Vitality
13:48 The 7 Strategies for Maintaining Genetic Vitality
25:47 Part 2: Storing & Preserving Genetics
26:38 Petri Dishes
28:20 Slants
30:58 Aqueous Backups
36:15 Liquid Culture
42:03 A Note on Refrigeration
45:06 Cryopreservation
48:00 Spores
51:16 Part 3: The Mushroom Culture Library
54:22 Recordkeeping & Culture Codes
1:00:21 More Tips for Managing a Culture Library
1:04:00 Part 4: Sourcing Genetics
1:06:58 The Basics of Breeding
1:15:16 Advanced Breeding Techniques (& a rant about names)
1:30:04 Part 5: A Vision…