One Large Course Grade Vermiculite (Large Bag)
One Small Fine Grade Vermiculite (Small Bag)
One Small White Bag of TMP Substrate Mix (If Applicable)
One Dozen 1/2-pint, WIDE MOUTH Mason Jars

First...prepare the 1/2-pint, WIDE MOUTH mason jars. 

Drill at least 2 holes in the lid (drill on just a sharp nail will do) one hole across from the other.  Although, I prefer 4 holes in mine...1/4 cc in each hole during inoculation.  Now cover the holes with 2 pieces of masking tape each.

This is done so you can lift the tape and inject spores into the jar after sterilizing.  Then place the tape back onto the lid immediately thereafter.  ALL SHOULD BE DONE IN A GLOVE BOX!

Now you need to mix and sterilize your SUBSTRATE MIX!

Unpack your substrate mix.  Notice the white powder mixed throughout the large bag of Vermiculite.  Sometimes this white powder comes in a separate baggie.  If that is the case then just mix it along with the large bag of Vermiculite and place it into a large container for mixing.

Add 3 cups Spring Water and mix thoroughly.

Fluff the mix as much as possible and gently scoop some out. Fill the substrate mix up to the level you see below.

Open the 2nd bag Small Fine Grade Vermiculite and fill until it is level with the lip of the jar and wipe the rim with a clean cloth or paper-towel.

Place the lid and but do NOT tighten down!  Just slowly turn the lid until you feel it starting to tighten...then STOP!

Sterilization

The jars should be sterilized in a pressure cooker or autoclave, a normal pot will NOT suffice. First a layer of water is poured into the cooker. The jars are placed in the pressure cooker making sure that the lids are loose!

Now sterilize the jars for one hour at 15 psi and then turn the stove isle off to allow the pressure inside the cooker to return to normal.

Take the Regulator Gauge off of the lid and replace it with a small 91% alcohol soaked paper towel ASAP!  This will filter the air entering the Pressure Cookers' hole therefore protecting the jars from any possible airborne contaminates.  

• Allow the jars to cool for one hour before opening up the lid of the Pressure Cooker.  
• Take out the Substrate Jars and place them BACK into the original box that the jars were shipped within.
• Spray each of the jar lids with Lysol and place the original piece of cardboard back on top of the jars and close-up the the box top. 
• Allow the Substrate Jars to cool for an additional 6 hours, or overnight, BEFORE going on to the next step.  

All substrate jars that have been sterilized MUST be inoculated within 48 hours or kept in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks!

Purchase TMP Dried Substrate!

If you would like us to do all the work for you....