Stropharia rugoso-annulata : Wine Cap, King Stropharia, Garden Giant Mushroom Culture Syringe

A large and adaptive edible species best suited for outdoor culture in the home garden. Indoor fruitings are possible but the King Stropharia requires an non-sterile casing to stimulate mushroom development and is slow fruit. These difficulties are avoided by simply inoculating a garden compost pile.

We have seen good results from a buried straw-based MycoBag(TM) colonized with King Stropharia mycelium via culture syringe injection. The fully colonized substrate block was removed from the bag and buried in spring under a lush patch of parsley. Many mushrooms fruited directly above the buried straw throughout the summer. We also noticed mushrooms in a nearby compost pile and last years potato patch. Large strands of mycelium are visibly spreading throughout the rich garden soil.

The King Stropharia's massive size, attractive appearance and ease of cultivation mark it as desirable for home cultivators. Very young mushrooms that do not have darkened gills from spore production are considered most desirable for eating.

The culture offered here is from a specimen collected in Cape Cod, Mass.