We get this question every week: which grow kit should I get? And honestly, the answer depends on you. At Dutch-Smart we sell grow kits, grow bags and spore syringes. Three completely different ways to grow magic mushrooms, each with their own strengths and pitfalls. In this piece we explain what to expect from each type, what it costs per gram, and which type suits most beginners best.
Contents
- The ready-to-grow kit
- The grow bag
- The spore syringe
- Side by side
- Which strain for beginners
- The three mistakes beginners make most
The ready-to-grow kit: open, spray, wait
A grow kit is a plastic tub filled with substrate that the mycelium has already colonised. All you need to do is take the lid off, add water, place the tub inside the included grow bag and wait. After two to three weeks, the first mushrooms start showing.
We sell them in two sizes. The 1200cc kits typically yield 150 to 300 grams fresh across multiple flushes. The larger 2100cc kits go well beyond that, provided you keep conditions right. Dried weight is roughly a tenth of the fresh weight.
The big advantage: no sterile technique required. The mycelium has already fully colonised the substrate, so the risk of contamination is low. If something does go wrong, it is usually because the temperature dropped too low or the humidity was off, not because mould spores got into your substrate.
There is also a 100% mycelium variant in our range, made by FreshMushrooms. These contain no filler material, just pure mycelium. They cost a bit more but tend to give a more reliabel yield. We have compared the two in detail in this earlier comparison.
The grow bag: more effort, more reward
A grow bag is a large bag filled with pre-sterilised substrate. The mycelium is not in there yet. You add it yourself, using a spore syringe or a liquid culture. Seal the bag, and then the waiting begins: it takes four to six weeks for the mycelium to fully colonise the substrate. Only then does fruiting start.
Sounds like a lot of hassle? It is manageable, but you do need to work sterile during inoculation. Gloves, a still-air box or a clean room, and you inject the liquid through the bag's injection port. The B+ grow bag (2100g) is a solid first choice if you want to try this route.
Why make it harder on yourself? Yield. A grow bag contains more substrate than a standard grow kit and produces significantly more mushrooms when the grow succeeds. Per gram dried, you pay less. And if it does not work the first time, you know exactly why. With a grow kit, you sometimes cannot tell whether it was the kit or you. With a grow bag it is always obvious.
Curious which strains are available as grow bags? We put seven strains side by side.
The spore syringe: for those who want the full process
A spore syringe contains spores suspended in sterile water. No substrate, no mycelium, nothing. You handle everything yourself: preparing or buying the substrate, sterilising, inoculating, colonising and eventually fruiting.
Is this for a beginner? No. Full stop. The chance of contamination is much higher when you sterilise your own substrate, and it takes weeks longer before you see results. You learn a tremendous amount from it, but be honest with yourself and expect your first attempt to fail. Most experienced growers started with a grow kit and only switched later.
Side by side
| Grow kit (1200cc) | Grow bag (2100g) | Spore syringe + own substrate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effort | Low | Medium | High |
| Sterile work | Not needed | During inoculation | Everywhere |
| Time to first harvest | 2-3 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks |
| Fresh yield | 150-300 g | 300-600 g | Highly variable |
| Cost per gram | Higher | Lower | Lowest (if it works) |
| Chance of failure | Small | Moderate | High on first attempt |
We simply recommend a grow kit for beginners. Not because they yield the most, but because you get to experience what growing feels like before spending money on something that fails more often. Enjoy it? Then switch to a grow bag the second time around. Want to really go down the rabbit hole? The spore syringes are waiting.
Which strain for beginners
Golden Teacher. We do not say that just because it is our best seller, but because this strain is the most forgiving when temperatures fluctuate. A Golden Teacher 2100cc kit produces reliably across multiple flushes, even if your room sometimes dips below 22 degrees. We wrote about it in more detail in this piece on yield.
B+ is the other safe pick. Slightly faster colonisation, slightly less potent, and at least as easy to grow. Mexican kits also work fine for beginners, though yields tend to be a bit lower on average.
Don't go for a McKennaii or an Albino Penis Envy as your first grow. Strong strains? Yes. But they are fussier, react more sharply to fluctuations, and as a beginner you have enough to keep an eye on without your strain being difficult as well.
The three mistakes beginners make most
Harvesting too late. As soon as the veil beneath the cap tears, it is time. Wait longer and the mushrooms drop their spores all over the substrate. That dark layer might look harmless, but it slows down the next flush. Your total yield takes the hit.
Letting the temperature drop. Psilocybe cubensis wants 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. Do not put the kit on a windowsill where it drops to 17 at night. A heat mat helps, but do not place the kit directly on top of it. A towel in between prevents the bottom from getting to warm.
Opening it up to check too often. We get it, you want to see what is happening! But every time you open the bag you let in dry air and potentially contaminants. Spray, seal, and leave it alone for two days.
That is really all there is to it. Ready to start? Browse our full growing range, pick a Golden Teacher or B+ grow kit, and you can get going this weekend!
