Pure Culture
Production begins with selected mushroom culture.
Spawn quality
Quality Starts With the Spawn
Quality mushroom production begins with quality spawn. At Spawn Lab, we focus on maintaining strict quality practices throughout spawn production, handling, inspection and packaging.
Healthy Mycelium
Spawn is inspected for healthy and active mycelial growth.
Contamination Inspection
Spawn is checked for visible contamination and abnormal growth.
Uniform Colonization
Proper colonization is assessed before dispatch.
Packaging & Handling
Spawn is packed and handled under controlled conditions to maintain product quality.
How we make spawn
From Culture to Commercial Spawn
Every stage of spawn production plays an important role in maintaining quality and consistency. Our production workflow is designed to minimize contamination risks and maintain healthy mycelial development.
- 01
Culture Selection
Selected Agaricus bisporus culture is maintained and checked before use.
- 02
Substrate Preparation
Grain is cleaned, cooked and conditioned to the right moisture.
- 03
Sterilization
Prepared grain is sterilized to eliminate competing micro-organisms.
- 04
Inoculation & Incubation
Grain is inoculated under clean conditions and incubated for colonization.
- 05
Quality Inspection & Dispatch
Colonized spawn is inspected, packed and dispatched.
Inspection points
What we check at each stage
Spawn is checked at key stages of production so that problems are caught in the lab — not on your farm.
| Stage | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Culture | Culture purity, healthy growth and absence of visible contamination before it is used for production. |
| Grain / substrate | Grain quality, cleaning, cooking and moisture before filling. |
| Sterilization | Sterilization cycle completed for each batch before inoculation. |
| Inoculation | Clean working conditions and aseptic handling during inoculation. |
| Incubation | Mycelial growth, colonization progress and any abnormal growth or contamination. |
| Before dispatch | Uniform colonization, healthy white mycelium, smell and packet condition. |
Important DisclaimerSpawn Lab is responsible for the quality of the spawn supplied. Mycelial run, crop development and final mushroom yield depend on compost quality, environmental conditions, cultivation practices, hygiene, handling and other factors beyond our control.
What good spawn looks like
How to Identify Quality Button Mushroom Spawn
Check every packet before use. Here is what healthy Button Mushroom spawn should — and should not — look like.
Good Spawn
- ✓White, healthy and uniform mycelial growth
- ✓Properly colonized grains
- ✓Pleasant mushroom-like smell
- ✓No visible green, black or unusual contamination
- ✓No excessive wetness or sliminess
- ✓Good mycelial activity
Avoid Spawn Showing
- ✕Green mould
- ✕Black / grey contamination
- ✕Abnormal yellow / brown growth
- ✕Sour or foul smell
- ✕Excessive moisture / sliminess
- ✕Weak or stagnant mycelial growth
Questions about spawn quality?
Talk to our team about our production and quality process, or report anything you observe in a supplied batch.