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Mushroom Spore Prints | Mushverse

Spore Prints

Spore prints, also known as spore stamps or impressions, are one of the most traditional and durable ways to preserve and use mushroom spores. They consist of an impression made by placing the mature cap of a mushroom on a sterile surface (generally aluminum foil), where the spores are deposited in the form of a print.

This simple, safe and resistant format is highly valued in domestic and laboratory mycology.

Advantages of spore prints

Working with spore impressions presents several advantages over other methods:

  • Lower contamination risk: by not containing live mycelium or nutritious solutions, they are less susceptible to contaminants.
  • Long preservation: well stored, they can remain viable for years.
  • Mycological education: they allow the cultivator to learn and practice basic techniques, such as preparing liquid cultures or agar plates.
More information about Spore Prints

How spore prints are used

There are several ways to use them. One of the most common is spore syringe preparation: spores are introduced into sterilized water and then loaded into a sterile syringe to inoculate substrates or prepare liquid cultures. Another alternative is to deposit spores directly onto agar plates, observing how mycelium develops under controlled conditions.

Making and handling a spore print

It's possible to prepare impressions at home by placing a mature cap with gills facing down on sterile aluminum foil. After several hours, spores are released and form a visible print. When handling prints, it's recommended to work in a clean environment, with a still air box (SAB) or flow hood, and use tools like scalpels or inoculation loops to reduce contamination risk.

Thanks to their durability and versatility, spore prints are an essential tool in mushroom cultivation and preservation, as well as an educational resource for those who wish to start in mycology.

Want to learn about other preservation and inoculation methods? Also explore our categories on spore syringes and spore vials.