Well it’s not simple. You need to first figure out which types of mushrooms you are interested in picking, then you need to figure out which trees they grow with, then you need to figure out which forest zones in your area have those types of trees, then you need to visit those areas throughout the appropriate “season” for the mushrooms you are looking for (here in the pnw we have a fall and spring mushroom season both feature distinctly different types of mushrooms, in different areas, with different tree hosts) to see if there are actually mushrooms fruiting in that place at that time. It actually takes years to develop this knowledge and skill set but you should invest in a couple books to help you along your way: this and this. As far as actually seeing where to “dig” for porcinis, there will usually be a more mature specimen in the area that is protruding above the ground and serves as a “flag” to signal where to look for a patch (which isn’t always forthcoming). There will be bumps in the ground where the growing mushrooms are pushing up the surface and that is where you will find the primo specimens to harvest to eat. Hope that helps.
A friend took me when I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed college kid. I took our findings to a mycologist on campus who spent 20 minutes describing proper browning-in-butter protocol. I was hooked- both on mushrooming and the goofy people involved. I already collect field identification books, so I have a shelf in my bookcase just for mushroom ID and foraging. Every time i go out i try to ID a new mushie. Anything im super lost on i take to a mycologist friend in town, or i email the prof at OSU (which is 30 minutes drive) and bug them with it.
I also have permits for personal collection of mushrooms in all the local national forests (most were free) and researched the county and state park rules for collection on their property. Gotta be responsible, yo.
I recommend picking up All That Rain Promises and More (link) and the unabridged Mushrooms Demystified link2 because i reference both a TON, The first one is waterproof, and David is a certified goofball.
This is still a somewhat helpful field guide for East Coasters, but you might also be interested in the National Audubon Society Mushroom Field Guide, which covers all of North America.
https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Rain-Promises-More/dp/0898153883 And this is the west coast mushroom hunters’ bible. It has all the info you need to know which mushrooms to pick, and what time of year to look for them!
Wait! Don't trash them (yet). Your contaminants appear to be bacterial or less likely yeasts and there is away around them.
Cut a slab of agar out of a clean plate and cover your mycelium entirely with it. The mycelium can tunnel through and can easily emerge on top, sweet and clean. The bacteria or yeast will remain trapped beneath. Source: Paul Stamets
Cut a slab of agar out of a clean plate and cover that mycelium entirely with it. The mycelium can tunnel through and can easily emerge on top, sweet and clean. The bacteria or yeast will remain trapped beneath. Source: Paul Stamets
Mushrooms of the Northeast. I got this one a little while ago under recommendation of another post in this sub. It’s a good starting off point, has clear colored photos of common mushrooms, sections on commonly found edible and inedible varieties, and detailed info on characteristics of each. It’s also a fairly small size and easy to carry around.
If something that looks like that occurs right next to some promising looking mycelium there's away around the problem. For one thing the mycelium can grow into large colonies and you can do a transfer from a leading edge away from the contaminants.
Also, there is this. Cut a slab of agar out of a clean plate and cover the mycelium and contams entirely with it. The mycelium can tunnel through and can easily emerge on top, sweet and clean. The bacteria or yeast will remain trapped beneath. Source: Paul Stamets
Try amazon smile to donate to a charity of your choice automatically at no cost to you!
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A list of pictures is not enough. You need a comprehensive resource that will also tell you which ones have no inedible lookalikes and how the inedible lookalikes differ if they do exist.
The closest thing to what you are looking for is probably this. And, even then, go out with an experienced mushroom hunter the first few hundred times.
Mushrooms of the Northeast is my go to field guide for New England. I take that little book on every hike. At home I keep the National Audubon Society Guide. The Audubon Guide is a bit more in depth and has a lot more species listed. Just be cautious because the more extensive guide is not focused on New England.
I mean, I guess there are books out there on it, but I haven't read any. Apart from that tip where you need to know a bit about mushroom lifecycle to understand, I guess the rest is common sense really. Knowing that the mushroom is 90% water and so needs water to grow helps my brain work, and visually seeing if it is dry and misting as needed etc.
This book is quite comprehensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Mushroom-Bible-Definitive-Mushrooms/dp/1937866289/
There is a way around bacterial contamination. Cut a slab of agar out of a clean plate and cover that entirely with it. The mycelium can tunnel through and can easily emerge on top, sweet and clean. The bacteria or yeast will remain trapped beneath. Source: Paul Stamets
There are some good sources out there.
Some quick getting started reading : https://www.shroomery.org/forums/postlist.php/Board/83
This book has loads of information from one of the myco masters: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Gourmet-Medicinal-Mushrooms-Stamets/dp/1580081754/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=paul+stamets&qid=1629757558&sprefix=paul+stameys&sr=8-3
Disregard the title, everything in there applies to magic kind too.
Depends on what region you are in. For the one where I live this is the best book and for mushroom identification and general information if you are on the west coast, this is your bible
Here is the book I purchased to get started. I skipped over PF tek and went straight to bulk substrate method. It’s got some holes but those holes can be filled by the internet.
For psychedelics, I can suggest https://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Mushrooms-World-Identification-Guide/dp/0898158397/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=psychedelic+mushroom+bible&qid=1611443283&sr=8-6
Not sure about culinary guides, I only know Central-European ones haha. Good luck
Looks like the straight Midwest Grow tek. I think I bought the same setup. I grew the brf cakes, and then, I converted to shoebox tek - thanks to all the amazing people here... (and BOD). It was a tough call. I had planned on sticking to the PF tek with lots of holes using the method in The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible (purchased on Amazon). Hope you post more pics of your grow as I am weighing pros and cons for future endeavors. MUSH LOVE AND GOOD LUCK!!!!
Paul Stamets is THE man (as far as I know) when it comes to psilocybin and really all types of mushrooms. I've seen his appearances on Joe Rogan but haven't dug any deeper. I would probably start with his work. He has a book that is literally what you're asking for: https://www.amazon.ca/Psilocybin-Mushrooms-World-Identification-Guide/dp/0898158397/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=64837659967&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxeX_BRASEiwAc1QdkWtCBUiKXsbiMBeREHp8kJZjI2ycqHfE_tzn-Q_rwueJNW_SAiwDSxoCSeQQAvD_BwE&hvadid=31...
This photo is taken directly out of Paul Stamets' book, Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World (pg. 12). There isn't a ton of info, but it's a good jumping off point.
r/shroomid
Edit: I also have the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms which has almost 1000 pages of how to ID specific mushrooms with pictures. I think it’s on Amazon :) happy hunting!
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (National Audubon Society Field Guides) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0394519922/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8xXOFb7VDBG94?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Y’all both need to get this book. It will teach you everything you need to know.
Amazon has a mushroom bible that I found very informative. There are probably better teks to use but this covers everything from supplies to techniques to contamination info, highly recommend it for the price! The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing and Using Magic Mushrooms https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937866289/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ckyMAbQEMA5EY
I am moving to Mass in a few weeks and eager to go mushroom hunting!
I got this field guide on Amazon (along with a few others) but I liked it the most: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591935911/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's got tons of pictures. My favorite thing is that it starts with listing 'Top Edibles' and 'Top Toxics'. Also, it lists common lookalikes for all the mushrooms and tips for telling them apart.
Only eat the ones you're super confident in identifying, but the field guide is a fun guess + check when you're still learning
DM if you'd want a novice mushroom hunting buddy. I'll be in the south shore area
If you get a decent spore print and want to learn about cultivation this is a good beginner reference.
This is a good start.
This book will change your life. South Georgia and Florida are great places for a novice to quickly become an expert. Time in the field and time with that book will bring you to a new level.