Skip to content
Opened your grow kit, or checked it after a few days, and something looks odd? Fuzzy white stuff, bluish spots, a green patch? Most of the time it’s perfectly normal, but sometimes it’s contamination. This guide helps you tell the difference and tells you what to do, step by step.
In short: bright white, cotton-like or rope-like growth is healthy mycelium. Blue bruising on mycelium or mushrooms is normal. Green, black, pink, orange or grey wispy growth, slime or a sour smell are signs of contamination. In that case, don’t eat from the kit and contact us with photos.
Normal: what healthy growth looks like
- White mycelium: bright white, cotton-like or rope-like growth on and in the substrate. That’s the mushroom network. It’s what you want.
- Blue spots: blue or bluish-green bruising where the mycelium or mushrooms were touched or pressed. A known natural reaction of psilocybin mushrooms.
- Yellowish droplets (“metabolites”): small amber droplets on the mycelium can appear when it’s stressed. Usually harmless.
- Small white balls (pins): the start of mushrooms. Great news!
- A mild, earthy, mushroomy smell.
Not normal: signs of contamination
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Green patches (often starting white, then turning green) | Green mould (e.g. Trichoderma) |
| Black, dark grey or blue-green powdery spots | Mould |
| Pink, orange or red patches | Mould or bacteria |
| Grey, very fine, wispy “cobweb” growth that spreads fast | Cobweb mould |
| Wet, slimy or shiny areas, sour or rotten smell | Bacterial contamination |
What to do if you suspect contamination
- Don’t open the bag more than necessary and don’t touch the suspicious area, to avoid spreading spores.
- Take clear photos in daylight: the whole kit and a close-up of the spot.
- Contact us at info@awake-shop.com with your order number and the photos. We’ll tell you whether it’s normal or not and what the options are.
- Don’t eat mushrooms from a contaminated kit.
- Dispose of a clearly contaminated kit in a closed bag, away from other kits, and wash your hands.
How to prevent contamination
- Start the kit soon after delivery. If you must wait, store it in the fridge (3–5°C) for no more than 3–4 weeks.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and work in a clean space.
- Don’t open the bag more than needed and keep the micro-perforations at the top.
- Don’t water the kit; only do the cold shock after a harvest, with clean tap water.
- Remove all mushrooms and leftovers when harvesting, so nothing rots.
- Keep it at 18–28°C, in the light but never in direct sunlight, and away from draughts.
Other common grow kit questions
Nothing is growing. What’s wrong?
Usually it’s too cold, too dark or in direct sunlight. Check that the temperature is between 18 and 28°C (ideally around 23°C) and give it time: pins usually appear after 1–1.5 weeks.
The mushrooms are long and thin with small caps.
This usually means too little light or fresh air. Move the kit to a lighter spot (no direct sun) and make sure the holes are at the top.
The kit looks dry or has stopped producing.
After a harvest, give it the cold shock: fill it with water, soak it for 12 hours, drain it carefully. See the complete grow kit guide.
I didn’t receive the grow guide.
The full guide is on this website: The Complete Magic Mushroom Grow Kit Guide. It’s also sent by email after ordering; check your spam folder.
📚 Explore all Awake guides · 🌱 Our story: grown in the Netherlands by a master grower
Questions?
Check our FAQ or email us at info@awake-shop.com. We’re happy to help.
Medical disclaimer: this guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any changes to your diet, exercise routine or medication, and never disregard professional medical advice because of something you read here. Do not use psilocybin if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication such as SSRIs or other antidepressants, or have (a history of) serious mental health conditions. Effects differ per person; we don’t promise specific results.
