willy wanker

That's exactly what I ment, Rev! I wish I could be as diplomatic as you. Cheers.

I really don't understand why someone should be scorned for offering what seems to be quality prints for a price? Nobody's forcing anybody to buy them. For some, it's good to have that option though, rather then relying on self-righteous few to be in a right frame of mind and capable to actually offer something other than criticism... But, egos aside, seriously: as far as procuring prints is concerned, what are the reliable alternatives in this country?

this story reminds me of my little experiment a good few years ago, when I collected some totally dry sub mycelium(seemingly dead) in the middle of summer. To my surprise, given a set of right conditions, I was able to 'revive' the colonised twigs and bring them to fruitins the following winter! The original myuycelium was so dry and stressed, it was almost blue... amazing...

I've picked some this morning. I'm planning to clone them, grow them and then enjoy them. Can't wait... did you have simmilar symptoms after eating the ones you bought a while ago? By the way, would they grow on 'spent' (and pasturised)mushroom compost(the commercially available one used in gardens)? there should be still enough goodies in it for mushrooms like shaggy manes?

thanks a lot for really good comments. I've combed the net for days trying to find the definite answer, but haven't found it. There are a few suggestions that psilicybine and psilocin aren't toxic, but other chemicals in shrooms can be potentially harmfull( some suggest it's them which are responsible for stomach cramps and vomiting and spiking in liver enzymes). Also, in some recent medical publicatioons it's been suggested shrooms are detrimental to the heart muscle. Anyway, that's just stuff which will probably make most users yawn...I was just curious. I think what Rev said knoked it on the head for me: I should probably look at detox more seriously and then try again. Thanks once again.

Hi, Does anyone know if psilocybean mushrooms can be detrimental to the liver? i.e. cause increased enzyme reading etc? I know psilocine/psilocybine are safe, but some references suggest other substances in mushies can be toxic to the liver. I've been trying for years to get to more references on that subject, but it seems very little research's been done. Any help would be really much appreciated. Cheers.

I'm sort of in a simmilar situation. I was just wondering if there are any edibles as easy to fruit as say p. cubensis? also, can agaricus sp. be fruited from grain cake(cased or not) or can it be grown on sugar cane straw? I've no patience for all the composting crap...

Found this on the net few days ago. pretty cool. good info for new travellers and sufferers. http://www.clusterbusters.com/faq.html also: www.miqel.com/index

have you ever ended up with a cake trapped inside a jar? I never have, but one gnome I know has. for a while he was hoping mushies would emerge predominantly from the top of the jar anyway, but they didn't. In fact, to his horror, they started pinning all over the cake's surface and he could only sit and watch... He got himself into this 'tight' situation because, initially, he was trying to use the jars as a spawn, but forgot to shake the jars for few days and the substrates solidified forming unbreakable blocks... so what would you do in such situation? I'm not sure myself what's the best option. He, having gathered some courage out of sheer desperation, reached for the hammer... Both - the gnome and the babies are doing well.

It'd be good to check if any research's been done on this subject(I'm guessing - NO). My personal concern would be that myceliums are a bit like sponges in some ways? I know it's a different situation, but MANY years after the Chernobyl disaster any mushrooms picked throughout northern Europe would be radioactive(I'm not sure if it's still the case). Mushrooms, like no other organisms, were accumulating the stuff, mopping up the spill if you like. In case of aflatoxins, I personally wouln't like to take any chances, but again, as Rev pointed out, we take our chances every time we open a packet of peanuts...

I'm usually paranoid about Aspargilus species(black, green and especially yellow - flavus?), but it's been suggested in scientific literature some more molds can be/are cancerogenic. But then, I'm probably being too dramatic... Personally, I stay well clear of any contams as a rule. You can always grow another cake in a few weeks, internal organs are more tricky to replace.

is it generally safe to import some seeds into this beautifull country. any thoughts at all? any first-hand experiences?

Poland(South -West) and Germany.

they usually grow under oaks(the ones pictured were picked in a fairy open forest, under young oaks - 30years+, pushing through thick moss). you can see them from miles away; they really are kings of mushroom world in that part of the world(record finds are usually reported in the local press i.e. 1.5kg specimens), but bigger specimens are usually infested by maggots at that stage, so you're better off picking smaller mushies(2-3 days after the rain). They're almost always sliced and dried. Other species are always found under different trees i.e. B. badius in a mixed woodland(excellent for pickling, yum), Leccinum scabrum - always under birches etc. It's good fun, provided you're with someone who knows what to look for(the difference beetween a good find and an upset stomach can be as much as a slightly different colour). anyway, I could could go on and on, but something tells me I'd be testing the limits of your endurance? I'd love to inoculate some oaks around here. It's crossed my mind to be honest. might be worth it as a long term project...

if only I had known...this will have to wait a few years. what about Chanterelles? Any sightings in this country?