Cordyceps militaris Liquid Culture Syringe (10cc)

About Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris is the bright orange, club-shaped functional mushroom that's become a fixture in functional wellness — and the cultivatable cousin of the famously expensive wild Cordyceps sinensis of the Himalayas. In fact, C. militaris produces higher concentrations of the bioactive compound cordycepin than its wild relative, making it the preferred strain for serious functional-mushroom growers. It's a fast, fascinating mushroom to cultivate, fruiting directly from grain or supplemented substrate in weeks, and it's the species behind most commercial Cordyceps supplements on the market today.

Growing Notes

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Preferred substrate: White rice or brown rice with nutrient broth; supplemented grain jars; can be grown in liquid culture for biomass
• Fruiting temperature: 65–75°F
• Colonization speed: Fast
• Special considerations: Requires light to initiate fruiting — 12/12 light cycle or ambient room light works well. High humidity is essential for fruit body formation; substrate surface must stay moist. Cultivates readily in jars or tubs, making it accessible without a full grow room.

Functional Benefits

Cordyceps militaris is best known for energy, stamina, and oxygen-utilization support. It produces cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), a compound studied for anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immune-modulating activity. Traditionally used to support athletic performance, respiratory function, and libido. Typically dried and dual-extracted into tinctures or powders, or consumed as a tea. The fruiting bodies contain significantly higher cordycepin levels than mycelium-only products.

Usage Instructions

• Sanitize your work area, tools, and contact surfaces before handling.
• Prepare grain, substrate, agar, or grow kits according to your standard operating procedures.
• Introduce the liquid culture using sterile or near-sterile technique (e.g., in front of a flow hood or still-air box when applicable).
• Maintain species-appropriate incubation and fruiting conditions for temperature, humidity, and fresh air exchange.

Shelf Life & Storage

Store refrigerated at 34–39°F (1–4°C) away from direct sunlight. Under proper storage, typical shelf life is 3–6 months unopened. Always visually inspect for contamination, damage, or off-odors before use.

Quality & COA

Each batch is prepared using standardized procedures and test-inoculated on appropriate media before release. These internal checks act as our in-house Certificate of Analysis (COA) to confirm viability and cleanliness at the time of packaging.

Strain Profile

• Common name: Cordyceps militaris
• Scientific name: Cordyceps militaris
• Strain: Isolated culture
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Preferred substrate: Rice with nutrient broth, supplemented grain jars, liquid culture for biomass
• Use case: Energy and stamina support, cordycepin production, functional supplement formulation

How to Use This Liquid Culture

1. Sterilize the injection port on your grain bag with an alcohol prep pad.
2. Shake the syringe vigorously for 10-15 seconds to disperse the mycelium evenly.
3. Inject 1-2cc of liquid culture through the self-healing injection port of your grain bag. Less is more — 1cc is usually plenty.
4. Seal and incubate the bag at 70-75°F in a clean, dark space.
5. Wait for colonization — white mycelium will begin spreading through the grain within 2-4 weeks.

Temperature & Timeline: Colonization typically takes 2-4 weeks at 70-75°F. Warmer is not better — temperatures above 80°F increase contamination risk.

Signs of Success: You'll see white, fluffy mycelium spreading outward from injection points. The grain will become covered in a uniform white coating when fully colonized.

Next Steps: Once the grain is fully colonized, transfer it to a bulk substrate or introduce fruiting conditions, depending on your setup.

Common Mistake: Injecting too much liquid culture does not speed up colonization — it wastes culture and can introduce excess moisture that encourages contamination. Stick to 1-2cc per bag.

What's in the Box

• 1x 10cc liquid culture syringe
• 1x sterile needle
• 1x alcohol prep pad