Create A Spore Print

To make a spore print, you will need:
 

• A fresh mushroom

• White and dark paper for contrast

• A glass or bowl

• A knife

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Choose a mature mushroom with a well-developed cap, such as a portobello or shiitake. Make sure the mushroom is fresh for the best results.

Step 2: Prepare the Mushroom Cap
Carefully cut the stem of the mushroom close to the cap using a knife. Be gentle to avoid damaging the gills on the underside of the cap. The gills are where the spores are located.

Step 3: Place the Cap on Paper
Place the mushroom cap, gill-side down, on a piece of paper. Use white paper for mushrooms with dark spores and dark paper for mushrooms with light spores. This contrast will make your spore print more visible. Cover the cap with a glass or bowl to protect it from air currents and drying out.

Step 4: Wait and Observe
Leave the mushroom cap undisturbed for 6-12 hours, or overnight. After this period, carefully lift the cap to reveal the spore print on the paper. The spores will have fallen onto the paper, creating a pattern that mirrors the arrangement of the gills or pores.

Your mushroom spore print is now complete! You can use it for identification, cultivation, or as a unique piece of natural art.