Magic Mushroom Spore Prints

How is a footprint formed?

A mature mushroom releases millions of spores through the gills beneath its cap. If you place the cap on a sheet of paper, those spores form an imprint. This imprint has the shape of the gills and is dark in color. At McSmart, this process takes place under sterile conditions. The print is then packaged in a sealed bag.

Each print is a snapshot of a single mushroom. As a result, no two prints look exactly alike.

Print or spray?

A print is dry, while a slide contains specimens in water. A print can be stored for a longer period of time—often more than a year. A slide is ready for immediate use under a microscope but has a shorter shelf life. Many collectors therefore choose a print if they want to preserve a species for a long time.

Prefer a syringe? Then check out the spore spraying and the brand Culture Ampoule.

View a print

Always work on a clean table and disinfect your hands before opening the bag. Using a sterile blade, scrape a small amount of spores from the print. Transfer them to a slide with a drop of sterile water. Place a cover slip on top and examine it under a microscope at approximately 400x magnification.

You'll then see the small, oval spores with their distinctive purplish-brown color. Compare prints of different species side by side. That way, you'll learn to recognize the subtle differences in shape and size.

Seal the bag tightly right away. Store it along with a label indicating the species and the date. A small folder or box will help you keep your collection organized.

A gill print is also a beautiful object in its own right. The print shows exactly how the gills ran beneath the cap. Some collectors even frame their most beautiful prints. However you choose to store it, always keep it dry and out of direct sunlight.

The Offer

Golden Teacher and B+ are the best-known names. McKennaii is named after the writer Terence McKenna. Mazatapec originally comes from Mexico. Hawaiian, Thai, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Cambodian are named after their countries of origin. All prints are from the brand McSmart.

Save

Store the print in the sealed pouch in a cool, dry, and dark place. Moisture is its worst enemy. Do not touch the surface with your fingers. This will keep the print clean and usable.

Legislation

Spores do not contain psilocybin. Collecting spore prints is therefore not prohibited in the Netherlands. However, growing magic mushrooms is prohibited. Other countries sometimes have stricter rules. Always check for yourself what applies to you. You can find more information about mushrooms in the mushroom shop.