Can I revitalize old spawn?

David,

I bought spawn(king stroph and almond portabella) over a year ago but never got to inoculating anything with it. How can I tell if it is still viable and is there a way to still use it. Like does it go dormant and can then be awakened?

Thank you for your previous reply. I am relooking at my patch in light of your comments.

Patricia,

Did you refrigerate it? If kept cool spawn will last quite a while, depending on species etc.If it still has the white thread like mass of Mycelium it might very well be ok. Anytime I had spawn I hadn't used in a while I always gave it the eye and nose test. It should be white and it should still "have that smell" of spawn. For the wine cap I'd place it in wood chips. I describe a couple of methods for getting your most out of this mushroom and a variety of ways to use it in the book. The Almond agaricus I'd be more leery of I always go tit in the spring once warm and then got it out into the compost quickly. It never seemed to want to over winter in Pennsylvania.

I did not refrigerate it as I thought I wasn't suppose to. The wine cap looks like it is worth a try. The almond ag does not pass the test.

I look forward to reading your book. I so far have either been overwhelmed by the texts that I have gotten or tried to do too much with too little info as in Sepp's books.
I really need a text in the novice to made lots of mistakes so far portion of the spectrum.

Thank you for answering questions inthe forum. I value your comments and am re-inspired to play with the mushrooms once again.

I think you will find the book an easy ready. with a lot of common sense approaches. Mushrooms are fun and fantastical element of our world all too easily forgotten. "When you sit in the woods and are hit by the rich forest smell that is part mushroom too!" I think too many people forget fungi are one of the five kingdoms of life!