About me

Hi!

My name is Arek, and I'm from Poland. My passion for saprotrophic fungi began in early 2001, and since 2008, I have been developing my mycological laboratory. I specialize in cultivating mycelium, which plays an extremely important role in the ecosystem and in human life.

Sometimes people ask me what is so fascinating about these fungi, and that's really a tough question. It's not easy to answer in one sentence, but one thing is certain: fungi were here on Earth long before us, and we owe them life. The fact that they can help people in difficult times, support health, and have been used in Asia for thousands of years in traditional medicine – those are also very interesting aspects of their world.

Fungi also have another amazing characteristic – we can cultivate them at home with minimal energy input, and their way of nutrition is more similar to animals than to plants. Here's a fun fact: the largest living organism in the world is not a blue whale, but a giant honey mushroom, whose size in North America exceeds that of four blue whales! Additionally, fungi are used to produce synthetic leather, food, and are involved in many other innovative fields. Fungi are not only magical and fascinating, but also incredibly important for our everyday life.

My interest in fungi has translated into my professional life. Since I started developing my passion, I’ve worked in laboratories for two major producers of Cubensis growkits. While the demand for these products has significantly increased, the production process has remained at the same level. Growkits are produced in plastic microboxes or filter patch bags, marketed as “FullAuto.” The problem is that the mycelium is stored by producers in refrigerators for long periods, which causes it to lose its freshness and vigor, ultimately lowering its effectiveness. While it still gives some results, the difference between fresh and stored mycelium is like comparing a horse-drawn carriage ride to a journey into space – a huge gap.

Here, I'd like to introduce you to a different method of mushroom cultivation, which many beginners consider difficult and reserved only for advanced growers. This is not true! I'm talking about bulk substrate cultivation and the monotub method. Bulk substrate is simply the cultivation on a larger amount of substrate, which allows for larger mushrooms, greater yields, and most importantly – increased resistance to contamination. Growkits are expensive, inefficient, and intended for those looking for easy solutions. Monotub is a true step forward in mushroom cultivation, which, contrary to popular opinion, is really easy, enjoyable, and most importantly – very productive! It's not hard. Can you boil water in a kettle? Have you ever played with sand in a sandbox? Do you have 10 minutes to set up your terrarium? If you answered yes to all three questions, then you’re ready for Bulk Substrate and Monotub. 😊

I’m excited to show you how you can grow mushrooms on your own using this method, and what benefits this cultivation style can bring. Growing mushrooms can be easier than you think, and the results – spectacular!

All the Best,

Arek

gillslLab.com