One of the best things about growing mushrooms is that when you have started to grow them you can continue to grow them for years and years without the need to purchase any more mushroom spawn. It is very simple to create your own spawn and be able to store this in a fridge ready to use for several weeks.
Mushroom spawn is simply some kind of food which has mycelium growing through it. The food is usually some kind of bird seed such as corn or rye grain, and this is used because the mycelium loves to grow through it and because of the shape and small size of the grain it provides many innoculation points (it has a large surface area which means you have more chance of the mycelium "leaping off" and growing through your substrate).
Creating your own mushroom spawn can be a very easy process when you know exactly how its done and when you are aware of the possible problems caused by contaminations (which is why it is very important to have good sterile procedures). To make your own spawn you firstly need your own mushroom spores. Take a mushroom and leave it on a piece of foil to leave a spore print. Next you add a little distilled water to this print (a few millilitres) and mix this solution using something called an innoculation loop (small piece of wire with a metal curve in one end). This will mix the spores with the water. Next you need to use a syringe and suck up this solution. As mentioned before its important that the syringe is clean and any other equipment too.
You can store this spore syringe in a cool place such as a refrigerator until ready to use. Next you will need to get a large jar and fill it up with the chosen grain (such as Rye grain). Place a piece of tyvek over the cover and seal with a metal lid. It helps if you drill 4 small holes in the lid (near the corners) which are used as innoculation points later.
When you are ready take the spore syringe and inject a few millilitres of your solution into the 4 holes in the lid of the jar. Usually one syringe can innoculate around 5 jars. When complete, place the jars in a warm place and after about 4 weeks your contents will have colonised and mushrooms will start to form! Or you could simply use this colonised jar of grain and use it as spawn - the choice is yours. You could even multiply the spawn and turn the 5 jars into as many as 25! This is simply done by getting more jars of grain and mixing in part of the colonised spawn jar with the others. One jar can turn into 10 if done properly!
There is Mothering Sunday for the special mums and grannies, Father's Day for all the dads and granddads and even Valentine's Day for the ones you love. In fact, there's probably an occasion for everyone but there are some special people who are often forgotten and don't get a look in... teachers. Everyone was a teacher's pet at some point, but handing them a shiny apple doesn't quite do the trick these days.
From nursery, primary, secondary, college to university, teachers and tutors have spent their lives nurturing Buy Magic Mushrooms and teaching us how to survive in the big, bad world. At the end of every school year they watch their class leave the nest and get a new bunch with minds ready for moulding.
You never forget a good teacher and you should make sure they never forget you, by letting them know how grateful you are for their support throughout your education. Give them something thoughtful and if you're stuck for ideas then read on.
Photos
Your teacher will be touched if they receive a brilliantly taken photograph. You could dig out a picture from a memorable school trip, a class picture in the playground, or if you're a little older, a group snap of your whole course in their graduation gowns throwing mortarboards in the air (it's a cliche but everyone still does it!). Finished off in an elegant ornamental frame, it will be ready to go on the desk in the staff room.
Diary
Teaching staff lead very busy lives, so a school planner will be a welcomed gift. Not just a simple diary, get them one with all the trimmings - somewhere they can make rough notes, lesson plans, schedule meetings, school trips and even detention. Buy them a decorative or novelty diary cover for that extra personal touch and complement it with a nice, shiny pen. They'll love it.
Novels
Giving your teacher a book or novel can be an intellectual expression of your gratitude. It may have been a book they mentioned whist teaching the class or might be by one of their favourite authors. Make the book extra special - look out for hard-back copies or special editions of it (with notes from the author, previously unseen chapters etc.) in the shops. Don't forget to hand write a personal message in the front or back page. They will remember you every time they pick it up to read.
Relaxation
If you want to get them something totally unrelated to their school life, there are loads of pampering gift ideas out there. You could get the whole class to chip in and get 'Miss' or 'Sir' a relaxing spa day. There are also adventure days as an alternative for any teachers who aren't quite in touch with their feminine side.
The homemade variety
You don't have to spend a lot of money in order to put a lot of thought into something. Give them a basket of homemade fruit muffins or chocolate biscuits (check allergies first, you don't want your teacher's last day to literally be their last!).
The personal touch
Some freshly picked flowers and a homemade card always do the trick. Finally, don't forget to attach a personal note to whatever you decide to give. The gift may be edible or perishable, but the note can be kept in their scrapbook and they will always look back and remember you.