Cynic & Spore Labs

Substrate

5lb Aura Forest Floor Block

Morel (Morchella esculenta)Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)Bioluminescent Mushroom SpeciesPlastic/Polyurethane Degrading CulturesReishi (Ganoderma lucidum)Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
SImage Slot Reserved

Forest Floor Block

Substrate

SubstrateVALIDATED

5lb Aura Forest Floor Block

$28.00

70/20/10 oak sawdust, peat moss, and coarse vermiculite formulation with 1% CaSO₄·2H₂O and 1% CaCO₃ mineral amendment. CaCO₃ neutralizes the natural acidity of peat moss to achieve a near-neutral pH compatible with a broad range of exotic species. Oak sawdust fraction satisfies the lignocellulosic requirement for Chicken of the Woods and bioluminescent wood-rotters. Peat fraction provides the soil matrix and moisture retention morels require for sclerotia development. Hydrated to 60% field capacity. Sterilized at 118.3°C / 15 PSI for 229 minutes (elevation-adjusted, 4,984 ft). Validated to F₀ ≥ 120. Shipped with Batch ID, Manifest Card, and QR-linked Digital Birth Certificate.

STERILIZATION

118.3°C @ 15 PSI / 229 min (elevation-adjusted)

F₀ LETHALITY

≥ 120

HYDRATION

60%

NET WEIGHT

5 lb / 2.27 kg

COMPOSITION

Oak Sawdust + Peat Moss + Coarse Vermiculite (70:20:10)

FORTIFICATION

1% CaSO₄·2H₂O + 1% CaCO₃

PILLAR

AURA

ALTITUDE

4,984 ft (Longmont, CO)

MIN VIABLE QA HOLD (78–82°F INCUBATION)

5 days

BATCH SIZE

6 units per batch

INTEGRATION

QR → Cynic Lab OS (auto-log batch metadata on scan)

Integration

This unit includes a QR-linked tag. Scan to auto-populate batch metadata into your portal dashboard — sterilization parameters, QA hold window, F₀ value, and operator sign-off.

Every Unit Includes

  • 1× Sterile substrate block (heat-sealed polypropylene bag w/ .5-micron filter patch)
  • 1× Physical Manifest Card
  • 1× pH test strip affixed to Manifest Card
  • Batch ID + QR code linking to Digital Birth Certificate

Available for local pickup in Longmont, CO. Contact us to place an order.

Species Compatibility

Uniquely capable substrate for the three most challenging cultivation categories: morels, bioluminescents, and Chicken of the Woods. The peat/oak matrix provides the soil-moisture interface morels need for sclerotia formation — results are not guaranteed (morel cultivation is notoriously inconsistent) but this substrate represents the best available approximation of field conditions. Chicken of the Woods: oak sawdust triggers the host-wood signaling that initiates fruiting. Bioluminescent species: lean peat/oak profile avoids the nutrient toxicity that suppresses luminescence.

Validation Timeline

PREP_DATE

Logged per batch

QA_HOLD_PERIOD

78–82°F incubation window

RELEASE_DATE

Post-hold, zero-growth confirmed

Every unit is held in incubation after sterilization. No unit ships until the hold window closes with zero contamination evidence. Dates are recorded on the Digital Birth Certificate.

Digital Birth Certificate

Every unit ships with a Manifest Card carrying a QR code. Scan to access the thermal integration log, F₀ value, sterilization parameters, and operator sign-off for your batch. Data is immutable once published.

Batch Evidence

Use your shipped Batch ID to open the certificate at /batch/[BATCH-ID].

Altitude Compensation — 4,984 ft

Sterilization parameters compensated for operating altitude. At 4,984 ft, 15 PSI yields 118.3°C — not 121°C. Hold window is product-specific, validated to per-material F₀ targets. Sea-level timing applied at elevation produces inadequate lethality.

Dense, high-hydration substrate requires extended lethality planning for core-mass sterilization at elevation.