How to Make a Mushroom Spore Print

Last Updated: January 12, 2024 Tested

Ever wanted to make a print of the bottom of a mushroom? It's easy, quick, and makes an awesome art project. It's also one of the most reliable ways to identify a mushroom!

Steps

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1
Pick out a mature mushroom that you want to make a print of. The mushroom must be mature to ensure that it has enough spores to print. A freshly picked mushroom is more likely to have live spores than a store-bought one. ^{[1]
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- If parts of the mushroom cover the spores, the printing effect won't work as well. Avoid using mushrooms that are shriveled, bruised or appear old. ^{[2]
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- Flat mushrooms create the best prints.
If the cap is very large you can cut it and make a print of just a part of the mushroom.

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Cover the mushroom with glass or bowl. Although it doesn't need to be clear, a clear glass covering allows you to help determine when the print is done. ^{[3]
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The print could be done as fast as a few hours, but you can leave it longer to ensure a better, more deeply textured print. When you think it's ready, remove the bowl and view your print.
- The print is actually made by the many microscopic spores falling from the mushroom, leaving a near-photographic impression. ^{[4]
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Done. Use the print for hanging artwork, gift wrapping, adding to another craft project or to create more art from.
- To protect the dusty print, spray with spray fixative, such as hairspray. Several coats should be adequate. Be careful though, as the pressure from the spray can easily disturb the spore print and change its shape.

Community Q&A

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Where should I keep the spores for further growth?

Community Answer

You'd want to mix it with sterile water and make a spore syringe. That involves significant sterile procedures, so it's a bit beyond the scope of this answer, but Google will turn up many resources on making spore syringes. After that, you'd probably try to start growing your new mushrooms indoors (depending on the kind you're trying to grow), then dump a bunch of colonized spawn (sawdust, straw, etc) into your garden area.

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How do spore prints identify the mushroom?

Kicky Ricky

Community Answer

The microscopic view of the spores are often used for taxonomic identification of mushrooms, but the print on the paper itself is not a determining criteria.

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Question

When getting prints of poisonous mushrooms, once done can it still be poisonous on finished print?

Community Answer

For the mushroom to be poisonous, it would need to be a poisonous variety and you would need to ingest it. You do not need to wear gloves when handling even the deadliest mushroom, as it doesn't pass through your skin. As long as you don't ingest it, it will not harm you at all!

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Tips

Did you know? Mycologists (people who study fungi) can identify the type of mushroom from the coloring of the spores when turned into prints. ^{[5]
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Try several mushrooms lined up or placed in a shape formation for a more exciting print.

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If a print doesn't appear, try a new mushroom. It may take a few tries before you get a decent print to appear.

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Warnings

Always wash your hands after handling mushrooms and dirt.

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Avoid handling mushrooms that you're not sure are safe. If you're unsure of the origin and type of mushroom, never eat it, as some mushrooms are toxic and can kill if eaten.

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Things You'll Need

Mushroom cap
Piece of paper (printer paper, card paper, art paper, etc.)
Glass bowl or cup

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How to Make a Mushroom Spore Print

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