When Should You Harvest Magic Mushrooms?

Early Stage: The Veil Is Still Intact

Young magic mushrooms have caps that are still closed. Beneath the cap is a thin membrane called the veil, which connects the cap to the stem. As long as the veil is still attached, the mushroom is in an early stage of development.

The Veil Starts to Tear

As a magic mushroom continues to grow, its cap gets larger and the veil stretches. Eventually, the veil begins to separate from the edge of the cap. This is an important stage in the mushroom's development. The cap starts opening further, exposing the gills underneath. Sometimes the veil tears on one side first before separating completely.

The condition of the veil is a useful way to judge how far a magic mushroom has developed. When the veil begins to tear, it indicates that the cap is approaching maturity and the gills are becoming exposed.

It's often said that magic mushrooms contain the most psilocybin at this stage. According to this belief, leaving them to grow longer may gradually reduce their potency.

Late Stage: The Cap Opens and Spores Drop

As the cap opens further, the gills become fully exposed. Once the spores are mature, they can be released and fall onto other mushrooms and the substrate. In many Psilocybe species, the spores are dark purple to almost black. This can cause the normally white surface of a grow kit to develop a dark coating.

What Are the Downsides of Dropped Spores?

Fallen spores can leave a dark layer on the mycelium and other magic mushrooms. This may interfere with further growth and future flushes. It won't necessarily stop growth completely, but it's far from ideal.

When to Harvest Magic Mushrooms for Spores?

Want to harvest magic mushrooms to collect their spores? In that case, the cap needs to be more fully open so the gills underneath can release their spores.

Once the mushroom cap has opened sufficiently, you can cut the stem as close to the cap as possible. Then place the cap on a piece of aluminum foil and leave it for around 24 hours. This gives the mushroom enough time to release its spores.

How Can You Tell if a Spore Print Is Successful?

When enough spores have landed on the aluminum foil, they form a visible pattern that matches the arrangement of the gills underneath the mushroom cap. In many Psilocybe species, the spore print is dark purple to purplish-brown and can sometimes appear almost black.