If you are going to send living
mushroom, culture, or spore material, a few simple rules and tips can make the difference
between success and failure.
Sporocarp tissue-cultures, on agar
slants, padded inside of a crush-proof box, are the
preferred form of sample. They should be sent by air mail (or
express post or courier, during hot or freezing weather),
marked "Urgent - Perishable. Keep away from heat.
Do not freeze." From overseas, any customs declaration should state
"Research culture of edible Agaricus mushroom on sterile agar
medium." Declared value = $0. If you don't know how to make tissue
cultures, or lack the resources, please read on...
Clean spore prints are the next
best option. New aluminum foil is ideal for such prints. A
semi-young (pink gill) mushroom cap, with stem removed, is placed on a square of foil, and
a bowl or other cover can be place over the whole thing. When done printing, fold
foil loosely, allow to air dry for at least an hour, then fold the margins tightly and
place in an envelope or zip-lock bag. Send multiple prints in separate bags with
labels. Use air mail.
With old mushrooms that can no longer produce a
spore print, remove several dark gills with the point of a clean knife and
wrap the gills in facial tissue ('Kleenex'). These will quickly air dry (in a few
hours). Prints and gills may be air-mailed.
When necessary, the ARP may accept fresh, sound,
young mushrooms from US locations. Call first to arrange overnight shipment,
to obtain authorization for reimbursement for express shipping, and to obtain
express delivery address.
