This 1,200 ml kit is designed for growing mushrooms and comes with a prepared growing medium, a lidded tray, a filter bag and two paperclips. The included instructions explain the process in a few straightforward steps.
Strain Characteristics
| Trait | Description |
|---|
| Growing difficulty | Moderate |
| Cap appearance | Caramel to golden-brown, typically 3–8 cm in diameter |
| Cap development | Convex when young, gradually broadening and flattening with maturity |
| Stem appearance | White to pale cream, thick and sturdy, sometimes showing blue discolouration |
| Growth pattern | Relatively tall, robust fruiting bodies |
| Spore colour | Dark purple-brown to almost black |
| Bruising | Blue discolouration on bruised tissue |
About the Strain
McKennaii is a cultivated variety of Psilocybe cubensis, recognised for its caramel-to-golden-brown caps and tall, sturdy stems. The caps gradually flatten as the mushrooms mature, while the pale stems may develop blue discolouration when bruised. Mature spores are dark purple-brown to almost black.
The variety is named in honour of Terence McKenna, the American writer and ethnobotanist who helped introduce a wider audience to psychedelic mushrooms. In 1976, he and his brother Dennis published Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide under the pseudonyms O. T. Oss and O. N. Oeric.
Its early history is associated with European cultivation, particularly the Netherlands. One origin story involves a spore print discovered among McKenna's possessions after his death in 2000. Another credits a Dutch cultivator with developing the selection and naming it in his honour.
The variety has also attracted scientific interest. Mycologist Caine Barlow, a contributor to modern genetic research, described McKennaii as genetically very close to Golden Teacher, offering an interesting perspective on the relationship between these two established cultivated lines.
Product Details
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Commercial name | McKennaii |
| Species | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Tray volume | 1,200 ml |
| Container | Plastic tray with lid |
| Grain | Fully colonised rye |
| Base layer | Perlite |
| Casing layer | Vermiculite |
| Included accessories | Filter bag and two paperclips |
| Instructions | Included |
Is a Heat Mat Really Necessary?
In most homes, it's possible to find a suitable spot with enough light and a reasonably stable temperature, so a heat mat is usually not necessary. If the surroundings are too cool, additional warmth may be helpful. A heat mat can be used on its own, while an optional thermostat offers more precise temperature control when needed.
References
Wellcome Collection: 1976 publication catalogue record - Catalogues the 1976 book under O. T. Oss and O. N. Oeric. The record does not establish who developed McKennaii.
McTaggart et al. (2023), Current Biology - Includes the McKennaii designation in genomic research; it does not authenticate the historical origin of the retail line.
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