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moderate
Lipstick Mold
Sporendonema spp.
Distinctive pink/red contamination often found on grain spawn. Usually indicates a sterile technique break.
Reference Images
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What It Looks Like
Bright pink or red spots, often on grain spawn or substrate edges
Recommended Action
Dispose of affected spawn. Do not use contaminated grain to inoculate substrate. Clean and retry with fresh spawn.
How to Identify
- 1Distinctive pink/red/coral color
- 2Often appears on grain
- 3Can look almost lipstick-like
- 4Does not spread as fast as green mold
- 5Stays relatively localized
Common Causes
- •Incomplete grain sterilization
- •Moisture imbalance in grain
- •Break in sterile technique
- •Contaminated inoculation tool
Prevention Tips
- ✓Ensure proper grain prep (moisture content)
- ✓Full sterilization cycle
- ✓Maintain sterile technique during inoculation
- ✓Use quality spawn
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