What Makes It “All-in-One”?

An all-in-one bag combines nutrient grain, bulk substrate, and hydration balance in a single sterile environment. Instead of preparing multiple stages separately, cultivators can inoculate the bag directly using a clean liquid culture or grain spawn of legal gourmet species such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, or Oyster mushrooms.

Every ingredient inside has a specific job to do, and the proportions are carefully chosen to support healthy, even colonisation.

The Core Ingredients

1. Coir – The Foundation
Coconut coir forms the main bulk of most substrate mixes. It’s lightweight, fibrous, and excellent at retaining moisture while allowing airflow between particles. Coir also has a natural resistance to moulds, making it an ideal base material for stable colonisation.

2. Vermiculite – The Moisture Regulator
Vermiculite acts like a sponge inside the mix. It holds onto water without becoming waterlogged and slowly releases it as the mycelium develops. This helps prevent the bag from drying out during colonisation and ensures consistent humidity throughout.

3. Gypsum – The Secret Additive
Often overlooked but incredibly useful, gypsum (calcium sulphate) adds essential minerals and helps prevent the substrate from clumping. It improves texture and nutrient distribution, giving the mycelium a more even structure to grow through.

4. Hydrated Grain – The Nutrient Source
Grain provides the energy the culture needs to spread rapidly. Rye grain is a common choice because it holds moisture well and offers a balanced nutrient profile of carbohydrates and protein. Think of it as the “fuel” that powers early growth.

Why Sterility Matters

Even the best-balanced substrate won’t perform well if contaminants are introduced. That’s why Cap & Culture’s CVG bags are sterilised for up to several hours at high temperature and pressure before being sealed.
This process destroys any unwanted bacteria or spores, giving your gourmet culture a completely clean environment to thrive in.

Once inoculated, the bag’s built-in filter patch allows fresh air exchange without letting contaminants in — maintaining the sterile balance throughout colonisation.

Moisture and Texture: The Hidden Variables

A perfect substrate feels slightly damp but never soggy. When squeezed, it should hold its shape briefly before crumbling apart — a sign of optimal hydration. Too dry, and the mycelium stalls. Too wet, and anaerobic bacteria take over.

Each CVG bag is prepared to hit that “sweet spot,” so you don’t need to second-guess ratios or moisture levels.

The Science of Balance

In short, the success of an all-in-one bag lies in balance — between nutrition, structure, and hydration. Coir and vermiculite regulate air and water, gypsum improves structure, and grain provides nutrients.
Together, they create an ideal environment for vigorous, contamination-resistant growth.

Why Use a Pre-Made Bag?

For many cultivators, the convenience and consistency of a ready-made bag save hours of preparation time. You also avoid sourcing and sterilising bulk materials individually — a process that can be messy, time-consuming, and equipment-heavy.

Cap & Culture’s CVG all-in-one bags are designed for simplicity and reliability, giving you more time to focus on clean technique and culture health.

Final Thoughts

All-in-one bags aren’t magic — they’re science. Each component has a purpose, and when combined correctly under sterile conditions, the result is a perfectly balanced habitat for mycelial growth.

If you’d like to explore our CVG Substrate Bags, or learn more about how substrate composition affects performance, visit the Substrates & Grain section of our store.