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IMO1: Collecting Indigenous Microorganisms

IMO1 refers to the first stage in indigenous microorganism cultivation. For a full overview of Indigenous Microorganisms, check out this article.

To get a visual idea of IMO1 — check out the video below.

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What is IMO1?

IMO1 refers to the stage of collecting indigenous microorganisms from your local environment, largely fungi and bacteria found in undisturbed forest soils.

Below is a simple recipe to get you started.

Materials

  • Whole Grain – traditionally white rice. Other options include (not limited to) brown rice, pearl barley, whole oats, buckwheat, millet, etc.)
  • Water
  • Collection box (preferably cedar) with breathable lid (paper towel, cloth, etc.)
    • See instructions on how to make a simple collection box
  • Hard cover (e.g. hardware cloth, wire, or plastic lid to protect from rodent predators)

Instructions

  1. Rinse your grain
    • Start by washing off the starch of your grain by placing your grain in the pot, filling up with water and running your fingers through it. Pour off the excess starch and rinse again, repeating until little starch remains.
  2. Cook your grain
    • Add water to your pot of rinsed grains in equal proportion to the grains by volume. For example: 2 cups of grain + 2 cups of water.
    • Cook your grains for 10-20 minutes or until the moisture has been absorbed.
    • The goal is slightly dry, non-sticky grains that hold their shape but don’t clump. Slightly al dente–not something you would want to eat.
    • Allow the grains to cool completely.
    • This will be something you will need to work to fine tune for your specific environment (and the microbes that live there). The goal is to create a cooked grain that can hold its moisture well without going anaerobic (or clumping) for 3-10 days left outside.
  3. Fill your container
    • Place cooked grains in your collection box to fill between 1/2 – 2/3 full.
    • Attach the breathable lid to the top of the collection box. If using a paper towel, consider stapling to the box.
    • Ensure the soft breathable lid does not touch the rice—leave a gap for proper airflow (approximately the remaining top ½ – ⅓ of the box).
  4. Find a collection site
    • Choose a forested area with decaying leaf litter, minimal human disturbance, and visible mycelium (white strands that look like fuzzy spiderwebs) underneath the leaf litter.
      1. This is crucial. You need to collect IMO from the healthiest soil possible and mycelium is the best visible indication of that type of soil.
    • Avoid areas near roads, trails, or disturbed soils.
  5. Set the box on the forest floor
    • Clear debris and place the box directly on soil.
    • If possible, surround the box with pieces of forest debris that contain visible mycelium.
    • Cover the box with your hard lid, then camouflage it with leaves, sticks, or logs to blend in and protect from animals or rain. If rain is frequent, consider tying a tarp above the collection box to shield it from excessive moisture. Direct rainfall will ruin your collection.
  6. Let the microbes colonize (3–10 days)
    • Warm temps (80–100°F): 3–5 days
    • Moderate temps (60–80°F): Check around day 5
    • Cool temps (40–60°F): 7–10+ days
  7. You’re looking for white or light gray fuzzy growth covering and infusing the grain. That’s microbial activity—exactly what you want.
    • The texture, when broken apart, is firm but malleable. Tempeh-like in texture.
    • If it’s only partially colonized, try again. If it’s fully white or gray and smells earthy (not rotten) (and sometimes slightly garlicky), it’s ready to take home and move on to IMO2.

Storage: IMO1 is stored only by preserving it in brown sugar (IMO2). It will “store” a few hours after the breathable cover has been lifted. Once you move the box from the forest floor, make IMO2 as quickly as possible.

Tips & Notes:

  • The grain you choose for your food source depends on what is available to you and what works best in your climate. I have observed that in humid climates, white rice appears to be the gold standard. In my dry, arid climate, barley has proven more effective. Experiment with multiple grains to find what works best for you.
  • I highly recommend placing several (2-5) collection boxes in one area for your first few collections. This will allow you to check one and leave the others to continue developing. It will also give you a sense of how long it takes for the IMOs to develop on the rice after initial colonization.
    • For example: if you place 4 collection boxes in a single location, you might consider checking one box on Day 3, leaving the others. Then on Day 4 you can return and check another box to see how the fungi have developed on the rice. Repeat this until you feel confident you have a good collection.
  • If you see excessive amounts of black, red, yellow, green, blue or other bright-colored mold, your collection is contaminated—start over.
  • As you gain experience, collect IMO from multiple locations and combine later (after they have been preserved in IMO2) for even greater microbial diversity.
  • This stage is highly climate-sensitive—learn what success looks like in your region.
  • Generally, do not expect to get a good collection if temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees C) at any time, day or night, that you are attempting a collection.
  • Don’t wait too long after peak colonization (visible white/grey hyphae/biology) or the collection will spoil.

Get the eBook: “A Beginner’s Guide to IMO” by accessing our Free Resource Library below!

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