Red Boy 10 ml.

Red Boy Spore Vial

The Red Boy spore vial contains a sterile aqueous suspension of spores from Psilocybe cubensis var. Red Boy in a 10 ml vial with sterile syringe included. It is the only variety in Edabea's catalog — and one of the few in the collection market of P. cubensis — that produces reddish spores instead of the dark purplish-brown characteristic of the species. This difference in spore pigmentation is its most distinctive feature from a mycological perspective.

Origin and Provenance

The geographical origin of the Red Boy variety is uncertain. In the specialized mycological community, it is associated with the lineage known as Redboy-PR, although the exact traceability is not verifiable. What is part of the documented history of this strain is its recovery from a spore print approximately 20 years old — an archival technique that allows the retrieval of inactive strains stored on paper for long periods, as long as storage conditions have been adequate.

This archival recovery history makes it a reference of interest for collectors and mycologists working with old lineage material.

Documented Morphological Characteristics

• Reddish Spores — the most distinguishing feature of the variety. Spores of P. cubensis are usually dark purplish-brown under a microscope. The Red Boy variety shows a notably more reddish coloration, visible in both spore prints and microscopic observation, making it immediately recognizable in comparative collections.
• Short and Thick Stems — stipe with shorter length and greater diameter than the average of the species, with a compact appearance.
• Dark Partially Open Cap — the cap tends to remain closed or partially open even in mature specimens, exhibiting a persistent bell shape that is another of its visual identification traits.

Interest for Microscopy

The atypical spore coloration of the Red Boy variety makes it a particularly interesting reference for comparative microscopy studies between varieties of P. cubensis. The difference in pigmentation is clearly visible at moderate magnifications, allowing for direct comparisons with other varieties in the catalog without the need for specialized equipment beyond a standard laboratory microscope.

Vial Characteristics

The vial contains spores in a sterile aqueous suspension (10 ml) with a sterile syringe included. The reddish coloration of the spores is visible in prints on white paper and under the microscope from 400x magnification onwards.

To view the complete catalog of available varieties, visit the Edabea spore section.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator between 2 °C and 8 °C, protected from direct light. Do not freeze. Under adequate conditions, the spores maintain viability for months. Avoid sudden temperature changes between uses.

Legal Status

The legal status of Psilocybe cubensis spores varies by jurisdiction. In many countries, spores — which do not contain psilocybin or psilocine — are not subject to the same regulations as mycelium or fruiting bodies. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify the applicable regulations in their place of residence before placing an order. This product is marketed solely as mushroom collection material and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Red Boy spores reddish and not purplish like others?

The color of spores in Psilocybe cubensis is determined by the pigments present in the spore wall. The Red Boy variety has an atypical pigment composition that results in a reddish hue instead of the standard dark purplish-brown of the species. There is no fully established genetic explanation for this pigmentation variation within P. cubensis, which adds scientific interest to this strain for researchers working on morphological and genetic characterization of varieties.

What is a spore print and how is it used to recover old strains?

A spore print is the deposit on paper of the spores released by the cap of a mature mushroom placed upside down on a clean surface for several hours. This format allows spores to be preserved in a dormant state for years or decades under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The recovery of an archival print consists of rehydrating the spores deposited on the paper and preparing a new spore suspension — a technique that can restore strains that haven't been in circulation for a long time, although with variable viability rates depending on the original storage conditions.

How does Red Boy differ from other varieties in the catalog?

The most immediate difference is the coloration of the spores — no other variety in Edabea's catalog produces reddish spores. Morphologically, the partially open cap and short, thick stems also distinguish it from the slimmer profile of varieties like Cambodian or Ecuador. It is a variety of specific interest for collectors seeking old lineage material or atypical spore characteristics for comparative microscopy.

Do the spores contain psilocybin?

No. Spores of Psilocybe cubensis do not contain psilocybin or psilocine. These compounds are synthesized during the development of the mycelium and fruiting bodies, not in the spores in a latent state. This distinction is relevant in many jurisdictions where regulations affect active mycelium and fruiting bodies but not spores.

Ficha elaborada por el equipo especializado de Edabea Natura. Información basada en bibliografía micológica de referencia. Última actualización: mayo 2026.