FAQs About CO2 Bags

How should I take care of the bag?

The Natural CO2 bag contains a unique fungal mycelial mass, which is NOT a plant. This means that it does not require much of the usual care that you would give to a leafy green plant. The bag is sealed when you receive it, and it should remain that way; no water is required! The mycelium also has all the food it needs in the substrate that is provided. The only thing you need to do is avoid exposing the bag to prolonged periods of direct sunlight or extreme heat, and make sure oxygen is provided (your plants should take care of this)

Should I add water to the bag?

The Natural CO2 bag is self-sufficient: no additional water is required! In fact, excess water can damage the mycelium by hindering growth, so try to keep the bag out of the direct path of sprinklers and hoses. The bag should protect the contents from most accidental spraying; however, if the filter becomes wet it may inhibit the flow of air, potentially damaging the mycelium.

Will high or low temperatures damage the bag?

Mycelium is reasonably hardy, and can withstand a range of temperatures. However, our species has been selected and developed to grow at the temperatures found in an average green house. Although no special conditions are needed, extreme temperatures should be avoided as these may damage the mycelium.

Can I remove the filter to get more CO2?

Under no circumstances should the filter be removed from your Natural CO2 bag! The filter material, position, and size have all been specially engineered to provide a consistent and constant supply of CO2 over an extended period. Removing the filter from the bag will release all of the CO2 at once, allowing it to escape and destroying the effectiveness of the bag. In addition, you will risk contaminating the mycelium and ruining its productive capabilities.

If I puncture the bag, will it release more CO2?

The plastic of the Natural CO2 bag behind the filter has been perforated in a carefully designed manner to regulate the gas flow from the bag, providing constant and consistent CO2 over an extended period. Much like removing the filter, puncturing the bag will only risk contamination of the contents.

Is the mycelium and/or substrate poisonous if consumed by pets or humans?

The species of fungal mycelium is non-toxic to humans and household pets, and is in fact consumed by thousands of people around the world each day. The substrate is equally harmless. However, neither will taste very good, and there is little nutritional value in either. To avoid accidental ingestion, keep Natural CO2 Bags away from areas where they can be accessed by animals and small children.

What happens if bag is ripped

If your Natural CO2 bag is ripped, the damage must be repaired: any opening aside from the filter could allow for production-reducing contamination. Quick repair with tape can help avoid this issue, and if CO2 production continues unabated, then the bag may be used normally. 

Where can I Buy Natural CO2 Bags?

Our CO2 bags are for sale today on Amazon, eBay, or our online ordering page.

How should I suspend my bags?

We now include a chain and hook with each box and the box itself has been designed to act as a holder for the bag.

How many bags do I need?

On average we would suggest 1 bag per 4 cubic feet.

Can bags be "revived" if they slow down?

The fungal mycelium in our Natural CO₂ bags produces CO2 as a by-product of substrate utilization. Young bags will therefore produce the most CO2, as the mycelium has a larger quantity of unused substrate available. If your Natural CO2 bag has been in use for a few months and CO2 production has begun to slow down, it may be because it has simply grown old. The mycelium is a living organism, and it is normal for CO2 production to naturally decline over time as the substrate is used up. As the bags age over a period of a few months, older bags may not be able to produce sufficient amounts of CO2 on their own to maximize the growth of your plants. Rather than discarding, these reduced levels may be supplemented through the placement of newer bags until such time as production is negligent.

How can I store bags if I want to use them later?

If you order a Natural CO2 Bag and find you don't need it yet, you can store it for a short time in a refrigerator. This will slow the rate at which the fungal mycelium utilizes the nutrients in the substrate, allowing for slightly longer shelf-life. This is only a short-term solution! Your bags should still be used as soon as possible.

Can the mycelium contaminate plants?

Although plants are susceptible to certain types of molds, there is no risk of our fungal mycelium species contaminating your plants. This fungi is not adapted to grow on leafy green plants, and therefore cannot subsist on your crops.

What if the filter gets wet during watering?

It is important to avoid wetting the filter while you are watering your plants. The filter is engineered to allow the passage of gas: both CO2 out of the bag and O2 into the bag. If the filter becomes wet gases may not be able to transfer through it, decreasing CO2 production and potentially damaging the mycelium.

How should I dispose of the bag contents?

Although we encourage the environmentally-friendly disposal method of using the mycelium-substrate mixture as compost, we understand that not everyone has a desire to do this. If you decide not to fertilize, the mixture can be added to your compost pile or simply thrown in the trash while still in the bag.

What if my bag starts smelling odd?

An unusual or offensive odor from your Natural CO2 bag may indicate a high level of contamination. If the contents have become heavily contaminated, dispose of the bag and replace it. It is not unusual to see small contaminant colonies that can enter through a pinhead-sized hole. These will not normally affect the productive capabilities of the fungal mycelium.

Can the bag be exposed to direct sunlight?

Due to the unique opaque nature of the Natural CO2 bag, it can withstand direct sunlight for a short period of time. However, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided, as this will increase the internal temperature of the bag.

Should the contents of the bag be disturbed?

The contents of the Natural CO2 bag may feel compressed when it is initially received, and you may think that you need to break the substrate apart to facilitate or accelerate growth. This is not necessary! The bags have been packed to allow maximum growth of the mycelium, and the fungus will often grow in a manner that produces a tightly packed mass. This is both healthy and normal. If the contents should accidentally be disturbed, the performance should not be affected in any way.

Do plants still need water, light, etc.?

YES! Although our Natural CO2 Bags will increase your production, they are not a one-stop-shop for your plants. The increased CO2 levels stimulate photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce their energy. This requires a number of different "ingredients": light, water, and CO2 . Therefore, you will need to continue to provide the other necessary inputs (namely water, nutrients and light) for your plants, just as you did before installing the Natural CO2 Bags.

Why is CO2 so important to the plant?

CO2 is one of the essential "ingredients" for photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce their own energy. The CO2 is a source of carbon (C) and oxygen (O); when the plant combines the elements from CO2 with hydrogen (H) from water and the energy from the light of the sun, glucose (C6H12O6, or sugar) is produced. Therefore, it follows that if plants have easier access to increased levels of CO2 , they will be better able to produce energy and will grow larger faster!

How much/what type of light do plants need to grow?

Plants have evolved to grow under the light of the sun, but it is not always possible to expose your crops, especially those you're growing indoors, to natural light. Therefore, making sure that you're providing your plants with the right type of light for the right period of time is essential to their success. Sunlight contains the full spectrum of color, from red to violet. It is important to select a light source that replicates this full-spectrum coverage, as all plants depend on many different colors of light for growth. On the other hand, the amount of time that your plants should be exposed to light differs from one species to the next. Research whether your plant is short-day (less than 12 hours) or long day (14-18 hours), and adjust your lighting schedule accordingly.

Will the bag be effective outdoors?

The Natural CO2 bag has been designed for indoor use. The CO2 production capabilities require a confined space to be effective and measurable. Plants, like people, need room to breathe, but the CO2 must be held in close proximity to the plants so that they can take advantage of the elevated concentrations. You should therefore utilize a space that is both enclosed but large enough to allow for ample air circulation.

Does the bag generate significant heat?

Although the normal growth processes of the fungal mycelium may produce a very slight amount of heat, this will almost certainly be negligible, and will definitely not be enough to cause melting of the bag or combustion of any other materials. It is also unlikely that any heat generated will be likely to raise the temperature of your growing environment.

Are bags recyclable?

The plastic bags themselves are not recyclable, and must be thrown in with your household trash. However, the contents of the bag are all-natural, and make excellent fertilizer or compost.

What if the surface of the bag becomes/feels increasingly irregular over time?

It is not unusual for our fungal species to produce mycelial masses over the surface of the substrate as it continues to grow. This can account for the change in surface texture and is perfectly normal. As long as the bag has not been punctured and the filter has not been compromised, the bag may be used normally.

What if my bag starts leaking?

If your bag begins to leak from the bottom, the leak should be sealed with tape. It is not unusual for the growth of the fungal mycelium to produce some water, which should account for the leak.