Time‑Lapse Mycelium: A Weekend Project for Mesmerising 24‑Hour Growth Videos
Watching mycelium weave through substrate is hypnotic—but it happens too slowly for the naked eye. A simple time‑lapse turns that subtle expansion into a living white river you can enjoy (and learn from) in minutes. This guide walks you through a cheap, phone‑based setup that fits on any bookshelf.
1. Gear You Probably Already Own
Smartphone with a time‑lapse or interval‑photo mode (iPhone, Android, or a spare older model).
Tripod or DIY stand. A $10 phone clamp on a mini‑tripod works, or wedge the phone in a stack of books.
Shoebox or translucent storage bin—large enough to hold the Wonderbag and keep light diffuse.
Small LED puck light (battery or USB) to provide even illumination without heat.
Tape & scissors for quick camera framing adjustments.
Cost if you need to buy everything: about $20.
2. The Five‑Minute Setup
Choose Your Angle. Pick the clearest side of the Wonderbag where mycelium is visibly racing. Face that side toward the phone.
Build the Mini‑Studio. Place the bag inside the shoebox. Tape the LED light to the lid or inner wall so it shines across, not down (side‑lighting shows texture best).
Mount the Phone. Clamp or prop it so the bag fills most of the frame. Use the rear camera for best quality.
Set Time‑Lapse Parameters. Many native camera apps default to one frame every second. For a 24‑hour shoot, a frame every 20–30 seconds keeps your final clip around 2–3 minutes—perfect for social media.
Hit Record and Walk Away. Plug into a charger if possible; otherwise ensure your battery can last the duration.
3. Lighting & Temperature Tips
Keep the LED cool. Choose low‑watt LEDs; heat can dry the bag and slow growth.
Diffuse, Don’t Blast. If highlights blow out, tape a sheet of baking parchment over the light for a soft‑box effect.
Room Temp Rules. Normal indoor warmth (70–75 °F / 21–24 °C) is ideal. Avoid radiators and direct sun.
4. Editing in Under Ten Minutes
Import the Clip into a free app like CapCut or iMovie.
Trim Dead Space at the start and finish.
Add a Timestamp Overlay (“Hour 0, Hour 12, Hour 24”) so viewers grasp the timescale.
Export at 1080p—that’s plenty for Instagram or YouTube Shorts.
5. What to Look For in the Finished Video
Hyphal Surge. Watch how strands branch, merge, and occasionally retreat from bacterial patches.
Colour Shifts. Subtle greys or yellows can flag areas to sample under the microscope.
Moisture Dynamics. Droplets migrate along the bag walls—clues to internal humidity you can’t see in real time.
Pause, zoom, and screenshot frames that show interesting changes; they make great discussion posts in hobby forums.
Wonderbags are supplied for microscopy and taxonomic observation. Enjoy the show, capture the science, and keep it in the research lane.