Sam Kwalwasser, Owner and CEO of SoFlo Fungi, has been fascinated by fungi since 2020, when he first explored the world of mycology in South Florida. Inspired by Michael Pollan’s book “How to Change Your Mind” and an interview with renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, Sam became captivated by the potential of mushrooms for culinary, medicinal, and innovative applications like mycoremediation.
Sam began experimenting with mushroom cultivation, documenting his process from harvesting and identifying wild mushrooms to growing a wide variety of species in liquid culture. Over time, he specialized in creating gourmet and functional mushroom liquid cultures, offering hobbyists and commercial growers alike access to rare and niche mushroom strains that are hard to find elsewhere.
He has extensive experience growing mushrooms from the wild, developing new strains, and working with commercial cultures from spore to liquid culture. By carefully adjusting growing conditions and experimenting with cultivation techniques, Sam has expanded the diversity of available fungi and optimized strains for both home growers and professional mushroom farms.
SoFlo Fungi’s product library includes a wide range of species for every type of grower, from popular gourmet mushrooms like oyster and shiitake, to medicinal and functional species like lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps, as well as rare and exotic strains not commonly available elsewhere. Each culture is carefully maintained to ensure high-quality liquid cultures suitable for hobbyists and commercial mushroom farming operations.
At SoFlo Fungi, Sam takes pride in supporting new mushroom growers and fostering the hobby within the Coral Springs, Florida community. Whether helping beginners get started with their first grow or providing guidance on advanced cultivation techniques, he is passionate about sharing knowledge and growing a thriving community of mushroom enthusiasts.
Sam continues to combine passion, experimentation, and expertise to provide premium mushroom cultures for home growers and commercial mushroom farms, helping others explore the world of edible, medicinal, and specialty mushrooms.