John Miller
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and can be grown indoors or outdoors. They are fungi and require different conditions to plants, including adequate moisture, temperature and limited light. They can be grown in warehouses, basements, or even on logs, and are popular with urban farmers due to their small space requirements and ability to grow without sunlight. They can be grown in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips, or in traditional beds with compost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom varieties that can be grown inside | Cremini, enoki, maitake, portobello, oyster, shiitake, and white button mushrooms |
| Conditions required for indoor mushroom growth | A dark, cool place such as a basement or crawl space |
| Items required for indoor mushroom growth | Plastic tubs or baking pan, mushroom spawn, growing substrate (compost, straw, sawdust or coffee grounds), damp towel, spray bottle |
| Mushroom growth rate | Mushrooms can be ready to harvest in a few weeks, doubling in size every 12 to 24 hours |
| Mushroom growth cycle | The first three weeks are spent growing the vegetative part of the fungus, called the mycelium. The last three weeks are spent picking mushrooms and letting them grow to pick again |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms can be grown indoors on shelves, in trays, or in bags
- They require specific conditions, substrates, and spawn
- The growing cycle is six weeks, with the first three spent growing the vegetative part
- Mushrooms are harvested by hand and can be grown year-round
- They are nutritious, tasty, and may be good for our brains
Mushrooms can be grown indoors on shelves, in trays, or in bags
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi and can be grown indoors on shelves, in trays, or in bags. They require adequate moisture, proper temperature, and limited light. By replicating their natural habitat, various species can be cultivated successfully.
To begin the cultivation process, mushroom spores or mycelium are introduced to a suitable substrate. The mycelium is allowed to permeate the substrate fully, and then environmental adjustments trigger mushroom development. Mushrooms grow from spores (not seeds) and require nourishment from materials like sawdust, grain, straw, or wood chips. A blend of the spores and these nutrient sources is called spawn.
When growing mushrooms indoors, it is essential to determine the type of mushroom and the substrate required, as each type has specific needs. For example, white button mushrooms must be grown on composted manure, shiitake mushrooms on wood or hardwood sawdust, and oyster mushrooms on straw. The substrate is then placed in trays or bags, and the spawn is sprinkled on top. The temperature is raised to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit for about three weeks or until the spawn has taken root in the substrate, forming mycelium, which looks like white fuzz.
After this stage, the temperature is dropped to 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the spawn is covered with a thin layer of potting soil. The mixture is sprayed with water to maintain moisture, and the mushrooms will begin to grow within a few weeks.
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They require specific conditions, substrates, and spawn
Mushrooms are fungi and require specific conditions, substrates, and spawn to grow. They can be grown indoors and don't require sunlight, making them popular with urban farmers. The growing cycle for mushrooms is six weeks, with the first three weeks spent growing the vegetative part of the fungus, called the mycelium. This is done in a laboratory, as the spores are too tiny to be handled by a person. Instead, lab personnel inoculate sterile cereal grains with the spores, which then become "spawn".
The spawn is then mixed into the substrate, which can be synthetic compost made from wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum, or manure-based compost made from stable bedding or poultry litter. The substrate provides the necessary nourishment for the mushrooms, which grow from spores (not seeds) and require a blend of these nutrients, called spawn.
Different types of mushrooms have specific growing needs. For example, white button mushrooms must be grown on composted manure, shiitake mushrooms on wood or hardwood sawdust, and oyster mushrooms on straw. The substrate can also include other plant-based materials such as cardboard, corn cobs, and toilet paper rolls.
To grow mushrooms indoors, a cool, dark place is required, such as a basement or crawl space. The substrate is placed in trays or tubs, and the spawn is sprinkled on top. The temperature is raised to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit for about three weeks until the mycelium develops. The temperature is then dropped to 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the spawn is covered with potting soil and sprayed with water to retain moisture. Mushrooms require adequate moisture, proper temperature, and limited light to thrive.
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The growing cycle is six weeks, with the first three spent growing the vegetative part
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi and can be grown indoors. They require adequate moisture, proper temperature, and limited light. The growing cycle for mushrooms is six weeks, with the first three weeks spent growing the vegetative part of the fungus, called the mycelium, which is similar to roots. This initial phase involves colonizing the casing layer, where the spawn is mixed into the substrate and allowed to permeate it fully. The substrate is the growing medium and typically consists of synthetic compost or manure-based compost.
During the first three weeks, the temperature in the growing room is maintained above 20 degrees Celsius to facilitate the growth of the mycelium. The spawn, which acts as a starter for mushroom growth, is mixed with the substrate and placed in trays or beds. The substrate provides nourishment and can include materials such as straw, sawdust, grain, or wood chips. The spawn and substrate mixture is then covered with a top layer, often peat moss, and kept moist.
After the first three weeks, the temperature is lowered to below 20 degrees Celsius to signal the spawn to develop fruit bodies (mushrooms) and release spores. This temperature change triggers mushroom development and is an essential step in the process. The mushrooms are then harvested in stages or flushes, with the first harvest taking place over four to five days, followed by a three-day resting period before the next harvest.
The entire process, from preparing the substrate to harvesting the mushrooms, takes about six weeks. The first three weeks focus on creating the optimal conditions for the mycelium to grow and colonize the substrate, while the remaining time is spent cultivating and harvesting the mushrooms. This cycle can be repeated to produce mushrooms continuously throughout the year.
Overall, the six-week growing cycle for mushrooms involves a combination of environmental adjustments, careful monitoring of temperature and moisture, and targeted harvesting techniques to ensure a successful yield.
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Mushrooms are harvested by hand and can be grown year-round
Mushrooms are fungi and require different conditions and equipment to grow than plants. They can be grown indoors and outdoors, and their fast growth rate, nutritional value, and versatility in dishes have made them popular with urban farmers. Mushrooms can be grown year-round and are harvested in stages or flushes. The first flush is harvested over four or five days. They are then left to rest for three days, after which the mushrooms grow back. The entire process takes about six weeks.
The first three weeks are spent growing the vegetative part of the fungus, called the mycelium, which is similar to the roots of a plant. The temperature in the growing room is then dropped below 20 degrees Celsius, signalling the spawn to develop a fruit body (mushroom) and drop spores. Mushrooms mature at varying times, so they are picked by hand continuously for two to three weeks. Harvesters use trolleys equipped with built-in knives and weighing scales.
To grow mushrooms, you need to decide on the type of mushroom and the substrate on which they will grow. Oyster mushrooms are the easiest for beginners and will sprout on almost any kind of plant-based material, including cardboard, corn cobs, and toilet paper rolls. The substrate is placed in trays or beds, and the spawn is mixed in. A top layer, usually peat moss, is then applied. The temperature is raised to 70 degrees for about three weeks or until the spawn has taken root in the substrate, forming a white fuzz called mycelium. The temperature is then dropped to 55 to 60 degrees, and the mixture is covered with potting soil and sprayed with water.
Mushrooms require a dark, cool place to grow, adequate moisture, proper temperature, and limited light. They grow from spores, not seeds, and these spores are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. In the wild, mushrooms grow on soil and substrates like wood, but no soil is necessary for growing them at home. Instead, they can grow on materials like sawdust, grain, straw, or wood chips. A blend of the spores and these nutrient sources is called spawn.
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They are nutritious, tasty, and may be good for our brains
Mushrooms are fungi that can be grown indoors in warehouses, former industrial spaces, or even basements. They are typically grown in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips, or in beds of compost and sterilized sawdust. They can also be grown on logs using a traditional method that has been employed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Mushrooms are a natural source of fiber, which promotes gut health by feeding the "good" bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria produce neurotransmitters that promote mood stability, concentration, brain health, and mental well-being. Research suggests that regular mushroom consumption may be associated with improved cognitive performance and reduced odds of mild cognitive impairment.
In terms of taste, mushrooms are known for their umami flavor, often considered the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami gives mushrooms a savory, brothy taste that enhances the flavor of dishes. The darker the mushroom, the higher the concentration of umami flavor. Mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, sautéing, roasting, and stir-frying, and they are versatile enough to be added to salads, omelets, soups, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms can be grown indoors all year round, and they require relatively little space. They can be grown in a basement or a dark drawer or cabinet. They don't require sunlight, and they grow quickly, so you can see evidence of growth every day.
You'll need plastic tubs or a baking pan, mushroom spawn, growing substrate such as compost, straw, sawdust or coffee grounds, a damp towel, and a spray bottle.
Cremini, enoki, maitake, portobello, oyster, shiitake, and white button mushrooms can all be grown indoors. However, morels cannot be grown inside.
