Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are less potent when they have dropped their spores. The potency of the mushroom does not decrease, but the mushroom grows by picking up more water, diluting the potency. Mushrooms that have dropped their spores can also be less safe to eat and may cause respiratory issues and allergies in sensitive individuals. It is recommended to harvest mushrooms before they drop their spores to reduce contamination and health risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Potency | Remains the same but is spread out over a larger area |
| Respiratory issues | Can cause problems for some individuals |
| Allergies | Can exacerbate allergies |
| Contamination | More likely to occur with more spores |
| Taste | May change |
| Shelf life | May decrease |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are best harvested before they drop spores
Harvesting mushrooms before they sporulate reduces contamination and health risks. Heavy spore loads have been known to cause respiratory problems in some individuals, especially with the Pleurotus species. Inhaling spores over time may lead to inflammation or worsen asthma-like symptoms.
Additionally, spores can spread between kits if you are growing mushrooms in groups or using multiple kits in one area. Too many spores can hurt future flushes, bring unwanted fungus to nearby kits, and increase the likelihood of the substrate getting infected and growing black mould.
Therefore, to maximize the potency of the mushroom and minimize mess and health risks, it is best to harvest mushrooms before they drop their spores. This can be done by picking them as the veil starts to break or shortly after.
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Spore drop doesn't affect potency
Spore drop has no significant impact on the potency of mushrooms, according to various sources. One source compares the situation to drinking shots of rum and coke. In this analogy, the rum represents the "good stuff" in a mushroom, and the coke represents the mushroom's increased size due to water uptake. Just as a shot of rum mixed with coke still contains the same amount of alcohol, a mushroom that has grown larger due to water uptake will still contain the same amount of active compounds.
Another source states that the potency of mushrooms remains the same after spore drop, but the overall amount of active compounds becomes diluted as the mushroom takes up more water and increases in size. This means that while the potency per unit weight may decrease, the total amount of active compounds in the mushroom remains constant. Therefore, consuming a larger portion of the mushroom would provide the same potency as a smaller portion before spore drop.
Some people believe that harvesting mushrooms before spore drop is preferable to avoid potential issues with taste, longevity, and contamination. Heavy spore loads can cause respiratory problems and allergies in sensitive individuals, so harvesting before spore drop can reduce these health risks. Additionally, spores can contaminate the growing environment, leading to unwanted fungus, black mold, and reduced yields in future harvests. Therefore, from a cultivation perspective, it is generally recommended to harvest mushrooms before spore drop to maintain a clean and controlled environment.
However, it is important to note that spores themselves do not contain poisons. While some individuals may experience allergic reactions or respiratory issues when exposed to spores, they may not have any problems consuming the mushrooms. This suggests that the presence of spores does not directly impact the safety or potency of the mushroom for consumption, as long as proper handling and consumption methods are followed.
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Spore inhalation may cause respiratory issues
While there is some debate on mushroom forums about whether mushrooms are less potent after they have dropped their spores, there is consensus that spore inhalation may cause respiratory issues. Mushroom growers are advised to harvest mushrooms before the veil breaks and spores are released.
Heavy spore loads have been known to cause respiratory problems in some individuals, especially in regards to the Pleurotus species. In addition, inhaling certain types of mould spores can cause aspergillosis, a fungal lung infection that may be serious in people with asthma or other chronic lung diseases. Aspergillus mould is found outdoors in decaying leaves and compost and on plants, trees and grain crops. While everyday exposure to aspergillus is rarely a problem for people with healthy immune systems, those with weakened immune systems should be cautious.
Symptoms of aspergillosis include a mild cough, and, in more severe cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, heart, kidneys or skin. Untreated, this form of aspergillosis may be fatal.
Black mould exposure can also cause a fungal infection in the airways or other parts of the body in people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of black mould exposure include coughing, sneezing, congestion, irritated eyes, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, shortness of breath, dry cough and chest tightness.
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Spore drop may cause mess and damage
Mushroom spores are microscopic reproductive cells that mature mushrooms release into the environment. These spores can travel through air, water, or by attaching to animals. They will only develop into new mushrooms when they find a suitable environment—moist, dark, and nutrient-rich. In such conditions, they form mycelium, the root-like structure that eventually produces new mushrooms.
To minimize spore buildup, growers can use a mushroom monotub kit, which provides a controlled environment for mushrooms to fruit successfully while limiting spore spread. This makes it easier to manage mushrooms grown in kitchens, closets, or small areas. Additionally, maintaining good airflow by opening windows or using fans can help spread out the spores and reduce their concentration in the air.
While spore discharge does not affect the potency of the mushroom, it can impact the taste and longevity of the mushroom. Heavy sporing can cause mushrooms to taste different and not last as long. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest mushrooms before the veil breaks to ensure optimal taste, longevity, and to minimize mess.
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Spore drop may cause unwanted fungus
In addition to causing unwanted fungus, spore drop can also cause respiratory problems in some individuals. Heavy spore loads, particularly from Pleurotus species, have been known to cause respiratory issues. This is because the spores of many important fungi are small enough to enter the lungs, and they may contain significant amounts of mycotoxins. Diseases associated with the inhalation of fungal spores include toxic pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney failure, and cancer. Therefore, it is important to take precautions when working with mushrooms to avoid inhaling large amounts of spores.
Furthermore, spore drop can create a messy environment, as the spores can coat surfaces and reduce the light and air available for mushrooms to grow. While this may not be harmful to the mushrooms themselves, it can be undesirable for cultivators and require additional cleanup. To address this issue, cultivators can try to pick mushrooms before the spores drop or wash the spores off with water.
While spore drop may cause unwanted fungus and other issues, it is important to note that the potency of mushrooms is not believed to diminish after they have dropped their spores. Some people may have reactions to the spores but can consume the mushrooms without any problems. However, it is generally recommended to pick mushrooms before the spores are released, as this signals the completion of the life cycle and the beginning of the mycelium's decline.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms are safe to eat after they have dropped their spores. However, it is important to note that some people have allergic reactions to spores but can consume mushrooms without any issues.
According to some sources, the potency of mushrooms remains the same even after they have released their spores. However, it is generally recommended to harvest mushrooms before they release their spores as it reduces contamination and health risks associated with spore inhalation.
Inhaling mushroom spores can exacerbate respiratory issues and allergies in sensitive individuals. Prolonged exposure to spores may lead to inflammation or worsen asthma-like symptoms. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain good ventilation and use air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters to minimize spore inhalation.
