Emily Johnson
Stropharia mushrooms, also known as king stropharia, wine cap, or garden giant mushrooms, are native to North America and Europe. They are known for their distinctive potato and red wine flavor and are considered a choice edible mushroom. King stropharia mushrooms are not only delicious but also provide a host of benefits for garden soil and plants. They are excellent at breaking down biomass like wood chips and improving soil health, making them a popular choice for gardeners. While they are easy to cultivate, one must be cautious of their placement, as they favor habitats with at least partial sunlight. With their ability to enrich soils and provide a tasty treat, it is no wonder that king stropharia mushrooms are a sought-after addition to any garden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Wine-red stropharia, wine cap stropharia, garden giant, burgundy mushroom, king stropharia, Godzilla mushroom, stroph |
| Scientific Name | Stropharia rugosoannulata |
| Species | Agaric mushroom |
| Family | Strophariaceae |
| Nematode Control | Yes |
| Edibility | Yes, when young. The edibility declines as the mushroom matures. |
| Flavor | Mild potato cooked in red wine |
| Texture | Asparagus-like |
| Nutrition | Iron, protein, calcium |
| Growth Medium | Wood chips, straw, soil |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight to partial sun |
| Temperature | Air temperature: 60-90° F (15-32° C), Ground temperature: 55-65° F (13-18° C) |
| Watering | Everyday for the first week, every other day for the second and fourth weeks, and once a week after that |
| Humidity | 70%-75% |
| Spawn | Sawdust spawn |
| Weight | 5lb |
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What You'll Learn
Stropharia rugosoannulata, commonly known as the wine-red stropharia
The common names of Stropharia rugosoannulata include wine-red stropharia, wine cap stropharia, garden giant, burgundy mushroom, king stropharia, and Godzilla mushroom, owing to its large size. It is also known as Blauwplaat stropharia in the Netherlands, Riesenträuschling in German, Saketsubatake in Japan, and Límcovka vrásčitoprstenná in the Czech Republic.
Stropharia rugosoannulata is a choice edible mushroom with a delicious, mild flavour. It is easily cultivated on a medium similar to that on which it grows naturally. It is acclimated to northern latitudes and fruits when air temperatures range between 60-90° F (15-32° C), which usually translates to ground temperatures of 55-65° F (13-18° C). It is a vigorous feeder, attacking wood (sawdust, chips, twigs, branches), and also grows in wood-free substrates, particularly soils supplemented with chopped straw.
A 2006 study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that Stropharia rugosoannulata can attack the nematode Panagrellus redivivus. The fungus produces unique spiny cells called acanthocytes that immobilise and digest the nematodes.
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King Stropharia's edibility
King Stropharia, also known as wine cap mushrooms, are a choice edible mushroom. They are native to North America and Europe and can be easily cultivated. They are often grown in gardens and are known to improve soil health. They are also used to kill root-eating nematodes.
King Stropharia mushrooms are large, with caps ranging from 1.5 to 5 inches across and stems that are 3 to 6 inches long. The caps are a deep wine red when the mushrooms are young, and they lighten as they age, turning a golden yellowish-brown. The gills are pale grey in young mushrooms and darken to a purplish-black as they mature. The stems are white when young and yellow with age, with an asparagus-like texture.
King Stropharia mushrooms have a mild potato and red wine flavour. They are low in sodium, calories, fat and cholesterol, and they contain iron, protein and calcium. They are considered a healthy addition to meals and are a favourite among gourmet mushroom connoisseurs.
When cultivating King Stropharia, it is important to note that they prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They can grow in wood-free substrates, such as soils supplemented with chopped straw, but they also grow on wood chips and other debris. They fruit when air temperatures range between 60-90° F (15-32° C), which usually translates to ground temperatures of 55-65° F (13-18° C).
While King Stropharia mushrooms are edible and considered a delicacy by some, it is important to exercise caution. Some people have reported getting sick after consuming King Stropharia, particularly those with white tops. It is recommended to avoid consuming King Stropharia with white tops or to exercise caution and properly identify the mushrooms before consumption.
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Stropharia cultivation
Preparation
King Stropharia thrives in wood-free substrates, particularly soils supplemented with chopped straw. It can also grow in wood-based substrates, such as hardwood chips, but it is important to note that the mushrooms will not fruit on logs. The ideal temperature range for fruiting is between 60-90° F (15-32° C) for air temperature and 55-65° F (13-18° C) for ground temperature. King Stropharia prefers bright, indirect sunlight to partial sun, so avoid placing the bed in direct sunlight. A good location could be at a tree line, behind a garden shed, or next to a retainer wall.
Spawning
King Stropharia is available in sawdust spawn form, typically weighing around 5 pounds. This spawn can inoculate a cubic yard of wood chips or one square bale of wheat straw. When spawning, gently water the substrate to avoid washing the spawn down. Water every day for the first week, every other day during the second and fourth weeks, and once a week after that.
Casing
After a few weeks, you should see mycelium growing throughout the container. At this point, you will need to add a casing to induce fruiting. Add a handful of native soil to the casing and wet it thoroughly. Then, add 1-2 inches of potting soil to cover the surface. Keep this layer moist, using a humidity tent if necessary, to maintain humidity.
Harvesting
King Stropharia is ready for harvesting when the mushrooms have fully formed. It is best to harvest when the mushrooms are young, as their edibility declines with maturity due to the proliferation of fly larvae. The dense bases of the mushrooms can be cut off and used to inoculate more beds, extending your crop.
Benefits
In addition to being a delicious and healthy food source, King Stropharia has several benefits for your garden. It improves soil health by breaking down substrates and creating a rich layer of soil that nurtures plants. Additionally, the mycelium attracts earthworms, which help aerate the soil and deposit worm castings, further enhancing soil fertility. The mycelium also helps reduce damage to the root system by capturing and destroying nematodes.
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Stropharia's effect on soil fertility
Stropharia rugosoannulata, commonly known as the wine-cap stropharia, is a species of agaric mushroom native to Europe and North America. It is cultivated in several Chinese provinces, including Shandong, Fujian, and Yunnan, and has gained popularity in China due to its positive effects on soil fertility.
The cultivation of wine-cap stropharia has been shown to have beneficial effects on soil nutrient conditions. Specifically, it increases the abundance of specific soil bacterial groups, such as Acidobacteria. This increase in microbial diversity is hypothesized to positively impact soil fertility and plant growth by accumulating soil nutrients. Additionally, the one-year interval cultivation regime effectively maintains soil fertility and significantly increases alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen content, resulting in the highest soil nutrient content.
In provinces like Hunan, Shanghai, and Shandong, the use of Stropharia rugosoannulata to degrade straw has been found to enhance soil organic matter and organic carbon. This process also changes the soil microbial structure, further improving soil fertility. Furthermore, the cultivation of wine-cap stropharia can suppress nitrogen loss, which is beneficial for maintaining soil health and fertility.
King Stropharia, also known as Garden Giants, has been observed to enrich and build a rich layer of soil that nurtures plants in gardens. They accomplish this by breaking down hardwood chips and other substrates. Additionally, King Stropharia attracts earthworms, which help aerate the soil and deposit worm castings, further enhancing the fertility of the soil.
While the cultivation of wine-cap stropharia has overall positive effects on soil fertility, it is important to note that the specific effects may vary depending on local conditions, cultivation techniques, and ecological factors. Further research and understanding of the complex relationships between soil properties and microbial communities are necessary to optimize the benefits of cultivating Stropharia mushrooms for soil fertility.
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Stropharia's role in organic pest control
Stropharia, or the wine cap mushroom, is native to North America and Europe. It is a choice edible mushroom with a rich wine-like colour and a mild potato cooked in red wine flavour. It is also known as the garden giant due to its ability to grow up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) high.
Stropharia is an excellent mushroom for organic pest control. It can be cultivated on a medium similar to that on which it grows naturally, which includes living or decomposing wood, soil, litter, exposed roots, manure and mosses. It is a very predictable species, making it a good option for cultivators.
Stropharia can help reduce the damage caused to the root system when the area is infested with nematodes. The mycelium of the mushroom will capture and destroy the nematodes. It can also help control slugs and other pests.
Additionally, Stropharia can enrich and build a rich layer of soil to nurture plants in the garden. It breaks down hardwood chips and other substrates, increasing the soil's organic matter and available phosphorus content. This helps to maintain nutrients in forest ecosystems and aids in the decomposition of diverse vegetal residues.
Stropharia is also known to attract earthworms, which help aerate the soil and deposit worm castings, beneficial for plants. However, cultivators should be cautious as earthworms can become attracted to the mushroom bed, potentially impacting mushroom growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Stropharia mushrooms, also known as King Stropharia, are a species of agaric mushroom native to North America and Europe. They are often cultivated for their rich flavour and the health benefits they bring to soil.
Yes, Stropharia are mycorrhizal mushrooms. They can form both ectomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal associations and influence soil structure, chemistry and plant growth.
Stropharia mushrooms are edible and have a rich, wine-like flavour. They are also beneficial to soil health, breaking down biomass and enriching the soil. They can also kill root-eating nematodes.
Stropharia mushrooms are easy to cultivate. They can be grown in wood-free substrates, but they are most commonly grown in woodchips. They require partial sunlight and regular watering.
