Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a unique type of organism, classified as a kingdom of their own, separate from plants and animals. They grow from spores or tissue culture, and the mushrooms we are most familiar with are members of the phylum Basidiomycota. Mushrooms can be regrown from store-bought fungi, and this process is quicker than growing from spores as you can use the mycelium already present. To regrow mushrooms, you can place mushroom ends in a container with straw or other moist material, keeping the medium and mycelium damp and in the dark. After a few weeks, the mycelium should be ready to fruit and produce fungi.
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms grow from spores or tissue culture
Mushrooms are unique organisms that are neither plants nor animals. They grow from spores or tissue culture. Every mushroom releases thousands of spores, each carrying unique genetics. Growing mushrooms from spores can be unpredictable, as they may not germinate or produce strong mycelium. Spores are like the "seeds" of a mushroom, and they can be dispersed by wind or other means. When spores land in a suitable environment, they germinate and grow into new organisms.
Mycelium is the vegetative, feeding stage of the mushroom. It consists of a network of thread-like structures called hyphae that absorb nutrients and water from the surrounding environment. Mycelium can grow for years, even decades, in the right conditions. When two compatible mycelia fuse, they form a secondary mycelium that grows until it runs out of food, space, or encounters a signal like heavy rainfall or a temperature change to start fruiting.
The mycelium then condenses into the earliest stage of mushrooms, called primordia, which develop into fully formed mushrooms. Mushroom growers sometimes refer to primordia as "pins." The primordia and mycelia are still present in harvested mushrooms at the stem, and this can be used to produce clones of the mushroom.
When growing mushrooms from store-bought stems, the process is quicker because you can use the existing mycelium on the fungi. To regrow mushrooms, place the mushroom ends in a container with moist material such as straw at the bottom. Keep the mycelium damp, in the dark, and at a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees F (18-23 degrees C). After about two to four weeks, the mycelium should be ready to fruit. With the right conditions, mushrooms will form in about 19 days.
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Mycelium is required to fruit and produce fungi
Mushrooms are unique organisms that are neither plants nor animals. They are part of the kingdom fungi, which contains up to 12 million species. Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems by breaking down lignin and other complex organic compounds, facilitating nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.
Mushrooms reproduce by spores, which are akin to seeds in flowering plants. Each spore carries unique genetic material and can become a new mushroom under the right conditions. These spores develop into cottony structures called mycelium, which is the "seed" of the mushroom. Mycelium is a network of thread-like roots that grow underground, breaking down organic matter and absorbing nutrients.
When two compatible hyphae (root-like structures) from different mycelial networks meet and join together, they form a full genetic complement. When optimal conditions are met, such as the right amount of moisture, humidity, and temperature, the mycelium produces a fruiting body, resulting in the mushroom we see above the ground.
To regrow mushrooms, the process starts with spores or mushroom ends. When using spores, they need a moist and humid environment to develop into mycelium. With mushroom ends, a small cut is made and placed on a growth medium to encourage the growth of mycelium. After a few weeks, the mycelium should be ready to fruit and produce mushrooms.
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Store-bought mushrooms can be regrown
Mushrooms bought from the grocery store can be regrown at home. Oyster mushrooms are a great place to start as they grow easily and are widely cultivated. You can also try growing the Agaricus bisporus species, which includes "button," "cremini," and "portobello" mushrooms.
To regrow mushrooms, you will need a good fruiting medium, moisture, and the proper growing environment. The process is affordable and simple, but it may take a bit of research, time, and luck. You can use materials that you probably already have at home, such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, or plastic bins.
- Choose a container: You can use a cardboard box, paper bags, or a plastic bin.
- Prepare the medium: Layer some straw or other moist material at the bottom of the container. You can also use coffee grounds or pasteurized straw.
- Add the mushrooms: Cut the stem butts of the mushrooms and place them in the container with the medium. Make sure the mushrooms have visible mycelium on the stems.
- Create the right environment: Keep the medium damp, dark, and at a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F (18-23 degrees C). Poke holes in the container to allow for airflow and mist the medium if it starts to dry out.
- Wait for the mycelium to grow: This can take about two to four weeks.
- Harvest your mushrooms: After about 19 days, you should see tiny mushrooms forming, and you can harvest them in about 26 days.
It's important to note that not all mushrooms are suitable for regrowing, and it may take some trial and error. Additionally, be careful when handling mushrooms as some wild varieties can be poisonous.
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Morel mushrooms are difficult to grow at home
Morel mushrooms are notoriously difficult to grow at home, and it may take years before you see results. The process of growing morel mushrooms has long baffled amateur and professional mycologists, and it is still a relatively new process that is being studied and perfected.
Morel mushrooms require very specific growing conditions, which can be hard to replicate at home. They thrive in soil with plenty of decaying wood matter, usually found around dead, dying, or burned trees. Recreating these conditions can be challenging, as you need to find a source of morel fungi spores and prepare the soil with the right mix of nutrients. The soil should be sandy and moist, with additives such as wood chips, wood ash, peat moss, and sand. The environment should be kept moist, and the temperature should be between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening.
One popular method for growing morel mushrooms at home is to purchase inoculated trees. These are baby trees that have been inoculated with morel spores or mycelia, and they come with instructions for care. If you follow these instructions carefully, you may be able to grow morel mushrooms within a few years. However, it is important to note that this method requires nurturing a young tree, which may be challenging for some.
Another method is to create a spore slurry by mixing molasses, salt, and shredded mushrooms with distilled water. This mixture is then strained to collect the liquid, which contains the spores. The liquid can be spread over a prepared bed of sandy soil with peat moss, ashes, and wood chips, or in other known morel habitats, such as at the base of dying elm trees. However, this method can be unreliable, as the spores are not as far along in the life cycle as mycelia in spawn, so the odds of success are lower.
Growing morel mushrooms indoors is particularly challenging and was once thought to be impossible. It requires replicating the favourable growing conditions found outdoors, and it often takes two to five years to see results. Even with the right conditions, there is no guarantee of success, and you may not see any results at all.
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Psychedelic magic mushrooms can be cultivated
Psychedelic magic mushrooms, or "shrooms", can be cultivated, but it is important to approach the process with caution and a strong commitment to legality and safety. While the spores of psychedelic mushrooms are legal to possess in most states for research purposes, the mushrooms themselves are banned at the federal level in the US. However, some states and municipalities have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin mushrooms. As of October 2023, psilocybin mushrooms are fully decriminalized in Oregon and the District of Columbia and decriminalized in certain cities in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington.
Understanding Mushroom Cultivation
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a larger mycelium network that thrives under specific conditions. These conditions include the right nutrients, suitable temperatures, adequate humidity, and proper light conditions. Therefore, cultivating mushrooms requires a delicate and meticulous process to prevent contamination from competing molds or other fungi. Cleanliness is key, and it is important to establish a cleaning routine that includes sterilizing all container surfaces, growth substrates, inoculants, and work areas.
The Seven Stages of Cultivation
- Strain Selection: Choose the desired strain of psychedelic mushroom, such as Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms).
- Substrate Preparation: Prepare the substrate, which is the food source for mushroom mycelium. Common substrates include logs, stumps, woodchips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, grain hulls, and other carbon-rich materials. Ensure optimal moisture content and cleanliness.
- Inoculation: Introduce the spores or mycelium to the substrate. A higher inoculation rate will lead to faster mycelium growth.
- Incubation: Allow the mycelium to grow and establish itself before anything else can take hold.
- Initiation: Not explicitly mentioned, but this may refer to the formation of primordia, which are the beginnings of mushrooms.
- Fruiting: Provide the right environmental conditions for mushrooms to form.
- Harvest: Cut or twist off the mushrooms and lay them out on absorbent paper in a well-ventilated area to dry.
Additional Considerations
- Time and Patience: Mushroom cultivation requires patience and a commitment to the process. It may take several weeks or even months for mushrooms to grow, depending on the species and growing conditions.
- Sterility and Cleanliness: Maintain a sterile environment and clean tools to prevent contamination. Wear sterile gloves, a face mask, and ensure good hand hygiene.
- Moisture Control: Mushrooms require a humid environment, but too much moisture can lead to mold growth. Proper ventilation and drying techniques are crucial.
- Light Conditions: Mushrooms require specific light conditions, including controlled levels of natural light and darkness.
- Compliance with Local Laws: Always comply with local laws and regulations regarding the cultivation and use of psychedelic mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. The process is quicker than growing from spores as you can use the mycelium already on the fungi.
You can place mushroom ends in a container with straw or other moist material at the bottom. Keep the medium and mycelium damp, in the dark, and at a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F (18-23 C). After about two to four weeks, the mycelium should be ready to fruit.
Spores are the seeds of mushrooms. They are produced by the mushrooms and each spore carries unique genetic material. Spores require a moist, humid environment to become cottony structures called mycelium, which then produces the mushrooms.
Mycelium is a white, stringy, root-like structure that grows from spores. Mycelium fruits and produces mushrooms.
r/unclebens is a beginner-friendly community created by Shroomscout that shares simple methods for cultivating psychedelic "magic" mushrooms.
