Laura Smith
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a much larger fungus that lives underground. They grow from spores, which are like mushroom seeds. Mushrooms can grow almost anywhere there is decaying plant matter, and they are able to break down organic material that other organisms cannot. Mushrooms can be regrown at home, and the most challenging part of the process is setting up a mushroom fruiting chamber.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom reproduction | Mushrooms reproduce by spores |
| Mushroom "seed" | Spore, spawn, or inoculum |
| Environment for spores | Moist, humid |
| Spore transformation | Become cottony structures called mycelium |
| Mycelium "fruiting" | Produces the fungi |
| Mycelium bunching | Forms primordia, which then forms mushrooms |
| Mushrooms from store-bought stems | Faster process as you can use the mycelium already on the fungi |
| Mushroom growth temperature | 65 to 75 degrees F (18-23 degrees C) |
| Mushroom growth time | Approximately 19 days |
| Fruiting chamber | The most difficult aspect of growing mushrooms at home |
| Mushroom growth location | Specific substrate or generalists (any place with decaying plant matter) |
| Mushroom types | Chanterelles, inky caps, jelly fungi, puffballs, porcini, morels, corals, cups |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms grow from spores or tissue culture
Mushrooms can grow from spores or tissue culture. Every mushroom releases thousands of spores into its environment, each carrying unique genetics. Growing mushrooms from spores can be unpredictable as none of the mushrooms grown will be identical to the parent mushroom. Spores are the mushroom's reproductive cells, similar to seeds in plants, and can be dispersed by wind or other means. When spores land in a suitable environment, they germinate and grow into a new organism.
The process of growing mushrooms from spores is fairly involved and requires some equipment. Spores are almost always contaminated, so it is recommended to put them on agar and keep doing transfers until a clean culture is obtained. From there, the mycelium on the agar can be used to inoculate spawn directly or make a liquid culture. This process can be slow and unpredictable, as spores may not germinate or may not produce strong mycelium.
Tissue culture is commonly used to grow mushrooms as it is more efficient and reliable. Mycelium has already established a network of hyphae that can absorb nutrients from the substrate and develop into fruiting bodies. Using mycelium as the starting point allows for the preservation and propagation of desired genetic traits. Mycelium can be isolated and grown in a controlled environment, ensuring that the resulting mushrooms have the desired characteristics such as size, shape, colour, and flavour.
When growing mushrooms from store-bought stems, the process is quicker as you can use the mycelium already on the fungi. To regrow mushrooms from store-bought stems, place some straw or other moist material at the bottom of a container and add mushroom end pieces. Do another layer until the container is full, making sure to keep the medium and mycelium damp and in a dark place with temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees F (18-23 C). After about two to four weeks, the mycelium should be ready to fruit. Tent plastic over the medium to preserve moisture and allow the fungi to form. In about 19 days, the mushrooms should be ready for harvesting.
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Mushrooms are fungi, not plants or animals
Fungi do not photosynthesize like plants, so they cannot produce their own food. Instead, they are heterotrophs, obtaining nutrients from other organic material, often from other organisms. While animals also obtain nutrients from other organisms, they ingest and digest their food. In contrast, fungi secrete digestive enzymes into their environment and then absorb the released nutrients.
Another distinguishing feature of fungi is the presence of chitin in their cell walls, a compound also found in the exoskeletons of arthropods like beetles and crabs. Chitin is a strong and flexible compound, and cooking mushrooms is essential to break it down. Additionally, fungi lack a nervous system, but their mycelial network is increasingly being compared to one, facilitating interspecies communication between plants.
Fungi play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down complex organic compounds, such as lignan in woody matter, through their unique biology. They are responsible for a significant amount of the world's decomposition, contributing to nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Without fungi, our forests would be piled high with undegraded woody debris. The kingdom of fungi is incredibly biodiverse, with up to 12 million species, second only to insects in richness.
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Mushrooms grow in the same location
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus that lives underground. They grow in the same location due to their biology and specific requirements. Some mushrooms require a specific substrate, while others are generalists, meaning they can grow almost anywhere with decaying plant matter.
Mushrooms reproduce by releasing spores, which are like mushroom "seeds". Each mushroom can release thousands of spores, and each spore carries unique genetic material. These spores are ultra-lightweight and can be carried up into the stratosphere by wind currents. Most spores never germinate, but some land in the perfect environment and grow into hyphae, which are white, stringy, root-like structures.
When two compatible hyphae meet underground, they join together to form a full genetic complement. When environmental conditions are optimal, with the right amount of rain and temperature, the fruiting bodies we call mushrooms sprout up out of the ground. The mycelium, or root-like structure, remains intact below the surface and continues to spread, ready to produce more mushrooms year after year.
Mushrooms can grow in a variety of places, from horse droppings to concrete, and often grow in tight groups. They can break down organic material that other organisms cannot, making them essential recyclers in terrestrial ecosystems. Without fungi, our forests would be piled high with undegraded woody debris.
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Mushrooms can be regrown from store-bought stems
To regrow store-bought mushrooms, you will need a substrate for the mushrooms to grow in. Straw, coffee grounds, cardboard, and even hamster shavings are all commonly used for at-home mushroom growing. The substrate must contain cellulose-based material and be sanitized. You will also need a container, such as a plastic tub, cardboard box, or plastic bag. The container should be placed somewhere dark and at a fairly consistent room temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F (18-23 C).
Spread out your stem pieces on the substrate, then cover them with a damp layer. As the mycelium grows, you cannot let the substrate dry out. Cover your container with plastic wrap or a plastic bag and poke holes in the plastic to allow for airflow. In a few weeks, you should see the mushrooms starting to form. First, you will see primordia, or pinning, which is when a white mass forms. This mass will then take the shape of small, initial structures called pins. After about two to four weeks, the mycelium should be ready to fruit. Tent plastic over the medium to preserve moisture but allow the fungi to form. In about 19 days, you should be harvesting your mushrooms.
Oyster mushrooms are a great variety to start with as they are widely cultivated and easy to grow. You should be able to find them at most grocery stores.
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Mushrooms grow from the tip of a hypha
Mushrooms are a type of fungus with a unique reproductive strategy. They start their life cycle as microscopic spores, which are like tiny seeds. When spores land on fertile ground, they germinate and shoot out thin, filamentous strands called hyphae. These strands are the building blocks of mycelium, a network of fungal threads that grow and spread out in search of food and nutrients.
Mycelium is the engine of mushroom growth. It explores the soil or other substrates, secreting digestive enzymes onto its food sources, which are often dead organic materials and sometimes even living organisms. This process of decomposition breaks down complex organic matter into simpler forms that can be absorbed and used by the mycelium. As the hyphae grow and collect nutrients, they eventually come into contact with other hyphae, fusing together to form a larger network.
The fused hyphae then develop into new spores, which can be held inside the fungus (as in truffles) or exposed on the outside (as in mushrooms). These spores are the reproductive structures of the fungus, and they are dispersed by the wind or carried by animals to new locations, where they can germinate and start the cycle anew. This process allows mushrooms to propagate and colonize new areas.
The visible mushroom that we see above the ground or growing on a tree is just a small part of the fungus's anatomy. Beneath the surface lies a vast network of hyphae, continuously growing, branching out, and seeking nutrients. This hidden dimension of mushrooms is a testament to the intricate and complex nature of fungal life.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi that live underground. When a mushroom is picked, the mycelium, or the network of fibrous threads, remains intact and continues to spread and produce more mushrooms. Therefore, mushrooms can regrow as long as the conditions are optimal.
Mushrooms reproduce by releasing thousands of spores into the environment. When a spore lands in the right environment, it will germinate and send out a small filamentous thread called a hypha.
Mushrooms require a moist and humid environment with temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-23 degrees Celsius). They also need an adequate substrate, such as decaying plant matter or specific types of trees, depending on the mushroom species.
After about two to four weeks of maintaining the ideal conditions, the mycelium should be ready to fruit. With proper care, mushrooms can be harvested in about 19 days.
