Emma Wilson
Growing mushrooms on cardboard is a simple process that can be done at home, even for beginners. It is a great way to use recycled cardboard and transform it into something edible. However, there are some concerns about the potential presence of toxic chemicals in cardboard, such as dyes, glue, and additives, which may be passed on to the mushrooms. To grow mushrooms on cardboard, the cardboard is typically ripped into small pieces, pasteurized with boiling water, and then layered with mushroom stem butts or mycelium. The cardboard is then placed in a cool, dark place to colonize for two to three weeks. Once the cardboard is fully colonized, it can be misted with water to encourage the growth of mushrooms. While it is generally recommended to mist the colonizing cardboard, some sources suggest that spraying may not be necessary until the conks appear, as excessive moisture can cause the mushrooms to abort.
Do you spray mushrooms while they're colonizing on cardboard?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spraying mushrooms while colonizing on cardboard | It is recommended to mist the cardboard with water to maintain moisture and prevent it from drying out. However, spraying too much water can cause waterlogging. |
| Cardboard preparation | Cardboard should be ripped or cut into small pieces, soaked in water, and then pasteurized with boiling water to kill contaminants. |
| Mushroom spawn | The cardboard is layered with mushroom spawn, stem butts, or mycelium to facilitate colonization. |
| Oxygen and ventilation | Adequate oxygen and ventilation are crucial for colonization. Holes may be drilled in the container for oxygen exchange and to prevent poor air exchange, which can hinder colonization. |
| Contamination | Contamination is a concern, and it may render the mushroom spawn unusable. It is important to ensure a clean work area and products. |
| Yield | The yield of mushrooms from cardboard colonization can vary. While it may be sufficient for personal or hobby use, commercial production may require additional methods for higher yields. |
| Health concerns | There are concerns about consuming mushrooms grown on cardboard due to potential chemicals, additives, and toxins in the cardboard. |
| Advantages of cardboard | Cardboard is easily accessible, inexpensive, and effective for growing mushrooms. It retains moisture well and provides a familiar substance for mycelium to colonize due to its wood-based nature. |
| Mushroom types | Oyster mushrooms, Morels, Woodlovers, Pioppinno, and Garden Giants are commonly grown on cardboard. |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking and pasteurizing cardboard
Growing mushrooms on cardboard is a straightforward process, even for beginners. Before you begin, you'll need to rip or cut the cardboard into small pieces, anywhere from 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 centimeters) in size. This step is important because it increases the surface area of the cardboard, making it more accessible to the mycelium.
Pasteurization
Once you have your cardboard cut into small pieces, it's time to pasteurize it. Pasteurization is a crucial step in the process of growing mushrooms on cardboard because it reduces the number of harmful competitor organisms, such as mold or bacteria, that can inhibit the growth of your mushrooms. There are several methods you can use to pasteurize cardboard:
- Cold water bath pasteurization: Submerge the cardboard in a cold water solution with vinegar, lime, wood ash, soap, bleach, chlorine, or hydrogen peroxide, and let it soak for 16 to 20 hours. This method is energy-efficient and ideal for beginners.
- Hot water pasteurization: This method involves using hot water or boiling water to pasteurize the cardboard. It takes less time, around 2 hours, but may not be as effective in killing all contaminants.
- Stovetop pasteurization: For this method, you can put the cardboard in a cooler, pour in boiling water, close the cooler, and let it cook overnight.
After pasteurizing, allow the cardboard to cool down before proceeding to the next step.
Inoculation and Colonization
After pasteurization, you can now layer the cardboard with your chosen mushroom spawn. For oyster mushrooms, you can use fresh oyster mushroom stem butts. Place the spawn in a cool and dark place for two to three weeks until it has fully colonized. During this time, the mycelium will grow and spread throughout the cardboard.
Misting and Fruiting
Once your mushroom spawn has fully colonized the cardboard, it's time to mist them with water to encourage the growth of tiny mushrooms. Make sure to provide adequate air circulation and drainage during this process. Continue misting the mushrooms daily, and within seven days, you should have fully grown mushrooms ready for harvest.
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Preparing mushroom spawn
Step 1: Prepare the Cardboard
Start by ripping or cutting cardboard into small pieces. The pieces should be anywhere from 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 centimeters) in size. This step is important to ensure that the cardboard fits into your container and provides a larger surface area for mycelium growth. Make sure to use clean cardboard that has not been treated with chemicals or paints, as these substances may be harmful if ingested.
Step 2: Pasteurize the Cardboard
Pasteurization is a crucial step to kill any contaminants that may hinder the growth of your mushroom spawn. Place the shredded cardboard into a bucket or large container. If using a bucket, pour boiling water over the cardboard, cover it, and let it sit until it cools to room temperature. Alternatively, you can place the cardboard in a large pot of boiling water for pasteurization. This method may have a higher risk of contamination due to increased exposure to air and potential mold spores. Make sure to drain the excess water from the cardboard after pasteurization.
Step 3: Prepare the Spawn
While the cardboard is soaking and pasteurizing, prepare your mushroom spawn. You can purchase oyster mushroom grow kits or use grain, wood chips, or sawdust spawn. If using a kit, follow the provided instructions. If using alternative spawn, ensure it is free from contamination by checking for strange green or black spots, which indicate mold growth.
Step 4: Layer the Cardboard and Spawn
Obtain a clean 5-gallon bucket or plastic container. If using a plastic container, ensure it is BPA-free to avoid any potential toxins. Create alternating layers of cardboard and spawn, starting with a layer of cardboard at the bottom. Repeat this process until you reach a height of about two feet. Gently compress the layers with your fist to ensure good contact while maintaining air spaces.
Step 5: Incubate the Spawn
Cover the top of the bucket with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity. Keep an eye on the cardboard, and make sure it doesn't dry out. Remove the bag and fan the bucket at least once a day to provide oxygen to the colonizing mycelium. Place the bucket in a cool, dark place for two to three weeks to allow for incubation and colonization.
Step 6: Check for Colonization
After the incubation period, examine the contents of your bucket. If the cardboard and spawn are fully white and colonized, you are ready for the next step. However, if you notice any black or green mold, it indicates contamination, and you will need to start over with new materials.
Step 7: Transfer to Grow Bags (Optional)
If you wish to grow a larger amount of mushrooms, transfer the colonized spawn into grow bags filled with additional cardboard. Cut a large "X" on one side of the grow bag and keep the mycelium moist by misting it daily with a spray bottle. Within a few days, you should see pins forming around the opening, and fully grown mushrooms will appear in about seven days with proper care.
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Misting and spraying
To begin the process of growing mushrooms on cardboard, you will need to tear the cardboard into small pieces, typically ranging from 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 centimeters) in size. Soaking these cardboard pieces in warm water for about an hour is essential to ensure they are thoroughly moistened. After soaking, remove any excess water by gently shaking the cardboard pieces.
The next step involves pasteurizing the cardboard to eliminate potential contaminants. This can be done by boiling the cardboard pieces in water or using other methods like a pressure cooker or a parabolic solar cooker. Once pasteurized and cooled, the cardboard is ready for inoculation.
Inoculation involves layering the cardboard with mycelium-rich mushroom stems or pieces of a mushroom. You can also use stem butts, which are the bottom inch of the mushroom stem where it meets the mycelium. Make sure to keep the rhizomorphs and any mycelium intact during this process. The inoculated cardboard should then be placed in a container with holes for drainage and covered with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity levels.
During the colonization process, it is crucial to monitor the moisture level and ensure the cardboard doesn't dry out. Misting or spraying the cardboard with water is necessary to maintain adequate moisture. Some sources recommend spraying the cardboard daily or multiple times a day to create the necessary humid environment for mycelium growth.
Additionally, it is important to provide fresh oxygen to the colonizing mycelium. This can be achieved by removing the plastic bag and fanning the container at least once a day to replace carbon dioxide wastes with fresh oxygen.
Once the cardboard is fully colonized, you have the option to simply mist the mushroom spawn with water until tiny mushrooms begin to grow. Alternatively, for a larger yield, you can transfer the spawn into grow bags filled with more cardboard.
In summary, misting and spraying play vital roles in maintaining the necessary moisture levels and humidity for successful mushroom growth on cardboard. By following these steps and maintaining the right conditions, you can effectively grow mushrooms using cardboard as a substrate.
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Avoiding contamination
Growing mushrooms on cardboard is a simple process, but it can be challenging to avoid contamination. Here are some tips to help you avoid contamination and successfully grow mushrooms:
Choose the Right Cardboard
Select clean cardboard and break it into smaller pieces, ideally between 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 centimeters). Avoid cardboard with paint, glue, or additives, as these substances may be harmful if consumed. White cardboard, in particular, should be avoided due to the presence of dioxins.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization is essential to kill off contaminants. Soak the cardboard pieces in boiling water or use a large pot or a 5-gallon bucket to pasteurize them. This process will help eliminate potential sources of contamination.
Sterilization
Ensure that your tools and containers are properly sanitized by washing them with boiling water or alcohol. Additionally, maintain good hygiene by regularly washing your hands with hot water and soap during the growing process.
Moisture Control
Maintain the right moisture level by keeping the substrate slightly damp at all times, but not soaking wet. Too much moisture can encourage the growth of mold and bacteria, while insufficient moisture will hinder mycelium growth.
Air Exchange
Mushrooms require oxygen and release carbon dioxide, so avoid using airtight containers. Provide adequate ventilation by drilling holes in the container or grow bag. Covering the holes with tape can help control airflow and prevent pests like flies from entering.
Fruiting and Spraying
Once your grow bags are fully colonized, cut a hole in the bag and keep the mycelium moist while it fruits. Spray the mushrooms with water once the caps enlarge into a cup shape. Avoid spraying the pins, as this can cause waterlogging and abort the growth.
Choose the Right Mushroom Variety
Some mushroom varieties are more suitable for growing on cardboard than others. Oyster mushrooms are a good choice, as they are aggressive colonizers. Shiitake mushrooms, on the other hand, may be more challenging due to their slower mycelium growth, making them more susceptible to mold and contaminants.
Remember, contamination can still occur despite your best efforts. If you notice any signs of black or green mold, discard the contents and start over with proper sterilization and pasteurization techniques.
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Harvesting and yield
The harvesting process for mushrooms grown on cardboard involves cutting a large 'X' on one side of the grow bag. This allows oxygen to reach the mushrooms and encourages fruiting. It is important to maintain high humidity by keeping the plastic covering the substrate. After making the cut, the mushrooms should be misted with water daily until they are fully grown, which can take up to seven days. Harvesting should be done carefully to avoid disturbing neighbouring pinheads.
The timing of mushroom harvesting depends on market demands and the desired size and maturation stage of the mushrooms. For example, common mushrooms (Agaricus) are harvested early when they are small, white, and firm if there is a high demand for champignon mushrooms. On the other hand, if the demand is for larger portobello mushrooms, they are allowed to grow until they meet the size and colour requirements.
The yield of mushroom crops depends on the cultivation size and species. Generally, 60-75% of the total yield is obtained from the first two flushes, with each subsequent flush being smaller than the previous one. For common (Agaricus) mushrooms, the average yield is 15-30g/㎡ or 10-14 kg of mushrooms per 100 kg compost. Pleurotus mushrooms grown in vertical farming of 1.5-3 hectares can yield up to 500 tonnes per year, while the same species grown in satellite units of 0.4-0.6 hectares produce 70-150 tonnes per year.
After harvesting, mushrooms should be categorized by size and packed in breathable pulp trays to ensure proper aeration. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life of mushrooms, with breathable packaging resulting in a shelf life of up to 7-10 days, and special bags allowing for 3-4 days of freshness. To further extend shelf life, mushrooms can be dried, canned, or frozen after dehydration or freeze-drying.
To ensure the highest quality of the mushrooms, it is recommended to harvest them daily, especially when temperatures rise above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, it is important to maintain adequate air circulation in the growing environment, exchanging all the air in the room every five to ten minutes to optimize humidity and temperature levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, spraying is necessary to maintain humidity levels. However, it is important to note that spraying should only be done when the caps of the mushrooms enlarge into a cup shape, as spraying the pins can cause waterlogging and lead to abortion.
It is recommended to spray the mushrooms daily or twice a day to maintain optimal moisture levels.
There are concerns about the potential presence of toxic dyes, glue, additives, and chemicals in cardboard that may be passed on to the mushrooms during growth. Cardboard is also considered to have low nutritional quality.
