Michael Davis
There are various opinions on whether misting water needs to be purified for mushrooms. Some people suggest that distilled water is not necessary for misting or dunking mushroom substrates after colonization. Clean, fresh tap water works well and often contains beneficial trace minerals and tiny amounts of chlorine that help protect against contamination at fruiting. However, others recommend distilled or boiled water as a precaution, especially if the tap water has a strong chlorine smell or contains visible impurities. Some growers also use filtered water or bottled mineral water for misting mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of water required for misting mushrooms | Clean, fresh tap water |
| Tap water benefits | Contains trace minerals and chlorine that protect against contamination |
| Tap water precautions | Avoid stagnant water, refill spray bottle regularly, allow spray bottle to dry when not in use |
| Distilled water | Not necessary for misting, may lack nutrients |
| Boiled water | Can be used for misting, but avoid spraying cakes directly |
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What You'll Learn
Tap water is safe for misting mushrooms
It is safe to use tap water for misting mushrooms, especially during the fruiting stage. Tap water often contains trace minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which may benefit the mycelium. It also contains a small amount of chlorine, which helps to prevent contamination. Many growers find that misting with tap water yields excellent pinning and fruiting, with no increase in contamination.
Tap water is also more convenient and cost-effective than distilled water, which is not necessary for misting or dunking mushroom substrates after colonisation. Distilled water does not provide any special benefit to mushrooms at the fruiting stage. It is very pure, containing no minerals, chlorine, or microorganisms, but these qualities are not advantageous for mushrooms.
However, it is important to ensure that the tap water used for misting is clean and fresh. Avoid using stagnant or old water, and do not let water sit for more than a day or two in your spray bottle. Additionally, allow your spray bottle to dry completely when not in use to prevent the growth of microorganisms. If your tap water has a strong chlorine smell, you can leave it uncovered for 12-24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
Overall, tap water is a safe and effective option for misting mushrooms, and it is the choice of most growers. It provides the necessary moisture and humidity for mushrooms to grow, and the trace minerals may even be beneficial.
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Distilled water is not necessary for misting
Once your substrate is fully colonized (covered in white mycelium), the risk of contamination from tap water is very low. The mycelium has established itself and is quite resilient at this fruiting stage. A few stray microbes in potable tap water won't easily disturb it. As one experienced grower put it, if the water is clean enough for you to drink, it's clean enough for your mushrooms.
If you're concerned about chlorine in tap water, you can fill a clean pitcher and let it sit uncovered for 12-24 hours. This allows the chlorine to dissipate. Some cultivators also boil the water and let it cool, but this isn't usually necessary. In most cases, you can use tap water straight from the faucet without any special treatment. The key is that the water is potable and not contaminated. Well water, spring water, or filtered water can also be used for misting.
Mushrooms fruit in nature under rain and tap-like water conditions, not ultra-pure water. By using normal water, you're emulating nature more closely. Veteran growers advise against distilled water for fruiting, as mushroom cakes or substrates tend to get contaminated more easily if you use it exclusively.
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Chlorine in tap water can help prevent contamination
When it comes to misting mushrooms, tap water is perfectly suitable and does not need to be purified. In fact, tap water often contains beneficial trace minerals and a tiny amount of chlorine that helps protect against contamination.
Chlorinated drinking water refers to the addition of chlorine to drinking water systems to kill harmful microbes and prevent contamination. Chlorine is a disinfectant that kills germs in water, including bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause disease and immediate illness. It is added to water supplies to prevent waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever and dysentery, which were once common causes of death.
The use of chlorine in drinking water systems is a well-established practice. The first reported use of chlorination for water disinfection was in 1897 in Maidstone, Kent, UK, following a typhoid outbreak. Regular use in water treatment began around the early 1900s, with continuous application in 1902 in Middelkerke, Belgium, and in 1903 in Ostende, Belgium. In 1905, sodium hypochlorite was used for the first time in Lincoln, UK, after a typhoid epidemic. In 1908, Chicago, Illinois became the first city in the United States to use chlorine for water disinfection.
Chlorine is added to tap water to kill germs and make it safe for consumption. Water sources such as reservoirs or wells can contain germs, and these germs can also enter the water as it travels through pipes. The low levels of chlorine added to tap water by utilities do not make people sick and are safe for human consumption. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider disinfection of drinking water to be one of the most important advances in public health.
While chlorine in tap water helps prevent contamination, it can also affect the taste and smell of the water. Some people may find the chlorine taste or smell bothersome. However, it is possible to reduce chlorine taste and smell by using filters or letting the water sit uncovered for some time. Overall, the benefits of chlorine in tap water for contamination prevention outweigh any minor sensory effects.
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Bottled mineral water is a sterile option
When it comes to misting water for mushrooms, it is generally agreed that distilled water is not necessary. Tap water is often used, as it contains trace minerals and small amounts of chlorine that help prevent contamination. However, if you are looking for a sterile option, bottled mineral water fits the bill.
Bottled mineral water has a long history, with early Europeans and American colonists fuelling demand in the 17th and 18th centuries due to their belief in its therapeutic properties. Today, it is a popular commercial beverage, particularly in the United States, where it accounts for about 25% of the consumption share.
The production process of bottled mineral water involves several steps to ensure its purity and sterility. It begins with water diversion, which involves bringing mineral water from underground to the surface. This water is then aerated to remove gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and to cause oxidation. Primary filtration follows, where the water passes through a sand tank with quartz sand and activated carbon to remove large particles.
After primary filtration, the water undergoes precision filtration to eliminate smaller particles, microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities. Sterilization is then carried out using ozone treatment or ultraviolet irradiation to deactivate any remaining bacteria and viruses. Finally, the sterilized water is filled into sterilized packaging containers, inspected, and packaged.
With its rigorous filtration and sterilization processes, bottled mineral water offers a sterile option for misting mushrooms. While it may be more costly and environmentally impactful than tap water, it ensures a pure and contaminant-free source for those seeking maximum sterility in their mushroom cultivation.
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Boiled water can also be used as a precaution
When it comes to misting mushrooms, it is not necessary to use distilled water. Clean, fresh tap water is perfectly suitable and widely used for misting and dunking mushrooms in the fruiting stage. Mushroom growing kits, such as RyzaPods, are designed for use with regular tap water.
Tap water often includes trace minerals and small amounts of chlorine, which help prevent contamination during fruiting. These trace amounts of chlorine in treated municipal water are intended to kill harmful microbes and can help to inhibit unwanted bacteria or mould. As long as the water is potable, it is safe for misting mushrooms.
However, it is important to use fresh tap water and avoid stagnant or old water. Water should not be left sitting in a spray bottle or misting bottle for more than a day or two, as microorganisms can grow. Allowing the bottle to dry completely between uses is also essential to prevent microbial growth.
If there are concerns about chlorine levels in the tap water, one can fill a clean pitcher and let it sit uncovered for 12-24 hours, allowing the chlorine to dissipate.
In summary, boiled water is not necessary for misting mushrooms, but it can be used as a precaution if one wishes to eliminate any potential contaminants. However, fresh tap water is generally safe and effective for misting mushrooms, especially once they have reached the fruiting stage.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you don't need to purify water for misting mushrooms. Clean, fresh tap water works well for misting mushrooms in the fruiting stage.
Tap water contains trace amounts of chlorine that help protect against contamination. It also contains beneficial minerals.
Avoid using old or stagnant water that has been sitting for a long time as it may have built-up bacteria.
Yes, some people use distilled water, boiled water, bottled mineral water, or filtered water as alternatives to tap water. However, this is not necessary, and tap water is generally recommended.
