Laura Smith
Whether or not your mushroom incubation box needs FAE (Fresh Air Exchange) depends on the stage of the mushroom-growing process. During the colonization phase, jars or bags only need Gas Exchange (GE), and FAE is not required until the fruiting stage. Mushrooms require light and oxygen or FAE to fruit. However, some sources suggest that incubating in darkness or mostly darkness works just as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fresh Air Exchange (FAE) | Crucial for optimal mushroom growth |
| Incubation Temperature | Room temperature (65-70 degrees F) is fine for most species |
| Incubation Environment | Draft-free, with ambient/indirect light |
| Taping Holes | Only necessary if the incubation box is in the same room as the grow room with circulating air |
| Gas Exchange (GE) | Required during incubation |
| Fresh Air Exchange (FAE) | Not needed until fruiting |
| Contamination | Excessive moisture can lead to an environment where bacteria and mold flourish |
| Discoloration | Yellowing or grayish tint may indicate insufficient FAE |
| Dehydration | Placing mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge can help with dehydration |
| Pinning Triggers | Full colonization, FAE, evaporation off the substrate, and light |
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What You'll Learn
Taping the polyfill
If you are incubating your mushrooms in the same room as your grow room with circulating air from a fan, you should tape the holes. This ensures that no air leaves the tub during colonisation. However, once the substrate is 100% colonised, you can remove the tape and replace it with polyfill to allow gas exchange.
If your incubation setup is draft-free and not in the same room as your grow room, you may not need to tape the holes. Simply stuffing the holes with polyfill should be sufficient. This allows for passive FAE, which is all that is required during incubation.
It is important to note that during incubation, mushroom substrates do not need a lot of air. They just need to be able to vent gas. Taping the polyfill can work, but it is not necessary if the setup is draft-free. Leaving the polyfill untaped and undisturbed for a week or so is an option.
Some growers choose to tape the holes during incubation and then replace the tape with polyfill once the substrate is colonised. This ensures that no air escapes during colonisation, but still allows for gas exchange once colonisation is complete.
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Passive FAE
To achieve passive FAE, it is important to understand the behaviour of gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is heavier than fresh air, so it sinks to the bottom of the container. By strategically placing holes or patches at different levels in the incubation box, you can create natural circulation. The CO2 escapes through the holes at the bottom, while fresh air enters through the holes at the top. This passive system allows for the necessary air exchange to support mushroom growth.
The number of holes or patches is less critical than their placement for passive FAE to be effective. However, it is important to note that passive FAE may inadvertently affect humidity levels. Experimentation is often required to balance air exchange and humidity, as ambient conditions like temperature, airflow, and local humidity can vary.
Some growers choose to cover their incubation containers with a trash bag or a thin sheet to create darkness during the incubation process. While this can be done, it is important not to block too much FAE. One technique is to split all but one seam of the trash bag to allow for some air exchange or to loosely wrap the container with a plastic sheet. Another method is to use micropore tape, which can be adjusted by adding or poking holes as needed to control the airflow.
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Fresh air requirements
Fresh air is essential for successful mushroom growth. Mushrooms grow by releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) and consuming oxygen (O2). Therefore, they require a continuous supply of fresh oxygen and the removal of excess carbon dioxide. This is achieved through proper air circulation and fresh air exchange.
During the incubation period, mushrooms only need gas exchange and do not require fresh air exchange (FAE) until fruiting. However, once the mushrooms start to fruit, a constant flow of fresh air is necessary to prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide, which can stall growth.
The amount of fresh air required depends on the number of growing mushrooms in the incubation box. To ensure proper air exchange, fans can be used to supply fresh oxygen actively and expel carbon dioxide. This also helps maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, creating an ideal environment for mushroom cultivation.
It is important to continuously monitor CO2, air temperature, and humidity levels in the incubation box. By using fans and maintaining proper air exchange, you can establish the optimal environment for mycelium growth and abundant mushroom harvest.
In summary, fresh air requirements are crucial for mushroom cultivation. While mushrooms do not need fresh air during the early stages of growth, a constant flow of fresh air is necessary once they start to fruit. This is achieved through active or passive ventilation systems, ensuring proper air exchange and optimal environmental conditions for healthy mushroom development.
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Temperature control
During the incubation stage, which generally lasts two to three weeks, the temperature should be maintained between 65-75°F. This stage is critical for the formation of the mycelium, the vegetative part of the mushroom. Once the mycelium has developed, the temperature needs to be lowered to approximately 60-65°F during the fruiting stage to encourage the growth of the fruiting bodies.
To achieve the ideal temperature conditions, various tools can be utilised, such as a thermometer or temperature sensor, heating pad, cooling fan, greenhouse, or heating blanket. It is essential to monitor the temperature regularly and make necessary adjustments to ensure the mushrooms' health and vigour. Additionally, note-taking is crucial; keeping a notebook to record temperature, humidity, and Fresh Air Exchange (FAE) readings each time you check on your mushrooms is recommended. This allows for informed decisions about any required adjustments to your setup.
When using a heating device, it is important to remember that heaters may not always accurately control the temperature. Therefore, a thermostat is often required to regulate the temperature precisely. For example, an InkBird heat thermostat can be used to control the temperature in the growing environment effectively. Similarly, a hermostatically controlled incubation box can be created using a hermostat and a heating pad. To prevent overheating, set the hermostat's maximum temperature a degree or two lower than the desired fruiting chamber temperature.
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Humidity and condensation
Humidity is a critical factor in mushroom cultivation. Mushrooms require high humidity levels to initiate the formation of primordia, which are small bumps that eventually develop into mature mushrooms. Throughout their life cycle, mushrooms require humidity to ensure they grow to maturity. Poor humidity levels can cause mushrooms to stop growing, discolour, and crack. Conversely, mushrooms cultivated with the correct humidity levels tend to grow larger and have a longer shelf life due to increased hydration.
The ideal relative humidity for most mushroom species is between 80% and 90%. When a bag is first cut and placed into a fruiting chamber, the initial development of pins (tiny mushroom heads that form a fruiting body) requires a slightly higher relative humidity of up to 95%. After a day or two, the humidity should be adjusted to approximately 80%. Higher relative humidity results in faster mushroom growth, while lower humidity yields slower-growing mushrooms with more flavour.
Maintaining the ideal humidity level for growing mushrooms can be achieved through various methods, including misting spray bottles, pond misters, fans, perlite, and companion planting. Fans, for instance, can be used to control humidity by circulating air and reducing the risk of condensation. This involves placing a fan in the mushroom-growing area to distribute moisture evenly and lower the risk of mould. However, fans should not be used in areas with extremely low humidity, as they can cause mushrooms to dry out.
Perlite, a type of volcanic rock, is another effective method for controlling humidity levels. This involves placing a layer of perlite at the bottom of the mushroom-growing container and adding water to create a humid environment. Perlite provides consistent humidity levels and is easy to set up.
Frequent Air Exchange (FAE) is another critical aspect of mushroom cultivation. FAE involves blowing clean air across the growing mushrooms to encourage the evaporation of excess moisture. This can be achieved using a small mounted fan on a recycle timer to fine-tune the amount of time the fan is on versus off. While FAE is essential, humidity is considered more crucial for successful mushroom cultivation.
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Frequently asked questions
FAE (Fresh Air Exchange) is not required during the colonisation phase. Mushrooms only need Gas Exchange (GE) at this stage. FAE is needed during the fruiting stage.
Colonisation is the period after inoculation when the mycelium (the "roots" of a mushroom) grows through the substrate. Fruiting happens after the colonisation phase, when the mycelium forms mushrooms.
Mushrooms only need to vent a bit of gas during colonisation. If you see bacterial slime, your mushrooms are getting too much air.
You can introduce FAE by using a fan, or by simply opening the tub and examining and misting the mushrooms.
