Mushrooms: Nature's Magical Treats

Mushrooms are fungi that require unique conditions to grow, unlike other produce items. They are grown in highly controlled environments and do not require sunlight, making them popular with urban farmers. The growing cycle for mushrooms is six weeks, with the first three weeks spent growing the vegetative part of the fungus, called the mycelium, and the last three weeks spent picking mushrooms and letting them regrow. Mushrooms have a fast growth rate, doubling in size in 24 hours, and can be harvested by hand. They are often grown in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips, or on logs, particularly specialty mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, and maiitake.

Mushrooms are fungi, not plants

Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and while they were historically included in the plant kingdom, they are now classified separately. Fungi are distinguished from plants by their unique structural and physiological features, such as the absence of chlorophyll and the composition of their cell walls and cell membranes. Fungi also have distinct modes of vegetative growth and nutrient intake compared to other living organisms, including plants and animals.

Fungi, including mushrooms, grow from the tips of filaments called hyphae, which form the body of the organism, known as the mycelium. Fungi externally digest organic matter before absorbing it into their mycelia, which is a process unique to them. The study of fungi is called mycology, derived from the Greek word for mushroom, mykēs.

Mushrooms specifically are a type of hallucinogenic fungus known as psilocybin mushrooms or magic mushrooms. They contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms are widely distributed across the world, with the majority of species found in subtropical humid forests. They are often depicted in ancient art, such as Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs in the Americas.

Psilocybe cubensis, the most common Psilocybe species, grows in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for fungal growth. Other Psilocybe species, such as P. semilanceata, are found in temperate regions across the world, including Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. The potency of psilocybin mushrooms varies, and their effects depend on factors such as dosage, freshness, season, and location of growth.

They require sterile conditions to grow

Mushrooms are fungi, and unlike plants, they require specific conditions to grow. The entire growing process starts in a laboratory, as mushrooms require sterile conditions. Mushrooms have a fast growth rate, doubling in size in 24 hours. The spores, or natural seeds of the mushroom, are too small to be handled by people. Therefore, in the lab, these tiny spores are used to inoculate sterile cereal grains, which are then incubated until they develop further. These grains become "spawn", which can be sown like seeds.

The basic growing medium for mushroom production is called the substrate. This substrate is a mixture of decayed organic matter, which is necessary for mushrooms to grow. The two types of starting material used for mushroom substrate are synthetic compost, consisting of wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum, or manure-based compost made from stable bedding from horse stables or poultry litter.

Specialty mushrooms like Shiitake, Oyster, Maiitake, and Enoki are grown differently from common white and brown button mushrooms. They are often grown on logs or in bottles, bags, or containers filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips. The ideal growing conditions for mushrooms are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and greater than 90% humidity.

The growing cycle for mushrooms is six weeks. The first three weeks are spent growing the vegetative part of the fungus, called the mycelium, which is like the roots of the mushroom. The temperature change in the growing room after these three weeks signals the spawn to develop a fruit body (mushroom) and drop its spores. Mushrooms are then harvested in stages or flushes, with the first flush being harvested over four or five days.

They grow well in dense clusters

Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grows well in dense clusters, often in meadows and woods in subtropical and tropical regions. They thrive in soils rich in organic matter, such as humus and plant debris. The most common Psilocybe in tropical areas is P. cubensis, which is known to grow near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided for fungal growth.

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a polyphyletic group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin converts into the psychedelic compound psilocin, which is believed to influence serotonin levels in the brain, leading to altered perceptions.

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are widely distributed across the globe, with the majority of species found in subtropical humid forests. They can be identified by their dark-spored, gilled appearance. In a review by Gastón Guzmán and colleagues, it was found that the Psilocybe genus alone contained 116 species of psilocybin mushrooms.

The dosage of psilocybin mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly even within the same species. Typically, psilocybin content ranges from 0.5% to 1% of the dried weight of the mushroom, while psilocin content can be anywhere from 0% to 0.59%. However, there can be significant variation among different strains of the same species.

Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as liberty caps, is considered the most widely distributed psilocybin mushroom. It is found in temperate regions of Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, though it is absent from Mexico. Other common species include P. azurescens, P. cyanescens, and P. cubensis, which is the most popular among users.

They don't need sunlight

Unlike plants, mushrooms don't rely on sunlight to make their food. Instead, they obtain nutrients from their growing medium through a network of thread-like roots called hyphae, which come together to form a mass called a mycelium. This process, known as saprotrophic nutrition, allows mushrooms to

They can be grown on logs

Growing mushrooms on logs is a fun and productive hobby that can provide you with a bountiful harvest for years to come. It is a simple process that requires low maintenance after inoculation. You can choose from a wide variety of mushrooms, including Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Reishi, and many more.

When selecting the logs, it is important to choose the right type of tree. Most mushrooms grow well on hardwoods, such as oak, sugar maple, and birch. Freshly cut logs with a diameter of 30 cm or more are ideal, and it is crucial to ensure that the bark is intact. The timing of cutting the trees is also important; they should be harvested during their dormant season, after leaf changes in the fall until buds swell in the spring.

Once you have your logs, you will need to drill holes into them, spaced 15-20 cm apart. You can then obtain mushroom spawn, which is the fungal tissue usually carried in a medium like sawdust. There are two common styles of spawn: plug spawn and sawdust spawn. Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects and requires less investment in equipment, while sawdust spawn colonizes faster but needs additional tools.

After preparing your spawn, lightly hammer the plugs or apply the sawdust into the drilled holes, ensuring good contact with the surrounding wood. Seal the spawn in place with wax, using a wax applicator or a foam brush, to prevent other fungi from entering. Finally, wrap the inoculated logs in plastic and store them in a cool, shady place for 8-12 weeks.

After this incubation period, remove the plastic and stack the logs in a damp, shady location. With the right care, you can expect mushrooms to appear in autumn and spring, typically within 6-18 months. Larger logs can continue to produce mushrooms for up to five years, and some varieties like Shiitake can fruit for 8 years or longer!

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