John Miller
Mushrooms are fungi, and unlike plants, they require different conditions, facilities, and equipment to grow. The process of growing mushrooms is complex and highly controlled, and it begins in a laboratory where sterile conditions are required. The spores are inoculated into sterile grains, which then develop into spawn that can be sown. The substrate, or growing medium, is then prepared using either synthetic compost or manure-based compost. This process converts plant and animal products into decayed organic matter, creating the ideal environment for mushroom growth. After the substrate preparation, the process of spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping takes place. Mushrooms are typically harvested by hand and cooled to maintain freshness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Growing Conditions | Mushrooms require sterile conditions and a highly controlled environment to grow. They do not require sunlight and can be grown indoors. |
| Starting Material | Synthetic compost (wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, gypsum) or manure-based compost (horse stable bedding or poultry litter). |
| Substrate | Pasteurized substrate, typically a partially composted straw layer with peat moss on top. Mushrooms grow about 8 inches (22 cm) into this substrate. |
| Spawn | The spores are inoculated into sterile cereal grains and incubated until they become "spawn," which is then sown. Spawn is made from stored cultures like millet, rye, or wheat. |
| Harvesting | Mushrooms are harvested by hand, twisted upwards, and trimmed with a knife. They are then cooled on a spiral belt to 1 degree Celsius to maintain freshness. |
| Yield | The first flush accounts for 60% of the total yield, the second flush for 30%, and the third flush for 10%. |
| Growth Cycle | From composting to harvest, mushroom growth takes about 14 weeks. |
| Specialty Mushrooms | Shiitake, Oyster, King Oyster, and Enoki mushrooms are specialty mushrooms grown on wood logs, in bottles, or containers filled with sawdust. |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms require sterile conditions and are grown in laboratories
- They grow in pasteurized substrate, usually straw or compost
- The growing process involves six steps: two phases of composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping
- Mushrooms are harvested by hand and cooled on a spiral belt
- They are grown in a variety of ways, including on logs, in bottles, or in containers filled with sawdust
Mushrooms require sterile conditions and are grown in laboratories
Mushrooms require a sterile environment and sterile processes for successful and repeated cultivation. The entire growing process begins in a laboratory because the spores, or natural seeds of the mushroom, are too tiny to be handled by people. In the lab, personnel will inoculate sterile cereal grains with the spores and incubate them until they develop into a viable product. These grains become "spawn", which can then be sown like seeds.
The substrate, or basic growing medium, is then carefully prepared at the farm. This is a key ingredient in mushroom production. Two types of starting material are generally used for mushroom substrate: 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. This process converts plant and animal products into a mixture of decayed organic matter that is necessary for growing mushrooms.
The pasteurized substrate is placed in stacked wooden trays or beds, and the spawn is mixed in with a top layer, usually peat moss. From this point, it takes about three weeks to produce the first mushrooms for harvest. Throughout the growing period, temperature and humidity are carefully controlled. The ideal growing conditions for mushrooms are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and greater than 90% humidity.
To successfully grow mushrooms, it is critical to ensure adequate management of starting ingredients and proper environmental conditions. It is a constant battle for the mushroom grower to create a sterile environment as there are many possible sources of contamination, including mould spores in the air, cultivation tools, hands, breath, and clothing.
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They grow in pasteurized substrate, usually straw or compost
Mushrooms are fungi and require different conditions, facilities, and equipment to grow than plants. The growing process is complex and highly controlled, and it usually takes place in a laboratory or a farm. Mushrooms require sterile conditions, and their spores are too tiny to be handled by people. Instead, lab personnel inoculate and incubate sterile cereal grains with spores until they develop into a viable product. These grains become "spawn", which can then be sown like seeds.
At the farm, the grower carefully prepares the basic growing medium for mushroom production, which is called a substrate – a key ingredient in mushroom production. Two types of starting material are generally used for mushroom substrate: synthetic compost or manure-based compost. Synthetic compost consists of wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum. Manure-based compost is made from stable bedding from horse stables or poultry litter. This process converts plant and animal products into a mixture of decayed organic matter necessary for growing mushrooms.
Mushrooms grow in pasteurized substrate, usually straw or compost. The pasteurized substrate is about 22 centimeters (8 inches) deep and is usually a straw layer that has been partially composted and pasteurized to purify it, with a peat moss layer on top. Pasteurization is done to kill any harmful bacteria and other microorganisms that may be present in the substrate. It also helps to break down the organic matter in the substrate, making it more accessible for the mushrooms to absorb.
The substrate is prepared by first sterilizing a mixture of grain, water, and chalk. Once the mixture is sterilized, mycelium is added, and the active mycelial growth begins. The mycelium is a network of thin, thread-like cells that are the vegetative part of the mushroom, and it is from this that the mushrooms will grow. The substrate is then typically placed in a growing room with a central aisle and six or seven tiers filled with a casing layer that grows the mushrooms. The growing room provides a warm and humid environment, which is necessary for mushroom growth.
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The growing process involves six steps: two phases of composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping
The growing process for mushrooms involves six steps: two phases of composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping. This process typically takes 14 to 15 weeks to complete. Here is a detailed breakdown of each step:
Phase I Composting
The first phase of composting involves preparing the substrate or starting material. This can include synthetic compost made from wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum. Alternatively, a manure-based compost can be used, made from stable bedding or poultry litter. The selected materials are stacked into piles and periodically sprayed with water. Nitrogen supplements and gypsum are added to provide the necessary nutrients for mushroom growth.
Phase II Composting
In the second phase, the focus shifts to pasteurization and removing ammonia formed during Phase I. Maintaining a temperature range of 125°F to 130°F is crucial for the growth of de-ammonifying organisms. At the end of this phase, the temperature should be lowered to approximately 75°F to 80°F, with nitrogen and moisture content within specific ranges. This phase ensures the compost is ready for the introduction of spawn.
Spawning
Spawning involves sowing mushroom mycelium or spawn into the prepared beds. Spawn is typically made from stored cultures of millet, rye, or wheat. It can be mixed with compost before filling trays or dispersed on trays, which are then covered and sprinkled with water to maintain moisture. The spawn provides the microscopic spores that form within the mushroom caps and serve as the reproductive mechanism.
Casing
Casing is a mixture of peat moss and ground limestone or sugar beet lime, applied to the spawn-run compost. This mixture acts as a water reservoir and facilitates the formation of rhizomorphs, which are thick strings of fused mycelium. The casing provides the necessary environment for the development of mushroom initials or "pins."
Pinning
Pinning is a critical step in the production process, impacting both crop quality and yield. Pins develop once the carbon dioxide content in the room is lowered to 0.08% or less by introducing fresh air. These pins continue to expand and grow through the button stage, ultimately developing into mature mushrooms.
Cropping (Harvesting)
The final step involves harvesting the mushrooms. The first flush or harvest occurs within 3 to 5 days, yielding 15 to 20 kg/m2. Subsequent flushes follow in 5 to 7-day intervals, with slightly lower yields. The cropping cycle, or break, repeats rhythmically as picking mature mushrooms encourages the next flush to mature.
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Mushrooms are harvested by hand and cooled on a spiral belt
Mushrooms are cultivated in a highly controlled environment, and the process is complex. The entire process begins in a laboratory, where spores are inoculated into sterile cereal grains and incubated. These grains become "spawn", which is sown into a substrate—a mixture of decayed organic matter—to grow mushrooms.
Once the mushrooms have reached maturity, they are harvested by hand. There are two methods of harvesting: twisting and pulling, or slicing and leaving stumps. The former method can damage the mycelium network, so it is recommended to use a sharp pair of scissors for larger clumps of mushrooms. After harvesting, the stems are trimmed with a knife and placed into baskets.
After the baskets are full, the mushrooms are conveyed to a spiral belt for cooling. This belt uses technology to cool the mushrooms from 18 degrees Celsius to 1 degree Celsius at their core, which takes about 50 minutes. This rapid cooling is essential to prevent oxidation and the start of decomposition, which occurs when condensation forms brown spots on the mushrooms.
Mushrooms are stored at 1 degree Celsius at all times to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. This process ensures that the mushrooms remain in optimal condition from the farm to the consumer.
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They are grown in a variety of ways, including on logs, in bottles, or in containers filled with sawdust
Mushrooms are cultivated in a variety of ways, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. One method is to grow mushrooms on logs, which is relatively easy and low maintenance. The logs are inoculated with spawn, which can be done using either plug spawn or sawdust spawn. Plug spawn is more suitable for smaller projects or for those who don't want to invest in equipment, as it doesn't require additional tools. On the other hand, sawdust spawn colonizes faster but requires extra tools and is better for larger-scale inoculation of more than eight logs. After inoculation, the logs are stored properly and left to grow. This method allows for the cultivation of several types of mushrooms in the same space, and with the right care, mushrooms can be harvested for years.
Another technique for growing mushrooms is to use containers filled with sawdust, also known as sawdust blocks. This method is particularly effective for growing gourmet mushrooms and offers several benefits. Sawdust blocks provide a perfect medium for mushrooms to grow into large, healthy fruits, and the process has a lower chance of contamination. However, it requires more initial work and equipment compared to other methods, such as straw logs, as the sawdust blocks need to be pressure sterilized. The basic recipe for growing gourmet mushrooms in sawdust blocks typically includes hardwood sawdust pellets, wheat bran, and water. It's important to note that mushrooms grow better on hardwood pellets than on softwood pellets.
In addition to logs and sawdust blocks, mushrooms can also be grown in bottles, as seen in Chinese mass production. This method allows for automation, as the bottles can be loaded onto racks, facilitating the process from mixing and filling to inoculation. Oyster mushrooms, for example, are commonly grown in bottles and sold as ready-to-fruit kits. Consumers can then place these bottles in humid spaces, such as bathrooms, to grow their own fresh mushrooms at home.
Each of these methods offers unique advantages for growing mushrooms. Whether it's the ease and longevity of log cultivation, the ideal growing conditions of sawdust blocks, or the automation possibilities of bottle growing, each technique contributes to the diverse ways mushrooms are cultivated.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms require sterile conditions and a highly controlled environment. They are fungi and require different conditions to grow than plants.
The spores, or natural seeds of the mushroom, are inoculated onto sterile cereal grains in a laboratory setting. These grains become "spawn", which can then be sown like seeds.
The substrate is the basic growing medium for mushroom production. It is usually a straw layer that has been partially composted and pasteurized, with a peat moss layer on top.
Mushrooms are harvested by hand. The harvester grabs hold of the mushroom and twists it upwards, then trims the stem with a knife. Each basket is filled with 5 pounds (2 kg) of mushrooms.
From the start of composting to the final steam-off after harvest, growing mushrooms takes about 14 weeks.
