Laura Smith
Mushrooms are part of the kingdom fungi, which is incredibly biodiverse, containing up to 12 million species. They are neither plants nor animals, but they share some characteristics with both. Unlike plants, they do not photosynthesize and cannot produce their own food. Instead, they secrete digestive enzymes into their environment and absorb nutrients from other organic material. Mushrooms can be grown at home using mushroom spawn, or seedings, purchased from a supplier. The spawn is mixed with a growing substrate such as compost, straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds, and kept at a temperature of 70 degrees. After 2-4 weeks, the spawn will take root in the substrate and develop into a white fuzz called mycelium. The temperature is then dropped, and the mixture is covered with potting soil and sprayed with water. Small mushrooms will start to grow in about three weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Growing medium | Substrate or growing mix |
| Substrate composition | Synthetic compost (wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum) or manure-based compost (stable bedding, horse stables, or poultry litter) |
| Fungi characteristics | Eukaryotic organisms, do not photosynthesize, heterotrophs, secrete digestive enzymes, contain chitin |
| Reproduction | From spores or tissue culture |
| Mushroom growth duration | 3 weeks to 2 years |
| Climate preference | Cool, humid conditions |
| Edibility | Poisonous look-alikes exist |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms grow from spores or tissue culture
Mushrooms can be grown from spores or tissue culture. The process for growing mushrooms from spores is a little involved and requires some equipment. The first step is to obtain spores, which can be done by purchasing them from a reputable company or by extracting them from a cultivated mushroom. With the spores in hand, they need to be mixed with water and sprayed onto a substrate—a basic growing medium that provides mushrooms with the right mix of nutrients, including sugar, starch, lignin, fats, protein, and nitrogen. Examples of substrates include synthetic compost made from wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum, or manure-based compost made from horse manure. The substrate should be kept moist, and the mushrooms should be grown in a warm, humid, and dark environment.
Growing mushrooms from tissue culture is another method of mushroom cultivation. Tissue culture involves taking a small piece of tissue from a mushroom and placing it on a growth medium, such as an agar-based or gelatin-based medium, to create a pure culture of the mushroom mycelium. The mycelium can then be periodically transferred to a fresh medium to keep the culture growing indefinitely. This method requires careful techniques to avoid contamination, but it can be a fascinating way to start new mushroom-producing fungi.
To grow mushrooms from spores, it is important to have the right substrate and environmental conditions. The substrate should be moist and provide the necessary nutrients for mushroom growth. The environment should be warm, humid, and dark, mimicking the natural conditions in which mushrooms thrive. Growing mushrooms from spores can be challenging due to the high likelihood of contamination, so it is often recommended to start with tissue culture, which offers better control over the growing process.
Tissue culture is a technique used to obtain pure cultures of mushrooms by growing them from a small piece of tissue. This method allows for the multiplication and growth of mushrooms directly from their tissues. While plants and animals can also be grown from tissue culture, mushroom-producing fungi are the easiest to work with. The growth media for mushrooms are easy to make, and no hormones are required. However, obtaining and maintaining uncontaminated starting material is essential for successful mushroom tissue culture.
The process of growing mushrooms from tissue culture involves exposing the inside tissue of a mushroom fruiting body and transferring tiny pieces of this tissue onto a growth medium. This can be done using sterile fine-tip tweezers, and the growth medium can be agar-based or gelatin-based. By repeating the process of transferring healthy mycelium to new plates, it is possible to obtain a pure culture that can be maintained and used for spawn production. This method of mushroom cloning ensures the availability of a specific strain of mushroom for cultivation.
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Fungi are heterotrophs, absorbing nutrients from other organic material
Fungi, including mushrooms, are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain nutrients from other organic material, often other organisms. Unlike plants, fungi do not photosynthesise and cannot produce their own food. Instead, they secrete digestive enzymes into their environment and then absorb the nutrients released. These enzymes break down large organic molecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids into smaller molecules that can be absorbed. Fungi have evolved to use a large variety of organic substrates for growth, including simple compounds such as nitrate, ammonia, acetate, or ethanol.
The process of growing mushrooms involves preparing a growing medium called a substrate, which is a mixture of decayed organic matter. This process converts plant and animal products into a mixture necessary for growing mushrooms. The two types of starting material 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.
Mushrooms are members of the phylum Basidiomycota, and all mushrooms in this group, including jelly fungi, puffballs, and porcini, produce their spores outside of club-like cells called basidia. Every mushroom releases thousands of spores, each carrying unique genetics. Growing mushrooms from spores is unpredictable, and none will be identical to its parent.
Fungi have a unique cellular structure, with membrane-bound nuclei containing DNA and chromosomes. They reproduce both sexually and asexually and produce spores, similar to basal plant groups such as ferns and mosses. Fungi can also reproduce through budding, a type of self-cloning.
Fungi play an essential role in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling and exchange in the environment. They can be parasites, living in or on other organisms and obtaining nutrients from their host. Mutualistic fungi, on the other hand, live harmlessly with other organisms, benefiting both symbionts.
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The growing substrate can be compost, straw, sawdust or coffee grounds
The growing substrate is the material that mushrooms grow on and thrive in. There are several options for substrates, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here is an overview of using compost, straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds as mushroom growing substrates:
Compost
Mushroom compost is a blend of natural products, and it can be purchased pre-made or homemade with ingredients like wheat straw bedding containing horse manure, hay, corn cobs, cottonseed hulls, poultry manure, brewer's grain, and gypsum. A "casing" layer, typically a mixture of peat moss and ground limestone, is applied on top of the substrate to provide support for the growing mushrooms.
Straw
Straw, particularly wheat straw, is a commonly used substrate for mushroom cultivation, especially for oyster mushrooms. The straw is typically cut into 3-4 inch lengths and pasteurized by heating before being inoculated with spawn. This process ensures the straw is free from unwanted organisms and ready for mushroom growth.
Sawdust
The sawdust method of mushroom cultivation is popular among enthusiasts and commercial growers. It involves using hardwood sawdust from oak, beech, or maple, which mimics the natural environment where mushrooms flourish—on forest floors, decomposing fallen trees and branches. The sawdust is inoculated with mushroom spawn, and supplements like wheat or rice bran can be added to enhance nutrition and mushroom growth.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are a unique and accessible substrate option. The brewing process pasteurizes the coffee grounds, eliminating the need for sterilization before adding mushroom spawn. It is important to use fresh coffee grounds, preferably within 24 hours of brewing, to avoid mould growth. Coffee grounds have a fine particle size, so adding straw or sawdust pellets can improve air exchange in the substrate and enhance mushroom growth.
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Mushrooms like cool, humid conditions
Mushrooms are part of the kingdom fungi, which is incredibly biodiverse, containing up to 12 million species. They are not plants or animals, but they share some similarities with both. Like animals, fungi obtain nutrients from other organic material, but unlike animals, they do not ingest or digest their food. Instead, they secrete digestive enzymes into their environment and then absorb the nutrients released.
There are several methods for growing mushrooms outdoors. One technique is to mix mushroom spawn (seedlings) with compost and let nature take its course. Another popular method is the log technique, in which mushrooms are grown on hardwood logs. Oysters and shiitakes grow particularly well using this method. Mushrooms can also be grown in raised garden beds or in damp straw in shady areas of the garden.
When growing mushrooms at home, it is essential to keep the environment cool and moist. The growing substrate, such as compost, straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds, should be mixed with the spawn and kept at a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After the spawn has taken root and white fuzz (mycelium) appears, the temperature should be dropped to 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. The mixture should then be covered with potting soil and sprayed with water to maintain moisture. With proper care, small mushrooms should begin to grow within three weeks.
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The first record of year-round commercial mushroom production was in 1780
The cultivation of mushrooms is a relatively recent development in the agricultural evolution of humans. While mushrooms were first cultivated in Asia in the 12th century, the first record of year-round commercial mushroom production was in 1780. A French gardener began to cultivate mushrooms in the underground quarries near Paris, marking the beginning of large-scale mushroom farming in Europe. This early method of year-round production set the stage for the development of the mushroom farming industry, which has since evolved with various innovations and technologies.
The process of mushroom cultivation involves creating a highly controlled environment, often indoors, to provide optimal conditions for mushroom growth. Unlike plants, mushrooms derive all their energy and growth materials from their growth medium, through biochemical decomposition processes. This unique characteristic allows mushrooms to thrive in environments without sunlight, making them popular among urban farmers.
There are several methods for growing mushrooms commercially. One common technique is to use logs placed outdoors in stacks, a traditional method that has been employed for hundreds of years. This approach involves inoculating tree logs with spawn and allowing them to grow under wild conditions. While this method can be unpredictable and seasonal, it is still used for certain varieties like shiitake and oyster mushrooms.
To achieve year-round production, more controlled techniques have been developed. One such technique involves growing mushrooms indoors in trays or on artificial logs made of compressed substrate. These methods provide greater control over temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors, enabling consistent mushroom growth throughout the year.
The development of synthetic compost and climate-controlled growing environments revolutionized the mushroom farming industry. These advancements allowed for year-round cultivation, significantly increasing production and lowering costs. As a result, mushrooms became widely available in supermarkets and restaurants, becoming a staple food in many parts of the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms grow in cool, humid conditions, but they can also be grown in more arid climates with more frequent watering.
Mushrooms grow from spores or tissue culture.
The growing medium for mushrooms is called a substrate, which can be synthetic compost or manure-based compost.
Growing mushrooms outdoors can take anywhere from six months to two years. However, with the right conditions and care, small mushrooms can start to grow in as little as three weeks.
Mushrooms are tasty, nutritious, and may even have medicinal benefits. Growing your own mushrooms can also be a fun and cost-effective alternative to buying them at the grocery store.
