Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are fungi that require different conditions than plants for optimal growth. They grow from fungal spores that thrive in damp, dark conditions and require a medium that is high in decaying plant matter. The process of mushroom production is highly controlled and technical, and it involves creating a compost food source called 'substrate' by mixing straw, water, and poultry litter. This substrate is then placed in stacked wooden trays or beds, and spawn is mixed in. From this point, it takes about three weeks to produce the first mushrooms for harvest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Growing medium | Logs, synthetic compost, or manure-based compost |
| Growing conditions | Damp, dark, highly controlled environment with regulated temperature and humidity |
| Commercial farming | Spores are collected and mycelium is propagated on sterile cereal grain to produce 'spawn' |
| Harvesting | Mushrooms are harvested by hand and can produce 4-5 flushes from one growing cycle |
| Post-harvest | Growing rooms are steamed to eliminate pests, and mushrooms are refrigerated to preserve freshness |
What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are fungi that require specific conditions
To produce mushrooms, farmers must first prepare the growing medium, called a substrate. This process converts plant and animal products into a mixture of decayed organic matter. 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.
Once the substrate is prepared, it is pasteurized and placed in stacked wooden trays or beds. The spawn, or mycelium, is then mixed in, and a top layer is applied. 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. Mushrooms mature at different times, so they are picked by hand continuously for two to three weeks.
Mushrooms can be grown outdoors on logs, as has been done for hundreds of years. However, this method is unpredictable and seasonal, and less than 5% of commercially sold mushrooms are produced this way. To grow mushrooms on logs, tree logs are inoculated with spawn and then allowed to grow in wild conditions. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms have traditionally been produced using this outdoor log technique.
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The growth medium, or substrate, is key to mushroom production
Mushrooms are fungi that require different conditions than plants for optimal growth. Unlike plants, mushrooms do not rely on sunlight for energy and growth. Instead, they derive all their energy and growth materials from their growth medium, known as the substrate. This substrate is a key ingredient in mushroom production and is composed of decayed organic matter.
The substrate, or growth medium, is carefully prepared by growers and is essential for mushroom production. It serves as the mushroom's food source, providing the nutrients necessary for growth. Two types of starting materials are typically used for creating the substrate: synthetic compost and manure-based compost. Synthetic compost consists of wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum. On the other hand, manure-based compost is made from stable bedding from horse stables or poultry litter.
The process of creating the substrate involves converting plant and animal products into a mixture of decayed organic matter. This decomposition process is carefully managed to ensure the right blend of ingredients for a quality product. While complete sterilization is not always necessary, pasteurization is often included to allow some beneficial microorganisms to remain in the substrate.
After preparation, the substrate is placed in stacked wooden trays or beds in a highly controlled environment. The spawn, which is the mycelium propagated on sterile cereal grain, is then mixed into the substrate. A top layer, usually peat moss, is applied, and the mushrooms begin to form. The temperature and humidity are carefully monitored and controlled throughout the growing period.
The substrate is not only crucial for providing nutrients but also plays a role in the life cycle of the mushrooms. After harvesting, the growing rooms are steamed to eliminate pests, and the substrate is removed to be sold as enriched potting soil. Thus, the substrate continues to be useful even after the mushrooms have been harvested.
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Commercial farming uses spawn to grow mushrooms
Commercial mushroom farming involves cultivating fungi under specific conditions to yield foods, medicines, construction materials, and other products. Unlike plants, mushrooms do not rely on sunlight for growth and instead derive their energy and growth materials from their growth medium through biochemical decomposition processes.
The compost, or substrate, is a mixture of straw, water, and poultry litter that is frequently turned to increase the decomposition process. This substrate is the key ingredient in mushroom production, providing the necessary mixture of decayed organic matter for mushrooms to grow. In the growing house, the pasteurized substrate is placed in stacked wooden trays or beds, with spawn mixed in and a top layer of peat moss applied. From this point, it takes about three weeks for the first mushrooms to be ready for harvest.
Mushrooms grow in flushes, with four to five flushes possible from one growing cycle. The growing rooms are then steamed at 65ºC to eliminate pests before the substrate is removed and sold as potting soil. The harvested mushrooms are immediately refrigerated and shipped to restaurants or food stores within 24 hours of being picked.
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Mushrooms are grown indoors in highly controlled environments
Mushrooms are fungi that require different conditions than plants for optimal growth. They thrive in damp, dark conditions with a medium that is high in decaying plant matter. This means that mushrooms cannot be farmed in the same manner as other vegetables, and farmers need to invest in proper equipment and facilities.
The most common commercial technique for growing mushrooms indoors is the tray technique, where pasteurized substrate is placed in stacked, wooden trays or beds. The spawn is mixed in, and a top layer, usually peat moss, is applied. From this point, it takes about three weeks to produce the first mushrooms for harvest. The tray technique provides the advantages of scalability and easier harvesting. The substrate, or compost, is a mixture of straw, water, and poultry litter, which is frequently mixed to increase the decomposition process.
Another technique for growing mushrooms indoors is containerized growing. Mushrooms can also be grown in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips, which retain moisture and help replicate natural conditions. However, this method leaves behind a lot of plastic waste and requires a lot of energy for sterilization and climate maintenance.
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Outdoor log techniques are also used to grow mushrooms
Fresh hardwood logs are ideal for growing mushrooms. Suitable species include oak, maple, beech, and alder. Logs should be 3-6 inches in diameter and 3–4 feet long. These dimensions are manageable for moving by hand and provide ample material for repeated yearly harvests. Logs should be cut from healthy, live trees no more than six weeks before inoculation. It is recommended to cut logs between December and March, and if they are going to be stored before inoculation, they should be placed in a well-shaded area out of any wind.
There are several techniques for log stacking, and the best method can depend on your harvest preference and the natural growth patterns of the mushrooms. For incubating logs, stack logs on top of a pallet in a single layer, then stack a second layer perpendicular to the first. Repeat until the stack is a few feet high. When you're ready to fruit your logs, consider using a log-cabin style pattern (square with an open center), lean-to, or A-frame stack to improve airflow and promote fruiting of soaked logs.
Moisture is critical to growing mushrooms. The moisture content of logs should be maintained at around 45%. If rainfall does not occur every 2 weeks, be sure to water your logs by placing a sprinkler on them for 4-8 hours or by soaking them for 2-5 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to create spawn, which is cultivated mycelium from a known species, in a sterile lab. The spawn is then mixed with a substrate, which is a mixture of decayed organic matter that provides the mushrooms with nutrients. The substrate is placed in a growing house, where temperature and humidity are carefully controlled. Mushrooms are harvested by hand.
Spawn is the term for the cultivated mycelium of a mushroom, which acts as its seeds. To produce spawn, lab personnel inoculate sterile cereal grains with mushroom spores and incubate them. The grains are then sown like seeds.
The substrate is usually made from wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum, or from manure-based compost. Coffee grounds are also an option, as they are effectively sterilised when used to make coffee.
