Mushroom Spawn: Making And Growing From Scratch

Mushroom spawn is the foundation of any successful mushroom-growing setup. It is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is similar to how seeds are used by gardeners and farmers. To make spawn, specialty mushroom strains are incubated in a laboratory and then grown into a variety of forms, including sawdust, grain, and plugs (hardwood dowels). Each of these, once colonized by mycelium, is referred to as spawn. Different types of spawn are made for use in different substrates. For example, grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows, while plug spawn is used for small projects and outdoor cultivation.

Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom growing

Mushroom spawn is the foundation of any successful mushroom-growing setup. It is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is similar to how seeds are used by gardeners and farmers. Spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production.

Grain spawn is a type of mushroom spawn that is used for commercial indoor mushroom growing. It is made by growing mushroom cultures on sterilized grains, such as millet and wheat berries. Grain spawn is not suitable for outdoor use, as it can attract critters, but it is ideal for indoor cultivators or inoculating straw beds. The grain provides a nutrient boost to unsupplemented substrates, aiding in mushroom production.

To create grain spawn, one must start by sterilizing the chosen grain. This can be done by pressure cooking the grain or using other sterilization techniques. Once the grain is sterile, it is ready for inoculation with the desired mushroom culture. The culture can be purchased or isolated from wild mushrooms. It is then mixed with the grain in a sterile environment to create the grain spawn.

After the grain spawn has been prepared, it can be used for indoor mushroom cultivation. This involves spreading the spawn onto a substrate, such as straw, and providing the ideal conditions for mushroom growth. Climate-controlled rooms, for example, can be used to regulate heat and moisture to optimize mushroom production.

Grain spawn is a popular choice for commercial indoor mushroom growing due to its efficiency and ability to produce mushrooms in large amounts in a matter of months. It is important to note that maintaining sterile conditions is crucial to prevent contamination from mould, bacteria, and other contaminants.

Plug spawn is wooden doweling, colonized with a specific fungus

Plug spawn is a type of mushroom spawn. Spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the genetic material used to grow mushrooms. Plug spawn specifically refers to wooden doweling, colonized with a specific fungus.

To make plug spawn, wooden dowels are soaked in water and then colonized with a specific type of mushroom mycelium. The dowels are then hammered into holes that have been drilled into a log. The inoculation site is then sealed with wax to prevent the plug from drying out. Plug spawn is ideal for small projects because it is easy to use, requires no special tools, and is available in small quantities.

The process of making plug spawn begins with selecting the appropriate wood for the dowels. It is important to use clean, hardwood that has not been contaminated with any other fungus. This can be achieved by using freshly cut live wood that has been dried and stored dry to prevent the growth of wild fungi. Once the appropriate wood is selected, the dowels are cut to the correct size, typically 5/16" (8.5mm) x 1" pieces.

The next step is to soak the dowels in water, which helps the mushroom spawn take hold. After soaking, the dowels are colonized with the desired type of mushroom mycelium. This can be done by incubating specialty mushroom strains in a laboratory and then transferring them to the dowels. Once the dowels are colonized, they are ready to be used for mushroom cultivation.

Using plug spawn is a simple and effective method for outdoor mushroom cultivation. It requires only a hand drill and a hammer, making it accessible to anyone interested in growing their own mushrooms. The process is similar to how people grow apples from grafted wood, ensuring a consistent product.

Spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate

To make spawn, specialty mushroom strains are incubated in a laboratory and then grown into various forms, including sawdust, grain, and plugs (hardwood dowels). Each of these, once colonized by mycelium, is called spawn. Different types of spawn are made for different substrates. For example, sawdust spawn is used for fungi whose natural substrate is wood logs, while grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows and is inoculated into loose substrates like straw.

Spawn can be purchased in the form of wooden plugs that are hammered into logs. This method takes over a year for the mycelium to spread through the log and produce mushrooms. Alternatively, spawn can be added to a bucket of coffee grounds, with the mycelium spreading and mushrooms eventually bursting out of the taped holes in the bucket. This method takes about five weeks to produce a modest amount of mushrooms.

The goal of spawn is to spread bits of mycelium into its final habitat, where it can grow, colonize, digest food, and ultimately fruit. The mycelium must spread thoroughly and then "panic" to produce mushrooms.

Sawdust spawn consists of mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust

Sawdust spawn is a common method for cultivating mushrooms. It involves inoculating hardwood sawdust with live mycelium, which then grows and colonizes the sawdust. This process typically takes between two and six weeks, depending on the mushroom species and environmental conditions. Once the sawdust is fully colonized, it can be used to inoculate other substrates or fruiting blocks to grow mushrooms.

Hardwood sawdust is often used because it is readily available and relatively cheap. It is important to ensure that the sawdust is from untreated wood to avoid any harmful chemicals. Oak, beech, or maple are ideal choices for the type of hardwood. The sawdust can also be supplemented with nitrogen-rich materials, such as soybean hulls or wheat bran, to provide additional nutrition and increase yields.

To begin the process of making sawdust spawn, the sawdust is mixed with the chosen supplements and water to achieve a moisture content of about 60-65%. It is important to sterilize the sawdust mixture to ensure a contaminant-free environment for the mushrooms. This can be done using a pressure cooker or autoclave. The sterilized mixture is then packed into bags or containers with filter patches, which allow for gas exchange while preventing contaminants from entering.

The next step is inoculation, where the mushroom spawn is introduced to the cooled substrate in a sterile environment. It is important to ensure even distribution for uniform colonization. The inoculated substrate is then stored in a dark, clean space with a stable temperature suitable for the mushroom species. This is where the mycelium will grow and colonize the sawdust, creating a fertile environment for mushrooms to thrive.

Spawn is used by mushroom growers like seeds are used by gardeners

Spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation. It is to mushrooms what seeds are to plants. Spawn is used by mushroom growers like seeds are used by gardeners.

Mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular cultivar of mushroom. This is similar to how people grow apples from grafted wood instead of planting apple seeds. Grafting ensures that a particular set of genetics produces a consistent variety of apples. Seeds, on the other hand, are a genetic grab bag dependent on two sets of genetic material. Spawn, however, is a single genetic culture that can be propagated indefinitely from the same 'master'.

To make spawn, specialty mushroom strains are incubated in a laboratory and then grown into a variety of forms, including sawdust, grain, and plugs (hardwood dowels). Each of these, once colonized by mycelium, is referred to as spawn. Different spawns are made for use in different substrates. For example, sawdust spawn is used for fungi whose natural substrate is wood logs, while grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows.

Plug spawn is wooden doweling, colonized with the mycelium of a specific fungus. These hardwood dowels can be hammered into the drilled holes of a log. Plugs are great for small projects as they're easy to use, require no special tools, and are available in small quantities. Once the log is inoculated, the site is sealed with wax to prevent the plug from drying out.

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