Emily Johnson
While growing mushrooms, it is essential to understand the role of light and how it affects their growth. Mushrooms do not require light to grow, but it gives them an indication of which direction to grow in. The intensity of light is more important than the number of lumens. A higher colour temperature bulb will require less intense light, but both frequency and intensity play a part. Lights measuring under 7000 Kelvin can be left on for extended periods, while lights above this range may harm mushrooms if left on for more than 3-4 hours per day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lumens | Not a big factor, but higher lumens can light a bigger area |
| Colour temperature | 5000k or higher is important, not brightness |
| Light source | LED, CFL, Christmas lights, indirect sunlight, room lighting, incandescent light bulbs (to be avoided) |
| Light intensity | Lights under 7000 Kelvin can be left on for extended periods of time |
| Light duration | 3-4 hours per day to avoid excessive heating |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms don't need light to grow, but it helps them know which way to grow
Mushrooms don't require light to grow, but it helps them know which way to grow. Some mushroom species require no light at all, while others, like the psychedelic cubensis, need ample light to develop healthy, mature fruiting bodies.
Light plays a role in establishing a circadian rhythm, which is essential to the growth cycle of mushrooms. While the amount of light is important, the colour temperature of the light is even more critical. A colour temperature of 7500k or at least 5000k is recommended. This range of colour temperature represents a spectrum of light that overlaps with visible light, providing the right conditions for mushrooms to grow.
Incandescent light bulbs, which emit a "red" light in the low range of 3000-3500 Kelvin, are generally not recommended for mushroom growth. Instead, growers often use fluorescent lights or LED panels with higher colour temperatures to achieve the desired lighting conditions.
It is worth noting that excessive light intensity and duration can be detrimental. Exposing mushrooms to more than 12 hours of artificial light per day, especially with lights measuring over 7000 Kelvin, can be harmful. Growers should be cautious of overheating, as it can dry out the substrate and negatively impact mushroom growth.
In summary, while mushrooms don't require light to grow, light helps them orient their growth direction. The colour temperature and intensity of light are more critical factors than the number of lumens, and growers should be mindful of providing the right lighting conditions without causing overheating or excessive light exposure.
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Aim for a Kelvin (K) value of 5000 or higher
Aiming for a Kelvin (K) value of 5000 or higher is a good idea when cultivating mushrooms. While mushrooms do not need light to grow, light gives them an idea of which direction to grow in.
A Kelvin value of 5000 is more similar to morning or evening sunlight, while 6500 mimics midday sunlight. Both are similar to natural sunlight and are within an acceptable range for cultivating mushrooms. In fact, a colour temperature of 6000K to 7500K seems to generate the best pinsets across a wide range of species.
The K value is important because it represents the "colour temp" of the bulb, expressed in degrees Kelvin. The higher the K value, the bluer the light. Blue light is better for vegetative growth, while red light is better for flowering plants. Therefore, a K value of 5000 or higher is preferable to a lower value, which would emit a redder light.
While the K value is important, the intensity of the light also matters. Bright, high-frequency light will stimulate more pins, which will grow to maturity. However, it is important to ensure that heat does not become a problem, as it will dry out the substrate.
Some people recommend using a 100W soft white bulb, which is 1600 lumens, or a Utilitech 13W CFL bulb with 830 lumens and a colour temperature of 5000K. However, others argue that the lumen of the bulb is not important, as long as you get 7500K or at least 5000K bulbs.
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Avoid incandescent light bulbs, which emit a red light in the 3000-3500K range
The number of lumens required to grow mushrooms is a topic of debate among cultivators. Some sources claim that lumens are not a significant factor when growing mushrooms, while others suggest that higher lumen lights can be beneficial for stimulating growth and lighting larger areas. It is important to note that mushrooms do not rely on light for energy like plants, but rather use it as an indicator for growth direction. Therefore, any light source can be used, including Christmas lights, LEDs, and CFLs.
When it comes to the colour temperature of light bulbs, it is generally recommended to avoid incandescent light bulbs, which emit a red light in the 3000-3500 Kelvin range. This range is considered too low for optimal mushroom growth, creating an environment similar to perpetual dawn or dusk. Instead, bulbs with a colour temperature of 5000 Kelvin or higher are often recommended, with some sources suggesting 6500 Kelvin or higher for the best results.
One popular option for mushroom cultivation is the Utilitech 13W CFL Bulb, which has 830 lumens and a colour temperature of 5000 Kelvin. This setup can provide effective results without excessive power consumption or bright light during sleep hours. However, it is worth noting that some growers have reported success with lower colour temperatures by using higher-intensity lights.
While the number of lumens may not be the most critical factor, the intensity and frequency of the light can impact mushroom growth. Higher-intensity lights with a lower colour temperature can produce impressive results, but it is important to monitor heat levels to prevent drying out the substrate and surrounding air. Excessive heat can lead to burn damage and hinder the growth of mushrooms. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a safe distance between the lights and the terrarium or mycelium.
In summary, when choosing light bulbs for mushroom cultivation, it is best to avoid incandescent bulbs with low Kelvin ranges. Instead, opt for bulbs with higher colour temperatures, ideally 5000 Kelvin or higher, to create the optimal environment for mushroom growth. While lumens may not be the primary concern, ensuring sufficient light intensity and managing heat levels are crucial factors for successful mushroom cultivation.
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Too much light can be harmful to mushrooms
While mushrooms do need light, it is not for energy, but rather to indicate the direction in which to grow. Some mushroom species require no light at all to grow, while others, such as the psychedelic cubensis, require plenty of light to grow healthy, mature fruiting bodies.
Mushrooms require a certain amount of daylight to fruit, and exposing them to 12 or more hours of artificial light per day may be harmful. Lights measuring under 7,000 Kelvin should be fine to leave on for extended periods, but if the light is intense or may burn the substrate, it is recommended to limit light exposure to 3-4 hours per day. It is always important to avoid excessive heat, as this will dry out the substrate and prevent fruiting bodies from sprouting.
The intensity of light is important for plants, but when it comes to mushrooms, the color temperature is more important than brightness. A higher color temperature will require less intense light. For example, a 3000 lumen bulb with a color temperature of 3000k will not suit the mushroom's trigger as anything more than ambient lighting. However, a 13W CFL bulb with 830 lumens and a color temperature of 5000k will have the same effects as a 2000 lumen and 5000k bulb, albeit with slightly more power consumption.
While there is no specific threshold for lumens, it is important to note that too much light can be a waste of electricity. Bright, high-frequency light will stimulate more pins which will grow to maturity than less light. However, the higher the intensity of the light, the greater the risk of heat damage.
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A higher colour temperature requires less intense light
While lumens are important for plants, they are not as important for mushrooms. Mushrooms do not need light to grow, but they do use it as an indicator of which direction to grow in. Therefore, the colour temperature of the light is more important than the brightness. A higher colour temperature will require less intense light.
Colour temperature is a parameter that describes the colour of a light source by comparing it to the ideal opaque, non-reflective body. The colour temperature scale describes only the colour of the light emitted, which may be at a different (and often much lower) temperature. For example, a light bulb with a colour temperature of 3000K will have a warm white colour with a brownish tint, whereas a 5000K light bulb will emit a pure white light. A higher colour temperature of 6500K will emit a bright white light.
In general, residential lighting uses warmer lights with temperatures of 3000K-4000K, while retail lighting uses cooler lights with temperatures of 4000K-5700K. In the case of growing mushrooms, a light with a colour temperature of 5000K or higher is recommended.
One source recommends using a 100W soft white bulb, which emits 1600 lumens, for growing mushrooms. However, another source mentions that they use a 13W CFL bulb with 830 lumens and a colour temperature of 5000K. They mention that a 2000 lumen bulb with the same colour temperature would also work, but it would consume more power and be annoying due to the bright light.
It is important to note that while a higher colour temperature requires less intense light, both frequency and intensity play a part in growing mushrooms. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor the heat produced by the lights to ensure that it does not dry out the substrate and surrounding air.
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Frequently asked questions
There isn't a specific threshold for lumens. However, it is important to ensure that the light intensity does not cause excessive heating, as this will dry out the substrate and harm the mushrooms.
While the lumen of the bulb is not important, it is recommended to use bulbs with a colour temperature of 5000k or higher.
Some mushroom species require no light at all, while others, such as the psychedelic cubensis, require plenty of illumination. However, it is important to note that light is necessary for establishing a circadian rhythm essential to their growth cycle.
