John Miller
Growing mushrooms on sawdust is a popular method for mushroom enthusiasts and commercial growers. The sawdust method is especially favoured for growing varieties like oysters, shiitake, and lion's mane. The yield of mushrooms from 1 lb of sawdust spawn depends on several factors, including the mushroom strain, tree species used, and environmental conditions. For example, a 5 lb supplemented sawdust fruiting block can yield up to 2.5 lb of King Oyster mushrooms, while a 25 lb straw log can yield up to 8 lb of the same variety. The biological efficiency (BE) of a mushroom strain and substrate combination can be calculated using the formula BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Yield from 1 lb of sawdust spawn | Varies depending on the type of mushroom. For example, 1 lb of sawdust spawn can yield 1.5-2.5 lbs of Shiitake mushrooms, 2-3 lbs of King Oyster mushrooms, and 1-1.5 lbs of Yellow Oyster mushrooms. |
| Spawn to Substrate Ratio | 1 lb of spawn (sawdust or grain) for every 5 to 20 lbs of straw |
| Biological Efficiency (BE) | 100% BE occurs when 1 lb of fresh mushrooms is harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate, over multiple flushes. |
| Optimal pH for Fruiting | 5-6, but mushrooms will fruit up to a pH of 7.5 |
| Time to Fruit | Varies depending on the type of mushroom and environmental conditions. Smaller diameter logs and soft hardwoods typically fruit sooner. Mushrooms usually need cool weather and moisture to fruit, and growth slows in the heat of summer. |
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What You'll Learn
Spawn to substrate ratio: 1 lb of spawn for 5-20 lbs of straw
The number of mushrooms that can be grown from 1 lb of sawdust spawn depends on the type of mushroom and the substrate used. For example, oyster mushrooms can be grown with a spawn-to-straw ratio of 1:5 to 1:20. This means that for every pound of spawn, you would need 5 to 20 pounds of straw. With this ratio, you can expect to yield 6-12 lbs of blue oyster mushrooms from a 25 lb straw log or up to 3 lbs from a 5 lb supplemented sawdust fruiting block.
It's important to note that the yield will also depend on other factors such as the moisture content of the straw, the pH level, and the addition of supplements. For example, nitrogen supplements can increase the yield but also increase the chance of contamination.
When preparing the substrate, it is crucial to take good notes on the ingredients and their quantities, as it can be challenging to remember the specifics later on. Additionally, the weather and external conditions can impact the results, with high humidity and pollen counts favouring certain types of mushrooms.
In terms of substrate preparation, it is recommended to mix gypsum and lime with the straw before or after pasteurization. Adding these components before pasteurization allows for better dissolution but comes at the cost of losing some during the pasteurization process. On the other hand, adding them after pasteurization may result in uneven mixing and undissolved bits that can hinder mushroom growth.
The type of spawn also plays a role in the yield. Sawdust spawn is more cost-effective than grain spawn because it doesn't require sterilization, and the cost of sawdust is generally lower than grain. However, grain spawn is better suited for lab settings where sterilization and controlled conditions are more feasible.
To increase the yield, some growers experiment with different supplements, such as bran (wheat, oat, or rice) in a hardwood sawdust substrate. Others add small amounts of coffee grounds, hair, feathers, crab meal, or corn gluten meal to their straw substrate. These supplements can provide additional nutrients that promote mushroom growth.
By adjusting the spawn-to-substrate ratio, supplementing the substrate, and controlling external conditions, growers can optimize their mushroom yield from 1 lb of sawdust spawn. The specific techniques and ratios used may vary depending on the type of mushroom and the grower's experience level.
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Biological efficiency: 100% BE is 1 lb of mushrooms from 1 lb of substrate
Biological efficiency, often referred to as BE, is a way to calculate the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination when growing mushrooms. It was originally developed by the button mushroom industry to grade certain strains of mushrooms.
By definition, 100% biological efficiency occurs when 1 lb of fresh mushrooms is harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate, over multiple flushes. This can be calculated using the formula: BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%.
For example, if you harvest 2 lbs of King Oyster mushrooms from a 5 lb supplemented sawdust fruiting block, the BE would be 105% (2 lbs/1.9 lbs), as the total dry weight of the substrate is 1.9 lbs (the fruiting block contains 1.4 liters of water, which weighs about 3.1 lbs).
Different mushrooms and strains of the same species will have varying potential biological efficiencies. For instance, Oyster mushrooms that grow well on straw, such as Pearl Oysters and Blue Oysters, typically have a high BE, while more delicate mushrooms like Yellow Oysters and slower-growing varieties like Reishi tend to have lower BE values.
The strain of mushroom chosen for cultivation can significantly impact yield. For example, Blue Oyster mushrooms can yield 6-12 lbs from a 25 lb straw log or up to 3 lbs from a 5 lb supplemented sawdust fruiting block, resulting in a BE range of 100-200%. In contrast, Yellow Oyster mushrooms yield 4-8 lbs from a 25 lb fruiting block or up to 1.5 lbs from a supplemented sawdust fruiting block, with a BE range of 50-90%.
It's important to note that the calculation for BE uses the weight of dry substrate, which can be misleading since a significant portion of the weight of a fruiting block or straw log is water. This often results in achieving a biological efficiency greater than 100%. Additionally, the correct ratio of spawn to straw is crucial, with the recommended ratio being 1 pound of spawn (sawdust or grain) for every 5 to 20 pounds of straw.
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Yield varies with mushroom strain, tree species, and environmental conditions
The yield of mushrooms from 1 lb of sawdust spawn varies with the mushroom strain, tree species, and environmental conditions.
Mushroom Strain
The simple act of selecting the right mushroom strain can significantly impact yield. For example, in cordyceps strain trials, yields varied from 3.5 grams per jar to 11.8 grams per jar. Similarly, shiitake trials on two different substrates (logs and supplemented sawdust blocks) showed large variations in yield depending on the strain selected. On sawdust, yields ranged from 0.3 to 1.4 pounds per block, with strain 3782 performing the best. This illustrates how some strains are developed to consume certain substrates more effectively, resulting in higher yields.
Tree Species
When growing mushrooms outdoors on logs, selecting the preferred tree species for a particular mushroom strain can help increase consistency and yields. Different types of wood may be more suitable for specific mushroom strains, influencing the overall yield.
Environmental Conditions
Several environmental factors can affect mushroom yield, including temperature, pH, light, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. Temperature is critical, as it influences the growth, development, and yield of mushrooms. For example, Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus florida) cultivated at low temperatures (10-15 °C) appear light brown, but when the temperature rises to 20-25 °C, they become yellow/pale white. Maintaining the optimal temperature range for each mushroom variety is essential for maximizing yield.
In addition to temperature, light plays a crucial role in mushroom yield. Although mushrooms do not require light for photosynthesis, light availability is crucial during the fruit body initiation stage. Excessive light can cause the substrate to dry out, leading to poor mushroom development, while inadequate lighting can result in thin stems and small caps. Therefore, controlling lighting conditions is essential for optimizing mushroom yield.
Other environmental factors, such as humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and pH, also influence mushroom growth and yield. By carefully controlling these factors at each stage of the cultivation process, growers can prevent infectious diseases and promote healthy crop growth, ultimately maximizing their yields.
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Sterilise equipment and address contamination immediately
When growing mushrooms, it is important to sterilise your equipment and address any contamination immediately. This is because mushrooms are susceptible to mould and bacteria, which can hinder their growth and impact your yield.
To begin the sterilisation process, ensure that all equipment is clean. This includes your hands, as any bacteria on them can be transferred to the growing medium. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, and consider wearing sterile gloves for added protection. All tools and containers should also be cleaned with hot water and soap, and dried completely before use.
The growing medium, such as sawdust or straw, should be pasteurised to kill any unwanted microorganisms. This can be done by soaking the medium in water and then heating it to a temperature of 70-80°C for around 30 minutes. Be sure to drain the water thoroughly after pasteurisation to prevent excess moisture from building up, which can encourage mould growth.
It is also important to maintain a slightly acidic pH level in the growing medium, as mushrooms thrive in these conditions while bacteria do not. Aim to keep the pH below 7 but above 5. If you encounter a mould problem, you can raise the pH, as mould prefers more acidic conditions.
By following these steps and being vigilant about sterilisation, you can minimise the risk of contamination and maximise the potential yield of your mushrooms. Remember, it is important to address any signs of contamination immediately to give your mushrooms the best chance of healthy growth.
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Optimal pH for fruiting is 5-6
While there is no exact information on how many mushrooms can be yielded from 1 lb of sawdust spawn, it is clear that the amount of yield depends on several factors, including the type of mushroom, the substrate, and the growing conditions. For example, growing King Oyster mushrooms on a supplemented sawdust fruiting block can yield up to 2.5 lbs of mushrooms from a 5 lb block.
Now, onto the optimal pH for fruiting mushrooms:
Maintaining the correct pH level is crucial for successful mushroom cultivation. pH is a scale that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Mushrooms typically prefer a slightly acidic environment, with an optimal pH range for fruiting of 5-6. At this pH level, the mycelium can efficiently absorb nutrients and grow without competition from harmful microorganisms.
For example, oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus species) thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral pH environment, with an optimal range of 6.0 to 6.5. Shiitake mushrooms, on the other hand, prefer a more acidic environment, with a pH of around 5.5 to 6.0. Maintaining the correct pH not only supports high yields but also enhances the quality of the mushrooms.
If the pH level is too low, the risk of contamination increases, and if it's too high, oyster mushroom mycelium may struggle to grow due to limited nutrient availability. To optimize nutrient availability and microbial activity, growers often use pH buffers like lime (calcium carbonate) or gypsum (calcium sulfate), which help maintain the desired pH range.
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Frequently asked questions
The yield depends on the type of mushrooms being grown, the size of the logs, and environmental conditions. For example, 1 lb of supplemented sawdust spawn can yield 2.5 lbs of King Oyster mushrooms, 2 lbs of Pink Oyster mushrooms, or 1.5 lbs of Lion's Mane mushrooms.
The yield of mushrooms from sawdust spawn can be influenced by various factors, including the mushroom species, the size and type of log, environmental conditions, and the spawn-to-substrate ratio.
Increasing the spawn-to-substrate ratio can speed up colonization, leading to faster mycelial growth and earlier fruiting. A common ratio recommended by growers is 1 lb of spawn (sawdust or grain) for every 5 to 20 lbs of straw.
Environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and lighting can significantly impact mushroom growth and yield. Mushrooms generally prefer cool, humid conditions for fruiting, and optimal pH levels for fruiting range from 5 to 7.5.
Yes, here are some tips to maximize yield:
- Sequential harvesting: Pick mushrooms individually as they mature to extend the fruiting period.
- Proper sterilization: Ensure the sawdust substrate and equipment are sterilized to prevent contamination.
- Air circulation: Maintain adequate ventilation to supply fresh air and remove excess carbon dioxide.
