Laura Smith
Mushroom spawn is a substrate that already has mycelium growing on it. It is the genetic material used to grow mushrooms, similar to how seeds are used by gardeners and farmers. The number of spawns in a mushroom varies depending on the type of mushroom and the growing conditions. Different types of mushroom spawn include grain spawn, sawdust spawn, and plug spawn, each with its own advantages and applications. For example, grain spawn provides a nutrient boost and is often used to inoculate loose substrates, while sawdust spawn is cheaper and more resistant to pests when grown outdoors. Plug spawn is easy to use and suitable for small projects. The ideal storage temperature for spawn is between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius, with a shelf life of up to four months, depending on the mushroom variety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Spawn | A type of medium present in mushroom tissue that propagates the fungus such as Trichoderma which is the root system of mushrooms |
| Mushroom Spawn | A substrate that already has mycelium growing on it |
| Mushroom Spores | Microscopic spheres roughly comparable to the seeds of higher plants |
| Number of Spores | An 8-cm mushroom produces as many as 40 million spores an hour |
| Spawn Types | Plug Spawn, Sawdust Spawn, Grain Spawn |
| Spawn Uses | Plug spawn is used in freshly cut hardwood logs; Sawdust spawn is used in logs and substrates rich in cellulose; Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows |
| Spawn Temperature | 0 to 4 degrees Celsius |
| Spawn Storage Time | 2 to 4 months |
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What You'll Learn
What is mushroom spawn?
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the genetic material used to grow mushrooms, much like seeds are used by gardeners and farmers. It is the primary carrier for fungi whose natural substrate is wood logs and for other substrates rich in cellulose, such as straw and hulls.
Spawn can be myceliated grain, sawdust, and wooden dowels (plugs). The goal of the spawn is to spread out bits of mycelium into its final habitat, where it can grow, colonize, digest food, and ultimately fruit. 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, grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows, while sawdust spawn is used for outdoor inoculation. Plug spawn is a great introduction to mushroom cultivation outdoors. It is simple to use, requiring only a hand drill, and is great for small projects.
The ideal temperature for storing spawn is between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, spawn can be stored for anywhere from 2 to 4 months. However, some varieties, such as Pink Oyster and Milky mushroom spawn, degrade if refrigerated since they are tropical varieties.
Some spawn manufacturers use hazardous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, to fumigate their labs, and some even add antibiotics to their media to prevent microbial contamination. Over time, exposure to these chemicals can cause detrimental health issues for the cultivator and consumer.
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How is mushroom spawn made?
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is similar to how seeds are used by gardeners and farmers. It is the genetic material used to grow mushrooms.
There are several ways to make mushroom spawn. One of the simplest ways for beginners to start growing their own mushroom spawn is by using the stem butt method. You can take the stems of oyster mushrooms and put them in a container with some damp cardboard. In a couple of weeks, you will have your own spawn.
Another way to make mushroom spawn is by using grain spawn. Grain spawn is the traditional way to propagate mushroom cultures. It is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. It is made by starting with just one liter of sterilized grain and a slice of culture from a petri dish. The mushroom mycelium can be expanded to provide more than 1000 liters of spawn. One jar can be used to create 10 jars, which can be used to make 100 jars, which can, in turn, be used to make 1000 jars, all within a few short weeks. Many different types of grains can be used for spawn, including wheat, rye, brown rice, white rice, wild bird seed, and even popcorn. However, the most common grain used for mushroom cultivation is rye due to its water-absorbing qualities and nutrient makeup.
Sawdust spawn is another type of mushroom spawn. It consists of mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust. It is the primary carrier for fungi whose natural substrate is wood logs and for other substrates rich in cellulose, such as straw and hulls. It is also less likely to be disturbed by critters when grown outdoors compared to grain spawn.
Plug spawn is yet another type of mushroom spawn. It consists of wooden doweling colonized with the mycelium of a specific fungus. These hardwood dowels can be easily tapped into the drilled holes of a log using a hammer. Plug spawn is great for small projects as they are easy to use, require no special tools, and are available in small quantities. Once the log is inoculated, the inoculation site is sealed with wax to prevent the plug from drying out.
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How to store mushroom spawn
The ideal temperature for storing mushroom spawn is between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, spawn can be stored for 2 to 4 months. However, some varieties, such as Pink Oyster and Milky mushrooms, are tropical and tend to degrade if refrigerated. If you are using bags, the mycelium activity will warm those bags up by 10°F from room temperature, so you can store them at room temperature. It is recommended to use the spawn before the self-digestion or autolysis stage, which is indicated by a crumbly texture.
When storing your spawn, it is important to maintain sterility in the proceeding steps. Wipe down the outside of the bag when handling exposed mycelium or grow media. Additionally, ensure there is adequate airflow by leaving space between boxes or bags. For example, when stacking boxes of NuvoSpawn, leave around 10 cm of space between them.
If you have received your spawn in a double-bagged, paper-wrapped, boxed, or single-bagged package, you can store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight for 2-3 months. If you plan to store your spawn for longer than a few months, refrigeration is recommended. Plate cultures can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, while liquid cultures can be stored for up to 2 months. Slant cultures can be stored long-term in cryostorage or up to a year in the refrigerator.
It is worth noting that grain spawn is more nutritious than sawdust spawn but may be more susceptible to contamination or pest attacks when used outdoors. Therefore, sawdust spawn is a better option for outdoor cultivation. When purchasing spawn, ensure that your vendor grows their own mushrooms to guarantee consistent performance.
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Types of mushroom spawn
Spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and is similar to how seeds are used by gardeners and farmers. Spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular mushroom cultivar.
There are several types of mushroom spawn:
Plug Spawn
Plug spawn is sold in small bags at garden centres, co-ops, and farmers' markets. They are locally produced wooden dowels that have been grown with mushroom mycelium. To use plug spawn, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Holes are drilled into the logs, and the spawn plugs are hammered into the holes. Melted wax is then brushed over the plugged holes to seal the log. Plug spawn is great for beginners and for outdoor mushroom cultivation. It is also durable and reliable for carrying slower-growing fungal species.
Sawdust Spawn
Sawdust spawn consists of mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust. It is used much like plug spawn but requires an inoculation tool for injecting into logs. Sawdust spawn is cheaper, more reliable, and colonizes faster than plug spawn. It is also a good option for growing mushrooms outdoors, as it is less likely to be disturbed by pests.
Grain Spawn
Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. It is typically used to inoculate loose substrates like straw and provides a nutrient boost to unsupplemented substrates. Grain spawn is not suitable for inoculating outdoor logs.
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Using mushroom spawn to grow mushrooms
Mushroom spawn is the genetic material used to grow mushrooms. It is similar to how farmers and gardeners use seeds. However, unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned to consistently produce a particular cultivar.
There are three distinct types of mushroom spawn: plug spawn, sawdust spawn, and grain spawn. Plug spawn is sold in small bags at garden centres, co-ops, and farmers' markets. To use it, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Drilling holes in the logs, hammering the spawn plugs into the holes, and then sealing the holes with melted wax are the steps in the inoculation process. This method is simple, requires no tools other than a hand drill, and is great for small projects. However, it is slower than using sawdust spawn and has slower colonisation rates.
Sawdust spawn is often used by small farms and people inoculating multiple logs outdoors. It is cheaper, more reliable, and colonises faster than plug spawn. An inoculation tool is required to inject the spawn into the logs.
Grain spawn is typically used for commercial indoor mushroom cultivation and is not suitable for inoculating outdoor logs. It is made from sterilised grains, such as rye, wheat, or millet, that have been inoculated with mushroom culture. This type of spawn is more nutritious than sawdust spawn but can lead to contamination or pest issues in outdoor environments.
To grow mushrooms using grain spawn, you will need a pressure canner, such as the All American or Presto canner, that can reach at least 15 psi. First, measure the desired amount of grain, keeping in mind that it will expand when moistened. Rinse the grain multiple times in cold water to remove any contaminants, and then soak it in water with a bit of coffee and gypsum. The coffee alters the pH to potentially increase yield, while the gypsum prevents the grains from clumping. Next, sterilise your grain jars by filling them with water and pressuring cooking them at 15 PSI for 90 minutes. After they have cooled, inspect the jars and ensure the grains are not broken or stuck together. Now you are ready to inoculate the jars with mushroom culture!
For those who want to try growing mushroom spawn at home, the stem butt method is a simple and low-tech technique. This method involves propagating mycelium from the lower stems of fresh oyster mushrooms onto cardboard. The cardboard should be plain and shredded into small pieces. After tearing the cardboard, squeeze out any excess moisture and lay an even layer in the bottom of a container, filling about a third of it. Poke a few small holes in the container with a heated screw or nail to prevent the mushroom spawn from drying out. This method is less reliable and has lower yields, but it is a fun and inexpensive way to try growing your own mushroom spawn.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom spawn is a substrate that has mycelium growing on it. It is used by mushroom growers like seeds are used by gardeners and farmers.
There is no fixed number of spawns a mushroom can contain. The number of spawns depends on the type of mushroom and the substrate used.
The ideal temperature for storing mushroom spawn is between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, spawn can be stored for 2 to 4 months.
There are three main types of mushroom spawn: plug spawn, sawdust spawn, and grain spawn.
Plug spawn are wooden dowels that have been colonized with a specific type of mushroom mycelium. To use them, you drill holes in a freshly cut hardwood log, hammer the plugs into the holes, and seal them with melted wax.
