John Miller
Mushrooms require careful attention to humidity and temperature to grow successfully. Misting is a common technique to create humidity, and it is recommended to mist the area around the mushrooms 2-4 times a day. However, it is important not to overwater, as too much water on the surface of the block can cause problems. The ideal humidity for mushroom growth is around the mid-90s, and temperatures should be between 65-75 °F. If the temperature is cooler or the climate is dry, the mushrooms may require additional misting to maintain optimal humidity.
How often to water mushrooms
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Misting frequency | 2-4 times a day |
| Purpose of misting | To create humidity, a key factor for mushroom growth |
| When to mist | When the cake looks dry or the walls aren't wet |
| Other methods to create humidity | Placing a wet tea towel around the base of the kit or filling a sink with water and placing the kit nearby |
| Watering mushrooms like a plant | Not recommended |
| Soaking the block | Soak the block in water for an hour if scraping the mycelium does not stimulate fruiting body growth |
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What You'll Learn
Misting kits twice a day
Mushrooms require a humid environment to grow successfully. Misting kits twice a day is a good way to maintain the humidity level. However, it's important to note that over-misting can cause problems, so it's a delicate balance.
When misting, use a spray bottle filled with clean tap water to mist the exposed mycelium from your cut. Continue this process daily, and don't be afraid to add more water if your environment is dry or if you're running air conditioning. The ideal humidity for mushroom growth is close to the mid-90s in terms of relative humidity.
If you're unable to mist your mushrooms twice a day, you can create a mini micro-climate to maintain humidity. Wrap a wet tea towel around the base of your kit or place it near a sink filled with water. This will help keep the humidity high, even if you can't mist as frequently as recommended.
After harvesting your mushrooms, continue to mist your block twice daily. You should see new growth within the next two weeks. Remember, mushrooms like wet conditions, so don't be afraid to increase the frequency of misting if your growing environment seems dry.
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Spraying the area around the kit
Mushrooms require humidity to grow successfully. Therefore, it is important to spray the area around your kit with water. This can be achieved by using a spray bottle to mist the area. Misting the area around your mushrooms as they grow will prevent them from drying out.
It is recommended to mist the area around your mushroom kit at least 2-3 times a day. However, if the climate is dry, you may need to mist more frequently to maintain the necessary humidity. If you can see condensation under the plastic flaps of your kit, this is an indication that there is enough humidity. On the other hand, if the area looks dry, increase the frequency of misting.
If you are unable to mist your kit daily, you can create a mini microclimate to maintain humidity. One way to do this is by placing a wet tea towel around the base of the kit. Alternatively, you can fill a sink with water and place the kit nearby to benefit from the evaporating water molecules.
It is important to note that while mushrooms require humidity, too much water on the surface of the block can cause problems. Therefore, it is recommended to mist the area around the kit rather than directly on the block. Additionally, avoid misting the walls of the growing chamber, as this can also cause issues.
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Soaking the block before a trip
To soak your block, fill a bucket, tote, or tub with water and submerge the block. You can place a plate or lid on top of the block to keep it underwater. Soak the block for at least 8 to 12 hours, or overnight. If you wish to soak it for longer, make sure to drain the water afterward.
The act of soaking the block in cold water is enough of a shock to initiate a second fruiting. After soaking, return the block to the fruiting chamber and ensure that the humidity is adequate and there is enough fresh air coming in. Maintaining high humidity is critical, especially if the blocks are exposed and no longer protected by a grow bag.
You can repeat the soaking process 2-3 times before the blocks either become contaminated or unable to fruit. You will know the block is contaminated when you start to notice small patches of green mold forming on the sides. At this point, it is best to throw the block into the compost.
It is important to note that the frequency of watering mushrooms depends on the type of mushroom and the growing environment. Some mushrooms, like APE and standard cubes, may not need as much water. Additionally, if you live in a dry climate, your mushrooms may need more water.
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Fanning kits
There are different types of fanning kits available for purchase, such as the Universal Automated Fanning Kit by Gorilla Mushrooms™. This kit can be paired with their MycoMIST™ Humidifier Upgrade Kit to create the optimal humidity levels without having to manually spray mushrooms with water. The automated kit allows for up to 16 ON/OFF settings per day and can be timed to the exact minute. It is designed to work with any mushroom kit on the market.
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, manual fanning can be done by simply moving the gussets of the bag in and out in a steady motion to create a fan-like effect. This promotes fresh air exchange and vents out any CO2. This method should be done for approximately 90 seconds per bag, once per day, until the substrate is no longer producing mushrooms.
It is important to note that some mushroom growers believe that fanning is unnecessary and may even be detrimental to mushroom growth. They argue that the more you interfere with the environment, such as by opening the chamber or creating temperature and humidity fluctuations, the less comfortable the mushrooms are with fruiting and releasing spores.
Ultimately, the decision to use a fanning kit or manual fanning technique is up to the individual grower, and it may depend on the specific conditions and requirements of their mushroom-growing setup.
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Dunking the substrate
To determine if your substrate needs dunking, poke it. If it feels squishy, it's already hydrated and you can maintain surface conditions. If it feels dry, it's time to dunk.
Dunking is most effective immediately after a flush is harvested and before the initiation of the next fruiting cycle. It is not necessary to dunk after every flush, and some cultivators even advise against dunking bulk substrates as it can cause more harm than good. However, if you notice that your substrate is drying out and shrinking between flushes, dunking can be an effective way to reinvigorate the mycelium and promote healthy growth.
To dunk your substrate, fully submerge the colonized substrate or cakes in cold, fresh tap water for 2 to 12 hours, or even up to 24 hours if that's what works for your setup. It is important to use clean water to minimize the introduction of contaminants.
Dunking can significantly increase the total yield of mushrooms by enabling multiple fruiting cycles from the same substrate. It is a simple yet effective technique for extending the productive life of mushroom substrates, maximizing yields, and promoting healthy growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms don't need to be watered like plants, but they do need humidity to grow. Mist the area around your mushrooms at least 2-4 times a day.
If you can see condensation underneath the plastic flaps of your mushroom kit, you're misting enough. If it looks dry, increase your frequency of spraying.
If you know you won't be able to mist your mushrooms, create a mini micro-climate around your kit to maintain humidity. You can do this by placing a wet tea towel around the base or putting the kit near a sink filled with water.
When the caps of your mushrooms start to flatten out or they stop doubling in size daily, they are ready to harvest.
