Emily Johnson
Growing mushrooms in jars is a rewarding process that requires some preparation. Mushrooms don't grow from seeds but from spores, which develop into mycelium—a network that breaks down the substrate (the mushroom's food) and eventually produces mushrooms. To grow mushrooms, you'll need to inoculate a sterilized jar of substrate with spores using a syringe. After inoculation, the jar should be placed in a warm, dark place to incubate. Once the mycelium has colonized the substrate, it's ready for the fruiting phase, which is triggered by changes in humidity, fresh air, and light. With the right care and conditions, you can successfully grow mushrooms in jars and even create more spawn for future cultivation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container | Quart-sized glass jars, mason jars, buckets, or plastic bags |
| Substrate | Compost, grain, rye, wheat, millet, sawdust, or straw |
| Pasteurization | Soak substrate in hydrated lime-treated water for 24 hours |
| Sterilization | Expose substrate to temperatures above 250°F; use pressure cooker or steam |
| Inoculation | Inject spores into substrate with syringe; seal air holes |
| Environment | Dim, warm space; mist with water |
| Fruiting | Triggered by changes in humidity, fresh air, and light |
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What You'll Learn
Choose the right substrate for your mushroom species
Choosing the right substrate for your mushroom species is crucial to the success of your mushroom-growing project. Mushrooms obtain all their nutrients from the substrate, which acts as a source of energy, nutrition and structure, similar to how plants derive nourishment from soil. Different mushroom species have different preferences for substrates, so it's important to match your mushrooms with the right one.
The first thing to consider when choosing a substrate is its availability and ease of use. For example, a straw-based substrate is more accessible than a hardwood substrate and can be prepared with basic kitchen utensils. It is advisable to select a substrate that is readily available in your area. If straw is not easily accessible, you could opt for sawdust or pre-inoculated pellets instead.
Another key factor is the water content of the substrate. Most mushroom bodies comprise 70-90% water, which they derive entirely from the substrate. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your substrate can retain moisture and has the optimal water content. While the substrate should be properly hydrated, it should not be too wet, as this may encourage bacterial growth and hinder colonisation.
Some common substrates used for mushroom cultivation include straw, hardwood sawdust, cardboard, composted manure, and coir (ground-up coconut husk and shells). Straw is a cheap and effective substrate, especially for oyster mushrooms like Blue Oysters, Pearl Oysters, Yellow Oysters and Pink Oysters. Sawdust is also a good option, particularly for gourmet and medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Lion's Mane, Maitake and Shiitake. Cardboard is a suitable substrate for beginners as it is inexpensive and easily available. It retains moisture well and provides good air exchange, making it a good option for oyster mushrooms.
To enhance the growth of your mushroom species, you can also pasteurise or sterilise the substrate. Pasteurisation involves heating the substrate between 150-180°F for 1.5-2 hours to reduce the population of microbes and give the mushrooms a head start. Sterilisation, on the other hand, requires heating the substrate to temperatures above 250°F to eliminate any living or dormant contaminants.
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Prepare the substrate
To prepare the substrate, you'll first need to choose a type of grain. Common grains used for mushroom cultivation include rye, wheat, brown rice, white rice, wild bird seed, and even popcorn. However, rye is typically the most popular choice due to its water-absorbing qualities, nutrient makeup, and ability to promote mushroom growth.
Once you've selected your grain, rinse and clean it thoroughly. Then, soak the grain in water for 12 to 24 hours. This step allows the grains to absorb water and also causes contaminants to sprout, making them easier to kill during sterilization. After soaking, cook the grains for 10 to 20 minutes to help them absorb even more water and soften them up, which will facilitate digestion by the mycelium.
Now that your grains are dry, you can load them into your jars. Fill each jar about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Ensure that the substrate is damp but not soaking wet. Create a layer of dry vermiculite on top to act as a barrier against contaminants in the air. Seal the jars tightly, with the rubber side of the lid facing upwards.
Before inoculating the substrate with spores, you'll need to sterilize the jars again. You can use a pressure cooker or steam the jars in a covered pot on a raised rack. If using a pressure cooker, maintain a pressure of 15 PSI for 45 minutes. If steaming, fill the pot with 2 inches of water and place a rack inside to ensure the jars don't touch the simmering water.
After sterilizing, let the jars cool in a clean environment. Check for any broken grains or grains that have clumped together, as these can increase the risk of contamination. Once the jars are cool and inspected, they are ready for inoculation with mushroom spores.
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Sterilise the jars
Sterilising jars is a crucial step in preparing mushroom substrate. It is important to eliminate any bacteria or fungi that might compete with your intended mushroom culture. Here are some methods to sterilise your jars:
Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers are the most effective way to sterilise jars and are considered essential equipment for mushroom cultivation. They create the conditions needed to kill unwanted microorganisms, with a combination of steam, time, temperature and pressure. To use a pressure cooker, first prepare your substrate by ensuring it is at the right humidity level. Then, place your jars or bags of substrate on a metal rack at the bottom of the pressure cooker. Add water to the cooker, enough to go 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) up the side of the jars. Cover any jar filters with foil to prevent extra moisture from entering. Close the lid and place the cooker on a stove or gas cooker set to maximum heat. Once the steam is steadily flowing from the vent pipe, place a 15 PSI pressure regulator weight on the vent.
Boiling
This method is suitable for sterilising small batches of jars. Fill a large pot with water and place the jars inside. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and let the jars simmer for 60-90 minutes. Ensure the water level is maintained and does not boil dry. After sterilisation, allow the jars to cool before inoculating.
Oven
Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) or 350°F, depending on the source. Place the jars on a baking sheet inside the oven. Bake for 2-3 hours or until the contents of the jars have been sterilised. This method may require some trial and error to determine the ideal time and temperature for your oven.
Microwave
Fill the jars with your grain and water mixture, leaving the lid slightly loose. Microwave on high for 10-15 minutes or until the contents are sterilised. Allow the jars to cool before tightening the lid. Note that this method does not guarantee complete sterilisation and there is a risk of contamination.
While the above methods can be used to sterilise jars, it is important to note that achieving true sterilisation without a pressure cooker is challenging. The pressure and high temperatures created by a pressure cooker are crucial for killing all harmful microorganisms.
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Inoculate the jars
To inoculate the jars, you must first ensure that you are working in a clean, sanitary environment to prevent contamination. It is also important to have a viable mushroom culture, either on agar or in a liquid culture syringe. You can purchase these cultures from reputable online suppliers.
Before inoculating, sterilise your equipment. Wipe down your grain jar and agar dish with alcohol, and set them in front of a laminar flow hood. If you don't have a laminar flow hood, create a "still air box" instead. Flame-sterilise any blades or syringe tips until they are red hot, then allow them to cool.
Next, prepare your substrate. The substrate is what the fungi will eat, and different mushroom species prefer different substrates. Fill your chosen jar with the prepared substrate, hydrating it as you go. Ensure the substrate is damp but not too wet, filling the jar to about half an inch from the top. You may also want to create a hole in the middle of the substrate for ease of inoculation.
Now, you are ready to inoculate. If using a syringe, shake it well and inject 1-2ml of the spore solution into the jar through the injection port. Alternatively, you can inject the liquid culture directly through the filter on the top of the jar without opening the lid. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a dim, warm place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
It typically takes 10-30 days for the mycelium to colonise the jar, depending on the mushroom species and conditions. During this time, maintain a temperature between 70-75°F (21-24°C) and store the jars in the dark with moderate humidity. Check the jars daily for any signs of contamination, such as unusual colours, smells, or growth. When the mycelium has colonised about 25-30% of the jar, gently shake it to encourage faster and more even growth.
Once the jar is fully colonised with healthy white mycelium, you can transfer it to a bulk substrate or perform a grain-to-grain transfer to expand your spawn efficiently.
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Fruit your mushrooms
Once your mushrooms have colonized, you need to ready them for fruiting. This process will differ depending on the type of mushroom. Some like a lot of extra water, while others require you to introduce them to oxygen.
To create a simple fruiting chamber, you can use an aquarium or a large plastic container. The main purpose of the chamber is to create a high humidity (90% to 100%) environment for your mushrooms to flourish. To easily humidify the chamber, fill a strainer with perlite and soak it in a bowl of water for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, drain it and line the bottom of the container with it. This allows the water to slowly evaporate and create the desired humidity level. Place squares of aluminum foil where you will be putting your substrate cakes. Be sure to use some sort of cover to keep the humidity in the chamber. Drilling holes into the sides of the container will allow for air exchange, as mushrooms produce CO2 and require O2 to live.
Another option is to simply leave the lid off the jar to let the mushrooms develop. Then, place a plastic bag over the jar and cut off a corner for air, or make a more complex fruiting chamber. To make a fruiting chamber, fill the bottom of a plastic container with wet paper towels and move the substrate on top of them. Cover with something that allows airflow and spray them with water a couple of times a day. After a few weeks, you should see some well-developed mushrooms growing from your jar or DIY fruiting chamber.
Depending on the size of your mushrooms, you’re ready to harvest your crop and enjoy them. Congratulations! Cultivating your own colony of fungi is a labor of love. While it takes a bit to accomplish, growing your mushrooms in a jar is a feat to be proud of.
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Frequently asked questions
A substrate is what the fungi will eat and digest to grow. Different species of mushrooms like different substrates.
Depending on the type of substrate, you may need to pasteurize or sterilize it. Sterilization involves exposing the substrate to temperatures higher than 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Pasteurization involves soaking the substrate in a bath of hydrated lime-treated cold water for 24 hours.
You can use a variety of containers, such as mason jars, small containers, buckets, or plastic bags. Quart-sized glass jars are great because they are sturdy.
You can use a spore syringe to inject spores into the substrate. Make sure to sterilize the syringe's needle with a flame first. Then, place the inoculated jars in a dim, warm space.
