John Miller
Mushrooms are a fun and sustainable food source that can be grown at home with minimal equipment. To build a mushroom ecosphere, you will need to create a humid forest simulation chamber, which provides the right balance of temperature, humidity, airflow, and light. This can be achieved by using glass bottles, containers, buckets, jars, or even a garden with logs and stumps. The key to success is maintaining a consistent environment with minimal external input, allowing the mushrooms to fruit abundantly. With the right setup and care, you can create a thriving mushroom ecosphere that provides a delicious and sustainable food source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To create a self-contained ecosystem for mushrooms to thrive with minimal external input |
| Environment | High humidity (90%+), temperature stability, good airflow, and light |
| Container | Reusable containers like buckets, jars, or clear plastic bottles |
| Substrate | Waste materials like sawdust, straw, forest thinnings, spent coffee grounds, logs, and stumps |
| Water Source | Centrifugal humidifier with a water inlet from a garden hose |
| Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange | Circulation through the openings of bottles or containers |
| Observation | Monitor plant health, reproduction of small pond animals, and overall ecosystem balance |
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What You'll Learn
Aim for 90% humidity
Aiming for 90% humidity is important when building a mushroom ecosphere because mushrooms are about 80-90% water and require high levels of humidity to grow. The ideal humidity level for growing mushrooms is between 80-90%. If the humidity level drops below this range, it can cause the mushrooms to dry out and stall their growth. Mushrooms are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, and maintaining a consistent level of humidity is critical for their development.
To achieve 90% humidity, you can use a glass-enclosed chamber with a centrifugal humidifier, which will add moisture to the air. The glass panels are great for keeping the humidity in while allowing for good airflow. The humidifier is mounted at the top of the system so that the humid air falls downwards. You can also use a plastic tub with a water inlet and a float valve to control the water level, with an overflow outlet to prevent flooding in case the valve fails.
Another simple and cost-effective method to increase humidity is by using a misting spray bottle. This involves spraying the mushrooms and the surrounding area with water several times a day to increase and maintain the desired humidity levels. Pond misters and fans can also be used to increase humidity.
It is important to monitor humidity levels regularly with a humidity sensor and make adjustments as needed to ensure optimal growing conditions. This will help you ensure a successful harvest and maximize your yields.
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Reuse containers
Reusing containers is an important part of creating a sustainable mushroom ecosphere. It is possible to grow mushrooms in buckets, jars, and other containers, such as those made from polypropylene, that can withstand high temperatures and pressure. These containers can be sourced from local landfills or shops, and they can be stacked nicely when empty, making them space-efficient.
When creating a mushroom ecosphere, it is important to consider the size, shape, and material of the containers. They should be large enough to be economically viable, with a minimum size of 2L. The containers should also be flexible, as this is important when removing colonised blocks. Polypropylene containers are a good option as they are reusable and can withstand the temperature and pressure of a pressure cooker.
Drilling holes in the containers can help with air exchange, and a filter patch can be stuck over the top using red RTV silicone. Alternatively, a bigger hole can be drilled and covered with Poly-Fil. These containers are easy to fill, inoculate, and stack, making them a convenient option for creating a mushroom ecosphere.
For those looking to grow oyster mushrooms specifically, a 1-gallon container with a lid can be used. Spent coffee grounds and filters can be added to the container, along with oyster mushroom spawn, and this can be placed in a kitchen counter, garage, or any space with indirect light. After a few days, mycelium will start to grow, and the container should be filled almost to the top, leaving a few inches of space for the mushrooms to develop.
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Use waste materials
Mushroom cultivation produces a lot of waste. For every kilogram of mushrooms produced, about three kilograms of soil-like material containing straw, manure, and peat are left behind. However, this waste can be put to good use.
One way to make use of mushroom waste is to use it as compost. Mushroom waste is rich in organic matter and can be used to improve soil fertility and support plant growth. It can also be used for vermicomposting, which provides worms for bait shops, feed for poultry, and excellent compost additives.
Another way to utilise mushroom waste is to recycle it into new products. The spent substrate, or leftover material from mushroom farming, can be used for soil decontamination, biofuel production, and further mushroom cultivation. Additionally, companies like Biohm are creating building materials from mushroom waste, such as their Orb product, which is made from food and agricultural waste like orange peel and cocoa husks.
You can also grow your own mushrooms using waste materials. Coffee grounds, for example, can be recycled to grow oyster mushrooms. Other waste materials that can be used include sawdust, straw, forest thinnings, and paper filters. With the right conditions, such as temperature stability, high humidity, and good light, mushrooms can be successfully grown at home using waste materials.
By reusing and recycling mushroom waste, we can reduce waste, minimise environmental impact, and create valuable resources, supporting the principles of a circular economy.
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Provide temperature stability
Mushrooms are delicate and temperamental crops that require specific conditions to thrive. Providing temperature stability is crucial, as even small fluctuations can impact their growth rate and quality. Most mushrooms prefer a temperature range between 65-75 °F (18-24°C). However, the ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on the mushroom species. For example, Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms thrive at temperatures between 70°F and 80°F (22°C and 27°C), while Shiitake mushrooms favour slightly cooler conditions, with an ideal temperature range of 50-60°F (10-16°C).
To maintain temperature stability, you can use heating and cooling options such as heating pads, mats, or blankets, which can be placed underneath the growing container to provide a steady source of heat. These can be adjusted to the desired temperature and are available in various sizes to cover your entire growing area. Additionally, a cooling fan can be used to increase air circulation and quickly lower the temperature if the growing area becomes too warm.
Another way to regulate temperature is by using a greenhouse or grow tent, which provides an enclosed environment that can be easily controlled with a heating or cooling system. Many heating and cooling systems can now be controlled via smartphone, allowing for constant monitoring of your mushrooms' health.
To monitor temperature levels, you can use a thermometer or temperature sensor. It is important to maintain a consistent temperature, as mushrooms are sensitive to even minor changes in their environment.
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Ensure good airflow
Mushrooms require good airflow to grow and fruit properly. In an enclosed space, mushrooms can deplete the available oxygen and cause oxygen depletion. This can be prevented by ensuring proper air circulation and fresh air exchange.
One way to ensure good airflow is by using fans. Fans provide a continuous supply of fresh oxygen and help maintain lower carbon dioxide levels. They also help regulate temperature variances and humidity levels, preventing excess humidity, which can lead to condensation and the growth of undesirable moulds. It is important to position the fans strategically to ensure even air distribution throughout the cultivation area. The size of the fans should also be considered, with smaller areas benefiting from smaller, low-speed fans, and larger spaces requiring larger, high-capacity fans. Additionally, using a timer or controller to regulate the fan's operation can allow for intermittent air exchange as needed.
Another way to ensure good airflow is by using a laminar flow hood or a laminar flow cabinet equipped with a HEPA filter and an FAE fan. These devices create a laminar airflow workbench, providing a sterile hood environment perfect for mushroom growth. The HEPA filter removes microscopic particles from the air, creating a sterile environment. It is important to clean the fans regularly to ensure they function efficiently and to prevent the buildup of contaminants that could harm the mushroom crop.
Furthermore, the growing area should be well-ventilated to mimic the natural habitat of mushrooms. A carbon dioxide sensor can be used to monitor the quantity of fresh air in a grow room, helping growers know if they need more fresh air exchange. By introducing fresh air into the growing environment, growers can control other environmental parameters like humidity and temperature. However, too much FAE can cause unfavourable growing conditions, such as dryness and inadequate temperatures, so precise care should be taken when regulating FAE levels.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom ecosphere is a self-contained system of interacting living organisms that can survive without external input for an extended period.
You can use large, clear plastic bottles, glass shower screens, scrap aluminium framing, supermarket shelving, wire rack shelves, and dishwasher trays. You will also need a humidity source, such as a centrifugal humidifier, and a light source to simulate daylight.
Mushrooms need temperature stability, high humidity (around 90%), good airflow, and light to fruit properly. You can adjust the environment by observing the plants and making changes accordingly.
One bottle at the base will hold the aquatic environment with gravel and pond water. Additional bottles with the bases cut off can be placed on top, with the edges sealed, to create progressively drier environments. The caps should be left off all the bottles except the top one to allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to circulate while keeping the overall system sealed.
