Sarah Brown
Oyster mushrooms are a type of edible fungi used in many cuisines and are one of the simplest mushrooms to cultivate at home. They are tolerant of many conditions and can be grown in a wide range of ways, both indoors and outdoors. They grow quickly and are popular with home growers. To build an oyster mushroom house, you will need to decide on a location, choose a structure, and install equipment to control temperature, humidity, and airflow. You can use a hydroponics tent or build a custom structure with wooden frames and plastic sheeting. It is important to ensure the structure is sturdy, waterproof, and adequately insulated to withstand high humidity levels. You will also need to install shelving and equipment such as a humidifier, temperature control devices, lighting, and fans for ventilation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Oyster |
| Mushroom house type | Grow tent, fruiting chamber, or a dedicated room |
| Mushroom house structure | Hydroponics tent, wooden structure lined with plastic, or a custom-built structure |
| Environmental conditions | Optimal temperature, humidity, and air exchange |
| Equipment | Shelving, humidifier, temperature control equipment, lighting, fans for ventilation |
| Substrate | Straw, cardboard, tissue paper, coffee pads, cotton clothes, or chopped straw |
| Temperature | 10–<co: 4>27°C |
| Humidity | 85–95% |
| Airflow | Consistent, with a fan turning on every 15 minutes for 15 minutes |
| Lighting | No light needed during the colonisation stage |
| Maintenance | Requires initial setup and ongoing maintenance to ensure ideal conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right location
When deciding on a location, you could use a spare room in your house, a shed in your backyard, or even build a new structure specifically for mushroom cultivation. If you decide to use a spare room, consider whether the room is already climate-controlled to avoid temperature fluctuations. Also, check if there is adequate lighting so that you don't need to invest in additional equipment. It is recommended to use a space with a window so you can vent your room outdoors and not worry about humidity and spores spreading inside your house. Additionally, choose a room with a floor that can handle water spills, as spills are likely to occur during the mushroom growing process.
If you opt for an outdoor location, a shed in your backyard can be a good option. Make sure the shed is sturdy, waterproof, and adequately insulated to withstand the high humidity levels necessary for mushroom growth. You can also consider building a dedicated structure for your oyster mushroom house. This could be a purchased hydroponics tent or a DIY setup with a wooden frame covered in plastic sheeting.
Regardless of the location you choose, ensure that there is sufficient space for your mushrooms, equipment, and ease of access for maintenance and harvesting.
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Designing the structure
The first step is to decide where you will set up your mushroom growing house. This could be a dedicated room in your home, a shed in your backyard, or even a purpose-built structure. If you decide to use a spare room in your house, consider whether the space is already climate-controlled, the lighting, if there is a window for exhaust, and whether the floor can handle water leaks. Ideally, you want a room with a window so you can vent your room outdoors and not worry about humidity and spores spreading in your house.
Next, you'll need to decide on the actual structure for your growing house. This could be a purchased hydroponics tent or a DIY setup. If you opt for a DIY setup, you can build a wooden structure lined with plastic. Ensure that your structure is sturdy, waterproof, and adequately insulated. It will need to withstand the high humidity levels necessary for mushroom growth.
Once you have your structure in place, it's time to install shelving. The shelving should be strong enough to hold the weight of your mushroom containers and should maximise the available space. Adjustable shelving is beneficial as it allows you to alter the layout based on the type of mushrooms you're growing.
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Installing equipment
Once you've decided on the design and location of your oyster mushroom house, it's time to install the necessary equipment. Here are the steps to follow:
Install Shelving
Firstly, install sturdy shelving that can accommodate the weight of your mushroom containers. Adjustable shelving is ideal as it allows you to modify the layout based on the type of mushrooms you're growing. Make sure to maximise the available space while ensuring easy access for maintenance and harvesting.
Set Up Humidity and Temperature Control Systems
Install a humidifier and temperature control equipment, such as heaters or coolers, in appropriate locations within the structure. These systems are crucial for maintaining the optimal environment for mushroom growth. Place the humidifier in a well-ventilated area to maintain consistent humidity levels.
Install Lighting and Ventilation
Mushrooms require specific lighting conditions, so install appropriate lighting fixtures that provide the right spectrum and intensity of light. Additionally, ensure proper ventilation by installing fans or ventilation ducts. This will help regulate temperature and humidity levels while preventing the buildup of CO2, which can hinder mushroom growth.
Automate Environmental Controls
Consider automating temperature, humidity, and light control to make maintaining your mushroom house easier. This can be done through the use of timers, sensors, and other control systems that allow for precise adjustments to create the perfect environment for your mushrooms.
Test and Monitor the Equipment
After installing the equipment, test each component to ensure it is functioning correctly. Regularly monitor the environment to confirm that the systems are maintaining the desired conditions. This includes checking humidity and temperature levels, airflow, and lighting to ensure they meet the specific requirements of oyster mushrooms.
By following these steps and maintaining your equipment, you'll be able to create the ideal environment for growing healthy and abundant oyster mushrooms.
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Preparing the substrate
The substrate is the material that the fungus consumes. For oyster mushrooms, straw is commonly used as the substrate. Before using the straw, it is important to sterilise or ferment it to give the fungus a head start on colonising the substrate for successful fruiting. This can be done through cold pasteurisation, which involves submerging the straw in water for 5 to 7 days. This process kills most of the other microorganisms living on the straw. Alternatively, you can boil water and pour it over the straw, allowing it to cool before use.
Once the straw has been pasteurised, it needs to be drained and dried. Before using the straw, check if it has any trailing drips. If it does, it is too wet and needs more time to drain. The working surfaces and buckets should be cleaned by spraying them with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution.
After preparing the substrate, it's time to mix it with the spawn. For a bucket setup, add a layer of substrate followed by a layer of spawn, and repeat until the bucket is full. If using a bag setup, mix the drained straw with the spawn and pack it tightly into a large plastic bag. Poke holes in the bag to allow excess water to escape and facilitate air exchange.
Place the bucket or bag in a warm, dark, and sheltered environment. Maintain a temperature range of 50-86°F (or 45-65°F for king oysters). For pink oysters, the temperature should be at least 18°C, while blue-grey oysters require a minimum of 10°C. Warmer temperatures will accelerate growth but increase the risk of contamination.
During the incubation period, white thread-like mycelium will develop and cover the substrate. This process usually takes a few days. Once the substrate is covered in white, move it to a location with indirect light. Maintain humidity levels between 85-95% by misting the setup daily with a spray bottle.
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Maintaining the environment
Temperature Control
Oyster mushrooms can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can even grow in snowy conditions or summer heat. However, the optimal temperature range for their growth is between 18°C and 27°C. Warmer temperatures promote faster growth, while colder temperatures produce larger mushrooms. To maintain the desired temperature, use heaters or coolers, and adjust the settings as needed.
Humidity Management
Oyster mushrooms require high humidity levels. Aim for a humidity range of 85-95%. To achieve this, mist the growing area daily with a spray bottle or mister. Ensure your growing chamber is airtight to retain humidity effectively. Additionally, consider using a humidifier with a controller to maintain consistent humidity levels.
Air Exchange and Ventilation
Proper air exchange and ventilation are vital for oyster mushroom growth. They require plenty of fresh air and will produce smaller caps in high CO2 environments. Set up a fan to provide ample airflow, and exhaust the air outside if possible to prevent humidity buildup and spore spread within your house. If exhausting indoors, use a filter to collect spores.
Contamination Prevention
Contamination by competitor fungi, bacteria, and yeasts is a common challenge in mushroom cultivation. To reduce the risk of contamination, sterilize or pasteurize your growing equipment and substrates. Submerging substrates in water for 5-7 days is an effective pasteurization method. Additionally, maintain a clean working environment by sanitizing surfaces with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution.
Lighting
Oyster mushrooms do not require light during the initial growth stages. However, once the mushrooms start to grow, move them to a location with indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can be too intense for the mushrooms.
Maintenance and Monitoring
Regularly check on your mushroom growing house to ensure all equipment is functioning properly. Monitor the environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and airflow, to ensure they remain within the desired ranges. Address any issues promptly to maintain an optimal growing environment and prevent losses.
By diligently following these maintenance instructions, you can create an ideal environment for your oyster mushrooms to thrive.
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Frequently asked questions
Oyster mushrooms are very adaptable and can grow in a wide range of conditions. However, they prefer a lot of fresh air and will grow smaller caps in a high CO2 environment. They also require high humidity, which can be achieved by misting with a spray bottle. The ideal temperature range for oyster mushrooms is between 10-27°C, with warmer temperatures leading to faster growth.
You can use a hydroponics tent or build a custom structure. If you build a custom structure, it should be sturdy, waterproof, and adequately insulated. You will also need shelving, a humidifier, temperature control equipment, lighting, and fans for ventilation.
First, prepare the substrate by pasteurising straw or cardboard egg trays using boiling water or cold pasteurisation. Then, mix the substrate with mushroom spawn and place it in a plastic bag or bucket with holes for air exchange. Put the bag or bucket in a warm, dark place for the incubation period. Once the substrate is covered in white mycelium, move it to a location with indirect light and maintain the temperature and humidity within the desired range. Oyster mushrooms should start growing after about one to two weeks.
