Michael Davis
Building a terrarium for mushrooms is a fascinating project. Unlike plants, mushrooms don't need sunlight and grow without roots, purely existing on the surface. They are the fruit of the fungus and can be grown from mycelium within the terrarium, which can be bought via a grow kit. The ideal temperature for a mushroom terrarium is between 10–18°C, and they need fresh air to grow. Mushrooms are often short-lived, but the shapes they create are beautiful and mysterious.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Toadstool |
| Mushroom life cycle | 1-2 weeks |
| Mushroom growth requirements | Mycelium, water, warmth, food (organic material) |
| Mycelium growth requirements | Leaf litter, lawn clippings, dead wood |
| Mycelium growth time | Months |
| Ideal temperature | 10-18°C |
| Container type | Open |
| Container contents | Pumice, peat, akadama soil, moss, rocks, fern |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom terrariums are short-lived
Mushrooms are the fruit of fungi. The part that we recognise as a mushroom is designed to last only a short period, from a few days to a few weeks. The mycelium that the mushroom grows from will stay in your mini ecosystem indefinitely, sending up new mushrooms several times a year. However, the cycle of decay and regrowth means it's nearly impossible to curate a terrarium that features your favourite fungus year-round.
Mushrooms are saprophytes, which means they feed on decaying organic matter. They thrive in warm, moist environments. They can also grow without sunlight. In the wild, you'll typically find mushrooms growing out of fallen logs, branches, and mossy mounds. In a terrarium, they often pop up in the shade, in moist, warm environments filled with dead and decaying organic matter.
To grow mushrooms in a terrarium, you need to start with mycelium and optimise the conditions for mushroom growth by adding water, warmth, and food (organic material). Mushrooms can take months to grow, especially if there is no decaying plant matter to feed on. You can kickstart the process by placing a few handfuls of compost into the terrarium. Mycelium does best in materials found outdoors, like leaf litter, lawn clippings, and dead wood.
The easiest way to grow mushrooms in a terrarium is to construct it, water it, and wait. Mushrooms may sprout naturally from the mycelium in your mini ecosystem's soil. However, it's important to note that mushrooms can be quite sensitive. For example, too much moisture can halt mycelium growth, leading to mould. Additionally, mushrooms in terrariums can be short-lived, lasting only a few days to weeks. Therefore, it can be challenging to maintain a mushroom terrarium that features mushrooms year-round.
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Mycelium is essential for mushroom growth
Mycelium is a network of thin, thread-like fungal strands called hyphae. It is often referred to as the vegetative part or root system of a mushroom. Mycelium is essential for mushroom growth because it forms the reproductive structure of the fungus.
Mycelium is the primary factor in the health, nutrient intake, and growth of mushrooms. It is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the environment, which is a two-stage process. First, the hyphae secrete enzymes onto or into the food source, breaking it down into smaller units. These smaller units are then absorbed into the mycelium through facilitated diffusion and active transport. Mycelium also plays a crucial role in decomposing organic matter and recycling it into beneficial compounds for the soil food web.
Mycelium can be found in materials that occur naturally outdoors, such as leaf litter, lawn clippings, and dead wood. It can also be purchased through a grow kit. When growing mushrooms in a terrarium, it is important to start with mycelium and optimize the conditions for mushroom growth by adding water, warmth, and food (organic material). Mycelium can take months to produce mushrooms, especially if there is no decaying plant matter present.
The mycelium of two compatible fungi can fuse together, allowing their DNA to mix and form new spores. This process is similar to how some fungi reproduce sexually. The fusion of mycelium can also result in the formation of fruiting bodies, commonly known as mushrooms.
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Choose an open or closed terrarium
Choosing an Open or Closed Terrarium
Mushroom terrariums are always open, as mushrooms require fresh air to grow. They are usually complemented by moss and, sometimes, a tiny fern. Mushrooms don't need any specific layering or dirt, as they don't grow roots and exist purely on the surface.
If you want to stop mushrooms from growing in your terrarium, you can take several steps. Firstly, add a springtails culture. These mould-munching creatures can help keep fungi growth under control. Secondly, reduce the amount of warmth or moisture in your terrarium, if your plants can handle it. Mushrooms require air exchange, so sealing off your terrarium may help, although this may only stop the fruiting and not kill the mycelium. Finally, remove the contaminated hardscape and refresh the substrate.
Mushrooms thrive in darkness and can grow without sunlight. They also thrive in warm, moist environments. However, if you want to grow plants alongside your mushrooms, you should be aware that creating the ideal conditions for mushrooms may not be ideal for your plants.
Fungal spores can travel through the air, and you may find yourself "planting" mushrooms without even knowing it. If you've waited a few months without seeing any mushroom growth, try moving your setup into the shade. This won't be great for the plants in your terrarium, but it might encourage the mycelium. Because mushrooms consume and decay organic material, they tend to pop up where dead things are. If you have a compost pile, you may have noticed mushrooms growing in it from time to time. You can replicate this in your terrarium by creating a moist, warm environment filled with dead and decaying organic matter.
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Optimise conditions for mushroom growth
Mushrooms are the fruit of fungi and grow from mycelium. Mycelium is a spongy network of white fungus strands typically found in fertile soil, on the roots of trees, and inside rotting organic material. Mushrooms can be grown from mycelium within the terrarium, which can be bought as a grow kit.
To optimise the conditions for mushroom growth, you will need to add water, warmth, and food (organic material). Mushrooms thrive in warm, moist environments, but be careful not to overwater, as this can cause mould. Mycelium does best in materials naturally found outdoors, such as leaf litter, lawn clippings, and dead wood. A clump of wet leaves and tree bark can be added to your terrarium to create a compost pile, which will provide the organic matter that mushrooms feed on.
Mushrooms do not need sunlight and can grow in the shade or even in darkness. They are saprophytic, meaning they do not absorb energy from the sun, so they will need an alternative energy source, such as decaying organic matter.
If you want to speed up the process, you can buy mycelium online in the form of white flakes or bricks. Bury small pieces in the soil, moss, and plant matter in different areas of your terrarium.
The ideal temperature for a mushroom terrarium is 10–18°C. Summer is generally off-season, as moulds and insects are more likely to occur.
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Incorporate spores into a tiny log
To incorporate spores into a tiny log for your terrarium, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, it is important to source high-quality mushroom spores. These can be purchased from various online and offline retailers. Make sure to select a spore variety that is suitable for your terrarium conditions and desired aesthetic.
Next, you will need to sterilize some grains, such as rye or millet (bird food), to provide a suitable growth medium for the spores. Place the grains in a mason jar and pressure cook it for around 1.5-2 hours. This step is crucial to prevent mould and other contaminants from competing with your mushroom growth.
Once the grains have cooled, take some spores from a spore print using a notecard, and gently mix them into the sterilized grains. Seal the jar and let it sit in a warm, shaded place for a few weeks to allow the spores to colonize the grains.
Now you can prepare your tiny log by drilling small holes or creating small slits in it. This will provide a larger surface area for the spores to grow and fruit from. You can use a small, sterilized drill bit or a sharp, heated tool to create these openings in the log. Ensure the log is made of hardwood, as this is the preferred habitat for many mushroom varieties.
After your log is prepared, gently brush or sprinkle the colonized grains onto the log, focusing on the areas with openings. You can also carefully insert the grains into the holes or slits using a small tool, such as a toothpick or sterile knife. Ensure that the grains are firmly lodged in the log.
Finally, place your inoculated log into your terrarium setup. You can bury it slightly under the soil or place it on top, depending on the variety of mushroom you are growing. Maintain the ideal temperature, humidity, and ventilation in your terrarium to encourage mushroom growth. Remember that mushrooms thrive in warm, moist, and shaded conditions with adequate airflow.
With some patience and the right conditions, your tiny log will soon bear beautiful mushrooms, adding a unique and fascinating touch to your terrarium ecosystem.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature for a mushroom terrarium is between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius. Summer is generally off-season as molds and insects are more likely to occur. Mushrooms need fresh air to grow, so terrariums are always open.
You can use a combination of pumice and peat, or just akadama soil. If you are planting a small fern, use pumice as the bottom layer, followed by peat, and akadama at the top. If you are using just moss and mushrooms, you can use akadama soil entirely. You will also need to buy mycelium via a grow kit.
You can grow mushrooms from mycelium by adding water, warmth, and food (organic material). Mycelium can take months to produce mushrooms, especially if there is no decaying plant matter. Mushrooms will only last for a couple of weeks before decaying, but the mycelium will stay in your mini-ecosystem, sending up new mushrooms several times a year.
You can kickstart the process by placing a few handfuls of compost into the terrarium. Mycelium does best in materials found outdoors, like leaf litter, lawn clippings, and dead wood. You can also create a moist, warm environment filled with dead and decaying organic matter.
