Laura Smith
Growing mushrooms on straw is a productive and simple way to cultivate mushrooms at home. The first step is to chop the straw into small pieces, typically 1 to 3 inches in length. This can be done with garden shears for smaller amounts or a weed whacker for larger quantities. The straw can then be pasteurised using heat or a lime solution, which helps to reduce bacteria and prevent contamination. After draining and cooling, the straw is mixed with mushroom spawn and placed in a suitable container to initiate the colonisation and fruiting process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length of chopped straw | 1-3 inches or 2.54-7.62 cm |
| Tools for chopping straw | Garden shears, weed whacker, mower, leaf blower in vacuum/mulch mode |
| Washing straw | Wash with dish soap to reduce bacterial load and chances of contamination |
| Pasteurization temperature | 65-82 °C or 145-175 °F |
| Pasteurization duration | 1-2 hours |
| Spawn ratio | At least 10% |
| Type of straw | Wheat or oat straw |
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What You'll Learn
Chop straw into 1-3 pieces
Chopping straw into small pieces is an essential step in preparing straw for mushroom growth. The process can be done in several ways, depending on the amount of straw you have and the equipment available. Here is a step-by-step guide to chopping straw into 1-3 pieces:
Step 1: Gather Your Straw
Start by purchasing a bale of straw, preferably wheat or oat straw, which are known to work best for mushroom cultivation. You can source straw from feed stores, local garden centres, or directly from farmers. If you're buying from a farmer, they may even chop the straw for you for a fee or free of charge, especially if you're a regular customer.
Step 2: Prepare Your Work Area
Before you begin chopping, decide where you will be working. For smaller amounts of straw, a large tote or barrel will suffice. If you have a large garden or outdoor space, you can lay out the straw and use a mower to chop it into small pieces.
Step 3: Choose Your Chopping Method and Tools
The method and tools you use will depend on the amount of straw you need to chop. For smaller amounts, a simple pair of garden shears will do the trick. You can use a large tote and cut the straw into your desired length of 1-3 inches (2.54 to 7.62 cm). For larger amounts, a weed whacker or a leaf blower in vacuum/mulch mode can be used to quickly shred multiple armloads of straw at once.
Step 4: Chop the Straw
Using your chosen method and tools, start chopping the straw into pieces. Aim for pieces that are approximately 1 to 3 inches in length. This size will ensure that your mushroom spawn can easily colonize the straw.
Step 5: Optional - Wash and Soak the Straw
This step is optional but can be beneficial in reducing the chances of contamination. After chopping, you can wash the straw in a large tote with a small amount of dish soap. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off all the soap before moving on to the next step.
Chopping your straw into small pieces is now complete. You can then proceed with the next steps of pasteurizing and preparing your straw for mushroom growth. Remember to choose a mushroom species that grows well on straw, such as Oyster Mushrooms, and provide the right environmental conditions for successful cultivation.
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Use shears or a weed whacker
Using shears or a weed whacker is an effective way to chop straw for mushrooms. This method is ideal for smaller or larger amounts of straw. Here's a detailed guide:
Using Shears
For smaller amounts of straw, using garden shears is a simple and straightforward approach. You'll need a pair of sharp shears and a large tote or container. Place the straw in the tote and use the shears to cut the straw into pieces approximately 1 to 3 inches (2.54 to 7.62 cm) in length. This size range is optimal for mushroom spawn to colonize the straw effectively. Make sure to wear gloves and protective gear to safeguard your hands and eyes during the chopping process.
Using a Weed Whacker
If you have a larger amount of straw to chop, a weed whacker, also known as a string trimmer, can be a time-saving option. Set up a large barrel or container to catch the shredded straw. Hold the weed whacker with both hands and, with the engine running, carefully lower the cutting head into the barrel. Gradually feed armloads of straw into the barrel, allowing the weed whacker to shred the straw into small pieces. This method is efficient for processing a significant volume of straw in a relatively short time. Remember to prioritize safety by wearing eye protection and gloves to prevent any accidental injuries.
Additional Tips
When using either the shears or the weed whacker method, it is beneficial to wash the straw before chopping. Fill a large tote or container with water and add a small amount of dish soap, similar to the amount used for washing dishes. Soak the straw in this solution to reduce the bacterial load and lower the chances of contamination during mushroom growth. After washing, ensure that you thoroughly rinse the straw to remove any soap residue before proceeding to the next steps of pasteurization and inoculation.
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Wash straw with dish soap
While preparing straw for growing mushrooms, it is recommended to wash the straw with a small amount of dish soap before moving on to the next step. This step can be skipped, but it is advantageous as it helps to reduce the bacterial load in the straw and reduce the chances of contamination. The dish soap acts as a mild disinfectant, killing bacteria and mold spores. It also helps to rinse off dust and debris from the straw.
To wash the straw with dish soap, place the straw in a large tote or barrel and add water. Use about the same amount of dish soap as you would use to do the dishes. Make sure to completely rinse off all the soap from the straw before moving to the next step. This is important to avoid any soap residue affecting the mushrooms.
It is important to choose the right type of straw for growing mushrooms. Wheat straw, oat straw, and rice straw are commonly used and suitable options. Make sure the straw is golden-yellow and weed-free, as weeds can provide a nutrition boost that bacteria love but oysters do not need.
After washing the straw, the next step is to pasteurize it. This can be done by heating the straw to a temperature between 65-82 °C for 1-2 hours. Proper pasteurization gives the mushrooms an advantage over molds and bacteria, allowing them to colonize the straw before contamination can occur.
Once the straw is pasteurized, it is important to drain it and let it cool to room temperature before adding the mushroom spawn. This step is crucial, as adding the spawn to hot straw can kill it. It is also important to maintain cleanliness during this process to avoid reintroducing contaminants into the straw.
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Pasteurise straw at 65-82 °C
To pasteurise straw for growing mushrooms, you must heat it to between 65°C and 82°C for one to two hours. This process kills off bacteria and moulds, giving the mushroom spawn a window of opportunity to colonise the straw.
There are several ways to pasteurise straw. One method is to submerge the straw in hot water. For smaller amounts of straw, load a tote with straw and add hot tap water. Add a weight to hold the straw down. Once the straw is covered, add boiling water until the temperature is above 65°C. You can also use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. If the temperature falls below 65°C, add more boiling water.
Another method is to use a wire basket. Stuff the basket with straw, place it in a barrel, and fill it with water. Heat the water until the temperature rises above 65°C. Try to maintain a temperature between 65°C and 82°C for one to two hours.
You can also use a propane burner and a large drum to pasteurise straw. Placing the chopped straw in a net bag makes removal and drainage easier.
After pasteurising the straw, drain it and allow it to cool. Then, mix in mushroom grain spawn at a ratio of at least 10%. Wheat straw or oat straw works best for growing mushrooms.
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Soak straw in lime solution
Soaking straw in a lime solution is a crucial step in the process of growing mushrooms, specifically pasteurization. This technique ensures the substrate, or growing medium, is treated to eliminate unwanted organisms, such as mould spores and bacteria, that could hinder mushroom growth.
To prepare the lime solution, mix hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide, with water. The ratio of lime to water is important; for a smaller batch, use 110ml of lime per 5 gallons of water, while for a larger batch, use 1-1.5 cups of lime per 55 gallons of water. Powdered lime is preferable as it easily dissolves in water.
Once the lime solution is mixed, fully submerge the chopped straw in it. Straw tends to float, so place something heavy on top, like a cinder block, to ensure it stays submerged. Let the straw soak for 12-24 hours. The soaking time depends on the type of substrate; straw may require the full 24 hours, while other materials like sawdust might need less time.
After soaking, remove the straw from the lime solution and drain it thoroughly. Excess lime can interfere with mushroom growth, so it is important to let the straw drip-dry for about 20 minutes. The goal is for the straw to be moist but not soaked.
Now that the straw has been pasteurized through the lime solution soak, it is ready to be inoculated with mushroom spawn. This step should be done with clean, sterile tools to avoid introducing new contaminants. Break apart the spawn into smaller pieces and distribute it evenly throughout the straw substrate.
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Frequently asked questions
Chopping straw into smaller pieces helps the mushroom spawn colonize the straw more easily.
For smaller amounts of straw, use a pair of garden shears to cut the straw into 1-3 inch pieces. For larger amounts, use a weed whacker or a leaf blower in vacuum/mulch mode.
Yes, you can skip this step if you are short on time or don't have the necessary equipment. You can also buy ready-chopped straw or pay a farmer to chop the straw for you. Alternatively, you can buy pelleted straw, which does not need to be chopped.
