Sarah Brown
Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest types of mushrooms to clone and grow at home. Cloning mushrooms is a great way to copy interesting genetic variations and colours, and it can be done by anyone with a little patience and the right tools. The process involves taking a tissue sample from a fresh mushroom and placing it on a nutrient-rich growing medium, such as an agar plate or cardboard. The sample must be kept sterile and uncontaminated to ensure the success of the clone. With the right techniques, anyone can become a successful mycologist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom types | Thick and fleshy mushrooms like king oyster, shiitake, gold top, button, lion's mane, and cremini mushrooms |
| Mushroom condition | Young mushrooms still in their button stage |
| Cloning process | Remove a piece of mushroom tissue and place it on a nutrient-rich growing medium |
| Cloning methods | Agar, grain, and cardboard |
| Contamination | High chances of contamination when using grain or cardboard |
| Sterilization | Wipe down the outer surface of the mushroom with alcohol on a paper towel |
| Storage | Store plates at room temperature away from direct sunlight |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right oyster mushrooms to clone
When choosing oyster mushrooms to clone, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use young mushrooms still in their button stage, as they grow faster at this stage and can double in size daily. Additionally, thick and fleshy mushrooms are generally easier to work with when cloning. Examples of such mushrooms include king oyster, shiitake, and cremini mushrooms.
Another factor to consider is the source of the oyster mushrooms. You can clone store-bought oyster mushrooms or use wild or cultivated mushrooms. If you choose store-bought mushrooms, opt for fresh, organic specimens to increase your chances of success. It is also important to note that some mushroom cultures, like pink oyster mushrooms, are sensitive to temperature and may not survive if placed in the fridge. Therefore, it is crucial to research the specific storage requirements for your chosen mushroom variety.
The type of cloning method you intend to use can also influence your choice of oyster mushrooms. For example, some methods, such as using sterilized cardboard or grain, are more suitable for hardy and less fussy mushrooms like oyster mushrooms that grow on a range of substrates. On the other hand, cloning using agar plates is a popular method that offers better contamination control and is suitable for most mushroom types.
When selecting oyster mushrooms to clone, it is also essential to consider the growing environment and conditions. Oyster mushrooms are generally adaptable and can be grown indoors or outdoors with proper care. However, providing the right moisture levels, humidity, and temperature for your chosen variety is crucial for successful cloning.
Lastly, personal preferences and goals may play a role in choosing the right oyster mushrooms to clone. Some people may prefer specific colours, shapes, or sizes of oyster mushrooms. Additionally, if you intend to clone multiple generations, selecting a variety that fruits abundantly can provide more cloning material.
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Preparing the mushrooms for cloning
Cloning mushrooms is an easy process that can be done at home. It involves removing a piece of mushroom tissue and placing it on a nutrient-rich growing medium. The difficulty lies in ensuring that the tissue, mycelium, and growing medium remain uncontaminated.
When preparing to clone oyster mushrooms, it is important to start with fresh, young mushrooms. Thick, fleshy mushrooms like king oyster, shiitake, and button mushrooms are the easiest to work with. It is also recommended to use mushrooms that are still in their button stage, as they grow faster at this point and can double in size daily.
Before beginning the cloning process, wipe down the outer surface of the mushroom with alcohol on a paper towel. This ensures that no debris crosses into the mushroom once it is dissected. Using a scalpel, carefully tear open the mushroom to expose the inner tissue, ensuring that it is free from contamination. Heat sterilize the scalpel before taking a tissue sample from within the stem or cap of the mushroom.
Once you have your tissue sample, you can place it on a growing medium. One popular method is to use agar plates, which are a form of sterile media in a Petri dish. Agar plates allow for the cultivation of mycelium and can be stored for longer periods of time. To use this method, place the tissue sample in the centre of the agar plate, replace the lid, and seal the plate with parafilm or plastic wrap. Label all plates with the species and date, and store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
In addition to agar plates, there are other methods for cloning mushrooms, such as using grain or sterilized cardboard. These methods may have higher chances of contamination and lower yields, but they are simple, low-tech, and do not require specialized equipment. For example, when using the cardboard method, you would push the tissue sample into the ribs of prepared and sterilized cardboard and then place the inoculated cardboard into a sterilized jar to grow.
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Cloning methods: agar, grain, or cardboard
Cloning oyster mushrooms can be done using agar, grain, or cardboard.
Agar
Cloning mushrooms using agar is one of the best ways to avoid mushroom contamination. The process involves removing a piece of mushroom tissue and placing it on a nutrient-rich agar plate. The agar plates are petri dishes that contain a sterile, nutrient-rich agar solution. The tissue, mycelium, and growing medium must remain uncontaminated. Agar cultures can be stored in the fridge for long periods, but some mushroom cultures, like pink oyster mushrooms, won't survive refrigeration.
Grain
Cloning mushrooms using grain is another method, but it is not as effective as using agar plates because infections are harder to spot. To clone mushrooms using grain, you would use sterilized jars of grain called grain spawn instead of agar plates. Various types of grain can be used, including popcorn, wheat, rye, brown and white rice, and even wild bird seed.
Cardboard
Some people clone mushrooms on sterilized cardboard, although this method has a higher chance of contamination and a lower yield because cardboard is not a nutrient-rich food source. This method is simple, low-tech, cheap, and easy, but it only works with hardy, less fussy types of mushrooms like oyster mushrooms. The process involves pushing the mushroom tissue into the ribs of prepared, sterilized cardboard and then placing the inoculated cardboard into a sterilized jar to grow.
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Creating the right environment for growth
Firstly, it is important to select the right type of mushrooms to clone. Oyster mushrooms are a great variety to choose for home growing, as they are hardy, fast-growing, and less fussy about conditions. When selecting your mushrooms, opt for young mushrooms that are still in their button stage, as they grow faster at this stage and can double in size daily.
Secondly, prepare your workspace and materials. You will need a sterile environment to avoid contamination. Wipe down the outer surface of the mushroom with alcohol on a paper towel to prevent debris from entering once it is dissected. Heat-sterilise your scalpel, and ensure it does not touch any surfaces after sterilisation. If using agar plates, choose pre-poured agar plates produced specifically for mushroom growing, as they are more convenient and help avoid contamination. Alternatively, you can use sterilised cardboard, although this method has a higher chance of contamination and lower yield.
Thirdly, carefully take a tissue sample from the mushroom. Open the mushroom to expose the inner tissue, ensuring it is contamination-free. Using the sterilised scalpel, remove a small sample of the mushroom fruiting body from the stem or cap. Place the sample on an agar plate or inoculate the cardboard, following the steps outlined above. Seal the plate or jar and store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Finally, observe and maintain the growing environment. The mycelium should be ready to fruit in about two to four weeks. Tent plastic over the medium to preserve moisture and allow the fungi to form. With the right care and environment, you should be able to harvest your cloned oyster mushrooms in about 19 days.
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Harvesting and preserving your cloned mushrooms
Harvesting your cloned oyster mushrooms at the right time is crucial for maximising flavour, texture, and yield. Oyster mushrooms grow very fast, so the difference between harvesting too late or too early is often only a few hours. Therefore, it is recommended to check on them regularly and harvest them a little early if you are unsure to avoid cleaning up mushroom spores.
The best time to harvest pink oyster mushrooms is when the cap is flat or slightly concave, and the edges are just beginning to curl up. You can also harvest them before the caps start to flatten, especially if they are already a good size. The younger the mushrooms, the more tender and succulent they will be.
To harvest your oyster mushrooms, you can gently twist and pull the cluster of mushrooms off with your hands or carefully cut it off with a knife. If you harvest with a knife, cut the cluster off as close to the substrate block as possible without damaging the substrate or grow bag.
When it comes to preserving oyster mushrooms, there are three methods that work well: drying, freezing, and pickling. The choice of preservation technique depends on the final intended use and how much effort you want to put into the preservation process.
Freezing is a preferred method for preserving mushrooms as it is not very labour-intensive. However, before freezing oyster mushrooms, they should be cooked at least partly. Like some vegetables, if thrown directly into the freezer while fresh and then thawed, they may turn into a soggy mass.
Drying is another simple and less labour-intensive preservation technique. To store harvested mushrooms for short periods, you can keep them in a breathable container with a moist paper towel for humidity. However, ensure that they do not touch impermeable surfaces.
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Frequently asked questions
Cloning oyster mushrooms can be done in several ways, including using agar, grain spawn, or cardboard. Agar is considered the best method as it provides a sterile surface that is easy to observe for infections, but it may not always be necessary.
First, wipe down the mushroom with alcohol on a paper towel to prevent contamination. Carefully tear open the mushroom and use a heat-sterilised scalpel to remove a tissue sample from the stem or cap. Place the sample on an agar plate, seal it, and store it at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
Yes, you can clone store-bought oyster mushrooms. It is recommended to choose fresh, organic specimens to increase your chances of success.
The stem butt method involves cutting off the stem butts of the mushrooms and placing them between layers of wet cardboard or directly into a mushroom bed or compost outdoors. This method is simple, low-tech, and does not require specialised equipment.
