John Miller
Milky mushrooms (Calocybe indica) are a tropical species native to northeastern India, known for their ability to thrive in the hot and humid climate. With a preference for temperatures between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 35°C) and high humidity, these mushrooms present a unique variety as most other mushrooms cannot survive in such conditions. Cultivation of milky mushrooms involves creating an optimal environment, typically in a controlled structure like a greenhouse or a specialised mushroom shed. The growing process begins with preparing a substrate, such as straw or sawdust, which is then mixed with milky mushroom spores and carefully maintained within a specific temperature and humidity range to encourage the growth of the mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Milky Mushrooms |
| Scientific Name | Calocybe Indica |
| Appearance | White, rounded caps with a thick, meaty stem |
| Cap Diameter | 10-14 centimeters |
| Stem Height | 10 centimeters |
| Flavor | Similar to scallops |
| Texture | Thick and meaty |
| Growth Environment | Cool, dark, and humid |
| Temperature Range | 68-77°F (30-35°C) or 75-95°F (25-35°C) |
| Humidity | 90% |
| Cultivation Method | Mushroom beds or sheds with controlled temperature and humidity |
| Substrate | Straw, sawdust, or pasteurized wheat straw |
| Spawn | Milky mushroom spores mixed with substrate |
| Growth Time | 2-3 weeks after spawn colonization |
| Harvest Method | Twist and pull gently |
| Shelf Life | Up to one week at room temperature, additional 5 days when refrigerated |
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What You'll Learn
Milky mushrooms require a temperature range of 68-77°F (30-35°C)
Milky mushrooms require a temperature range of 68–77 °F (30–35 °C) to grow. They are native to the hot, humid climate of India and are the only mushroom species cultivated there. They are also found in tropical regions of China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Milky mushrooms are well-suited to warm, humid climates. They are typically cultivated in a climate-controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or a mushroom shed, where temperature and humidity levels can be regulated. The ideal humidity level for milky mushrooms is around 90%.
To create a suitable environment for growing milky mushrooms, controlled ventilation systems, heating and cooling systems, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers may be required. This ensures that the temperature and humidity levels are maintained within the optimal range.
Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial for the proper growth of milky mushrooms. The temperature range of 68–77 °F (30–35 °C) should be carefully monitored and regulated to create optimal growing conditions.
Additionally, milky mushrooms are known for their preference for warm temperatures, with some sources stating that they can grow at higher temperatures of 80–95 °F (25–35 °C). This makes them suitable for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions, where they can thrive during the hot summer months when other mushrooms struggle to grow.
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They grow in a cool, dark, humid environment
Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment. To create this environment, you can use a climate-controlled structure like a greenhouse or a mushroom shed. These structures are designed to regulate temperature and humidity levels, with features such as ventilation systems, heating and cooling mechanisms, and humidifiers.
When selecting a location for your mushroom bed, choose a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Maintain a temperature range of 30-35°C (68-77°F) and a humidity level of around 90%. You can use heating and cooling systems, as well as humidifiers and dehumidifiers, to achieve this.
To create a mushroom bed, start by preparing the soil with a layer of compost or well-rotted manure. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Purchase milky mushroom spawn, which is a mixture of spores and a substrate like straw or sawdust. Gently mix the straw and spawn, then keep it in a cool place for two weeks to allow the mycelium to grow.
After two weeks, spread the spawn over the prepared soil and gently mix it into the top few inches. Water the bed lightly to moisten the soil and spawn. Cover the bed with a layer of straw or other organic material to maintain moisture and provide a suitable growing environment. Continue to keep the bed moist by watering regularly, and your milky mushrooms will soon begin to grow.
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Milky mushrooms grow from spores
Milky mushrooms, or Calocybe Indica, are cultivated primarily for their edibility and are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of India. They are called 'milky' because of their white colour and thrive in warm and humid climates.
To cultivate milky mushrooms, you will need a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or a purpose-built mushroom shed, to regulate temperature and humidity levels. The temperature inside the shed should be maintained at around 30-35°C (68-77°F), and the humidity level should be kept at around 90% to encourage the growth of the mushrooms.
To create a milky mushroom bed, select a suitable location, preferably a cool, dark, and humid environment. Purchase milky mushroom spawn from a reliable source, which is a mixture of milky mushroom spores and a substrate such as straw or sawdust. Gently mix the straw and spawn, and keep the mixture in a cool place. It will take about two weeks for the mycelium to grow inside the bag.
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They require pasteurized substrates
Milky mushrooms are cultivated in hot, moist climates, such as that of India. They are also known as 'Swetha' mushrooms and are the only fungus that can be cultivated in the tropics. The mushrooms grow from spores, which evolve into a mass of thick white threads called mycelium.
To cultivate milky mushrooms, you will need a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or mushroom shed, to regulate temperature and humidity. Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment. The temperature inside the shed should be maintained at around 30-35°C (68-77°F), with a humidity level of around 90%.
To create a milky mushroom bed, you will need to purchase milky mushroom spawn, a mixture of spores and a pasteurized substrate such as straw or sawdust. The substrate is the material in which mushrooms grow, and pasteurization is a process that reduces the number of harmful competitor organisms, such as mould and bacteria, in the substrate. This gives the mushroom mycelium a head start, allowing it to spread throughout the substrate before other contaminants can take over.
There are several methods to pasteurize the substrate, including hot water pasteurization, steam pasteurization, and sterilization. Hot water pasteurization involves soaking the substrate in hot water at 80°C for 2 hours, while steam pasteurization uses steam at 80°C for the same duration. Sterilization, a more aggressive method, can be done in an autoclave at 121°C with 15 lb of pressure for 15 minutes. This completely eliminates all living organisms in the substrate, leaving a blank canvas for the mushrooms to grow.
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Milky mushrooms are cultivated in a climate-controlled shed
The temperature inside the shed should be maintained within a range of 30-35°C (68-77°F) for optimal mushroom growth. A consistent temperature is crucial for proper mushroom development. To achieve this, heating and cooling systems are employed. Milky mushrooms also require high humidity levels of around 90%. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are used to maintain the desired humidity level.
The shed may also include a controlled ventilation system, a water and nutrient distribution system, a waste management system, and a lighting system to provide the necessary light for the mushrooms to grow.
To cultivate milky mushrooms, you can create a mushroom bed inside the shed. First, select a suitable location, preferably a cool, dark, and humid environment. Then, purchase milky mushroom spawn, which is a mixture of spores and a substrate like straw or sawdust. Mix the spawn with the substrate, place it in the selected location, and maintain an even moisture level. Keep the area covered until the straw is colonized by the mycelium, which can take around two weeks. After colonization, apply a layer of wet potting soil, recover with a tarp, and continue to water as needed to maintain moisture. Mushrooms should start forming within a few weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment. The temperature should be maintained between 68-77°F (20-25°C), with a humidity level of around 90%.
You will need a controlled environment such as a greenhouse or a mushroom shed. The shed should have systems to regulate temperature and humidity, such as heating and cooling systems, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. You will also need milky mushroom spawn, which can be purchased, and a substrate such as straw or sawdust.
First, prepare the substrate by boiling straw pieces for an hour and then draining the water. Cool the wet straw to room temperature and mix it with the milky mushroom spawn. Place the mixture into a plastic bag or nursery pots, leaving some space at the top. Store the bag or pots in a cool, dark place, and mist daily to maintain moisture. Mushrooms should form within 2-3 weeks.
