Emma Wilson
White button mushrooms are a versatile and popular edible mushroom, widely cultivated and consumed around the world. They are easy to grow, making them ideal for first-time mushroom cultivators. They can be grown indoors at any time of the year, and you can start by buying a mushroom kit that contains all the materials you need for planting and growing. To grow button mushrooms, you'll need a temperature control system, humidity monitoring tools, proper ventilation equipment, a lighting setup, sterilization tools, and a pH testing kit. In addition, button mushrooms require a nutrient-rich growing medium and a complex substrate. With the proper equipment and some patience, you can successfully grow your own white button mushrooms at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Button mushroom |
| Scientific name | Agaricus bisporus |
| Growth cycle | Microscopic spores germinate into thread-like mycelium, which forms primordia (pins) that develop into mature fruiting bodies |
| Varieties | White button, cremini (brown), portobello |
| Nutritional profile | Significant quantities of B vitamins, potassium, selenium, and copper |
| Growth requirements | Nitrogen-rich environment, no sunlight, controlled temperature and humidity |
| Cultivation techniques | Growing kits, trays, composted manure, synthetic substrates, liquid culture syringes |
| Yield | 3-4 crops per year, each crop producing mushrooms for 3-6 months |
| Harvesting | Mushrooms are ready to harvest in about a month, twist out of the soil when ready to eat |
| Pasteurization | Post-crop pasteurization is done with steam to prevent pests and pathogens |
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What You'll Learn
Getting started: equipment, spores, and kits
To grow button mushrooms, you need the right equipment and some patience. You can buy mushroom kits that contain all the materials you need, including manure, substrate, trays, and a spray bottle for watering. These kits are ideal for beginners as they come with specific directions and can be used indoors all year round.
If you want to grow mushrooms without a kit, you will need to purchase spores or spawn from an experienced mushroom cultivator. You can buy these online or at a nursery. To make the process easier, buy spores that have already been "inoculated" or mixed in with a substrate like dirt, hay, or sawdust.
To grow mushrooms, you will also need compost and manure, which you can purchase or use your own. Button mushrooms require a growing environment with a lot of nitrogen, so make sure your compost contains this. You can fill trays with a mixture of equal parts compost and manure, leaving some space at the top of the tray.
Once you have your trays prepared, spread the spores on top of the compost and mist with water. Keep the compost warm and moist, and your mushrooms should begin to grow.
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Preparing the substrate
Selecting the Right Materials
The choice of substrate material depends on the species of mushrooms you plan to grow. For button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), composted manure or a compost-rich mixture is ideal. This can be a mix of straw and manure, with horse manure being a popular choice due to its balanced nutrient composition and structure. Straw is readily available at farm stores or places that sell animal feed or bedding. You can also use agricultural waste products like spent coffee grounds, banana leaves, or even cardboard.
Composting Process
The straw and manure mixture needs to be composted correctly. This involves creating a specific food for the mushrooms by favouring the growth of beneficial organisms. During this process, ensure adequate ventilation by burning a flame, especially during Phase II of composting. The compost should be turned every other day unless pile temperatures have not peaked. The ideal temperature range for microorganisms to thrive is 115-140°F.
Pasteurization
After composting, pasteurization is done to eliminate unwanted contaminants and give the mushroom culture a head start. This can be achieved by submerging the substrate in hot water (140-160°F) for at least one to two hours. Another method is to soak the substrate in a bath of hydrated lime-treated cold water for 24 hours, which increases the pH and kills contaminants.
Sterilization
If you want to ensure complete elimination of all contaminants, sterilization is necessary. This involves exposing the substrate to temperatures exceeding 250°F under pressure. Simply boiling the substrate may not be sufficient for sterilization.
Inoculation
Once the substrate is pasteurized or sterilized, it's ready for inoculation with mushroom spawn or spores. Spread the spawn evenly throughout the substrate, ensuring the mycelium has access to the necessary nutrients for growth and colonization.
Environmental Conditions
To achieve optimal growth, maintain a temperature between 55-65°F, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent carbon dioxide buildup, and regularly check moisture levels, aiming for a moisture content of around 60-70%. Additionally, monitor the pH levels, aiming for a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5-7.5.
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Creating the right environment
Firstly, understand the basic requirements for mushroom growth. Mushrooms need a rich medium of decaying organic-matter vegetation, which provides them with the necessary proteins and carbohydrates. This organic matter includes bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, which require water, food, and oxygen to thrive. Therefore, ensure that your growing environment is adequately moist, and consider misting or spraying water to maintain humidity.
Secondly, choose the right growing container and substrate. You can use trays or a wooden box, depending on what is readily available. The container should be at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep, and you should fill it with a growing mix to a depth of about 6 inches (15 cm), leaving some space below the rim. The growing mix should be a combination of compost and nitrogen-rich manure, such as horse or cow manure, to provide the mushrooms with a nutrient-dense environment.
Thirdly, maintain the appropriate temperature and light conditions. Button mushrooms thrive in warm, dark, and damp environments during the initial stages of growth. Keep the temperature around 70°F (21°C) for the first few weeks. After a few weeks, when you notice the mycelium (a fine white webbing), cover it with a couple of inches (5 cm) of damp potting soil or peat, known as casing. At this point, lower the temperature to 55°F (12°C) and maintain moisture, possibly by covering the bed with plastic wrap or wet newspaper.
Lastly, be mindful of potential pathogens and pests. Before introducing the spawn or spores, sterilize the growing environment to prevent any contamination. Additionally, after harvesting, it is essential to pasteurize the spent mushroom substrate with steam to ensure that pests or pathogens do not affect subsequent crops.
By following these guidelines, you will create an optimal environment for cultivating button mushrooms, increasing your chances of a successful and rewarding experience.
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Harvesting and caring for your mushrooms
Harvesting button mushrooms is a delicate process. You should wait until the caps reach 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter, with the veil intact and not stretched. This typically occurs 18 to 21 days after casing application, or about three weeks. Mushrooms need to be harvested by lightly twisting them without disturbing the casing soil.
After harvesting, fill the gaps in the beds with fresh, sterilized casing material and water it. Button mushrooms are highly perishable, so they should be cut at the soil line and washed in a solution of 5g of KMS in 10L of water to remove soil particles and induce whiteness. Excess water should be removed before packing the mushrooms in perforated poly bags, with each bag containing around 250-500g of mushrooms. Store harvested mushrooms at 1-2°C with 85-90% relative humidity using paper bags or breathable containers. Avoid plastic bags, which promote condensation and accelerate deterioration.
Between flushes, maintain fruiting conditions and lightly irrigate the casing layer to restore moisture content. Remove any discoloured or diseased mushrooms promptly. Expect a 7-10 day rest period between productive flushes.
To care for your mushrooms, it is important to maintain the right temperature, humidity, and light conditions. Button mushrooms do not require sunlight, which is ideal for indoor gardeners. They can be grown at any time of year, with winter being preferable.
To grow button mushrooms, you will need a growing tray, a growing mix of compost and manure, spores, and a spray bottle for watering.
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Scaling up production
Increase Production Capacity
The first step in scaling up is to increase your production capacity. This may involve investing in more trays, larger trays, and additional equipment to handle a higher volume of mushrooms. You may also need to dedicate more space for cultivation and consider automating certain processes to increase efficiency.
Diversify Mushroom Varieties
Growing multiple varieties of mushrooms can attract a broader customer base and reduce the risks associated with relying on a single crop. Experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as Oyster mushrooms, Lion's Mane, and Shiitake, which are in high demand due to their unique flavours and health benefits. By diversifying your crop, you can scale your sales and tap into new markets.
Efficient Workflows and Labour Productivity
Develop efficient workflows to maximise labour productivity. Even small-scale operations can be profitable with proper planning and execution. Focus on continuous improvements and adjust your cultivation approach seasonally to maintain consistent results throughout the year.
Sanitation and Quality Control
Strict adherence to sanitation protocols and quality control measures is essential, regardless of the scale of your operation. This provides the foundation for consistent, high-quality harvests and contributes to the success and reputation of your mushroom farm.
Marketing and Sales
Scaling up button mushroom production requires a combination of increased cultivation capacity, efficient workflows, and a focus on quality and marketing. By following these steps and learning from the success stories of other mushroom farmers, you can achieve long-term success in the thriving mushroom farming industry.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to start growing button mushrooms is to buy a mushroom growing kit. These kits come with everything you need, including a pre-inoculated substrate with mushroom spawn, trays, and a spray bottle for watering the mushrooms.
Button mushrooms require a nutrient-rich growing medium. They need a temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) during fruiting, 80-90% humidity, and indirect, diffused lighting. They also require proper ventilation to prevent CO₂ buildup.
Button mushrooms take about 14 weeks to grow from the start of composting to the final harvest. The mushrooms are ready to be harvested 15 to 21 days after casing, which is 7 to 8 weeks after composting started.
