Michael Davis
The culture of mushrooms is becoming increasingly popular in the Philippines, with the mushroom industry in the country growing since 1995. Mushrooms are regarded as a delicacy in the Philippines and other Asian countries, and are used for gastronomy and medicine. They are also a good source of income, as they require little space and time and can be grown all year round. The two main elements needed for mushrooms to grow and develop are nitrogen and carbon. The oyster mushroom is a good variety for beginners, as it has the most basic environmental needs, including humidity, light, ventilation, sanitation, and temperature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Mushroom culture is gaining popularity in the Philippines |
| Space and time requirements | Requires little space and time |
| Planting materials | Insufficient planting materials are a major problem |
| Knowledge | Requires technical know-how and local knowledge about mushroom culture |
| Types of mushrooms | Oyster, Paddy straw, Portobello, Shiitake, Button, Ear fungi, Milky, Yellowish oyster, Reishi, Lion's mane, King tuber oyster, Volvariella volvacea |
| Environmental needs | Humidity, light, ventilation, sanitation, temperature |
| Substrate | Straws, banana leaves, cotton wastes, jute sacks, corn stalks, water hyacinth, sugar bagasse, abaca waste materials |
| Growth process | Spores fall off from under the mushroom's cap, grow into mycelium, then mushrooms |
| Benefits | Organic matter, medicine, income, adaptability, environmentally sound |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom spawn supply
Mushroom spawn is essential to starting a mushroom farm in the Philippines. Spawn is the industry term for mushroom culture. It is the substrate where the mushroom will be cultivated from. The most common spawning material for growing mushrooms is rice straw. However, alternatives like water lilies, banana leaves, and shredded parts of abaca stalks can also be used.
Rice straws should be dry, clean, and long. They should be packed tightly, with the ends properly arranged, and cut into 1.5 to 2 feet in length. The packed straw should be soaked in water for three to ten hours, with the right amount of water absorbed by the straw.
Other materials that can be used as substrates for mushroom cultivation include cotton wastes, jute sacks, corn stalks, water hyacinth, sugar bagasse, and abaca waste materials. Mushroom spawn can be produced using a culture of your own concoction or purchased from reliable suppliers of mushroom agriculture.
Mycosphere Laboratories is a company in the Philippines that specializes in producing mushroom spawn. They produce different varieties of mushroom spawn, from the common but in-demand oyster mushroom to exotic varieties like lion's mane. The company delivers its spawn all over the country.
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Mushroom types and their environmental needs
Mushrooms are a diverse group of organisms, with about 100,000 species identified so far. They are classified as fungi, and are known for their unique taste and health benefits. They are a good source of protein and are rich in nutrients such as vitamins B, C and D, fibre, and minerals. They are also prized for their medicinal properties.
The two main elements required for mushrooms to grow and develop are nitrogen and carbon. Mushrooms form spores, which serve as their seeds. When spores land in an environment with adequate food, water, and humidity, they germinate and develop into mycelium, which spreads out on the substrate and colonizes it for food and nutrients. Given the right conditions, pinheads will then mature into fully grown mushrooms.
Different types of mushrooms have different environmental needs. For example, oyster mushrooms, a good starter variety, have basic environmental needs, including humidity, light, proper ventilation, sanitation, and temperature control. Mycorrhizal mushrooms, such as truffles, form symbiotic relationships with plants, absorbing sugars from them and delivering nutrients such as phosphorus and water in exchange.
In the Philippines, paddy straw mushrooms or kabuteng dayami (Volvariella volvacea) are a suitable variety to grow. Rice straw is the main spawning material, but alternatives such as banana leaves, water lilies, and shredded abaca stalks can also be used.
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Mushroom cultivation techniques
Mushroom cultivation is gaining popularity in the Philippines, and it can be a profitable venture. Mushrooms are usually regarded as a delicacy and are used for gastronomy and their medical properties. They are also a good source of income as they require minimal input, are adaptable to group involvement, and can be integrated into existing agricultural systems.
Choose the Right Mushroom Variety
Select a mushroom variety suitable for the Philippines' climate and environment. Oyster mushrooms are a good starter option as they are the easiest to grow, followed by other varieties like portabello or straw mushrooms.
Obtain Mushroom Spawn
A culture of mushrooms can be grown by first acquiring a spawn. You can create your own spawn by allowing mushrooms to form spores, which will serve as the seeds. Alternatively, you can purchase ready-to-use spawns from mushroom agriculture suppliers.
Prepare the Substrate
The substrate is the material on which the mushrooms will be cultivated. Rice straw is the main and best spawning material, but alternatives like water lilies, banana leaves, or shredded abaca stalks can also be used. Prepare the straw by cutting it into sections, soaking it in water for a few hours, and then packing it into sections supported by bamboo poles.
Provide the Right Environment
Mushrooms require specific environmental conditions, including humidity, light, proper ventilation, sanitation, and temperature. Ensure that the substrate is kept in a cool, moist, and ventilated area.
Utilize Agro-Waste
Mushrooms can be cultivated using agro-waste that contains cellulose and lignin. This waste includes materials such as rice straw, sawdust, peanut shells, banana stalks, cotton and flax waste, fruit pericarps, corn cobs, and sugar cane bagasse.
Convert Waste into Fertilizer
After mushroom production, the mushroom bed can be converted into fertilizer, providing additional benefits to your garden or agricultural system.
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Mushroom health benefits
Mushrooms have a delightful taste and are cultivated and consumed worldwide. They are also known for their rich nutritional content and medicinal properties. Here are some of the health benefits of mushrooms, which are especially relevant in the context of the Philippines, where there is a demand for mushroom-based snacks as a healthy alternative to junk food:
Nutritional Value
Mushrooms are a good source of protein, containing between 20% to 50% of their fresh weight. While they have lower protein content than meat, fish, and eggs, they are equivalent to corn and carabao milk. They are also rich in ascorbic acid and contain minerals such as potassium, calcium, and selenium, as well as vitamins B, C, and D. Mushrooms are cholesterol-free and low in calories, making them suitable for a variety of diets and those with certain health conditions.
Environmental Benefits
Mushrooms offer environmental benefits by neutralizing toxic waste through their digestive processes and serving as natural decomposers. They can be grown on agricultural wastes such as rice straw, sawdust, corn cobs, and corn leaves, which are readily available and inexpensive materials for mushroom cultivation.
Pharmacological Benefits
Mushrooms contain lipids or fats, including oils, sterols, triglycerides, terpenoids, phospholipids, and fatty acids, which have potential pharmacological uses. Research is being conducted to further investigate the biological activities and molecular species of these lipid materials.
Health Benefits
The selenium in mushrooms is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage that could lead to heart disease or cancer. Their nutritional and medicinal properties make them a popular and profitable venture for farmers in the Philippines and a staple in many households and restaurants.
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Mushroom farming as a business
Mushroom farming has become an increasingly popular business venture in the Philippines, with its unique taste and health benefits, mushrooms have become a staple in many households and restaurants. Mushrooms are also used for their medicinal properties, making them a valuable crop. The good news is that growing mushrooms does not require a lot of space or time, and they can be grown all year round.
Getting started
To start your own mushroom farm, you will need to set up a budget and decide on the variety of mushrooms you wish to grow. Oyster mushrooms are a good option for beginners as they are the easiest to grow. You can then acquire a spawn, either by creating your own culture or purchasing ready-to-use spawns from suppliers. The substrate is where the mushroom will be cultivated, and this is where materials like straw come into play.
The process
The mushroom bed should be made up of six layers of straw, with each layer planted with mushrooms. Four to five days after planting, the beds can be watered, and this should be done every other day. During the summer, follow the recommended watering method, but in the rainy season, wait for the mushrooms to sprout naturally. When harvesting, be sure to include the stem of the mushroom when pulling it out of the bed. Freshly harvested mushrooms should be stored at 0 to 5 Celsius for a maximum of two weeks, while dried mushrooms can be stored for 3 to 4 months.
Benefits
Mushroom farming is a great small-scale business idea, as it requires little capital to get started. It is also beneficial to the environment, as mushrooms can decompose dead plants and animals, serving as a cleaning function. Additionally, the mushroom beds can be converted into fertilizer after production, so there is no waste. With the increasing demand for fresh and organic produce, mushroom farming can be a profitable venture.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are usually regarded as a delicacy in the Philippines and other Asian countries. They are used for gastronomy and for their medical properties. They are also a good source of income as they require a low-cost investment and minimal space and time.
Oyster mushrooms are the easiest to grow and have the most basic environmental needs, including humidity, light, ventilation, sanitation, and temperature. Other good starter mushrooms include Paddy Straw Mushrooms and Volvariella volvacea, which can be grown using rice straw.
First, you need to acquire spawn, which can be purchased or made using a culture of your own concoction. The substrate, or spawning material, is where the mushroom will be cultivated from. Rice straw is the best spawning material, but alternatives like water lilies, banana leaves, or shredded abaca stalks can also be used. The straw should be packed tightly, cut into lengths, and soaked in water before being supported by bamboo poles in the seedbed.
