John Miller
Mushrooms are the reproductive bodies of fungi, and their purpose is to produce spores or seeds. Each type of fungus has a different spore type and releases them in unique patterns depending on the form of the underside of the mushroom cap. Gill mushrooms are the easiest to harvest, but all types can be harvested with some experimentation. The simplest way to start growing your own mushroom spawn is by using the stem butt method. You can take the stems of oyster mushrooms and put them in a container with some damp cardboard. In a couple of weeks, you will have your own spawn. However, this method can be unreliable, and you should expect failures due to mould contamination and other issues.
Characteristics and Values of Extracting Mushroom Spawn
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spawn type | Plug spawn, sawdust spawn, grain spawn |
| Spawn creation | Blend mushroom spores with a substance like sawdust, straw, or wooden plugs |
| Spawn use | Acts as the backbone of a mushroom growing operation, providing a consistent production of a particular cultivar of mushroom |
| Spawn sourcing | Can be bought from suppliers or made at home using the stem butt method or a full lab setup |
| Spawn advantages | More control over the variety of mushrooms grown, cheaper than buying mushrooms |
| Spawn disadvantages | Time-consuming, requires a lot of equipment and a sterile space, prone to mold contamination |
| Spawn growth | Spawn is grown onto a substrate, which provides the nutrients for mushroom growth |
| Mushroom growth | Mushrooms grow in different materials (substrates) like straw, wood chips, or compost |
| Mushroom types | Oyster, button, shiitake, and Agaricus mushrooms |
| Mushroom kit | May include a bag of straw, mushroom spawn, composted manure, or a growing block |
| Mushroom spores | Can be collected by removing the mushroom stem and placing the cap gill-side down on paper with a drop of water |
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What You'll Learn
Using the stem butt method
The stem butt method is a cheap and easy technique to grow mushroom spawn at home. It does not require expensive equipment and is not time or resource-intensive. Here is a step-by-step guide to using the stem butt method:
First, source some fresh oyster mushrooms. You can either find wild oyster mushrooms or buy them from a grocery store or farmer's market. It is important that the mushrooms are fresh enough for the stem to be alive after cutting it off.
Next, shred some plain cardboard into smaller pieces. The cardboard should be free from any ink or writing to prevent chemicals or toxins from being absorbed by the mushrooms.
Then, pour boiling water over the cardboard pieces. This will help kill any wild moulds, fungi, or yeasts. Let the cardboard cool down and drain off the excess water. Mushrooms thrive in a humid and moist environment, so it is important to ensure that the cardboard is damp.
After that, place an even layer of mushroom stem butts on top of the damp cardboard. You can cut the stems into sections or slice them lengthwise. Put in as many stem butts as possible to increase the chances of your mushroom spawn thriving and defeating any wild fungi.
Cover the stem butts with another layer of damp cardboard, sealing the container tightly. You can use rubber bands to secure the lid and prevent contamination.
Finally, place the container in a dark, warm, and dry place for around 11 days. During this time, the container should become fully colonized with fresh, white, strong mushroom growth. Resist the urge to open the container early, as this may expose the spawn to contamination from wild yeasts and moulds.
After the incubation period, you can transfer the spawn to a larger container to begin the pinning process and produce mushrooms.
The stem butt method is a simple and affordable way to grow mushroom spawn at home. With some fresh oyster mushrooms, cardboard, and a few simple steps, you can create your own mushroom spawn in a couple of weeks.
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Using a spore syringe
To make a spore syringe, you will need to source some mushroom spores. These can be found online in the form of spore prints, or you can buy ready-made spore syringes. To avoid contamination, prepare a clean environment with as little airflow as possible. It is recommended to do this in a still air box or with a laminar flow hood. Consider wearing gloves and a mask, too. Sterilize your water and tools in a pressure cooker. Pour 10ml of distilled water per syringe into a glass and cover the top with aluminium foil. Wrap your syringes and a tool for scraping (like tweezers) in aluminium, too, and put everything in a pressure cooker. The water used to rehydrate the spore must be boiled several times to completely eliminate bacterial presence.
The next step is to rehydrate the spores with sterile water, and then use it to inoculate a chosen medium. You can use compost mixed with straw for your medium. If you have a wood-eating mushroom, mix the compost with sawdust. You can also use a liquid culture kit, which can be easily found online and usually costs about $20. It will quickly start forming a culture (usually about 3-7 days) and then you can inoculate using that.
Spore syringes usually come ready to use. If you store it in the refrigerator, it is ideal for bringing it out 12 hours before using it at room temperature. Unscrew the lock on the syringe by turning it counter-clockwise with your hand. Detach the needle from the sterile package (leave the protective cap on the needle) and attach this needle to the mushroom spore syringe. Shake the spore syringe for a few seconds. It is now ready to inoculate a (sterile) substrate. The strain of an edible, medicinal or psilocybe mushroom requires different substrates for growth. You will only require drops of 3 millilitres of the spore solution to colonize 1.05 quarts or 1 litre of the substrate. One syringe has 20ml of the mushroom spore solution, which is enough to inoculate between 6 and 7 litres of the substrate. Drop a few millilitres in each corner of the substrate and it's set. After some days, the growth of white patches of mycelium can be noticed on the spot where the mushroom spores were dropped. The mycelium has fully colonized when the entire substrate turns white.
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Making a spore print
Selecting a Mushroom
Choose a mushroom with visible gills, such as an oyster, portobello, or Swiss brown mushroom. It is important to select a fresh and healthy mushroom for best results. Make sure it is a mature specimen with gills that are readily apparent.
Preparing the Mushroom
Remove the stem from the mushroom, cutting as close to the gills as possible. This will allow the cap to sit flat. If you want to keep the stem attached, you can cut a hole in an index card, place it over a bowl, and insert the stem into the hole so the cap rests on the paper.
Sterilizing the Surface
Use sterilized tin foil or wax paper to prevent contamination from bacteria. Wipe the surface with 70% rubbing alcohol or hold it over a flame to sterilize it. If using foil, you can also wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol.
Creating the Spore Print
Place the mushroom cap gill-side down onto the sterilized surface. You can use a piece of white or black paper, depending on the colour of the gills. If using paper, place the mushroom on both colours, with half on white and half on black, to ensure the spores are visible. Cover the mushroom with a glass bowl or cup to prevent it from drying out and to maintain humidity.
Collecting the Spores
Leave the mushroom covered overnight or for at least 12 hours. The spores will drift down and settle, forming a spore print. Remove the cover and cap to reveal the spores. You can then scrape the spores into a sterilized jar or syringe to use for growing mushrooms or creating spore art.
Storing the Spores
If you want to store the spores for future use, mix them with sterilized water and draw them into a syringe. Store the syringe in the refrigerator, where it can last for up to 18 years.
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Using a petri dish
To extract mushroom spawn using a petri dish, you'll need to prepare a nutrient-rich agar solution. Agar is a gelatinous substance derived from red seaweed, and it plays a crucial role in mushroom cultivation. It serves as a growth medium for mushrooms, allowing cultivators to observe the growth and health of the mycelium while identifying any contamination.
- 10 grams of agar-agar
- 10 grams of light malt extract
- 500 ml of boiling water
Mix the ingredients and sterilize the mixture using an autoclave or pressure cooker at 121°C (15 PSI) for 20 to 30 minutes. This step is crucial to eliminate any unwanted microorganisms. Allow the mixture to cool down to around 45-50°C before pouring it into your sterile Petri dishes. Aim to fill each dish just enough to cover the bottom smoothly, avoiding the formation of air bubbles.
Once the agar has solidified, seal the Petri dishes with their lids or plastic wrap. Maintain a sterile environment by working with sterilized tools and wearing nitrile gloves to prevent contamination from your hands. You can then transfer your spores or a small piece of mushroom tissue into the agar plates, where they will develop into live, healthy mushroom mycelium.
During the incubation period, place the inoculated agar plates in a clean, sealable container and maintain a temperature range of 75-80°F (24-27°C) for most mushroom types. This controlled environment will provide optimal conditions for the mycelium to grow and colonize the agar surface. Remember to regularly inspect your cultures, as you may need to transfer healthy mycelium to a new dish if contamination occurs.
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Using a growing kit
There are different types of mushroom growing kits available, such as the PF Tek kit, Spray & Grow kit, and the GroCycle kit. The PF Tek kit is a popular method for growing mushrooms at home. The Spray & Grow kit can be reused and comes with detailed instructions. The GroCycle kit is a good option if you want to grow oyster mushrooms specifically.
The kits usually come with full instructions, but there are some general steps to follow. First, you need to prepare the substrate. This could be straw, compost, or a growing block, depending on the mushroom variety. For example, the Spray & Grow kit is suitable for growing oyster mushrooms and comes with a hydrated block. The PF Tek kit uses pre-pasteurised mushroom compost. Once you have prepared the substrate, you need to introduce it to fruiting conditions. This involves maintaining a temperature of 60-80°F and providing a light source. A full spectrum fluorescent spiral bulb is recommended. You can leave the light on for 24 hours or put it on a 12/12 cycle.
After this, you need to mist the substrate once a day throughout the fruiting stage. You can skip this step if the substrate is moist. Then, fan the bag for 90 seconds to promote fresh air exchange and vent out any CO2. Reseal the bag and continue to mist and fan until the substrate stops producing mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It provides the backbone to any mushroom-growing operation. Think of it as the equivalent of seeds for a mushroom farm.
The simplest way for beginners to start growing their own mushroom spawn is by using the stem butt method. Take the stems of oyster mushrooms and put them in a container with some damp cardboard. In a couple of weeks, you’ll have your own spawn.
You will need a bowl, some water, a piece of paper, and a mushroom. If your mushroom has pores instead of gills, you will also need gloves sterilized with 70% rubbing alcohol.
