Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a fun and rewarding crop to grow, but what do you do with all the leftover substrate after you've harvested your mushrooms? The good news is that mushroom substrate can be reused and even composted. The process of reusing mushroom substrate is known as flushing. Flushing allows growers to get multiple yields from the same substrate, which is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. The process of flushing involves rehydrating the substrate to trigger another growth cycle. Different species of mushrooms have different requirements for optimal growth, so it's important to understand the specific needs of the mushroom species you are working with.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a mushroom substrate? | A medium that allows mushroom mycelium to develop and establish itself. It offers nutrition, moisture, and energy for mushrooms to grow and fruit. |
| How to choose a substrate? | Different mushroom species have different preferences, so it's important to pair your mushrooms with the right substrate for optimal results. |
| How to care for the substrate? | Spray water into the perforations twice a day, increasing to three times a day when young mushrooms begin to push through the bag. Maintain high humidity levels (90-95%) and a stable temperature of 21-25°C. |
| How to reuse the substrate for a second flush? | After harvesting the first flush, remove any dried or smaller mushrooms with inverted caps. Submerge the substrate in cool tap water for 3-4 hours to rehydrate it and eliminate contaminants. Maintain humidity at 90-95% and provide proper ventilation. |
| What to do with spent substrate? | Spent substrate can be composted or repurposed to grow new mushrooms. |
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What You'll Learn
Misting and fanning the substrate to stimulate mycelium
Misting and fanning are crucial techniques for stimulating mycelium and encouraging subsequent flushes. Firstly, misting provides the moisture that mycelium requires to thrive. When misting, ensure the substrate is thoroughly coated, but avoid over-saturating it, as this may hinder pinning and encourage unwanted mould growth. Mist the substrate 2-3 times a day, and increase the frequency to three times a day when young mushrooms begin to emerge.
Fanning is equally important, as it increases oxygen flow and promotes air exchange, reducing carbon dioxide levels. Fanning also aids in evaporation, which triggers fruiting. To fan the substrate, remove the lid of the monotub, fold it multiple times, and move it back and forth in a steady motion. Perform this action 3-4 times a day, and always fan after misting. Aim for approximately 30 seconds of fanning each time, and continue the misting and fanning regimen until you achieve healthy mushroom development.
The dunk technique is another effective method for boosting yield. After the first flush, carefully harvest the mushrooms, then submerge the substrate in water for up to 24 hours, using a gentle weight to keep it submerged. This process ensures the mycelium receives ample moisture to trigger a second flush. After dunking, slowly pour off any excess water and return the substrate to the grow chamber, maintaining high humidity and proper ventilation.
By understanding the role of misting and fanning in substrate preparation and care, growers can successfully stimulate mycelium and achieve multiple flushes of mushrooms.
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Rehydrating the substrate to trigger a second flush
Rehydrating the substrate is essential to providing the mushroom mycelium with the moisture it needs to thrive and encouraging the growth of a second flush of mushrooms. Mushrooms are primarily made up of water—between 70% and 92% according to various sources—which is entirely sourced from the substrate. Therefore, the amount of water in the substrate is critical for the growth of mushrooms.
After harvesting your first crop of mushrooms, it is important to remove any dried or smaller mushrooms with inverted caps, as they can dry up and provide possible sources of contamination. Next, gently submerge the Mushroom Grow Block in cool tap water, weighing it down if necessary as the blocks tend to float. Allow the blocks to soak for 3 to 4 hours with a trickle of running water to eliminate any contaminants. During this time, you can also rinse and prepare the bag to place the block back in, minimising exposure to fresh air and encouraging the growth of larger mushrooms. Alternatively, you can leave the bag off to allow mushrooms to grow out from all over the Grow Block.
Some growers opt for misting the substrate after the first flush, but others argue that this does not replace enough water. Instead, they recommend soaking the trays for a couple of hours and then carefully pouring out the excess water. Another option is to compost the spent substrate, which will eventually decompose into rich loamy compost that can be used in your garden. This method may even result in an additional flush or two of mushrooms!
It is important to note that overwatering the substrate can encourage unwanted mould growth. Therefore, it is recommended to spray water into the perforations twice a day, increasing to three times a day when the young mushrooms begin to emerge, but being careful not to spray them directly.
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Composting spent substrate to create rich loamy compost
Composting spent mushroom substrate is an excellent way to create rich, loamy compost for your garden. This guide will outline the steps to follow and provide helpful tips for success.
Firstly, it is important to understand what spent mushroom substrate is. It is the material left behind after harvesting mushrooms, typically made from organic matter such as straw, sawdust, and other natural products. This substrate is high in organic matter and can be an excellent source of nutrients for your compost.
Before composting, it is recommended to pasteurize the spent substrate to kill any pests, pathogens, weed seeds, or harmful bacteria. This can be done by submerging the substrate in hot water for at least an hour, ensuring the water temperature remains between 70-80°C. Pasteurization will give your compost a head start and reduce the risk of contamination.
Once pasteurized, you can begin the composting process. If you have a small amount of spent substrate, simply pile it outside and let nature take its course. The decomposition process will begin, and you may even be treated to an additional flush or two of mushrooms in your compost pile! Turning your compost pile every day or two will help introduce air and ensure even decomposition.
If you have a larger amount of spent substrate, you may need to investigate other options. Contact your local farmers to see if they would be interested in adding your substrate to their compost piles. Alternatively, look into your city's composting programs or consider creating a large compost pile on a farmer's property with their permission.
With time and patience, your spent mushroom substrate will transform into rich, loamy compost that can be used in your vegetable garden or to enhance the soil structure and moisture retention in your lawn and garden beds. Worms can also be introduced to create nutrient-rich worm castings, further improving the quality of your compost.
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Choosing the right substrate for your mushroom species
Mushroom Species
Different mushroom species have specific substrate requirements. It is essential to research the species you wish to grow to determine the appropriate substrate type. For example, oyster mushrooms are known to grow on a wide range of substrates, including straw, wood chips, and even cardboard. In contrast, truffles prefer to grow on the roots of living trees, making them challenging to cultivate commercially.
Nutrient Content
The nutrient content of the substrate is crucial for mushroom growth. The substrate should provide the necessary nutrients for the mushrooms to thrive. Common ingredients in nutrient-rich substrates include straw, wood chips, grains, manure, and coffee grounds. Additionally, the substrate should contain essential minerals like nitrogen, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Water Content
The ability of the substrate to retain moisture is vital for mushroom development. It should strike a balance between retaining moisture and allowing proper aeration. Most mushroom bodies are composed of 70-90% water, which they derive entirely from the substrate. The ideal hydration level for most substrates is between 60-70% water content.
Availability and Ease of Use
Consider the availability and ease of working with a particular substrate. For example, straw-based substrates may be more accessible and easier to prepare than hardwood substrates. Select a substrate that is readily available in your area, such as straw, sawdust, or pre-inoculated pellets.
Sterilization or Pasteurization
To prevent contamination and ensure a healthy growing environment, the substrate must be sterilized or pasteurized. Pasteurization involves heating the substrate between 150-180 degrees F for 1.5-2 hours to reduce contaminants and give mushrooms a head start. Sterilization, on the other hand, requires heating the substrate to extreme temperatures exceeding 250 degrees F to eliminate all contaminants.
By considering these factors and matching the substrate to the specific needs of your mushroom species, you can create an ideal environment for successful mushroom cultivation.
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Maintaining substrate health to prevent contamination
Maintaining substrate health is crucial to prevent contamination and ensure the successful cultivation of mushrooms. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to achieve this:
Firstly, it is essential to choose the right mushroom substrate. Different species of mushrooms have distinct preferences, so matching the substrate to the specific requirements of the mushroom variety is critical. This choice can significantly impact the outcome of your mushroom-growing project. Understanding how mushroom mycelium develops is key to selecting the most suitable substrate. The substrate serves as a medium that provides the necessary nutrition, moisture, and energy for the mushrooms to grow and fruit.
Secondly, proper pasteurization and sterilization techniques are vital to prevent contamination. Incomplete sterilization or improper pasteurization of the bulk substrate before inoculation can lead to competing organisms and dormant spores that may harm your mushrooms. High pressure and temperature treatments are typically used to sterilize supplemented sawdust fruiting blocks and mushroom grain spawn. Pasteurization, which involves soaking the substrate in hot water at 70-80°C for at least an hour, is often sufficient to minimize the risk of contamination. However, it is crucial not to exceed this temperature range, as higher temperatures can kill beneficial bacteria while allowing harmful bacteria to thrive.
Additionally, maintaining a clean and sanitized growing environment is essential. This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting tools, surfaces, and equipment. Contamination can come from various sources, including your hands, breath, clothing, and even the mushroom cultures or substrates themselves. To mitigate these risks, implement measures such as using sterilized equipment, growing mushroom spawn on sterilized substrates, and ensuring adequate air circulation and ventilation. A laminar flow hood can be particularly useful in providing a clean stream of air for mycological work and effectively reducing airborne contaminants.
Furthermore, proper hydration of the substrate is critical. Mushrooms are composed of 70-90% water, which they derive entirely from the substrate. Therefore, monitoring the moisture content and regularly spraying water into the perforations of the growing environment can promote healthy mushroom growth. However, avoid excessive watering, as it may encourage unwanted mould growth.
Lastly, it is important to monitor your mushrooms closely for any signs of contamination. Common contaminants include molds, insects, and other fungi, such as Trichoderma and cobweb mold. Early detection is crucial to prevent the spread of contamination. If you notice any contaminants, take immediate action by removing and disposing of the affected substrate and disinfecting the growing area.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom substrate is a medium that allows mushroom mycelium to develop and establish itself. It provides the nutrition, moisture, and energy that mushrooms require to grow and fruit.
There are a few ways to flush mushroom substrate. One way is to submerge the substrate in water for 12 hours and then drain the kit and begin the process anew. Another way is to place the substrate under a running faucet and allow the water to spill over.
It is important to maintain high humidity levels (90-95%) and a stable temperature of around 21-25°C. Provide 12 hours of indirect light daily and ensure proper distribution of fresh air to reduce contamination.
Mushrooms will curl up at the edges when they are fully mature, so harvest them immediately before this stage. Harvest the clump by twisting it one full rotation rather than pulling or cutting it.
If you have a tiny amount of spent substrate, you can simply compost it and allow it to naturally decompose. Alternatively, you can repurpose the substrate to grow new mushrooms. For example, you can break up and re-sterilize spent shiitake blocks to use the organic material to grow new shiitake mushrooms.
