Sarah Brown
Oyster mushrooms are a high-yield, fast-growing crop that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. They are also known to help lower cholesterol levels and are a great source of potassium, iron, and protein. The most widely used substrate for oyster mushrooms is straw, but other substrates such as sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, and agricultural waste byproducts can also be used. The growing area should be clean, dimly lit, able to retain moisture, and provide airflow. The temperature should be between 50-86°F (10-30°C) for optimal growth. Within 7 days of initiating the fruiting process, tiny mushroom pins will start to form, and they will continue to double in size each day. Oyster mushrooms are typically ready to harvest within 2-3 weeks of initiating the fruiting process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 10-30°C (50-86°F) |
| Lighting | Indirect light or shaded light is best. Direct sunlight should be avoided. |
| Humidity | High humidity is required. Spray the substrate with water daily to maintain humidity. |
| Airflow | Good airflow is required. |
| Substrate | Straw, sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, cotton waste, or agricultural waste byproducts can be used. |
| Growing Space | A controlled growing room is best. |
| Time to Fruit | Varies depending on the type of oyster mushroom. Pink oyster mushrooms take 3-4 weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
Optimal temperature and humidity conditions
Oyster mushrooms are highly adaptable and can be grown in a variety of conditions. However, for optimal growth, specific temperature and humidity conditions should be maintained.
Oyster mushrooms thrive in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 86°F (10°C to 30°C). The ideal temperature range for the winter strain, Pleurotus ostreatus, is 50°F to 75°F (10°C to 24°C), while the summer strain, Pleurotus pulmonarius, prefers temperatures up to 85°F (30°C). The blue oyster mushroom, a cold-weather variant, grows well between 45°F and 65°F (12°C-18°C), with an ideal temperature of 60°F (15°C) for heavy fruiting. Pink oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, prefer warmer temperatures of 64°F to 86°F (18°C-30°C).
The growing area should be able to maintain humidity and provide airflow when needed. Plastic sheeting can be used to seal off the growing area to help retain humidity and prevent the growth of unwanted moulds and insects. Spraying the substrate with water twice a day is essential to maintaining humidity as the mushrooms grow. This simulates the humid conditions that mushrooms thrive in. Additionally, exposing a quarter of the growing container's top helps provide the fresh air that oyster mushrooms need to thrive.
While oyster mushrooms are adaptable to varying light conditions, direct sunlight should be avoided as it can damage the mycelium and ruin the crop. Indirect sunlight or shaded light is preferable, as it allows for the proper formation of the fruit bodies.
Overall, by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity conditions, along with adequate airflow and light, you can create an ideal environment for oyster mushrooms to fruit successfully.
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Choosing the right substrate
Straw is the most commonly used substrate for oyster mushrooms. Shredded straw, cut into lengths of 1-3 inches, is ideal. Before use, it's important to clean and pasteurize the straw to eliminate any microorganisms and reduce the risk of contamination. This can be achieved by soaking the straw in warm water with a small amount of dish soap.
Sawdust is another popular substrate option. It is often used in combination with straw, creating a growing medium known as "sawdust spawn." This mixture can be purchased or prepared at home. Sawdust provides a reliable growing environment for oyster mushrooms, especially when supplemented with water.
Other suitable substrates include cardboard, coffee grounds, and various agricultural waste byproducts such as sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, and cotton waste. These alternatives offer flexibility and can be chosen based on availability and convenience. For example, wood pellets are recommended as they come sterilized, requiring only the addition of water to create a suitable growing substrate.
It is important to note that some oyster mushroom varieties have specific substrate preferences. For instance, the gold oyster mushroom, native to Japan, northern China, and eastern Russia, is often found on decayed wood, particularly hardwoods like elm. On the other hand, the aspen oyster mushroom, found in North America, tends to grow on decaying wood of aspen or related species.
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Preparing the growing space
Oyster mushrooms are a high-yield, fast-growing crop that can be grown in a variety of settings, from indoor containers to outdoor straw beds. Before you begin the fruiting process, it's important to prepare your growing space to ensure optimal conditions for mushroom development. Here are the steps to prepare your growing space:
Select a Suitable Location
Choose a growing area that can support the ideal conditions for mushroom cultivation. Oyster mushrooms thrive in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 86°F (10°C to 30°C), depending on the specific strain. The growing space should have indirect sunlight or supplemental lighting, with controlled temperature and humidity. Avoid direct sunlight as it can damage the mycelium and ruin your crop.
Clean and Prepare the Space
Ensure that your growing room is clean and dimly lit. Seal off the area with plastic sheeting to help retain humidity and reduce the risk of unwanted moulds and insects. To disinfect the area, mix a solution of bleach and water (a 1:20 ratio or 5% concentration) and spray it along walls and corners to prevent mould growth. Before bringing in your substrate or spawn, make sure you are wearing clean clothes and consider using sterile gloves, a face mask, and a hair cap to minimise the risk of contamination.
Optimise Airflow and Ventilation
While mushrooms grow well in controlled environments, it's important to provide adequate airflow and ventilation. Avoid placing your mushrooms in enclosed spaces like cupboards, as this can limit airflow. Instead, choose a well-ventilated room and adjust the curtains or blinds to control the amount of light entering the space. Remember that mushrooms respond well to changes in their environment, so periodically opening the growing container or adjusting the lighting can stimulate fruiting.
Prepare the Substrate
The substrate is the growing medium that provides nourishment for the mushroom's roots, known as the mycelium. Straw is the most commonly used substrate for oyster mushrooms, but you can also use cardboard, sawdust, coffee grounds, or agricultural waste byproducts. Prepare your substrate by shredding or cutting it to a length of 1-3 inches. Clean and pasteurise the substrate to eliminate any microorganisms and reduce the risk of contamination. You can do this by soaking the substrate in warm water with a small amount of dish soap.
Monitor for Contamination
Throughout the preparation and fruiting process, regularly check your substrate and growing area for any signs of mould contamination. Black mould within the straw may indicate ineffective sterilisation. Green moulds can be caused by contaminated spawn, high moisture levels, or ineffective sterilisation. If you detect mould, remove any infected bags or substrates from the growing area to prevent the spread. A loss of up to 10% due to contamination is generally considered acceptable.
By following these steps, you can create an optimal growing environment for your oyster mushrooms, setting yourself up for a successful and rewarding harvest.
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Replicating the survival response
Oyster mushrooms are saprotrophs, meaning they feed on dead organic matter, usually hardwood. They can grow on dead wood inside living trees. In the wild, oyster mushrooms grow in response to stress, such as a lack of food, or changes in their environment. To replicate this process at home, you can create the perfect conditions for mushrooms to fruit.
Firstly, you'll need to prepare a substrate. The substrate should provide a nutrient-rich structure and act as a food source for the mushroom mycelium. It should also have a high moisture content to keep the mycelium and the mushrooms hydrated. Popular substrates include straw, cardboard, sawdust and coffee grounds. Before use, the substrate must be pasteurised to kill any unwanted microorganisms. This can be done by submerging the straw or cardboard in very hot water (65°C-80°C or 149-175°F) for up to 2 hours.
Once the substrate is ready, you can mix it with the mycelium, ensuring it is evenly distributed. This mixture is then placed in a plastic bag or container and sealed. Keep the substrate moist by misting regularly and store it in a warm, dark place. After about two weeks, the mycelium should grow through the substrate.
Once the substrate is fully colonised, the mycelium will be running out of food and will want to reproduce to increase its chances of survival. It will produce mushrooms to create its own mushroom spore powerhouses. To replicate this survival response and encourage fruiting, you need to provide optimal conditions for the mushrooms to develop.
Oyster mushrooms need light to grow but direct sunlight should be avoided as it can dry out the substrate and hinder growth. Place your fruiting chamber in a room with indirect light or use artificial lighting such as fluorescent lamps. Lighting is important to signal to the mycelium that it is time to fruit.
High humidity is also essential for the growth of oyster mushrooms. Aim for a humidity of around 90%. This can be achieved by misting regularly with a spray bottle or using a humidifier. Keep the temperature stable to ensure optimal growing conditions. Oyster mushrooms thrive at temperatures between 15-25°C.
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Harvesting and rehydrating
Harvesting your oyster mushrooms is a rewarding process. A collection of mushroom or fungus fruiting bodies ready to harvest is called a flush. You will know it is time to harvest when the mycelium covers your substrate with a white, spiderweb-like network. You will then start to see the mushroom "pins" developing within 7 days. Over the next week, the mushrooms will continue to double in size each day. Once the edge of the caps of the oyster mushrooms starts to flatten out or turn upwards, it is time to harvest before they begin dropping lots of spores. Make sure to harvest before the mushrooms start to shrivel. If you are growing pink oyster mushrooms, it is especially important to harvest them before they drop spores, as they are prolific spore producers.
After you have harvested your mushrooms, you can rehydrate the substrate and grow a second batch. To do this, submerge the mushroom substrate in water overnight to rehydrate. Then, cut a hole in the substrate and spray it twice a day to maintain humidity. Within 1-2 weeks, you will have new mushrooms emerging. You can repeat this process for a third crop before the substrate runs out of available nutrients.
It is important to note that oyster mushrooms grow in the wild in response to stress, such as running out of food, or changes in their environment. To replicate this process, you should wait until the mycelium is almost out of food before providing the optimal conditions for the mushrooms to develop.
To create the optimal conditions for fruiting, increase the light coming into the container by opening the curtains in the room. However, avoid leaving the container in direct sunlight, as this will damage the mycelium. Instead, provide indirect or shaded light so that the fruit bodies can form properly. Additionally, pull back the lid from your growing container, leaving a quarter of the top exposed to fresh air, as mushrooms need plenty of fresh air to thrive.
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Frequently asked questions
Most oyster mushrooms will grow at temperatures between 50°F to 86°F (10°C to 30°C). However, some varieties prefer different climates. For example, the blue oyster mushroom grows in temperatures from 45-65°F (12°C-18°C), while the pink oyster mushroom prefers 64-86°F (18°C-30°C).
Straw is the most commonly used substrate for growing oyster mushrooms. However, you can also use cardboard, sawdust, coffee grounds, and other agricultural waste products.
Oyster mushrooms are fast-growing and typically take around 7-14 days to start fruiting. The pink oyster mushroom, in particular, is a vigorous grower and can fruit in as little as 3-4 weeks.
Oyster mushrooms prefer a humid environment with indirect sunlight and plenty of fresh air. It is important to maintain optimal temperature and humidity conditions and provide adequate lighting and ventilation.
