John Miller
Mushrooms are a fascinating kingdom of life, and growing them at home can be an easy and rewarding endeavour. With the right knowledge and equipment, you can successfully cultivate these tasty fungi and even save some money on pricey grocery store mushrooms. To get started, you'll need to decide on the type of mushroom you want to grow, such as oyster, button, or shiitake mushrooms, which are great for beginners. You'll also need to choose between growing your mushrooms indoors or outdoors. Once you've made these decisions, you can gather the necessary supplies, which may include a growing kit, mushroom spawn or spores, a substrate like compost or straw, and tools to maintain the ideal temperature, moisture, and airflow for your mushrooms. With patience and attention to detail, you'll soon be harvesting your very own homegrown mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Oyster, button, shiitake |
| Growing location | Indoors, outdoors |
| Mushroom substrate | Compost, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds |
| Mushroom spawn | Seedings purchased from a supplier |
| Temperature | 70°F, then 55-60°F |
| Mushroom development | Primordia, pins, adult mushrooms |
| Harvesting | Before spores are released |
| Mushroom growing method | "Popcorn tek" |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right substrate
There are various substrates that can be used for mushroom cultivation, each with its own advantages and suitability for different mushroom species. One of the most common substrates is compost, which can be purchased or made at home. Horse manure-based compost is a good option for mushrooms. When using compost, fill a plastic tray with about 10 cm of the material, distribute the spores on top, mix well, and cover with a damp newspaper, ensuring some airflow.
Other commonly used substrates include straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, and even rye berries. Straw and sawdust can be pasteurized to eliminate any contaminants. For outdoor cultivation, mushrooms can be grown in raised garden beds or directly in the ground in shady, humid areas. Oysters and shiitakes, in particular, grow well on hardwood logs.
It is important to note that the ideal substrate may vary depending on the mushroom species. Each species has unique requirements, and observing their development is key. The substrate should be treated to create an optimal environment for mushroom growth, with the right temperature, humidity, airflow, and light conditions.
Overall, choosing the right substrate involves selecting a material that provides the necessary nutrients and creates the ideal conditions for the specific mushroom species you intend to cultivate.
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Preparing the substrate
There are several materials that can be used as a substrate, including compost, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, and hardwood logs. The type of substrate you choose will depend on the specific mushroom variety you plan to grow, as some mushrooms grow better on certain substrates. For example, oysters and shiitakes grow especially well on hardwood logs. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own compost, but be sure to follow proper compost preparation guidelines to reduce the chances of encountering problems during the spawn-growing period.
Once you've selected your substrate material, it's important to treat it to ensure it's free of contaminants. This can be done through various methods such as pasteurization, sterilization, lime bath, peroxide bath, or cold fermentation. Pasteurization, for instance, involves heating the substrate to a high temperature to kill off any unwanted organisms. This step is crucial in preventing contamination and ensuring the health of your mushroom crop.
After treating the substrate, it's time to introduce the mushroom spawn or spores. The spawn is the fungal material needed to initiate cultivation and can be purchased from a mushroom cultivation supplier. Mix the spawn into the substrate, following specific instructions for the type of mushroom you're growing. The spawn will begin to grow and permeate the substrate, forming a network of thin, thread-like cells called mycelium. This process is known as colonization and typically takes a few weeks.
During the colonization phase, it's important to maintain optimal environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and airflow. The specific requirements will depend on the mushroom variety, so be sure to research the needs of the particular species you're growing. By providing the ideal environment and carefully preparing the substrate, you'll create the perfect foundation for your mushrooms to flourish.
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Inoculating the substrate
The substrate is the medium that the mycelium will grow in. It is where the mushroom mycelium will obtain all the nutrients it needs to develop and produce mushrooms. Different species of mushrooms prefer different substrates. For example, wood-based substrates are optimal for mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, and maitake, while oyster mushrooms can grow on nearly any substrate.
Before inoculating the substrate, it is important to ensure that there are no competing organisms on it. This gives the mushroom mycelium a clean slate to grow. The substrate should also be pasteurized or sterilized. This can be done by submerging it in water and keeping it at 74 degrees Celsius for 1 to 2 hours. Alternatively, some substrates, like coffee grounds, do not require pasteurization or sterilization as long as they are put to use quickly and handled with proper hygiene and care.
Once the substrate is ready, it is time to inoculate it with mushroom spawn or spores. This involves bringing the spawn into contact with the substrate to initiate its growth and development. The spawn should be distributed evenly throughout the substrate for rapid growth. There are two common methods of distribution: top spawning and through spawning. Top spawning involves adding the spawn on top of the substrate and letting it grow down, while through spawning refers to shaking the substrate after inoculation to distribute the spawn.
The amount of spawn added to the substrate, or the inoculation rate, will affect the speed of colonization and the success rate. A higher inoculation rate will result in faster colonization, but it will also increase the cost per pound of mushrooms. For new cultivators, it is recommended to use a high inoculation rate to boost the success rate, and then gradually lower the rate as they become more experienced.
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Creating the right environment
Mushrooms are not photosynthetic, so they must obtain their food from the pre-existing material in their growing environment. This means that the substrate in which they grow must provide them with the right mix of nutrients, including sugar, starch, lignin, fats, protein, and nitrogen. The substrate should be rich in organic material and include materials like hardwood sawdust, straw, compost, or even coffee grounds.
Before introducing mushroom spores or spawn (fungal seeding) to the substrate, the substrate should be treated with pasteurization, sterilization, lime bath, peroxide bath, or cold fermentation to kill off any contaminants. The spawn production process begins by sterilizing a mixture of grain, water, and chalk. Once the mixture is sterilized, mycelium is added, and the period of active mycelial growth begins.
Once the spawn has been introduced to the substrate, it should be placed in an environment with the recommended conditions for colonization, typically around 70-75°F. The substrate will become fully colonized by the mushroom mycelium, which looks like white fuzz. This stage is called "the spawn run."
After the spawn run, the substrate with primordia should be placed in an environment with conditions that promote fruiting, including controlling temperature, light, humidity, and airflow. Mushrooms like cool, humid, and dark conditions. The humidity can be maintained by routinely spraying the substrate with water and covering the mixture with a damp towel.
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Harvesting the mushrooms
The first sign of mushrooms to come is the appearance of primordia, which look like tiny white balls on or in the mycelium. A couple of days later, you'll see the first pins, which will soon grow into big adult mushrooms. Mushrooms grow quickly, and you'll want to harvest them before they release their spores.
Once the mushrooms are mature, carefully pick them. The mushrooms are picked by hand. It is important to maintain a clean environment during the harvest to avoid contaminating the mushrooms. After harvesting, the substrate should be pasteurized with steam to prevent pests or diseases from affecting future crops.
The entire process, from the start of composting to the final steam-off after harvest, takes about 14 weeks. It is important to manage the growing environment, including temperature, light, humidity, and airflow, to ensure the mushrooms have the optimal conditions to thrive.
Harvesting mushrooms is a complex but rewarding process that requires patience and attention to detail. Each species has unique requirements, and observing their development is an educational and rewarding experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Growing mushrooms is a complex but rewarding process. Mushrooms are not plants, but fungi, and they need different conditions to grow. They require adequate moisture, temperature, and limited light. Mushrooms grow in substrates rich in organic material, such as compost, straw, sawdust or coffee grounds.
First, decide which type of mushroom you want to grow. Oyster or button mushrooms are the easiest for beginners. Next, decide if you will grow them indoors or outdoors. Purchase mushroom spawn (seedlings) from a supplier and mix them into your chosen substrate. Raise the temperature to 70 degrees. After 2-4 weeks, the spawn will have taken root and looks like white fuzz. Drop the temperature to 55-60 degrees. Cover the mixture with potting soil and spray with water. Keep the mixture moist and cool, and mushrooms should grow in about three weeks.
Mushrooms like cool, humid conditions, but can be grown in more arid climates if you water them more often. Growing mushrooms outdoors can take longer, from six months to two years. If you're growing mushrooms indoors, they need a dark, cool place, such as a basement or crawl space. Keep your growing area clean to prevent contamination.
