Laura Smith
Mushroom cultivation is a lucrative business that can be done at home or commercially. The process of growing mushrooms involves six to seven steps, from strain selection to harvesting. To increase mushroom production, it is important to understand the environmental conditions, such as temperature, and the nutritional requirements of mushrooms. This includes the use of supplementation, which is the addition of nitrogen-rich nutrients to the substrate to enhance yield. Furthermore, careful substrate preparation, spawn production, and pinning techniques are crucial steps in the process. Commercial mushroom growing also requires special houses with ventilation systems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of steps to grow mushrooms | 6 or 7 |
| Steps | Phase I and Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, cropping |
| Strain Selection, Substrate Preparation, Inoculation, Incubation, Initiation, Fruiting, Harvest | |
| Requirements | Water, food, oxygen, ventilation systems |
| Temperature | 60°F or 62-65°F for highest quality mushrooms |
| Substrate Preparation | Low tech: low nitrogen, high carbon materials (oyster mushrooms on straw or shiitake on logs) |
| High tech: sterilization methods, high nutrient materials (sawdust or hardwood fuel pellets, grain or seed hulls, coffee grounds) | |
| Supplementation | Nitrogen-rich nutrients, bran (wheat or oat), defatted pistachio meal, defatted almond meal, soybean meal, alfalfa meal, feather meal |
| Biological Efficiency (BE) | 100% BE = 1 lb of fresh mushrooms harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate, over multiple flushes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choose the right strain
Choosing the right mushroom strain is an important but often overlooked factor in successfully growing mushrooms. The strain is similar to a plant breed, and each species of mushroom will have thousands of different strains or expressions of its genetic makeup. For example, the species Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as the oyster mushroom, will have many different strains.
When selecting a strain, it is important to consider the specific growing conditions you can provide, such as temperature and substrate. For most mushroom species, temperatures in the 60s °F (15-21 °C) are ideal. The highest quality mushrooms with good fruiting speed develop at temperatures in the low 60s °F (around 16-18 °C). As temperatures decrease, mushrooms tend to fruit more slowly but have a meatier texture. Once temperatures drop below 50-55 °F (10-13 °C), many species greatly decrease their productivity. As temperatures increase, mushrooms become thinner and mature more quickly. At temperatures above 75 °F (24 °C), many species reduce their productivity and become lower quality. Some growers shift the species they grow based on seasonal temperatures.
The substrate you use will also depend on your available resources and infrastructure. Lower-tech methods tend to use low-nitrogen, high-carbon materials like growing oyster mushrooms on straw or shiitake on logs. Higher-tech methods generally use higher-nutrient materials to increase the speed of colonisation and yield. These methods may involve sterilisation techniques and employ a mix of sawdust or hardwood fuel pellets plus a high-nitrogen supplement (e.g. grain, seed hulls, coffee grounds).
Coffee grounds are an interesting substrate option because they are effectively sterilised when used to produce coffee. Two critical steps for successfully growing mushrooms on coffee grounds are: 1) to inoculate on the same day as brewing coffee with the grounds (or resteralise), and 2) to add sawdust to the spent coffee grounds. The nutrients in spent coffee grounds are more readily available than in wood, so ambient bacteria and fungi will start growing within a few days. Therefore, the grounds should either be inoculated on the same day as brewing coffee or frozen until inoculation. When inoculating, the grounds should be mixed with 50% sawdust to increase aeration.
In addition to temperature and substrate, other factors to consider when choosing a mushroom strain include supplementation and biological efficiency. Supplementation is the process of adding nitrogen-rich nutrients to the mushroom substrate to increase the potential yield. This provides the mycelium with a greater nutritional base to support stronger mycelium and produce larger, healthier fruit. Bran, typically wheat bran or oat bran, is commonly used for supplementation. However, it is important to not overuse supplementation, as this can increase the probability of contamination and lead to diminishing returns.
Biological efficiency, or BE, is a way to calculate the effectiveness of a mushroom strain and substrate combination. It was originally developed by the button mushroom industry to grade certain strains of mushrooms. BE is calculated as follows: BE = (weight of harvest / weight of dry substrate) x 100%. A BE of 100% means that 1 lb of fresh mushrooms has been harvested from 1 lb of dry substrate over multiple flushes. Because the calculation uses the weight of dry substrate, it is common to achieve a BE greater than 100%.
By carefully considering factors such as temperature, substrate, supplementation, and biological efficiency, you can choose the right mushroom strain to increase your production successfully.
Mushroom Storage: Fridge or Shelf?
You may want to see also
Prepare the substrate
Preparing the substrate is a crucial step in mushroom cultivation. The substrate is the "soil" for your fungi, providing essential nutrients, moisture, and energy for mushrooms to grow and thrive. Different mushroom species have different substrate preferences, so it's important to pair your mushrooms with the right substrate for optimal results. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prepare the substrate for successful mushroom growth:
Selecting the Right Substrate
Choose a substrate that is suitable for the specific type of mushroom you want to grow. Some species like oyster mushrooms can grow on a wide range of substrates, including straw or cardboard, while other species may require specialised substrates. For example, gourmet mushrooms like Chanterelles or Morels often require a mixture of organic materials. Hardwoods such as oak, beech, and maple also make great substrates for many mushroom types, especially when combined with a bran supplement.
Preparing the Materials
Once you've selected the right substrate, gather and prepare the necessary materials. For a straw-based substrate, cut the straw into small pieces, roughly 2-4 inches long, to increase the surface area for mycelium colonisation. If you're working with large amounts of straw, you can shred it with a garden strimmer. For a sawdust-based substrate, ensure it is fresh and free from any chemical treatments. Coffee grounds can also be used, but make sure they are slightly dried to prevent immediate mould growth.
Pasteurisation and Sterilisation
Before inoculating the substrate with mushroom spores or mycelium, it needs to be pasteurised or sterilised to minimise the risk of mould and bacteria growth. Pasteurisation is sufficient for growing mushrooms with minimal risk of contamination. To pasteurise straw, soak it in water to hydrate and remove any potential contaminants, then heat it to a specific temperature to ensure sterilisation without damaging the nutritional content. To pasteurise straw with the heat pasteurisation method, place your straw pieces into a heat-resistant bag and fill it with boiling water. Seal the bag and let it sit for up to 8 hours or until completely cooled, then drain the water.
If you're using other substrates, you can pasteurise them by soaking them in a bath of hydrated lime-treated cold water for 24 hours, which increases the pH and kills contaminants. For full sterilisation, the substrate must be exposed to temperatures higher than 250°F (121°C) and placed under pressure, which requires equipment like a pressure cooker. Sterilisation aims to completely eliminate all contaminants, both living and dormant, and is crucial for substrates like manure, which needs to be sanitised to reduce the risk of contamination.
Mixing and Containerisation
After pasteurisation or sterilisation, mix your substrate ingredients together in a large container until they are evenly distributed. Gradually add water to achieve a moisture content of 60-70%, aiming for a mixture that is moist to the touch. You can also add supplements like gypsum or coffee grounds to enhance the nutrient content, but be cautious to avoid over-supplementation, which can lead to contamination. Once your substrate mixture is ready, pack it into clean and durable containers that provide adequate space for growth, such as plastic bags or jars with breathable lids.
Incubation
After your substrate is in its final container, it's time to inoculate it with mushroom spawn or spores to start the growing process. Store the inoculated substrate in a warm environment with a steady temperature of 18-22°C for 17-22 days. During this time, the developing white mycelium will occupy all of the substrates. Once incubation is complete, relocate the container to a bright, draught-free place with a temperature of 8-18°C. The mushrooms are stimulated to fruit by the drop in temperature and enhanced aeration.
Preparing Dry Mushrooms: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Add supplements
Nutrient supplementation is an agronomic process that involves adding nutritional supplements to the substrates used for mushroom cultivation. This process can significantly impact mushroom yield and quality. The addition of external nutrients increases the productivity of some low-yielding mushroom varieties, making it a valuable tool for introducing new commercially viable varieties.
The substrate composition varies depending on the type of mushroom being cultivated, with common materials including straw, sawdust, agricultural waste, and compost. By offering a rich environment with the right balance of nutrients, moisture, and aeration, the substrate facilitates the colonisation of mycelium and the eventual fruiting of mushrooms.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are among the key nutrients to include in the mushroom substrate. Calcium, for instance, is an essential ingredient for mushroom cultivation. Gypsum, a popular supplement, is added to provide a source of calcium for the mushroom spawn. A general rule of thumb is to use a ratio of 1:25 of gypsum to the total weight of the bulk substrate.
To achieve successful supplementation, it is crucial to design supplements that delay the availability of nutrients. Formaldehyde treatment, for instance, can limit the solubility and denature the proteins of supplements, inhibiting the growth of competitor moulds. This allows the mushroom mycelium to gradually access the nutrients.
Additionally, potential mushroom growth-promoting (MGP) fungi and bacteria can be used as supplements to stimulate mycelium growth and promote mushroom fructification while providing nitrogen or vitamin reservoirs. MGP supplements can be supplied separately or in combination with nutritional supplements to increase crop yield.
Mold Mushrooms: Are They Toxic to Eat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$27.99 $29.99
Control temperature
Temperature control is crucial to successful mushroom farming. Mushrooms have specific temperature requirements at each stage of their life cycle, and failing to meet these requirements can hinder growth and yield.
The first step in controlling temperature is to understand the basic stages of the mushroom life cycle: spore germination, colonisation, primordia formation, and fruiting. Each of these stages has distinct temperature needs. For example, during spore germination and colonisation, mushrooms require a warm environment, while the temperature may need to be lowered during the fruiting stage.
To maintain a warm environment during the early phases of mushroom cultivation, a thermostat-controlled heater is invaluable. This ensures a consistent temperature, preventing fluctuations that can hinder mycelium growth. It is recommended to keep the temperature between 70°F and 85°F (21°C and 29°C) during these early stages. However, it is crucial not to exceed 25°C, as this increases the risk of contamination.
As the mycelium colonises the substrate, it generates heat. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the temperature regularly to prevent overheating, which can inhibit growth or lead to contamination. Use a thermometer to check the substrate temperature, and increase ventilation if the temperature rises above the optimal range. Avoid stacking substrate bags or containers too closely to allow for proper airflow.
During the fruiting stage, cooling systems such as fans, air conditioners, or evaporative coolers can help create the ideal environment for mushrooms. The recommended temperature range for fruiting is between 15°C and 21°C, depending on the species. Most mushrooms cannot withstand temperatures above 23°C, except for certain tropical species such as the pink oyster mushroom.
In addition to temperature control, other factors such as humidity, light, and ventilation also play a crucial role in successful mushroom production. By understanding the specific needs of different mushroom species and maintaining optimal conditions throughout their life cycle, growers can optimise their setup for healthy and abundant yields.
Mushrooms: Nature's Superfood and Medicine
You may want to see also
Harvest at the right time
Harvesting at the right time is crucial to achieving the best yield and desired quality. The right time to harvest mushrooms depends on several factors, including the species of mushrooms, the intended storage methods, and market demands.
For common mushrooms like Agaricus, harvesting early when the caps are still small, white, and firm can meet market demands for champignon mushrooms. This may require more frequent harvesting, even daily. Lowering the temperature by 2°C (to 14-17°C or 57-62°F) 48 hours before harvesting the first and second flushes can also increase yield, as 60-75% of the yield is generally harvested from these first two flushes.
For shiitake mushrooms, the logs must be checked frequently, and mushrooms should be harvested when the cap is opened approximately 50-75%. Harvesting when the cap is 100% open can reduce shelf life and increase pest problems.
Oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, are known for their ease of growth and high yield. They can be harvested directly into 5-pound cases, maintaining the highest quality for restaurants.
The timing of harvesting also depends on the intended storage methods. For example, harvested mushrooms should be kept in cool temperatures (maximum 7°C or 45°F) and covered to protect them from flies, sunlight, and high temperatures. At these temperatures, they will last for about 7 days before needing to be sold.
Lastly, it is important to maintain proper humidity and oxygen supply during the harvesting period. Excessive humidity can make mushroom caps clammy or sticky, reducing their shelf life and quality.
Selecting the Best Button Mushrooms: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to increase mushroom production. Firstly, ensure you have the right environmental conditions, such as adequate ventilation and temperature control. Secondly, choose the appropriate substrate preparation method, which can be lower-tech or higher-tech, depending on your resources and goals. Finally, consider using supplementation to add nitrogen-rich nutrients to the mushroom substrate, increasing the potential yield.
Mushroom supplementation is an agronomic process where nutritional amendments are added to the substrates used for mushroom cultivation. This process increases the nutritional base for the mycelium, resulting in stronger mycelium and larger, healthier fruits. Protein-rich supplements such as soybean meal and cottonseed meal have been found to increase mushroom production.
For most mushroom species, temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit are ideal. Specifically, temperatures between 62-65°F produce the highest quality mushrooms with good fruiting speed. As temperatures decrease, mushrooms fruit more slowly but develop a meatier texture. When temperatures drop below 50-55°F, many species significantly reduce their productivity.
