Sarah Brown
Growing mushrooms from scratch is a delicate process that requires precision and patience. The first step is to prepare your grain spawn by inoculating grain jars with a viable mushroom culture, which can be grown on agar or in liquid culture form. This involves introducing the mycelium, or roots of a mushroom, to sterilized grain. The mycelium will then grow and colonize the grain, after which it can be transferred to a bulk substrate to grow mushrooms. This process can be done using a syringe with a long needle, filled with a liquid culture of the chosen mushroom species. To ensure successful mushroom cultivation, it is important to maintain a sterile environment and store the inoculated grain in a warm, dark place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Step | Making your own grain spawn |
| Mushroom Culture | Grown out on agar or in liquid culture form |
| Sterilization | Alcohol wipes, pressure cooker, UV light, or chemicals |
| Grain Type | Rye is the most popular |
| Injection | Spore syringe method |
| Temperature | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Shaking | Once during colonization |
| Bulk Substrate | Coco coir, straw, or hardwood |
| Spawn Substrate | Rice, rye grains, straws, composts, woodchips, birdseeds |
| Inoculation Rate | Depends on the type of mushroom, substrate, and conditions |
| Timing | Plan according to the region's first frost dates |
| Environment | Sterile, warm, and dark |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your work area and equipment
Preparing your work area and equipment is a crucial step in the process of inoculating grain mushrooms. Here are the detailed steps to ensure a sterile and controlled environment for successful mushroom cultivation:
Clean and Sterile Workspace
Start by choosing an appropriate workspace. It is recommended to work in a clean, small room with the door closed to prevent airflow and minimize the risk of contamination. Wipe down all surfaces with alcohol or sanitizing solutions to ensure a sterile environment.
Gather and Prepare Equipment
Gather all the necessary equipment and prepare them for use. This includes:
- Sterilized grain jars: Ensure you have enough sterilized grain jars, which can be prepared using a pressure cooker or autoclave to eliminate any competing organisms.
- Liquid culture syringe or mycelium on agar: Prepare your syringe by filling it with a liquid culture of the chosen mushroom species. Flame sterilize the needle of the syringe until it turns red-hot, then allow it to cool.
- Alcohol wipes and a flame source: You will need these to sterilize your work area and equipment further.
- Gloves and masks: Always wear gloves and, if possible, a mask to maintain a sterile environment and protect yourself.
Optional Equipment
While not mandatory, some additional equipment can enhance the process and minimize contamination:
- Still Air Box or laminar flow hood: These provide a controlled, sterile environment for inoculation, reducing the risk of contamination.
- Self-healing injection ports: These ports maintain sterility during inoculation and allow for fresh air exchange, benefiting the growth of the mycelium.
By carefully preparing your work area and equipment, you will create an optimal environment for inoculating grain mushrooms, increasing your chances of a successful and bountiful mushroom cultivation experience.
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Sterilise the grain
Sterilising the grain is a crucial step in creating a clean environment for mushroom spores or mycelium to grow. This step ensures the successful colonisation of grains and minimises contamination. The sterilisation process helps prevent competition from other microorganisms, allowing only the desired mushroom spores to colonise the grains.
To sterilise the grain, start by choosing a suitable grain type. Common grains used for making spawn include rye, wheat, millet, and oats. It is important to select grains that are high in nutrition and have a low likelihood of contamination. The next step is to prepare the grains by rinsing them and soaking them in water overnight. This ensures that they absorb the right amount of moisture, as overly wet grains can lead to contamination.
After soaking, drain the water and fill the grains into jars or bags. Cover the lids of the jars with aluminium foil to prevent water from entering during sterilisation. Place the jars or bags in a pressure cooker capable of reaching 15 PSI. The sterilisation temperature should be higher than 250°F (121°C) for at least 2 hours. At this temperature, boiling water or steam is not sufficient for sterilisation.
The sterilisation time depends on the amount of grain and the temperature used. For small blocks of substrate, sterilise for at least 1 hour, and for large blocks, 3 to 4 hours. Leaving the grains to sterilise for 90 minutes at 15 PSI ensures that all endospores and contaminants are destroyed. After sterilisation, turn off the heat and allow the pressure cooker to cool naturally. Do not open the cooker until the pressure gauge reads zero to avoid accidents.
Once the pressure cooker has cooled, carefully remove the jars or bags using heat-resistant gloves. Avoid touching the inside of the containers to maintain sterility. Allow the grains to cool completely before inoculating them with mushroom spores or mycelium. This step should be done in a clean environment to prevent contamination.
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Prepare the mushroom spawn
To prepare mushroom spawn, you will need a viable mushroom culture, either on agar or in a liquid culture syringe. You can buy these cultures from reputable online suppliers. It is important to work in a sterile environment to avoid contamination. You can create a sterile environment by using a laminar flow hood or, for a more affordable option, a "still air box". You can make a "still air box" by wiping down your workspace and equipment with alcohol. You should also wear gloves and a mask.
Once you have prepared your environment, you can begin to prepare your spawn. First, sterilize your grain. You can do this by using a pressure cooker, also known as an autoclave, which will kill any microbes present in the grain. The type of grain you use is important. Rye is the most popular option because it has good nutrition and soaks up water easily.
Next, you will need to inoculate your grain with your chosen mushroom culture. You can do this by injecting 1-2ml of your culture into your grain jar using a syringe. If you are using a syringe, you must sterilize the needle by heating it with a flame until it is red hot. Seal the grain jars tightly and keep them at room temperature, in a dark place, and away from direct sunlight.
Over the next week, the mushroom mycelium will grow through the grain. You will know that the mycelium is growing because you will see white threads spreading throughout the grain. Once the grain is fully colonized, you can make more spawn by performing a grain-to-grain transfer, or you can add it to a bulk substrate to grow mushrooms.
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Inoculate the grain
Before you start, ensure you have all the necessary equipment and a clean, draft-free workspace. It is important to wear gloves and sterilise your work area, hands, and equipment with alcohol spray.
The first step of inoculating a grain bag is to prepare it for injection with spores or mycelial culture. Carefully pull the gussets on the bag apart and "inflate" the bag to ensure the filter has room to "breathe".
Next, wipe down the injection port with a sterile alcohol swab. Then, take your syringe and flame the needle for 15 seconds. After flaming the needle, press the plunger of the syringe down and squirt a small amount of solution out of the needle to cool it down.
Now, inject 1-2ml of the spore solution into the injection port. Seal the grain jars tightly and keep them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. The mycelium will begin to grow in around 5-10 days, depending on the type of mushroom. During this time, shake the jar at least once to evenly spread out the grain, allowing for faster overall colonisation.
Once the mycelium has colonised about 30% of the jar, gently shake it to spread the growth points and create new places for the mycelium to grow. Depending on the species of mushrooms, it can take about 1-3 weeks before the jar is fully colonised.
At this point, you can either add the colonised grain to a bulk substrate or perform a grain-to-grain transfer to make more spawn.
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Store the inoculated grain
Once you've inoculated your grain jars, it's important to store them properly to ensure successful mushroom growth. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your inoculated grain:
Storing the Inoculated Grain
- After inoculating your grain, place the jars on a shelf at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. There is no need to incubate the grain at warm temperatures in the dark, as the mycelium will grow happily at normal room temperature.
- Maintain a moderate amount of humidity.
- Store the jars in a dark place with no direct sunlight.
- Keep the temperature between 70-75°F (21-24°C) for optimal growth.
- During the colonization phase, ensure that the bag has ample space between the filter and the plastic of the bag so that it can breathe properly.
- Disturb the jars as little as possible during the colonization process.
- Check the jars daily for any signs of contamination, such as unusual colours, smells, or growth.
- If using a bag, place it in an upright position, not rolled up, to ensure proper gas exchange during colonization.
- After inoculation, you should see signs of growth within 3-10 days, depending on the mushroom type and environmental conditions.
- If using a syringe for inoculation, wipe the needle with alcohol and flame it until it's red hot before injecting the solution into the grain jar.
- If you're a beginner, it's recommended to use a still air box or laminar flow hood to minimize the risk of contamination. More experienced growers may opt for a glove box or simply working in a sterile environment.
By following these instructions, you'll create an ideal environment for your inoculated grain to thrive and eventually produce a bountiful mushroom harvest.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to prepare a spore print or spore syringe containing the mushroom spores.
Sterilize your substrate, which is commonly a mix of vermiculite and brown rice flour.
Inject the spore solution evenly into the substrate. Seal the container and incubate it until mycelium growth is visible.
Transfer the colonized grain to a larger amount of substrate to grow your mushrooms.
