Michael Davis
Leftover mushroom spawn doesn't have to go to waste. There are several ways to reuse it, such as using it to inoculate more logs, straw, or other materials. Alternatively, you can save it for later use or add it to your garden or compost pile, where it can be used as a soil conditioner or to grow another batch of mushrooms. Leftover Mushroom Blocks (LMBs) can also be used for vermicomposting or as worm bedding. If you're growing oyster mushrooms, you can even use the leftover straw substrate as livestock fodder and litter.
How to leftover mushroom spawn
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leftover mushroom spawn material | Sawdust, straw, and other organic materials |
| Leftover mushroom spawn uses | Garden compost, livestock fodder, mulch, worm-bedding, soil conditioner, growing mushrooms |
| Leftover mushroom block (LMB) | Living mycelium in a medium of sawdust and agricultural waste |
| LMB pickup | Requires a pickup truck, available from October to June |
| LMB uses | Can be used to grow mushrooms, can be used as compost, worm-bedding, or to balance high N inputs |
| Oyster mushrooms | Can be grown on logs, dead trees, or straw |
| Button mushrooms | Grow in composted manure |
| Shiitake mushrooms | Grow on wood |
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What You'll Learn
Use leftover mushroom spawn to inoculate more logs
To use leftover mushroom spawn to inoculate more logs, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, obtain fresh logs that are suitable for mushroom inoculation. Look for hardwood logs, such as oak, that are freshly cut and harvested while the tree is dormant. Small-diameter wood will be faster to colonize, but larger logs will produce mushrooms for more seasons. Ensure the bark is intact and avoid logs that are dead, dying, or diseased.
Next, drill holes into the logs. The spacing, width, and depth of the holes will depend on the mushroom species being grown. For shiitake mushrooms, drill the holes anytime between one day and three weeks after the tree is felled. Use tools such as an angle grinder adapter and a drill bit to quickly create the holes.
Then, fill the holes with the leftover mushroom spawn. Firmly and cleanly insert the spawn into the holes, ensuring it does not stick up above the bark but completely fills each hole. The spawn will migrate out of the hole and into the log, allowing the mycelium to grow and colonize the rest of the wood.
Finally, seal off the holes with wax to protect the spawn from drying out and to prevent contamination by other fungi or pests. Heat the wax until it starts to steam, and then apply it to the log using a dauber or a brush.
After inoculation, stack the logs in a shady, moist environment, elevating them slightly above the ground. Monitor the logs regularly to ensure they do not dry out. With proper care, your inoculated logs will eventually produce a bountiful harvest of mushrooms.
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Pasteurise straw for oyster grain spawn
Oyster mushrooms can be grown on straw, which is a cheap and simple method. "Straw" refers to any cellulosic agricultural waste product, such as corncobs, cottonseed hulls, or lawn clippings. Pasteurising straw is a faster and cheaper process than sterilisation, and it can give you a greater yield for your money. The pasteurisation process will give you a 10-14 day window for the spawn to colonise the straw.
To pasteurise straw for oyster grain spawn, you will need to soak the straw in water for 2-3 hours. The straw should be slightly alkaline, which is excellent for Oyster Mushroom mycelium to grow through and will prevent Trichoderma (green mould) spores from germinating. After soaking, the straw will be ready to be inoculated with the spawn. The ratio should be 1 pound of spawn (sawdust or grain) for every 5 to 20 pounds of straw.
Gypsum and lime can be added to the straw, but it is important to note that if you add them before pasteurisation, you will lose some in your pasteurisation water, whereas adding them after may result in uneven mixing.
If you have leftover mushroom spawn, you can use it to inoculate more straw, or you can save it for later use.
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Use as compost or mulch
Leftover mushroom spawn can be used as compost or mulch. Mushroom compost is a by-product of the edible mushroom industry. It is the leftover substrate used to grow mushrooms, usually made from aged chicken or horse manure, straw, hay, and other organic materials. This compost is dark, rich, and earthy, similar to standard compost, but with some important differences.
Mushroom compost can be used as a general mulch or soil conditioner, improving soil structure and pH. It is especially beneficial for gardens with nutrient-poor and overly acidic soil, as it helps to balance pH levels and enriches the soil with organic matter. When using mushroom compost as mulch, spread a layer of about 2 inches (5 cm) over flower beds, vegetable gardens, or around the base of plants. Keep the compost at least 1 to 2 inches away from plant stems to avoid causing rot.
Mushroom compost provides the nutrients that plants need to grow well, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulphur. It enhances the structure of the soil, improving aeration and creating greater moisture retention and drainage capability. However, it is important to note that mushroom compost has higher pH levels due to the presence of calcium, so it should not be used with acid-loving or ericaceous plants, such as blueberries, raspberries, rhododendrons, or camellias.
While mushroom compost can be purchased, it can also be made from leftover mushroom blocks (LMBs). LMBs are wood-based and will become similar to mushroom compost over a couple of years. Fresh mushroom compost has an average pH of 6.6, falling within the ideal range for most crops of 6.0 to 7.0. If you buy fresh mushroom compost, it needs curing before adding it to your soil, so purchase it in fall, winter, or early spring to give it time to sit.
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Give away as livestock fodder
If you have leftover mushroom spawn, you can give it away as livestock fodder. Leftover mushroom blocks (LMBs) are a living mycelium in a medium of sawdust and agricultural waste. They can be used as fodder for livestock, as long as you are growing something edible for humans, such as oyster mushrooms.
Paul Stamets and Peter McCoy have sections in their books on myceliated straw being used as fodder for livestock. The mushrooms produce the enzymes required to break down cellulose and lignin, which are difficult to digest in ruminants.
You can also use leftover mushroom spawn to grow more mushrooms. For example, you can use it to inoculate more logs, which will lead to faster colonisation and more mushrooms. Alternatively, you can use the spawn to get more logs, straw, or other materials to plant. If you don't have the time or resources to do this, you can save the spawn to use later.
Leftover mushroom blocks can also be used in your garden or compost. They can be used as a soil conditioner or to grow another batch of mushrooms.
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Re-sterilise spawn bags to grow different varieties
Pre-sterilised grain spawn bags are a convenient and clean method of cultivating mushrooms. They are an all-in-one, ready-to-use solution for growing mushrooms, eliminating the need for juggling grains, pressure cookers, and sterilisation techniques. However, it is unclear if reusing spawn bags for different mushroom varieties is a safe and effective method.
Reusing spawn bags may not be advisable due to the risk of contamination and the specific requirements of different mushroom varieties. Each mushroom variety has unique environmental needs, and reusing spawn bags may not provide the necessary sterile conditions. Spawn bags are designed for single use, and reusing them may compromise the success of subsequent mushroom cultivation attempts.
Additionally, leftover spawn and substrate should not be wasted. They can be used to inoculate more logs or pasteurise straw for oyster grain spawn, leading to a higher yield of mushrooms. Leftover spawn can also be saved for later use, as long as it is stored correctly.
If you choose to reuse spawn bags, it is crucial to thoroughly clean and sterilise them to prevent contamination. This process may involve using high temperatures and steam, similar to the methods used by some farms to treat their bags. However, specific instructions for re-sterilising spawn bags do not appear to be readily available, indicating that this may not be a common or recommended practice.
In conclusion, while pre-sterilised grain spawn bags offer a convenient way to grow mushrooms, reusing them for different varieties may not be advisable due to potential contamination risks and the specific needs of various mushroom types. It is recommended to use fresh spawn bags for each new variety to ensure optimal growing conditions and successful mushroom cultivation.
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Frequently asked questions
Leftover mushroom spawn can be used as compost, worm bedding, livestock fodder, or litter. You can also use it to inoculate more logs, or get more logs, straw, or materials to plant and grow more mushrooms.
Leftover mushroom spawn can be incorporated into compost piles. It can also be used as mulch, or as a soil conditioner.
A Leftover Mushroom Block is living mycelium in a medium of sawdust and agricultural waste. LMBs can be used to grow more mushrooms, or they can be used as compost.
You can get LMBs from Mycopolitan. They are available from October to June and have limited availability over the summer.
You can drill 10mm holes at regular intervals along a hardwood log and insert the leftover spawn. Keep the log moist and regulate the temperature. In 6-12 months, the mycelium should have taken hold over the log and be ready to fruit.
