Sarah Brown
Growing mushrooms at home is a rewarding and cost-effective endeavour. To multiply mushroom spawn, you can use the grain spawn method, which involves inoculating a container of hydrated and sterilised grain with mushroom mycelium. The grain provides nutrients for the mycelium to feed on and grow, and when fully colonised, it can be broken into small pieces to be distributed evenly throughout a bulk substrate, creating multiple inoculation points. While grains such as wheat, brown rice, white rice, and wild bird seed can be used, rye is the most common choice due to its water-absorbing qualities and nutrient composition. To start, measure the desired amount of grain, keeping in mind that rye will expand when moistened. Rinse the grain several times in cold water, then place it in a bucket or large bowl and fill it with water, adding coffee and gypsum to alter the pH and prevent grain clumping. Transfer the grains to jars, filling them 2/3 to 3/4 full, and sterilise them through boiling or pressure cooking. Finally, place the jars in a shaded area at 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, and within a week, they should be fully colonised with white strands of mycelium, indicating success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grain spawn type | Rye, wheat, brown rice, white rice, wild bird seed, popcorn, sorghum |
| Spawn quantity | 1-liter jar |
| Number of jars created | 1000+ |
| Spawn delivery | Online |
| Spawn quantity purchased | 1 kilogram |
| Spawn storage | Refrigerator |
| Spawn sterilization | Boiling |
| Spawn sterilization quantity | 4 boils |
| Spawn sterilization time | 30-45 minutes |
| Spawn sterilization temperature | 121o Celsius |
| Spawn sterilization duration | 30 minutes for small chambers |
| Spawn sterilization duration | 45 minutes for medium chambers |
| Spawn colonization | White strands of mycelium |
| Spawn colonization duration | 1 week |
| Spawn colonization temperature | 20-24 degrees |
| Spawn contamination | Bluish mould |
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What You'll Learn
Start with a small amount of spawn and a larger amount of substrate
To multiply a small amount of spawn, you can purchase a bag of spawn, typically grown in grains, and inoculate a larger amount of substrate. This substrate is the material from which you will eventually harvest the mushrooms.
The ratio of spawn to substrate is important. A common ratio is 1:2 to 1:3, but this can vary depending on the specific mushroom variety and your yield goals. The spawn:bulk substrate ratio can be a way to increase nitrogen content, which is essential for mushroom growth.
When preparing the substrate, it is crucial to ensure it is sterile to prevent contamination. You can sterilize the substrate by using a pressure cooker at 15 PSI for around 2 hours. This process kills any living organisms or spores that could compete with the mycelium for resources.
Once you have your sterilized substrate, you can break up the spawn grains and mix them with the hydrated substrate. The mycelium will then spread throughout the substrate, feeding on the nutrients it provides. This process of inoculating the substrate can be repeated up to three times, according to experts, as multiplying the spawn too many times may cause a loss of vigour in the strain.
After inoculating the substrate, you can store it in a jar at a temperature of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius. Within a week, you should see white strands of mycelium colonizing the jar. If you notice any bluish mould, discard the contents.
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Sterilise the grains to prevent contamination
Sterilising the grains is a crucial step in preventing contamination and ensuring successful mushroom growth. The grains will likely be full of dust, wood chips, dead bugs, and other contaminants. Thus, it is important to rinse the grains in cold water several times to remove any dirt or debris. This will ensure that the sterilisation process is effective.
After rinsing, the grains should be soaked in water for 12 to 24 hours. This will help the grains absorb water and cause many contaminants to sprout, making them more susceptible to being killed during sterilisation. Additionally, you can add a small amount of coffee and gypsum to the water. Coffee changes the pH and is thought to increase yield, while gypsum prevents the grains from sticking together.
Once the grains have been soaked, they can be sterilised using a pressure cooker or autoclave. Sterilisation typically involves heating the grains at 15 PSI for at least 60 to 90 minutes. It is important to ensure that the pressure inside the cooker reaches 15 PSI before starting the timer. The sterilisation process uses heat and pressure to kill any bacteria or other contaminants present in the grain, creating a clean and healthy environment for mushroom growth.
After sterilisation, it is crucial to allow the grains to cool down to room temperature before handling. During cooling, maintain a reasonably clean environment and inspect the grains for any signs of contamination, such as bacteria or trichoderma mould. Proper cooling and inspection help prevent further contamination and ensure the success of your mushroom cultivation efforts.
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Store jars in a shaded area at 20-24 degrees
Storing jars in a shaded area at 20-24 degrees Celsius is an important step in the process of multiplying mushroom spawn. This step ensures that the spawn has the optimal environment to grow and develop. Here is a detailed guide on this specific step:
Firstly, it is crucial to find a suitable shaded area. The area should be away from direct sunlight and artificial light sources. A shaded shelf or a dark room is ideal for this purpose. By keeping the jars away from direct light, you prevent excessive heat and sunlight from damaging the spawn.
Secondly, maintain a consistent temperature range of 20-24 degrees Celsius (equivalent to 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature range is optimal for the growth of the mycelium. You can achieve this temperature range by placing the shaded shelf or using a temperature-controlled environment, such as a growth chamber or a room with a stable temperature.
During this step, it is essential to monitor the jars daily. Check for any signs of contamination, such as unusual colours, smells, or abnormal growth patterns. Contamination can occur if the environment is not sterile or if the temperature is not adequately controlled. If contamination is detected, the affected jar should be discarded or composted.
The jars should remain in this shaded area until they are fully colonised by the mycelium. Typically, this process takes about a week, but it can vary depending on the type of mushroom spawn and environmental conditions. Once the jars are fully colonised with healthy white mycelium, you can proceed to the next steps of multiplying the spawn, such as inoculating more jars or transferring the mycelium to bulk substrates.
By following these instructions and maintaining the optimal temperature and shaded conditions, you create the ideal environment for the mushroom spawn to thrive and successfully multiply.
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Use rye grains for their water-absorbing qualities and nutritional content
Rye grain is a popular choice for use as spawn for mushroom cultivation. It is considered the gold standard and has been a go-to option for mushroom cultivators for decades. Its popularity is due to its water-absorbing qualities, nutritional content, and the fact that mushrooms seem to like it.
Rye grain is rich in nutrients and has a uniform size that promotes even colonisation. The nutritional value of the grains is important as grains high in protein and carbohydrates fuel vigorous mycelial expansion. The uniform grain size also ensures consistent hydration and colonisation. The ability of rye to absorb water efficiently is another reason it is loved by mushroom growers, providing the perfect foundation for successful mushroom cultivation.
When preparing rye grain, it is important to remove any debris, such as bugs, dust, and so on that may come with the rye. Then, the grains must be properly rinsed and soaked to allow them to absorb water and be ready for cooking. The grains should be soaked in water for 12-24 hours, which will cause them to expand and be almost double their original size. This will also cause many contaminants to sprout, making them more susceptible to being killed through sterilisation.
After rinsing and soaking, the grains are cooked for 15-20 minutes to allow them to absorb more water and soften, which will make them easier for the mycelium to digest. It is important not to overcook the grains as this may cause them to crack open, increasing the risk of contamination during incubation. Once cooked, the grains must be thoroughly drained and dried, ensuring they are loose and free from excess moisture.
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Steam sorghum seeds to soften them before cooling and sterilising
To multiply mushroom spawn, you can purchase a bag of spawn, grown in grains or another medium, and inoculate a larger amount of substrate. However, this guide will focus on the steps for softening sorghum seeds with steam before cooling and sterilising.
Firstly, it is important to soak the sorghum seeds in water overnight to hydrate them. This can be done by placing the desired amount of sorghum seeds in a bowl of water and leaving them to absorb the water. If you are short on time, a shorter option is to boil the seeds for 5 minutes and then turn off the stove. In both cases, the seeds should be drained through a colander.
After the seeds have been soaked or boiled, they should be placed in a pot with water and salt. For each cup of whole-grain sorghum, add 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Bring the water to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium-low so that the water bubbles gently. Simmer the sorghum for about 1 hour, checking to ensure that most of the water has been absorbed and the sorghum is softened. If the sorghum is not soft enough, you can add another cup of water and continue simmering for another 30 minutes.
Once the sorghum is softened, it should be steamed to sterilise it. The proper way to sterilise grains is to steam-heat them to 121°C/250°F for a period of 60 minutes. After steaming, the sorghum should be allowed to cool.
Following these steps will ensure that your sorghum seeds are softened and sterilised, ready for the next steps in multiplying mushroom spawn.
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Frequently asked questions
Grain spawn is the traditional way to propagate mushroom cultures. It consists of mushroom mycelium growing on a substrate of sterilized grain.
Almost any grain can be used to make grain spawn, including wheat, rye, brown rice, white rice, wild bird seed, and even popcorn. The most common grain used for mushroom cultivation is rye due to its water-absorbing qualities and nutrient makeup.
First, measure the desired amount of grain, keeping in mind that the grain will expand when moistened. Rinse the grain several times in cold water to remove any contaminants. Then, place the grains in a bucket or large bowl and fill it with water, adding a little coffee and gypsum if desired. Next, sterilize the grains by steaming or boiling. Finally, inoculate the sterilized grains with mushroom culture and leave them to incubate while the mycelium grows and spreads.
To multiply your mushroom spawn, you can use a jar of grain spawn to create additional jars. For example, one jar can be used to create ten jars, which can then be used to make one hundred jars, and so on. This process can be repeated a few times to exponentially increase the amount of spawn.
