Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a fun and nutritious addition to any garden, and they can be grown indoors or outdoors with relative ease. Mushrooms are high in protein, fibre, potassium, copper, vitamin B, and selenium, and are a great way to add flavour to your favourite dishes. They grow from spores, which are like seeds, and can be grown on a variety of materials, including straw, cardboard, logs, wood chips, and compost. One of the easiest ways to grow mushrooms is by using the stems of harvested mushrooms, which is more sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient than other methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Oyster, Parasol, Morels, Prince, Button |
| Mushroom source | Store-bought, home-grown |
| Mushroom substrate | Coffee grounds, manure, straw, cardboard, wood chips, compost, sawdust, grain, logs |
| Mushroom spawn source | Reputable seller, home-grown |
| Container | Cardboard box, paper bag, plastic bin, clear plastic bag |
| Container preparation | Line with plastic wrap, cover with tin foil |
| Container environment | Warm, dark, 75°F, high humidity, no standing water, airflow |
| Harvesting | Cut with a sharp knife, avoid pulling up mushrooms |
| Spawn | Blend of spores and substrate |
| Mycelium | Cottony structures, fruit and produce fungi |
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What You'll Learn
Using corrugated cardboard
Firstly, cut off the bottom inch of the mushroom stem. Ensure that the rhizomorphs and any mycelium are kept intact. Next, tear the cardboard into smaller pieces. It is important to use corrugated cardboard as the ripples provide a more desirable landscape for the mycelium to grow along and into. The corrugations also allow for better air exchange. Soak the cardboard pieces in warm water for an hour, ensuring they remain fully submerged. After soaking, drain the cardboard and rip off the top layers to expose the corrugated layer inside.
Place the stem butts on top of the corrugations, spacing them a few inches apart. Cover the stems with the top layer of cardboard that was previously removed. Stack the cardboard layers in a plastic container, ensuring that the container is not over-saturated with water, as this will prevent the growth of mycelium. Place the container in a cool, dark place for two to three weeks until the spawn has fully colonized.
Once the spawn is ready, you can transfer it to larger mushroom-growing bags filled with cardboard. Mist the spawn with water until tiny mushrooms begin to grow.
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Growing mushrooms in coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a waste product that can be used to grow mushrooms, especially oyster mushrooms. This method is a great way to reduce food and packaging waste and is also cost-effective and simple.
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Grounds
Brew 4-5 tablespoons of fresh coffee grounds in a filter coffee machine, stove-top coffee maker, or pour-over coffee maker. Allow the grounds to drain and cool in the filter for 4 hours. It is important to ensure that the coffee grounds are not more than 24 hours old, as mould and bacteria can develop and compete with the mushroom spawn.
Step 2: Prepare the Container
To grow mushrooms in coffee grounds, you will need a glass jar, a baking tray, plastic wrap, and tin foil. Begin by washing your hands with soapy water and drying them. Clean the baking tray with hot soapy water, shaking off excess water, and place it in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and allow it to cool. Submerge the glass jar in boiling water for a couple of minutes, then let it cool. Spray your work surface with an antibacterial spray and wipe it down with kitchen roll, followed by an alcohol wipe.
Step 3: Combine Coffee Grounds and Spawn
Place an even layer of tin foil on the baking tray, followed by an even layer of coffee grounds. Add spawn to the coffee grounds, layering them with grain spawn and pieces of cardboard. You can also add cooled coffee grounds to a large jar, layering it with spawn as you go.
Step 4: Incubate the Spawn
Cover the baking tray with plastic wrap and tin foil, ensuring that no part of the mushroom touches the tray. Place the tray in a warm, dark area with a temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the tray once a day for about three weeks. Within 1-2 weeks, spores will form on the stem and fall to the bottom of the tray, where they can be transferred to another container to continue growing.
Step 5: Harvest the Mushrooms
Button mushrooms should appear within 3-4 weeks. Harvest them when the caps open, cutting the stalk with a sharp knife. Avoid pulling up the mushrooms to avoid damaging the surrounding fungi that are still developing. Harvesting daily should provide a continuous crop for about six months.
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Using a mushroom grow kit
Another option is the Mars Hydro VG80 grow tent kit, which is ideal for both beginners and experienced growers. This kit provides a controlled environment with precise control over factors such as temperature, humidity, and light, which are crucial for successful mushroom growth. It includes a 4-inch inline fan and carbon filter for ventilation and low-intensity LED lighting.
When using a mushroom grow kit, it is important to follow the specific instructions provided with your kit, as different kits may have varied requirements. However, there are some general principles to keep in mind when growing mushrooms. Firstly, mushrooms thrive in specific environmental conditions, so maintaining a consistent temperature, humidity, and light control is essential. Additionally, proper ventilation and fresh air exchange are vital to prevent a build-up of CO2, which can affect the shape of your mushrooms.
The substrate you use is also crucial, as it provides the essential nutrients and environment for mushroom growth. Common options include rye grain, brown rice flour, vermiculite, and coco coir, each with its own advantages and suitability for different experience levels. Sterilization is another important factor, as it helps prevent contamination. While cardboard and paper rarely contaminate, you can sterilize them by boiling, soaking in hot water, or using a microwave, isopropyl alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.
With the right grow kit, attention to environmental factors, and proper substrate and sterilization techniques, you can successfully cultivate your own mushrooms at home.
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Choosing the right substrate
Mushroom Species
Different mushroom species have different substrate preferences. For example, oyster mushrooms thrive on straw, cardboard, or even just cardboard alone, while shiitake mushrooms prefer hardwood. Wood-based substrates are also optimal for reishi, lion's mane, and maitake mushrooms. It is important to research the specific needs of the mushroom species you wish to grow.
Nutrient Content
The substrate must provide the necessary nutrients for the mushrooms to thrive. High-nutrient substrates should be sterilized to give the mushrooms a head start, while less nutritious substrates can be pasteurized to remove unwanted bacteria and create an optimal environment. Examples of high-nutrient substrates include straw, grains, and manure, while coco coir, logs, and cardboard are less nutrient-dense and can be pasteurized.
Water Content
The amount of water in the substrate is key, as mushroom bodies are made up of 70-90% water sourced entirely from the substrate. The substrate should retain moisture while allowing proper aeration. The ideal hydration is between 60-70% water content.
Availability and Cost
Consider the availability and cost of the substrate material. Select a substrate that is readily available in your area and cost-effective. For example, straw-based substrates may be more accessible than hardwood substrates, and cardboard is a good option for beginners as it is cheap and easy to find.
Sterilization or Pasteurization
Depending on the chosen method and the nutrition content of the substrate, sterilization or pasteurization may be required to prevent contamination and ensure a healthy growing environment. Sterilization is necessary for substrates that could be considered food items, such as manure. Pasteurization is sufficient for substrates that are less likely to be consumed by wild animals, such as straw and vermiculite.
Overall, choosing the right substrate involves understanding the specific needs of the mushroom species you are growing and providing a clean slate for the mushroom mycelium to grow and thrive.
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Maintaining the right environment
Temperature and Lighting
Keep the growing environment warm, with temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-23 degrees Celsius). Mushrooms thrive in the dark, so ensure they are kept away from direct sunlight. Place them in a shady position, such as a warm, dark area.
Moisture and Humidity
Maintain high moisture levels by routinely spraying the substrate with water. Keep the growing medium damp, but avoid standing water. Mushrooms require a humid environment, so consider using a high humidity chamber or tenting plastic over the medium to preserve moisture.
Airflow
While maintaining high humidity, it is also important to provide airflow to the growing mushrooms. If using a plastic container, poke holes in the lid to allow for air exchange.
Sanitation
Keep the growing environment clean to prevent contamination of the mushrooms. Sanitize the substrate, especially if using materials with a high risk of contamination, such as coffee grounds or manure. You can sterilize the substrate by boiling it or using a pressure cooker to kill any microbes.
Timing and Harvesting
Regularly check your mushroom growth daily, especially during the first few weeks. Harvest the mushrooms when the caps open, and cut the stalks with a sharp knife. Avoid pulling up the mushrooms to prevent damage to the surrounding fungi that are still developing. With proper maintenance and harvesting, you can enjoy a continuous crop for about six months.
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Frequently asked questions
Stem tissue is the best substrate for growing mushrooms because it has ample water storage capacity and very few contaminants. Coffee grounds and manure also provide a great balance of nutrients and water for mushrooms to grow quickly and efficiently.
First, cut off a small section of the mushroom stem butt, no bigger than an inch long. Make sure the bulbous part of the stem is intact. Then, place the stem on a substrate like cardboard, coffee grounds, or manure. Keep the substrate moist and in a warm, dark place with a temperature of about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Within a few weeks, the mycelium will start to grow and produce mushrooms.
Growing mushrooms from stems is more sustainable, faster, and more cost-effective than growing them on straw. It also provides fresh mushrooms for longer periods of time and makes it easier to grow larger mushrooms.
