Emma Wilson
Reishi mushrooms, scientifically known as Ganoderma lucidum, have been used in Eastern medicine for over 2,000 years. They are known for their restorative and therapeutic properties and are often hailed as the Mushroom of Immortality. If you're interested in growing your own reishi mushrooms, you'll need to create the right environment, prepare your substrate, and carefully manage the growing process. Reishi mushrooms thrive in warm, humid environments with indirect light and specific temperature and humidity ranges. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, and you can purchase spores or spawn from a reputable supplier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ganoderma lucidum |
| Common Name | Reishi Mushroom |
| Other Names | Mushroom of Immortality, King of Mushrooms, Soul Mushroom, Divine Mushroom |
| Appearance | Glossy, reddish-brown caps and woody texture |
| Taste | Woody, earthy, bitter |
| Medicinal Benefits | Believed to prolong life, boost immunity, and restore youth |
| Growing Environment | Warm, humid, indirect light, dappled shade |
| Temperature Range | 70-85°F (21-29°C) |
| Humidity Range | 85-95% |
| Growing Medium | Logs, sawdust blocks, containers, raised beds, plant boxes |
| Planting Time | Spring to Summer |
| Harvesting | Harvest when mature, just before spore release |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the substrate and growing space
Reishi mushrooms are versatile and can be grown in various environments, from containers to gardens. They are also known to thrive in warm, humid environments, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C) and humidity levels maintained around 85-95%.
When preparing the substrate, it is recommended to use a sawdust block or log. If using a log, cut healthy, living trees during the dormant season and allow a minimum of two weeks for the tree's defence system to die back before inoculating. Protect the logs from drying out by storing them in a cool, shaded area, and ensure they receive natural rainfall.
For indoor cultivation, a popular method is to use a pre-made Reishi block or kit. These blocks can be purchased from suppliers and simply need to be inoculated with spores or spawn. After preparing your substrate, introduce the spores or spawn by evenly spreading the spore powder or mixing the spawn into the substrate.
If you prefer to grow your Reishi mushrooms outdoors, you can plant them directly in the ground, in a raised bed, or a plant box. Reishi mushrooms need indirect light, warmth, and humidity to grow. Choose a warm, shady, and sheltered location in your garden, or create a mini greenhouse to protect them from drying out.
Whether growing Reishi mushrooms indoors or outdoors, maintaining the right environmental conditions is crucial. Regularly mist your growing area to maintain humidity, or use a humidity tent to create a controlled environment. Additionally, ensure that your growing space receives dappled shade or indirect light, as direct sunlight can be harmful to the mushrooms.
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Purchase spores or spawn
Reishi mushrooms are slow growers, so you'll need to be patient. They are also sensitive to their environment, so you'll need to create the right conditions for them to thrive.
To get started, purchase Reishi mushroom spores or spawn from a reputable supplier. You can buy them online, and they usually come in a sealed bag. The type of spores or spawn you choose will depend on the growing method you intend to use.
For instance, if you want to grow Reishi mushrooms on logs, you can buy sawdust spawn or plug spawn. If you're using the spawn on logs, you'll need to cut healthy, living trees during the dormant season and let them rest for a minimum of two weeks before inoculating. Protect the logs from drying out by storing them somewhere sheltered, out of direct sunlight and wind, and where they can receive natural rainfall.
If you're using a growing kit, you'll receive a sawdust block that you can simply bury in your garden or a plant pot. Choose a spot that is hot, frequently watered, and has dappled shade. You can also create a mini greenhouse to prevent the sun and wind from drying out your mushrooms.
Once you have your spores or spawn, it's time to introduce them to your prepared substrate. You can do this by evenly spreading spore powder or mixing spawn into the substrate.
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Create the ideal environment
Replicating the natural habitat of Reishi mushrooms is key to creating the ideal environment for their growth. Reishi mushrooms thrive in warm, humid environments, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C) and humidity levels maintained around 85-95%.
When growing Reishi mushrooms, it is important to remember that they require very little light and that direct sunlight can be harmful. They prefer dappled shade or indirect light. If growing Reishi mushrooms outdoors, a warm, shady, sheltered location is ideal. If such a location is unavailable, you can cover the Reishi with something to create a mini greenhouse, protecting them from drying out.
To create the perfect microclimate for Reishi mushrooms, you can mist your growing area regularly, use a humidity tent, or opt for natural methods like companion planting with water-loving vegetables that provide shade and boost local humidity. For example, burying Reishi blocks under tomato plants can create a nice, humid, shady microclimate as tomatoes require a lot of water and grow vigorously.
If growing Reishi mushrooms indoors, a controlled environment like a monotub or Martha tent can be used as a fruiting chamber. This will decrease the risk of contamination and increase the chances of success. The ideal incubation temperature for Reishi mushrooms is around 75-80°F (24-27°C).
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Bury the block
Burying the block is one of the most common cultivation techniques for growing Reishi mushrooms. You can use a sawdust block or a ready-to-fruit block. The block should be fully buried with about 1 inch of soil covering the top. Before burying, take a look around your garden and consider where it will be hot, frequently watered, and with dappled shade. A good idea is to bury the blocks under tomato plants, as they need a lot of water and grow vigorously, creating a nice humid, shady microclimate for the Reishi mushrooms.
If you are growing Reishi mushrooms outdoors using a fruiting block, you can plant them throughout the spring and summer, with the ideal temperature range being 75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C). Reishi mushrooms thrive in warm, humid environments, typically flourishing in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C). Humidity levels are crucial and should be maintained at around 85-95% for optimal growth. You can use a humidity tent or mist your growing area regularly to achieve the desired humidity levels.
When growing Reishi mushrooms from a block, you can expect to see pins starting to grow about a week after planting. These pins will eventually flatten out into mature shiny red fruiting bodies, and the mushrooms could be ready for harvest in around six weeks. It is important to note that humidity levels are critical when the pins are forming, so misting the Reishi daily with a spray bottle at this stage is recommended.
If you are growing Reishi mushrooms on logs, the best time to plant them is in the spring. To prepare the logs, cut healthy, living trees during the dormant season and let them rest for a minimum of two weeks before inoculating. This waiting period allows the tree's defence system to die back. Protect the logs from drying out by storing them low to the ground, out of direct sunlight and wind, and where they can receive natural rainfall.
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Harvesting and preserving
Reishi mushrooms are typically ready for harvest when the fruiting bodies are fully developed and mature. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the growing conditions and the specific strain of reishi. When the mushrooms are ready, they will have a firm texture and a vibrant, reddish-brown colour. It is important not to harvest them too early, as they will not have reached their full potential in terms of size and medicinal properties.
To harvest the reishi mushrooms, use a sharp, sterile knife to cut the fruiting bodies at the base of the stem. Take care not to damage the mycelium, the thread-like roots of the fungus, as this can impact future growth. Gently remove any debris or excess growing medium from the mushrooms and set them aside in a clean area.
After harvesting, the reishi mushrooms must be properly dried to preserve them for long-term storage. Spread the mushrooms out on a drying rack or screen, making sure they are not touching each other. Place them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Ideal conditions include a temperature of around 60–70°F (15–21°C) and low humidity to facilitate even drying. Depending on the environment, the mushrooms can take several days to two weeks to dry completely.
Once the reishi mushrooms are dried, they can be stored in airtight containers such as glass jars or sealed bags. Keep them in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality and extend their shelf life. Properly dried and stored reishi mushrooms can last for several months or even years, although regular checking for any signs of moisture or mould is recommended.
Additionally, there are other preservation methods that can be employed to utilise fresh reishi mushrooms. One popular method is to create a reishi tincture, which involves soaking the sliced mushrooms in a high-proof alcohol for several weeks to create a concentrated extract. Another option is to make reishi powder by grinding the dried mushrooms into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or food processor. This powder can then be added to smoothies, capsules, or other food preparations.
By following these harvesting and preservation techniques, you can ensure a successful and rewarding experience growing and utilising your own reishi mushrooms. With proper care and storage, you can enjoy the fruits of your labour and benefit from the reputed health-enhancing properties of this remarkable fungus.
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Frequently asked questions
Reishi mushrooms thrive in warm, humid environments, typically flourishing in temperatures ranging from 70 to 85°F (21-29°C). Humidity levels are crucial and should be maintained at around 85-95%. They require very little light, and direct sunlight is harmful. They prefer dappled shade or indirect light.
One of the most common ways to plant Reishi mushrooms is to use a sawdust block or log. First, cut healthy, living trees during the dormant season and rest them for a minimum of 2 weeks before inoculating. Then, introduce the spores or spawn into your substrate by evenly spreading spore powder or mixing spawn into the substrate. Place the inoculated substrate in a warm, dark place for incubation, allowing the mycelium to colonise the substrate. Finally, bury the block or log in your chosen location, ensuring it is well-shaded and will receive enough water.
Reishi mushrooms are very slow-growing. It can take around six weeks for the mushrooms to be ready for harvest. However, you can harvest Reishi at any stage during their growth.
Mushrooms can be harvested by twisting the base and then trimming away any substrate. They can then be dried in the open air. It is recommended to harvest mature Reishi just before they drop their spores.
