Emily Johnson
Preventing mould from growing on mushrooms is a challenging task, as the ideal conditions for growing mushrooms are also inviting to mould. Mould spores are everywhere, and they can spread quickly, ruining your mushroom crop. To prevent mould, it is crucial to maintain a sterile environment and use sterile tools and processes. This includes disinfecting all tools with alcohol or bleach and washing your hands before handling mushrooms. Keeping the growing room cool and well-ventilated is also important, as mould thrives in warm, humid conditions. Additionally, the substrate or soil should be kept in an alkaline pH range of 6-7 to discourage Trichoderma growth, the most common mould affecting mushrooms.
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What You'll Learn
Sterilise your growing room and equipment
Sterilising your growing room and equipment is crucial to prevent mould and mushroom growth. The process of sterilisation uses steam or dry heat to kill bacteria and spores. While it is impossible to achieve a 100% sterile environment, there are several methods to minimise contamination risks.
Firstly, it is important to understand the potential sources of contamination. Mould spores are invisible to the naked eye but are prevalent in the air and can easily contaminate your cultivation tools, hands, clothes, and even the mushroom cultures or substrates. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain good personal hygiene and ensure that your equipment and growing room are regularly cleaned and sanitised.
To disinfect your growing room, you can use a commercial steamer or a steam-generating device such as a pressure cooker. Steam the room for 12 to 24 hours at 150 °F (66 °C) to kill any mould spores. If you have a substrate or a fertile patch in your growing room, steam for 12 hours; otherwise, steam for 24 hours. Additionally, keep your growing room airtight to prevent pests that may spread mould spores.
To sterilise your equipment, you can use a pressure cooker or a similar heat source, such as a Bunsen burner or a small butane burner. For items like petri dishes, scalpels, and autoclavable syringes, wrap them in foil and place them above the water in the pressure cooker. "Cook" at 15 psi for 15 minutes. You can also use 70% Isopropyl alcohol to spray and wipe down your equipment and surfaces. Put on disposable gloves, clean them with alcohol, and wear a face mask before handling any mushrooms or substrates.
By following these sterilisation and disinfection procedures, you can significantly reduce the risk of mould and mushroom growth in your growing room and equipment.
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Wash your hands and tools
When growing mushrooms, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of mould spores. This includes washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, including scrubbing under the fingernails, and using hand sanitiser. Some cultivators prefer to wear latex gloves when handling mushrooms or working with mycological equipment to avoid direct hand contact with the mushrooms and further reduce the risk of contamination.
It is also important to wash any tools that come into contact with mushrooms or the substrate to prevent the spread of mould. Tools such as mixing tools, containers, and gloves should be washed with soap and warm water, and disinfected with alcohol or bleach solutions. This will kill any mould spores and prevent them from spreading to other areas. It is recommended to use separate tools for each project to avoid cross-contamination. Additionally, it is important to keep the growing area clean and sterile to reduce the likelihood of airborne spores settling on the substrate or other surfaces.
Practising good hygiene and regularly cleaning your hands and tools can help prevent the spread of mould and other contaminants, increasing the chances of successful mushroom growth. It is also important to note that personal hygiene measures such as showering, wearing clean clothes, and using face masks can further reduce the risk of introducing contaminants to your mushroom-growing environment.
While it is important to keep your hands and tools clean when handling mushrooms, it is equally crucial to ensure that the mushrooms themselves are cleaned properly before consumption. This can be done by using a damp paper towel or pastry brush to wipe away visible dirt, grime, or mould. It is recommended to pay extra attention to the underside of the mushroom, as this is where bacteria and viruses can be commonly found. Once cleaned, the mushrooms should be dried thoroughly and stored in a paper bag to prevent condensation and the growth of mould.
By following these hand and tool washing guidelines, you can effectively reduce the risk of mould and other contaminants, creating a safer and more conducive environment for mushroom growth and consumption.
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Avoid warm and humid conditions
Mushrooms require a humid environment to grow, but too much humidity can encourage the growth of mould. Mould thrives in warm and humid conditions, with ideal temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C. Therefore, it is important to avoid growing mushrooms in such weather conditions.
If you live in an area prone to high humidity and temperatures above 25°C, consider waiting for more favourable conditions. Alternatively, create a controlled environment with proper ventilation and lower temperatures for your mushroom kit. Dehumidifiers or air circulation fans can help regulate moisture levels and prevent excess humidity.
To maintain the necessary humidity levels for mushroom growth, regular misting inside the tent is crucial. Do it several times a day to keep the environment moist. Using tools like hygrometers and thermostats is vital for maintaining the right moisture balance and temperature. Regularly adjusting humidity and temperature can ensure consistent growth and prevent mould.
Additionally, it is important to differentiate between mould and the mycelium that is essential for mushroom growth. The white, fluffy substance that may resemble mould is often just the mycelium, which is a healthy sign of development. Mould typically appears as coloured, fuzzy growth, commonly in green, black, blue, or pink.
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Use a laminar flow hood or still air box
A laminar flow hood is an effective way to prevent mould when growing mushrooms. It provides a sterile environment, ensuring that mould spores, bacteria and other contaminants are kept away from the mushroom spawn.
Laminar flow hoods are enclosed workstations with a mounted fan blower and a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. The fan blows sterile air through the space, pushing air carrying fungal spores or bacteria out. The HEPA filter can remove up to 99.995% of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria and spores from the air.
Laminar flow hoods are also referred to as clean benches, and they are particularly useful for mushroom cultivation as they prevent airborne contamination from encountering critical surfaces, process materials and samples. They are also useful for cloning mushroom mycelia.
You can buy a pre-built laminar flow hood, or you can build your own. To build your own, you will need a filter, a blower fan and a box to hold it all together. The box should be large enough to provide a plenum for laminar flow. The filter should be larger than the box, so it can be accessed and removed for cleaning. The fan should be rated to produce the volume of air required at zero static pressure in cubic feet per minute (CFM). For mushroom cultivation, it is suggested that the stream of clean air should flow over the workbench at a speed of 100 feet per minute.
A laminar flow hood will increase your success rate in reducing contamination in mushroom cultivation and is well worth the effort.
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Store mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge
Mushrooms are made up of 80 to 90 percent water, so they can be quick to spoil. To prevent this, it's best to store them in a paper bag in the fridge.
Firstly, avoid storing mushrooms in their original packaging, as this is usually plastic, which can trap moisture and speed up spoilage. Plastic containers can also be too humid for mushrooms. Instead, transfer the mushrooms to a brown paper bag and place it in the fridge. The paper bag will absorb any excess moisture, keeping the mushrooms safe to eat.
For extra protection against moisture, line the paper bag with a paper towel, which will draw additional moisture away from the mushrooms. This will help them last even longer.
Storing mushrooms in a paper bag will allow them to stay fresh for up to 10 days. However, it's best to avoid storing them in the crisper drawer, as this is designed to be more humid, which is not ideal for mushrooms. Instead, store them on the bottom shelf of the fridge.
If you're not planning on eating the mushrooms within 10 days, you can also freeze them for up to 12 months. To do this, dip the mushrooms in a solution of 1 pint of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice before cooking them. Once they're cooked and cooled, place them in a freezer bag and pop them in the freezer.
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Frequently asked questions
Preventing mould starts with creating a sterile environment. This includes cleaning your tools and hands with soap and hot water, or even alcohol or bleach, to prevent mould spores from spreading.
Mushrooms grow best at temperatures between 16-20 degrees Celsius. Mould thrives in warmer temperatures, between 25-30 degrees Celsius.
Mould spores are invisible to the naked eye, but you may notice discolouration, fuzzy growths, or strange colours on the surface of mushrooms or the growing medium. Mould can appear as small white or green patches.
Store mushrooms in breathable packaging, such as a paper bag, to allow for airflow and prevent moisture buildup. Keep them in a cool, dark place, and check them daily for any signs of spoilage.
If you discover mould, immediately contain the source by sealing it in a plastic bag and disposing of it carefully. Sanitize the affected area and inspect your workspace for potential sources of contamination, such as discarded coffee grounds, compost, or damp wood.
