Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a fascinating kingdom of life all their own, and they can be grown at home by any gardener interested in growing their own food. They are a healthy, low-calorie, high-fibre addition to any diet and can be grown in a box, a bucket, or on a log. The simplest way to start is to buy a growing kit, which will provide you with a substrate and spores, as well as instructions. You can also purchase spawn from a reputable supplier and inoculate your own substrate, such as straw. Mushrooms grow best in dark, cool, and humid environments, and the ideal temperature for most mushrooms is between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom farming steps | Phase I composting, Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping |
| Phase I composting | Mix and wet ingredients in a rectangular pile with tight sides and a loose centre. Spray water on horse manure or synthetic compost. Spread nitrogen supplements and gypsum over the top. |
| Phase I composting duration | 6 to 14 days |
| Phase I composting temperature | 155°F and higher |
| Phase I composting colour | Chocolate brown |
| Phase I composting texture | Soft, pliable straws |
| Phase I composting moisture content | 68 to 74 percent |
| Phase I composting smell | Strong ammonia |
| Phase II composting | N/A |
| Spawning | Use a living fungal culture (mycelium) on a substrate |
| Casing | Damp newspaper covering the substrate |
| Pinning | Teeny-tiny baby mushrooms |
| Cropping | Harvest mature mushrooms when gills form under the caps and the edges start to curl |
| Mushroom type | Oyster, shiitake, lion's mane, button, reishi |
| Mushroom substrate | Sugar, starch, lignin, fats, protein, nitrogen |
| Mushroom growing environment | Indoor with controlled temperature and humidity, or outdoor |
| Mushroom growing containers | Monotubs, bags, buckets, or outdoor beds |
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What You'll Learn
Phase I and Phase II composting
Mushroom farming consists of six steps, the first two of which are Phase I and Phase II composting. The preparation of compost in these two phases involves different processes, each with specific objectives that contribute to the overall success of mushroom cultivation.
Phase I Composting
Phase I composting typically lasts from 6 to 14 days, depending on the initial condition of the materials and their characteristics at each turn. It involves mixing and wetting the ingredients, creating a rectangular pile with tight sides and a loose centre. The ingredients can include natural compost materials like straw, horse manure, and poultry manure, or synthetic compost components such as bran, straw, urea, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, and gypsum. Water is added to the mixture, along with nitrogen supplements and gypsum, which are spread over the top and thoroughly combined. Once the pile is formed and wetted, aerobic fermentation commences due to the natural growth and reproduction of microorganisms in the bulk ingredients. This process releases heat, ammonia, and carbon dioxide as by-products. Phase I composting is considered complete when the mixture turns dark brown and emits a sweet, mouldy odour, the straws become soft and pliable, lumps break apart easily, the raw ingredients can hold water, and the moisture content reaches 68-74%.
Phase II Composting
The primary objectives of Phase II composting are pasteurization and the removal of ammonia formed during Phase I. Pasteurization is necessary to eliminate any insects, nematodes, pest fungi, or other pests present in the compost. The process involves maintaining a temperature of 56-60°C for 8 hours, followed by a conditioning period at 45°C for up to 7 days to ensure the removal of volatile NH3 (ammonia) from the process air. After Phase II, the substrate is ready for the growth of mushroom mycelium. Phase II composting is typically conducted in one of three places, depending on the type of production system employed. For the zoned system, compost is packed into wooden trays, stacked, and moved into an environmentally controlled Phase II room before being transferred to special rooms optimised for each step of mushroom growth.
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Preparing the substrate
Choosing the Substrate Material
The first step is to select an appropriate substrate material. Common options include hardwood sawdust, straw, coffee grounds, and horse manure compost. Each type of mushroom has its own ideal conditions and preferred substrate. For instance, oyster mushrooms grow well on coffee grounds, while shiitake mushrooms can be grown on hardwood logs.
Obtaining and Preparing the Substrate
Once you've chosen your substrate material, you need to obtain and prepare it. If you're using straw, soak it in water for a couple of days. For coffee grounds, collect enough to fill a bucket, and ensure you inoculate the grounds with spores within 24 hours of brewing. If you're using a pre-made compost, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Mixing and Conditioning the Substrate
If you're using a substrate like sawdust or straw, you'll need to mix it with other ingredients to create the optimal growing environment. This may include adding supplements like nitrogen and gypsum to ensure the substrate has the right nutrient composition. The substrate should be thoroughly mixed and conditioned to create a suitable environment for mushroom growth.
Maintaining Optimal Conditions
Mushrooms thrive in specific temperature and humidity conditions. During the colonisation phase, maintain a temperature of around 21°C (70°F) for most mushrooms, although some species may vary slightly. Monitor the temperature to ensure it doesn't exceed 27°C (80°F) or fall below 13°C (55°F). Keep the substrate moist by routinely spraying it with water to maintain high humidity.
Sterilisation and Contamination Prevention
To prevent contamination and ensure a successful mushroom crop, sterilisation and contamination prevention techniques are important. If you're drilling holes in logs, seal them with wax to keep the spawn from drying out or becoming contaminated. Keep your growing environment clean and ensure there is adequate airflow to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria.
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Maintaining the environment
Maintaining the right environment is crucial to producing mushrooms. Mushrooms require a specific set of conditions to grow, and it is important to monitor and adjust the temperature, humidity, and airflow to create an optimal environment.
Temperature plays a vital role in mushroom growth. During the initial stages of colonisation, the ideal temperature for the container or substrate is around 21 °C (70 °F). While some species may prefer slightly different temperatures, it is essential not to let the temperature exceed 27 °C (80 °F) or fall below 13 °C (55 °F). As the mushrooms grow, they produce heat, so it is crucial to monitor the temperature carefully to prevent the container from getting too hot, which can be detrimental to the mycelium and encourage the growth of unwanted bacteria. If the temperature rises, a fan can be used to cool the environment, and in colder rooms, a small heat mat may be necessary.
Humidity is another critical factor in mushroom growth. Mushrooms thrive in high humidity, and this can be achieved by routinely spraying the substrate with water or using a humidity tent. For certain varieties, such as oyster mushrooms, good humidity is essential for successful cultivation. Maintaining a high moisture level is crucial, but it is important to avoid standing water. The moisture content of the substrate or compost should be carefully monitored and adjusted.
Airflow is also an important consideration in mushroom production. While mushrooms require high humidity, adequate airflow is necessary to prevent the growth of unwanted fungi and bacteria. A clean environment is essential to prevent contamination, and in outdoor setups, clean burlap can be used to maintain moisture levels while still allowing for some airflow.
Additionally, the substrate or compost used must provide the right mix of nutrients for the mushrooms. This includes sugar, starch, lignin, fats, protein, and nitrogen. The quality and source of these raw materials can impact compost performance and mushroom yield. Wheat straw, for example, should be stored under cover to prevent the growth of unwanted organisms, and gypsum can be added to improve the compost structure and enhance airflow.
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Harvesting
Oyster mushrooms can be grown in a bucket or on straw. When grown on straw, the straw should continue to produce mushrooms for several weeks. Oyster mushrooms grown in a bucket may take about a week to be ready for harvest after the first little blisters develop.
Lion's mane mushrooms, also known as monkey's head mushrooms, need a temperature of 25°C and high humidity to grow.
After harvesting, mushrooms can be used fresh or preserved by drying them in a dehydrator at 110 to 125°C until fully dry. Dried mushrooms should be stored in an airtight jar or bag. When cooking with dried mushrooms, they should be pre-soaked to rehydrate.
It is important to note that each species of mushroom has unique requirements, and observing their development is crucial for successful harvesting.
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Reusing the block
Firstly, it is important to understand the process of growing mushrooms. Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi and grow from spores, which are the equivalent of seeds in plants. These spores develop into a network of thread-like mycelium, which is the living fungal culture that grows into mushrooms. This process can be replicated using a ready-made kit or through other methods like using coffee grounds or logs.
When reusing the block, the first step is to let it dry out for about a week after harvesting the mature mushrooms. This allows the block to recover some of its initial structure and texture. After drying, soak the block in water for 24 hours. This process helps to rehydrate the block and prepare it for the next step.
Following the soaking, it is important to wait another day for the block to rest and recover. After this resting period, the block is ready to be placed back under the humidity tent or in a controlled environment with optimal temperature and humidity levels. The block will then produce more mushrooms, although the yield will likely be lower than the initial harvest.
It is worth noting that each batch of mushrooms is called a flush, and it is common to get two or three flushes from a single kit. It is important to keep the block moist to encourage a second or third flush. Additionally, burying the block outdoors under bark mulch or in a compost pile may also lead to mushroom growth, depending on weather conditions.
Overall, reusing the block to grow mushrooms is a feasible process, but it requires patience, attention to detail, and a careful approach to ensure successful mushroom production.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms require a mix of nutrients, including sugar, starch, lignin, fats, protein, and nitrogen. They also need a controlled environment with optimal temperature, humidity, and airflow.
There are multiple substrates that can be used, and the ideal substrate may vary depending on the mushroom type. Common substrates include hardwood sawdust, straw, and coffee grounds.
Mushrooms are typically ready to harvest when the gills form under the caps and the edges of the caps start to curl. You should pick entire clusters rather than individual mushrooms.
Yes, most mushroom kits can produce multiple batches, or flushes, of mushrooms. You can re-use the block by letting it dry out and then soaking it in water before starting the growing process again.
Mushroom farming typically involves six steps: Phase I composting, Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping. These steps can be adapted for different growing environments and mushroom types.
