Laura Smith
Mycelium is the reproductive part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. It is a fast-growing organism that can decompose organic compounds. One of the ways to grow mycelium from mushrooms is to use cardboard. The corrugated layers leave space for the mycelium to grow. To grow mycelium, you need to cut the cardboard into pieces that fit well into the container. Stack them up inside and fill them with water, soaking them for 20-30 minutes so that the layers of the cardboard will separate easily. Then, using a scalpel, cut tiny slices of the mushroom base and spread them on the cardboard. Repeat this process until you have filled the container and the layers are filled with mushrooms. Close the lid and store the container in a dark place at room temperature, opening it each day to let some air out. After a few days, the mycelium will start to appear through the edges of the cardboard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Mushrooms, cardboard, agricultural waste, flour, water |
| Equipment | Container, scalpel/knife, cutting board, gloves |
| Process | Cut cardboard to fit container, soak in water for 20-30 mins, drain and separate layers, cut mushroom base into thin slices, spread on cardboard, repeat until container is filled, store in a dark place at room temperature, open daily to let air out, wait for mycelium to grow |
| Time | A few days to a week |
| Uses | Creating homemade tools and products, e.g. planters, bowls |
| Benefits | Fast-growing, environmentally friendly, can decompose organic compounds and potentially consume pollutants |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare a container
To prepare a container for mushroom mycelium, you will need a container with a lid, such as a plastic box or bucket, and some cardboard. The cardboard should be cut into pieces that fit well inside the container. Stack the cardboard pieces inside the container and fill it with water, weighing them down if necessary to ensure they are fully immersed. Let the cardboard soak for 20-30 minutes to allow the layers to separate easily.
After soaking, drain the water and separate the corrugated layers from the flat sheets of cardboard. Take your mushrooms and use a scalpel or a sterile knife to cut thin slices from the base, as this is the part of the mushroom that reproduces. Spread these tiny pieces onto the sheets of cardboard, focusing on the corrugated layers, which provide more space for the mycelium to grow. Repeat this process until the container is filled with layers of cardboard and mushroom slices.
Before closing the lid, poke holes in the container to allow for airflow. Place the container in a dark location at room temperature, and remember to open it each day to let out any built-up carbon dioxide, which can stunt the growth of your mycelium. After a few days, you should start to see the mycelium growing through the edges of the cardboard.
Once the mycelium has reached your desired level, you can heat the block to stop it from growing further. You can then use the mycelium to create various objects, such as planters or bowls, by moulding it into your desired shape.
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Cut and soak cardboard
To produce mushroom mycelium, one of the ways is to use cardboard. The corrugations in the cardboard allow for air exchange, which is essential for the growth of mycelium. Mycelium is the reproduction part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae.
- Cut the cardboard into pieces that fit well into your container. The size of the pieces can vary from 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 centimetres).
- Stack the cardboard pieces inside the container and fill it with water, weighing them down if needed to ensure they are fully immersed.
- Soak the cardboard for around 20-30 minutes. You can also soak them for an hour, depending on the thickness of the cardboard, to allow the layers to separate easily.
- After soaking, drain the water and separate the layers, creating sheets of corrugated layers and flat card.
- Cut tiny slices of the mushroom base, ensuring you only use the base as it is the reproduction part that will grow within the cardboard.
- Place the mushroom slices on top of the corrugated cardboard layers, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Cover the mushroom slices with the flat card layers that you separated earlier.
The next step is to create a favourable environment for the growth of mycelium. This involves maintaining moisture, facilitating air exchange, and providing darkness for incubation.
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Cut and layer mushrooms
To produce mushroom mycelium, you can cut and layer mushrooms. This is a simple process that uses readily available materials, such as cardboard, flour, water, and mushrooms. Mycelium is the reproduction part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Here is a step-by-step guide to the process:
Step 1: Prepare the Cardboard
Cut cardboard into pieces that fit well into your chosen container. Stack the cardboard pieces inside the container and fill it with water, weighing them down if necessary to ensure they are fully immersed. Soak the cardboard for 20-30 minutes, which will cause the layers to separate easily.
Step 2: Prepare the Mushrooms
Put on gloves and sterilize them, along with your work surface, container, knife, and cutting board. Using a scalpel or a sharp knife, cut thin slices from the base of your chosen mushrooms. The base of the mushroom is crucial, as it is the reproduction part that will grow within the cardboard. Make sure the slices are thin and small, as this process can be time-consuming.
Step 3: Layer the Cardboard and Mushrooms
After draining and separating the cardboard into corrugated and flat layers, spread the tiny mushroom pieces onto the cardboard. Repeat this process 4-7 times, filling the container with alternating layers of cardboard and mushrooms. Make sure to fill the container and layers with mushrooms, as this will ensure successful mycelium growth.
Step 4: Store the Container
Close the lid of the container and store it in a dark place at room temperature. Each day, open the container briefly to allow air exchange and prevent carbon dioxide buildup, which can stunt mycelium growth. After a few days, you will start to see the mycelium appearing through the edges of the cardboard.
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust Growth
Once the mycelium has reached your desired level, you can heat the block to stop it from growing further. At this point, you can experiment with different end products, such as planters or bowls. Remember that mycelium has the potential to consume certain pollutants, so it can be a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for various projects.
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Seal and store the container
Once you have filled your container with layers of mushrooms and cardboard, it is time to seal and store it. First, make sure that you are wearing sterile gloves and that your surface, container, knife, and cutting board are all sterilized. This step is crucial, as any contamination may result in mould instead of mycelium. Then, close the lid of the container and store it in a dark place at room temperature.
Each day, open the container to let some air out. This is important because without any air exchange, carbon dioxide levels will build up and stunt the growth of your mycelium. To ensure the container is kept in a dark place, you could try placing it inside a black bucket. After a few days, the mycelium will start to appear through the edges of the cardboard. This is why a clear box is best, as it allows you to observe what is happening.
The mycelium will appear to seep through the cardboard, filling in all the gaps and holes. Once the mycelium has reached the desired level of growth, you can heat the block to stop it from growing any further. You can experiment with different end products at this stage.
It is important to note that during the growth process, you should not open the container too often, as this will slow down the growth of the mycelium. Try to be patient and only open the container as needed to let air out and observe the progress of the mycelium.
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Observe and halt growth
To observe the growth of mushroom mycelium, you can use a clear container and store it in a dark place at room temperature. Each day, open the box to let some air out and observe the growth of the mycelium. Mycelium requires oxygen to grow, and without any air exchange, carbon dioxide levels will build up and stunt its growth.
To halt the growth of mushroom mycelium, you can try reducing the temperature. Each mushroom strain has an ideal temperature range for growth, and if the ambient temperature deviates too far from this range, growth can slow down or even stop. Therefore, by placing your mycelium in a cooler environment, you can slow down or potentially stop its growth. However, it is important to note that extreme temperature changes can be detrimental, and freezing your mycelium is not recommended.
Another method to halt growth is to heat the mycelium block once it has reached your desired level of growth. This will stop it from growing any further.
Additionally, you can try refrigerating your mycelium to pause or slow down its growth. According to some sources, refrigerating mycelium can keep it stable for several months or even up to a year or more. However, it is generally recommended to let the mycelium grow, as pausing it can be challenging and may not always be successful.
It is also worth noting that the vitality of the starting culture matters. A compromised or weak culture can slow down or halt colonisation, regardless of how optimal the substrate conditions are. Therefore, ensuring the health of your starting culture is paramount.
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Frequently asked questions
Mycelium is the reproduction part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. It is a fast-growing organism that can decompose organic compounds.
Mushroom mycelium has the potential to consume pollutants from the environment, such as petroleum products and certain pesticides. This makes it a sustainable and environmentally friendly material.
The basic materials needed to grow mushroom mycelium include a container, cardboard, mushrooms, flour, water, and gloves.
First, cut the cardboard into pieces that fit your container. Soak the cardboard in water for 20-30 minutes, then drain and separate the layers. Cut thin slices of the mushroom base and spread them on the cardboard. Repeat this process until the container is filled. Close the container and store it in a dark place at room temperature, opening it daily to let air out. After a few days, the mycelium will start to grow.
