Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a fun and delicious food to grow at home, providing a great variety of nutrition. They are the fruiting bodies of fungi and are not photosynthetic, meaning they must obtain their food from pre-existing material. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, but they are sensitive to temperature changes and contamination. To promote healthy growth, light, ventilation, and nutritional supplementation are important factors to consider. The growing medium should be rich, fertile, and moisture-retentive, and the ideal substrate will vary depending on the mushroom species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Oyster, Shiitake, Lion's mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Blue oyster, Button |
| Mushroom growing conditions | Dark, humid, and warm |
| Light | 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness |
| Temperature | Minimum of 15°C, with warmer temperatures up to 25°C for some types |
| Humidity | High, between 85% and 95% |
| Airflow | Adequate airflow is important to prevent overheating and contamination |
| Ventilation | Use of a ventilator or fresh-air exchange (FAE) fan |
| Growing medium | Rich, fertile, and moisture-retentive, such as horse manure, compost, or manure |
| Substrate | Coffee grounds, straw, wood chips, sawdust, or a mix of substrates |
| Supplements | Nitrogen, carbohydrate, pistachio meal, almond meal, wheat bran, rice bran, maize powder |
| Spore source | Reputable company with short shipping times |
| Contamination prevention | Keep the growing environment clean |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right substrate
There are various materials that can be used as a substrate for mushroom cultivation. Some common options include straw, sawdust, compost, and manure. Straw is an inexpensive and effective choice, easily available at farm shops and pet stores. It can be used on its own or combined with other materials such as coffee grounds or sawdust to create a nutrient-rich environment. Similar agricultural products, such as corn stalks, can also be used. However, it is important to avoid straw products containing eucalyptus, as it is a fungicide that can prevent mushroom growth.
Another popular substrate is a combination of compost and manure, which offers a rich blend of organic matter that supports healthy mycelium development. Compost provides essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while manure introduces beneficial microorganisms that aid in breaking down organic material and releasing nutrients for the fungi. This synergistic blend enhances overall nutrient availability, promoting optimal mushroom yield and quality.
When selecting a substrate, it is important to consider its physical and chemical properties. The substrate should have a slightly acidic pH level of 5–6.5, a moisture content of 50–70%, and a good structure to enable air exchange. Additionally, the substrate should contain 1–2% nitrogen and small amounts of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and phosphorus.
While it is not always necessary, sterilising or pasteurising the substrate can be beneficial. This process minimises the risk of contamination and the growth of unwanted microorganisms that compete with the mycelium for nutrients and space. Techniques such as steam sterilisation, chemical sterilisation, or soaking straw in a peroxide solution can be employed. However, some mushrooms cannot be cultivated on sterile media and must be grown outdoors or in nutrient-rich environments.
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Maintaining the right temperature
During the incubation stage, which lasts about two to three weeks, the temperature needs to be maintained within this range. This phase is critical for the formation of the mycelium, the vegetative part of the mushroom. A consistent temperature during this stage promotes homogeneous colonisation of the substrate and uniform fruiting. It is recommended to keep the temperature at the lower end of the range, as higher temperatures encourage the growth of undesirable mould and bacteria.
Once the mycelium has formed, the temperature needs to be lowered to around 60–65 °F (15.5–18.3 °C) for the fruiting stage. This can be achieved by using a cooling system such as a fan, air conditioner, or evaporative cooler. It is important to avoid drastic temperature changes, as this can stress the mycelium and slow down growth.
To maintain the right temperature, it is essential to select the right location and use appropriate heat sources and insulation. Good air circulation helps maintain even temperatures and avoids hot or cold spots. It is also important to regularly monitor the temperature with tools like thermometers and adjust as needed. Investing in high-quality equipment such as thermostat-controlled heaters or coolers can help maintain the ideal conditions for productive mushroom production.
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Providing adequate airflow
Fans for Fresh Air Exchange
Using fans is essential for maintaining proper air exchange and creating optimal conditions for mushroom growth. Fans provide a continuous supply of fresh oxygen, which mushrooms consume during their growth process. They also help expel carbon dioxide (CO2), maintaining lower CO2 levels. By regulating these gas levels, fans create an ideal atmosphere for mushrooms to thrive. Additionally, the air circulation generated by fans prevents the accumulation of contaminants, reducing the risk of mould, bacteria, or other harmful microorganisms.
Strategic Fan Placement
To maximize the benefits of fans, strategic placement is key. Ensure fans are positioned to facilitate even air distribution throughout the cultivation area. This helps maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels, creating a uniform environment for mushrooms to grow healthily.
Monitor Environmental Conditions
Routinely monitor CO2 levels, air temperature, and humidity in your growing space. This monitoring will help you identify any deviations from optimal conditions and allow you to make necessary adjustments. For instance, if CO2 levels are too high or oxygen levels are insufficient, you can increase fan speed or adjust fan placement to improve air exchange.
Laminar Airflow Workbenches
Consider investing in a laminar airflow workbench, also known as a laminar flow hood. This equipment generates a constant, unidirectional flow of filtered air across your workspace. By creating a sterile environment, it prevents the growth of contaminants that could hinder mushroom development. A laminar flow hood is especially useful when working with substrates that are prone to contamination, such as agar or grain substrates.
Spacing and Stacking Techniques
When working with multiple bags or containers for mushroom cultivation, ensure adequate spacing between them. This spacing allows for proper airflow and prevents overheating due to the heat generated by mycelial growth. Additionally, when stacking trays or bags, follow recommended guidelines for spacing and arrangement to promote optimal airflow and temperature control.
By following these steps and strategies, you can effectively provide adequate airflow for mushroom growth. Remember, mushrooms require specific environmental conditions, and proper airflow plays a pivotal role in creating an optimal growing environment.
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Using supplements to boost growth
Mushroom supplementation is a farming method that involves the physical addition of nutritional amendments to compost during the composting process, the mixture of raw materials, spawning, or casing. This process emerged in the 1960s and is widely recognised and accepted, although technical and economic factors may restrict its use in some sectors.
The addition of external nutrients increases the productivity of some low-yielding mushroom varieties, making it a useful tool for introducing new commercially viable varieties. Different nitrogen and carbohydrate-rich supplements have been evaluated, with a significant impact on mushroom yield and quality. For example, defatted pistachio meal and defatted almond meal have improved the quality of white button mushrooms and increased the yield of oyster mushrooms compared to non-supplemented substrates. Sawdust supplemented with wheat bran, rice bran, or maize powder improved the yield and quality of Lentinula edodes, with 25% and 40% wheat bran resulting in the highest yield and best quality, respectively.
Supplements based on slow-nutrient-release formulas can be applied at different points along the mushroom cropping cycle. They are most commonly applied at the end of substrate preparation, prior to spawning, to promote vegetative growth throughout the substrate. At the end of the spawn run, supplements can be added to promote mushroom colonisation in the casing material and enhance mushroom fructification.
In addition to agricultural applications, mushroom supplements are also available for human consumption. These supplements are derived from medicinal mushrooms like reishi, maitake, and lion's mane and are typically available in powder, capsule, tincture, and gummy forms. The health benefits of mushroom supplements depend on the variety and dosage, and they are not a substitute for a healthy diet. However, they may provide benefits such as stress relief, improved immune health, and better mental focus.
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Harvesting at the right time
The best time to harvest mushrooms is when the gills are exposed, but the cap margin is still curled under. This ensures optimal quality and long-term storage. If you are growing magic mushrooms, it is important to observe the veil, the thin membrane on the underside of the cap that keeps the spores in the mushroom. Harvesting before the veil breaks will ensure the best potency per gram and prevent an unsightly drop of spores.
For shiitake mushrooms, it is important to minimize temperature swings during incubation. If temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C) after the fourth or fifth week, the blocks may fruit prematurely, reducing yields. Physical shock can also induce early fruiting, so it is best to leave the blocks undisturbed for 6–7 weeks until most of the blocks have "popcorned" and turned brown.
With experience, you will learn to recognize when mushrooms are ready to harvest. Generally, it is best to harvest while the veils are still lightly coloured. As soon as you notice any darkening, it is time to harvest. The veil will eventually detach from the underside of the cap, revealing gills and a concave cavity. The mushroom will then start to die, darken, and wilt.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven main steps to growing mushrooms: 1) Strain Selection, 2) Substrate Preparation, 3) Inoculation, 4) Incubation, 5) Initiation, 6) Fruiting, and 7) Harvest.
There are multiple substrates that have been used for successful growth, ranging from simple to complex. Some mushrooms grow better on a certain substrate, and the ideal conditions vary for each mushroom. Some substrates include sawdust, wood pellets, and grain.
Building a network of contacts and promoting your goods to chefs, distributors, and other potential customers is essential. Developing a strong brand and creating a memorable customer experience will help you stand out from the competition and create a sense of trust and loyalty with your customers. Emphasize the sustainable methods and unique qualities of your product.
Prepare your booth with a consistent look and feel, including a memorable name and logo. Engage with your customers, offer incentives for repeat business, and keep in touch through newsletters or emails. Offer additional products or services that complement your mushrooms, such as recipes that highlight their unique qualities.
