Sarah Brown
Enoki mushrooms, also known as enokitake, are a delicious and nutritious treat, packed with vitamins and minerals and offering potential health benefits. They are cultivated for their long, thin stems and tiny caps, but you can grow them at home with ease. The easiest way is to use a starter kit with a premade grow block, but you can also grow them from scratch using spawn and a growing medium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Starter kit | Enoki mushroom starter kit with premade grow blocks made of compacted substrate material like sawdust or straw |
| Temperature | 40–50 °F (4–10 °C) during incubation, 55°F-65°F during fruiting |
| Humidity | 85%- 93% |
| CO2 levels | High |
| Spawn | Sprinkle spawn on the bag's outer edges |
| Harvesting | Cut the mushrooms close to the substrate’s surface using a knife or scissors after 2-4 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Using a starter kit
Enoki mushrooms are a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, adding flavour and texture to any dish. They are also packed with health benefits, including digestive health, nutrient richness, and antioxidant properties. If you're an enoki mushroom lover, you can easily grow them at home using a starter kit. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Prepare the Grow Block: Most starter kits come with a premade grow block made of compacted substrate material like sawdust or straw. All you need to do is wet the block by drizzling about a cup of filtered water over it.
- Create the Right Environment: Enoki mushrooms thrive in warm, humid environments during incubation, with temperatures ranging from 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C). Place the grow block in a warm, dark location to maintain these conditions.
- Maintain Moisture: Keep the substrate moist to provide the necessary environment for the mushrooms to grow. Cover the growing container with a plastic bag or wet newspaper to help retain moisture.
- Monitor Temperature: Enoki mushrooms require cooler temperatures for fruiting. Once the mycelium appears (usually within a week), move the container to a cooler location, ideally between 40 and 50°F (4 to 10°C).
- Harvest: With the right conditions, you should see small mushrooms sprouting within a few days to a couple of weeks. When they reach a few inches in height, they are ready to be harvested. Use a sharp knife to cut them at the base, leaving some for further growth.
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Preparing the substrate
Firstly, gather the necessary materials. You will need a substrate material such as sawdust, straw, coco coir, moss, or pine bark mulch. These materials can be purchased or sourced from natural sources. If using straw or sawdust, ensure they are free from any contaminants that may hinder mushroom growth.
Prepare the substrate by mixing and moistening it. In a large container, combine your chosen substrate material with a small amount of water to create a damp, spongy mixture. The substrate should be evenly moist throughout, but not soggy or waterlogged. Mix thoroughly to ensure there are no dry pockets.
The next step is to sterilize the substrate to prevent any unwanted contaminants from affecting the growth of your enoki mushrooms. This can be done by autoclaving or pressure cooking the substrate. If you don't have access to specialized equipment, you can opt for a boiling water bath method. Place the substrate-filled container in a large pot and fill it with water until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the container. Bring the water to a rolling boil and maintain this for 15-20 minutes. Let the substrate cool naturally in the water bath to maintain sterilization.
Once the substrate has cooled, it's time to inoculate it with the mushroom spawn. Choose a high-quality enoki mushroom spawn, available from specialty websites or gardening stores. Sprinkle the spawn over the surface of the substrate, ensuring an even distribution. The spawn should be in direct contact with the substrate, so gently mix it if needed.
Finally, cover the substrate with a light layer of damp moss or vermiculite. This helps to maintain moisture levels and provides a nurturing environment for the spawn to take root. Place the prepared substrate in a cool, dark location with a constant temperature of 40-50°F (4-10°C). A basement, pantry, or refrigerator shelf are ideal spots.
With the substrate prepared and inoculated, you now need to be patient. It can take 2-4 weeks for the enoki mushroom mycelium to fully colonize the substrate. During this time, ensure that the substrate remains moist and that the temperature and darkness are maintained. Once the substrate is fully colonized, you can move on to the next steps of creating the right conditions for fruiting and eventually harvesting your regrown enoki mushrooms.
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Maintaining temperature
Maintaining the right temperature is crucial for successfully regrowing Enoki mushrooms. Enoki mushrooms are a cold-weather species, and the ideal temperature range for their growth is between 40 and 50 °F (4–10 °C).
To achieve this temperature range, you can place your covered container in a cool, dark place, such as a shelf in your refrigerator, a dim basement, or a pantry. If you don't have access to these spaces, you can simply set the container on your kitchen counter. While Enoki mushrooms thrive in cooler temperatures, they can also grow well at room temperature.
It's important to note that the temperature requirements vary slightly depending on the stage of growth. During the incubation or growing stage, when the mushroom spawn is developing, a warmer temperature range of 70–80 °F (21–27 °C) is recommended. This can be achieved by using a digital thermostat controller to precisely manage the temperature.
Once the mushrooms start to fruit, you should adjust the temperature to a cooler range of 55–65 °F (13–18 °C). This can be facilitated by using an air conditioner to create an ideal environment for fruiting. Maintaining the recommended temperature ranges for each growth stage will optimize the conditions for healthy Enoki mushroom development.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Enoki mushrooms require high humidity levels during their growth. Placing your setup under a humidity dome or inside a grow tent can effectively retain moisture and create the optimal environment for Enoki mushrooms to thrive.
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Harvesting and regrowing
Harvesting enoki mushrooms is a simple process. Using a knife or a clean pair of scissors, cut the mushrooms close to the substrate's surface. It is recommended to store the harvested enoki in a breathable container in the fridge to maintain freshness. Once the small caps are fully formed, they are ready for consumption or regrowing.
To regrow another batch, you can use the stem offcuts from the harvested mushrooms. Cut off the base of the stems and place the pieces of mushroom tissue or stem butts into a sterile, nutritious growing medium. Leave the mycelium to grow. This process will take 2 to 4 weeks.
Alternatively, you can create your own substrate material and sprinkle it with starter spawn. Keep this moist for 2 to 4 weeks. If you are using spawn, sprinkle the spawn on the bag's outer edges. When the bag turns white, usually after 8 to 14 days, poke holes where you see mushrooms growing. Spray those areas twice daily until the mushrooms reach your desired size.
To ensure successful growth, maintain a temperature between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 and 25 degrees Celsius) and a very high humidity. If you want white enoki mushrooms, keep the jars in a dark position; otherwise, the caps will be brown. After a few weeks, the mycelium should be visible to the naked eye. Once it has coated the medium, place the jars in an area with temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-15 degrees Celsius).
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Storing the harvest
Firstly, it is recommended to use a sharp knife or a clean pair of scissors to cut the mushrooms close to the substrate's surface. This ensures that you get a clean cut and preserves the integrity of the mushrooms. Make sure to leave some of the stems attached to the substrate, as this will allow for further growth and additional harvests.
Next, it is crucial to store the harvested enoki mushrooms in a breathable container. Place them in a refrigerator, specifically allocating a shelf for them. Enoki mushrooms thrive when stored at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 10 degrees Celsius). At these temperatures, they will remain fresh and retain their nutritional value.
While enoki mushrooms can tolerate temperatures up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius), their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain the recommended temperature range as much as possible. Additionally, ensure that the refrigerator is set to a high humidity level, creating an ideal environment for the mushrooms to stay fresh for a more extended period.
It is worth noting that enoki mushrooms are versatile and can be consumed raw or cooked. When stored properly, they will maintain their subtle sweetness and pleasant crunch, making them a delightful addition to various dishes, including soups, stir-fries, and salads. With proper storage, you can enjoy the health benefits of enoki mushrooms, such as their immune-boosting and potential anti-cancer properties.
In summary, storing harvested enoki mushrooms requires attention to temperature, humidity, and the use of breathable containers. By following these instructions, you can ensure the freshness and longevity of your enoki mushroom harvest.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to regrow enoki mushrooms is to use a starter kit with a premade grow block. Simply add water, store the block in a dark place, and wait 2-4 weeks for your first set of mushrooms to grow.
To regrow enoki mushrooms without a kit, you will need spawn and a growing medium such as aged hardwood sawdust. First, select glass containers and sterilize them. Next, mix the spawn into the medium thoroughly. Fill the containers with the medium and store them in an area with temperatures between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 and 25 degrees Celsius) and very high humidity. Keep the containers in a dark location if you want white mushrooms. After a few weeks, when the mycelium is visible, move the containers to an area with temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-15 degrees Celsius) to promote the formation of caps.
To harvest enoki mushrooms, cut them close to the substrate's surface using a knife or scissors. Store the harvested mushrooms in a breathable container in the fridge.
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