Laura Smith
Oyster mushrooms are a popular crop for growers of all levels, from hobbyists to small-scale farmers, as they are easy to grow, quick to cultivate, and can be grown in a wide range of ways, both indoors and outdoors. They are also versatile, as they can be commonly cooked or dried. There are many different types of oyster mushrooms, including pearl, blue, golden, pink, phoenix, and king oyster, each with its own preferred temperature and humidity range. The substrate, or food source, for oyster mushrooms can be straw, cardboard, sawdust pellets, coffee grounds, banana leaves, or even sugarcane, and the mushrooms can be grown from spores or spawn. With the right combination of temperature, humidity, and nutrition, anyone can successfully grow oyster mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty level | Easy for beginners |
| Mushroom type | Oyster |
| Substrate | Straw, cardboard, sawdust, coffee grounds, banana leaves, coco coir, sugarcane, etc. |
| Temperature | 50-86˚F (45-65˚F for king oysters) |
| Humidity | 85-95% |
| Time to grow | 1-4 weeks |
| Spawn | Specialist mushroom spawn or kits |
| Spore condition | No need for pollination |
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Choosing a substrate
Oyster mushrooms can be grown on a wide variety of substrates. The substrate is the food source that enables the growth of mushroom mycelium, which is the root-like vegetative growth of the fungus. The most widely used substrate for oyster mushrooms is straw. Wheat straw is specifically mentioned as an option. Straw is usually cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. To prepare straw for use, it should be pasteurised by soaking in hot water (65-80°C / 149-176°F) for 1-2 hours, or in a cold-water high-pH lime bath for 12-18 hours. After pasteurisation, the straw should be drained to remove any excess water.
Coffee grounds are another good substrate for growing oyster mushrooms. They are a great way to grow oyster mushrooms indoors and reuse materials. The grounds can be placed either in a bag with holes or a jar with a lid, although holes will need to be made in any lid to allow for the exchange of air.
Sawdust is another option, specifically hardwood sawdust. Sawdust pellets can be used, adding equal weights of water and pellets, then soaking for 30 minutes. This breaks up the pellets into hydrated sawdust.
Cardboard and coco coir are two additional substrates that can be used to grow oyster mushrooms. Other possibilities include banana leaves, sugarcane, soy hulls, and cotton waste. Wood pellets are a good substrate to get started with, as they come already pasteurised and you just need to add water to hydrate them.
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Preparing the substrate
The first step in preparing the substrate is to choose the right material. The most widely used and recommended substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation is straw. It is usually cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. Other options include cardboard, sawdust, coffee grounds, and agricultural byproducts like sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, and cotton waste. Choose a substrate that is easy to source and prepare for inoculation. For example, wood pellets are a good option as they come already pasteurized; just add water.
Once you have chosen your substrate material, you need to prepare it for inoculation. If using straw, you will need to pasteurize it to kill any unwanted microorganisms that could compete with the mushroom mycelium. This can be done by soaking the straw in hot water at a temperature of 65-80°C (149-176°F) for 1-2 hours, or in a cold-water high-pH lime bath for 12-18 hours. If using cardboard, you will need to cut it into small pieces. Sawdust pellets can be prepared by adding an equal weight of water to the pellets, soaking for 30 minutes, and then mixing to break up the pellets into hydrated sawdust.
If you are using a container to grow your mushrooms, you will need to prepare the substrate by layering it in the container. You can use a cardboard box, paper bags, or a plastic bin. Make sure the container has holes or is breathable to allow for airflow and gas exchange. The substrate should be moist but not soggy, as too much moisture can lead to mould or other issues. Layer the substrate about 3-4 inches deep, depending on the size of your container.
After preparing the substrate, you will need to sterilize your tools and work area to avoid introducing contaminants that could compete with the mycelium or cause rot. This can be done by wiping down surfaces and tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution. It is also important to wear gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from breathing in any spores or particles.
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Preparing the spawn
Clean Room Setup
To begin preparing oyster mushroom spawn, it is essential to create a sterile environment to prevent contamination. This can be done by constructing a clean room or laboratory setup. While a laboratory setup provides a more controlled environment, a clean room can be created at home with some basic equipment. This includes building an enclosed structure with thin wood panels covered in plastic sheeting. The structure should have a workbench, storage shelves, and a HEPA filter to ensure clean oxygenated air. It is also important to clean your hands with antibacterial soap and wear sterile gloves, a face mask, and a hair cap to minimize the risk of contamination.
Substrate Selection
The substrate is the material on which the oyster mushrooms will grow. There are several options for substrates, each with its own advantages. Grain spawn, for example, produces larger yields than sawdust spawn and is ideal for growing mushrooms on a commercial scale. Sawdust spawn, on the other hand, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Additionally, coffee grounds can be used as a substrate, but they must be fresh (within 24 hours of brewing) to prevent the growth of competing molds. For a simple and low-tech approach, the stem butt method can be used, where the stems of oyster mushrooms are placed on damp cardboard to initiate spawn growth.
Spawn Inoculation
Inoculation is the process of introducing the spawn to the substrate. Before inoculation, it is crucial to ensure that the substrate has the correct moisture content. The spawn can be transferred to the substrate using grain spawn transfer, liquid inoculation methods, or tissue culture transfer on agar plates. For grain spawn transfer, grains such as wheat, rye, millet, sorghum, or oat are soaked overnight and then mixed with the spawn. Liquid inoculation involves preparing a jar of sterilized water and shaking it with the spawn. Tissue culture transfer involves propagating mushroom tissue on agar plates before transferring it to the substrate.
Incubation
Once the spawn has been inoculated onto the substrate, it needs to be incubated in a warm (20-24°C) and humid environment. The area should ideally be dark to prevent early pinning. The incubation period allows the spawn to spread across the substrate and prepare for the final phase of fruiting. Incubation typically lasts for three weeks, depending on the inoculation rate and the type of oyster mushroom being grown.
Monitoring and Maintenance
During incubation, it is important to monitor the spawn for any signs of contamination by molds or bacteria. Blue or green mold growth may indicate a potential failure of the grow. If contamination occurs, the affected jars or plates should be discarded immediately. Maintaining optimal conditions for incubation, including temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, is crucial to ensure the successful growth of the oyster mushroom spawn.
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Incubation
Step 1: Prepare the Substrate
The substrate is the material in which the mushrooms will grow. The most commonly used substrate for oyster mushrooms is straw. To prepare the straw substrate, soak 6-11 lbs of chopped straw in water for several days. After soaking, drain the straw to remove any excess water. It is important to ensure that the straw is adequately hydrated but not dripping wet.
Step 2: Mix the Substrate with Spawn
Mushroom spawn is the material from which the mushrooms will grow. It contains a mix of spores and nutrients. Mix 4 oz of mushroom spawn with the drained straw. It is important to mix them thoroughly to ensure maximum contact between the spawn and the straw.
Step 3: Pack the Mixture into Bags
Pack the mixture of straw and spawn tightly into large plastic bags, such as 40-gallon trash bags. The bags should be filled to about three-quarters full, allowing space for the mushrooms to grow.
Step 4: Create Ventilation and Maintain Humidity
Using a sharp object, poke holes in the plastic bags. These holes serve two purposes: they allow excess water to drain out, and they provide ventilation for air exchange. Place the bags in a warm and sheltered environment, maintaining a temperature above 70°F (20-24°C). The area should be dark, as light can inhibit the growth of the spawn. However, if keeping the area dark is not possible, indirect light or a shaded windowsill will also work.
Maintain high humidity during incubation. Spray the bags with water twice a day to keep the substrate hydrated and to create a humid environment. This humidity is crucial for mushroom development and will also prevent the substrate from drying out.
Step 5: Monitor Mycelium Growth
During incubation, the mushroom spawn will begin to grow and colonize the substrate. The spawn will turn white as it grows, and eventually, you should see the bag completely covered in white. This process can take a couple of weeks, depending on the strain of oyster mushrooms.
Step 6: Prepare for Fruiting
Once the bag is completely colonized and white, it is time to prepare for the fruiting process. Make a 5 cm slit or hole in the bag, providing an opening for the mushrooms to grow through. Continue to maintain humidity by spraying the bag with water, and within a week, you should start seeing tiny mushroom pins forming through the hole.
In summary, the incubation process for oyster mushrooms involves preparing a substrate, mixing it with spawn, creating the right environmental conditions, and monitoring the growth of the mycelium until it is ready for fruiting. By following these steps, you can successfully incubate oyster mushrooms and prepare them for the next stage of growth.
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Fruiting
Maintain a temperature range of 10°C-30°C (50°F-86°F) for the oyster mushrooms to fruit. Generally, oyster mushrooms thrive at temperatures between 15°C-25°C. Keep the temperatures stable to ensure optimal growing conditions. The pink oyster mushroom, one of the fastest-growing strains, prefers warmer temperatures of 18°C-30°C (64°F-86°F). The blue oyster mushroom, on the other hand, is perfect for cooler temperatures during fruiting, exhibiting a more distinct blue colour.
High humidity is crucial for the growth of oyster mushrooms. Aim for a humidity of around 85-95%, misting regularly with a spray bottle or using a humidifier. Mist the room with clean water every two days to maintain high humidity. Oyster mushrooms also require a significant amount of fresh air intake. Drill holes in the sides of the grow box and cover them with micropore tape to prevent contamination while allowing air exchange.
The time it takes for oyster mushrooms to fruit varies depending on the method and conditions. When growing indoors, it can take as little as 20 days, with the mushrooms doubling in size each day. Growing outdoors can take much longer, and when cultivating oyster mushrooms on a log, it can take up to two years for the first crop.
Once the mushrooms have fully opened caps but before the edges begin to curl, they are ready for harvest. Carefully twist and pull the mushrooms without damaging the mycelium. Some fruiting blocks can produce multiple harvests, so continue to monitor and maintain the conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
The most widely used substrate is straw, but you can also use sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, banana leaves, coco coir, and even sugarcane.
Most oyster mushrooms grow well between 50-86˚F, but some varieties, like the pearl oyster and blue oyster, prefer cooler temperatures of 45-65˚F, while the pink and golden oyster mushrooms prefer warmer temperatures of 64-86˚F.
Oyster mushrooms are known for their quick growth, with some strains producing fruit in as little as 2-4 weeks from spawning.
There are two main stages: the incubation period, which involves preparing the substrate and inoculating it with spawn, and the fruiting period, where the mushrooms develop and are ready for harvest.
Yes, oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest varieties to cultivate, making them a popular choice for beginners, hobbyists, and small-scale farmers. They are adaptable to various conditions and substrates.
