John Miller
White mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be grown at home. They are a great project for beginner gardeners as their spores grow quickly and easily. There are several ways to spawn white mushrooms, including using the stem butt method, buying mushroom spawn mycelium, or growing them in the video game Minecraft. The stem butt method involves placing mushroom stems in a container with damp cardboard and waiting a couple of weeks for the spawn to develop. Alternatively, one can purchase mushroom spawn mycelium online and follow the included instructions to grow white mushrooms at home. In Minecraft, mushrooms can be instantly mined with anything and have a chance of spreading to nearby blocks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | White button mushrooms |
| Spawn method | Stem butt method |
| Spawn material | Oyster mushroom stems, damp cardboard, spent coffee grounds, or more cardboard |
| Container | Required; kept in a dark and warm place |
| Spawn rate | About 15% by volume |
| Mushroom growth speed | Quick and easy |
| Mushroom growth location | Indoors, in a controlled environment |
| Mushroom growth medium | Manure compost, coco/vermiculite casing |
| Mushroom growth temperature | 50 °F (10 °C) |
| Mushroom growth time | 3-4 weeks |
| Mushroom protection | Covered with 1 in (2.5 cm) of potting soil |
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What You'll Learn
Using the stem butt method
The stem butt method is a simple, low-tech, and affordable way to grow mushrooms at home. It does not require any expensive equipment and is not very time- or resource-intensive. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the stem butt method to spawn white mushrooms:
First, you need to find some oyster mushrooms. You can either find wild oyster mushrooms or buy fresh ones from a farmer's market or grocery store. The mushrooms you choose should be as fresh as possible, as the stem needs to be alive when you cut it off.
Next, prepare your container and cardboard. Take some plain cardboard and tear it into smaller pieces. Ensure that the cardboard has no printing on it, as mushrooms can absorb ink. Boil some water and pour it over the cardboard pieces to kill any wild molds, fungi, or yeasts. Let the cardboard cool down, and then drain the excess water. Poke some small holes into your airtight container to allow airflow; you can use a heated nail to make this process easier.
Now, take the stems of your oyster mushrooms and place them in the container on top of the damp cardboard. Cover the stems with enough cardboard so that they are no longer visible, but not so much that you cannot close the container. Seal the container and store it in a warm, dark place for about 11 days. During this time, the container should become fully colonized with fresh, white, strong growth.
After 11 days, you can open the container. You may now transfer the spawn to a bigger container to start the pinning process. Sprinkle the spawn with cardboard strips and coffee grounds, then leave the container in the refrigerator overnight with the lid open. The next day, move the spawn to room temperature and drizzle it with water every few hours to keep it moist until new mushrooms sprout.
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Growing from a kit
If you're new to mushroom cultivation, using a kit is a great way to get started. Mushroom kits are straightforward to use and usually come with everything you need to grow white button mushrooms. This includes manure, substrate, trays, and a spray bottle for watering. Some kits even include pre-inoculated substrates with mushroom spawn, making the process even simpler.
When using a kit, it's important to follow the specific directions provided, as they may differ from traditional mushroom-growing methods. For example, some kits already contain spores for specific mushroom types, while others only include growing trays and substrates. Before you begin, make sure you have carefully read and understood the package instructions.
To start, fill the trays with the provided growing mix, leaving at least one inch of space at the top. White button mushrooms thrive in warm compost, so don't worry if the compost is still hot when you add it to the tray. Spread the spores on top and mist them with water, ensuring an even layer across the substrate for uniform growth. Mushrooms prefer a damp environment, so spray the tray generously with water, even if the manure and compost are already moist.
Place the tray on a heating pad to maintain a temperature of around 70 °F (21 °C). Avoid exceeding this temperature, as it can kill the spores. Move the tray to a dark room and continue to spray it with water twice a day. With the right care and conditions, your white button mushrooms will soon begin to spawn!
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Using mushroom spawn
Mushroom spawn is any substance that has been inoculated with mycelium, the vegetative growth of a fungus. Mycelium is to a mushroom what an apple tree is to an apple. The spawn is used to transfer mycelium onto any material from which mushrooms will grow, called a substrate. Common substrates include straw, cardboard, logs, and wood chips.
There are several types of mushroom spawn, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types:
- Plug Spawn: This type of spawn is typically sold in small bags at garden centres, co-ops, and farmers' markets. They are locally produced wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mushroom mycelium. To use plug spawn, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Holes are drilled into the logs, and the spawn plugs are hammered into the holes. Melted wax is then brushed over the plugged holes to seal them. Plug spawn is simple to use, requires no tools beyond a hand drill, and is great for small projects. However, it is slower than other methods, such as sawdust spawn.
- Sawdust Spawn: Sawdust spawn is sterilized sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelium, often by grain spawn. The sawdust is usually made from hardwood with pieces a few millimetres in diameter. Sawdust spawn can be used to inoculate logs, outdoor mushroom beds, pasteurized straw, cardboard, and various other substrates. One of the main advantages of sawdust spawn is the size of the particles, which provides numerous inoculation points for the mycelium to grow. However, sawdust spawn is not as nutritious for mushroom growing, which may lead to lower yields.
- Grain Spawn: Grain spawn is created by sterilizing and inoculating grains such as rye, millet, corn, wheat, or other cereal grains. Grain spawn is highly nutritious and ideal for creating more spawn or inoculating indoor substrates. It is commonly used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. To create grain spawn, start by rinsing and cleaning the grains, then soak them in water for 12-24 hours. Next, cook the grains for 15-20 minutes to absorb water, and drain and dry any excess moisture. Finally, load the grains into mason jars and sterilize them for 90 minutes at 15 PSI using a pressure canner.
When using mushroom spawn to grow mushrooms, it is generally recommended to match your spawn to your substrate. For example, if you are growing mushrooms on logs, a wood-based spawn like plugs or sawdust is ideal. Additionally, certain mushrooms grow better on specific substrates, so it is important to research the types of mushrooms you want to cultivate to choose the most appropriate substrate.
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Growing indoors
Growing white button mushrooms indoors is a great option for beginner gardeners as their spores grow quickly and easily, and they don't require sunlight. You can grow them at any time of the year, although winter is preferable.
If you're a beginner, it's recommended to buy a mushroom-growing kit, which will include all the materials you need, such as manure, substrate, trays, and a spray bottle for watering. These kits often contain specific directions for growing mushrooms, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
If you want to grow mushrooms without a kit, you'll need quality spores, a substrate, and a controlled indoor environment. White button mushrooms grow best in nitrogen-rich manure, like horse manure. To create an indoor bed, fill a wooden box that's at least 6 inches deep with manure, leaving a few inches of space below the rim. You can purchase ready-made spores online or at a nursery, and spread them on top of the compost, misting with water. Keep the bed in the dark, damp, and warm—around 70°F.
After a few weeks, you should notice a fine white webbing on the surface called mycelium. Cover the mycelium with a couple of inches of damp potting soil or peat, known as casing. Lower the bed's temperature to 50°F to 55°F. Make sure to keep the bed moist by covering it with plastic wrap or a few layers of wet newspaper. In about a month, you should start to see mushrooms. Harvest them when the caps open and the stalk can be cut with a sharp knife. Your bed should continue to produce mushrooms for 3 to 6 months.
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Using manure compost
It is important to ensure that the compost is free from bacteria and other pathogens that can harm the mushrooms. To achieve this, the compost is pasteurized at high temperatures, typically around 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit. This step kills any remaining bacteria, weed seeds, pests, or disease pathogens. Once pasteurized, the compost is ready to be inoculated with mushroom spores or mycelium.
When using manure compost to grow white mushrooms, it is essential to create the right conditions. Mushrooms thrive in cool, moist, and shady environments. Bury chunks of mushroom spawn in a layer of compost, about 5 inches (13 cm) deep, in a shady spot. Maintain moisture during the incubation period and consider planting them among other leafy plants to help maintain humidity levels.
While manure compost provides an excellent growing medium for mushrooms, it is important to use well-aged manure to avoid any negative impact on the mushrooms or the environment. Fresh manure, especially from poultry, can be high in nitrogen and may need to mature to avoid burning the mushrooms or affecting their growth. Additionally, when using manure compost, it is crucial to monitor the pH levels as manure tends to have a higher pH, which can affect the alkalinity of the soil.
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