Sarah Brown
Sawdust block cultivation is a popular method for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. The process involves creating a substrate for the mushrooms to grow on, which is typically made from sawdust or fine wood chips. To boost mushroom growth and increase yields, growers often supplement the sawdust with additional nutrients. This process is especially important for wood-loving mushrooms, which require more nutrients than those that grow on plain sawdust. The most common supplement is bran, including wheat, rice, and oat bran, which is a nitrogen-rich supplement. Other supplements include soybean hulls, alfalfa, gypsum, and coffee grounds. The ratios of ingredients can vary, but a common ratio is 5 parts sawdust to 1 part bran.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Supplements | Wheat bran, rice bran, oat bran, alfalfa, soybean hulls, gypsum, coffee grounds, oat chaff, seed hulls, chaffs |
| Ratio | 5 parts sawdust to 1 part bran |
| Purpose | To enrich the substrate and boost mushroom growth |
| Sterilization equipment | Pressure cooker or autoclave |
| Sawdust type | Hardwood sawdust |
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What You'll Learn
Sterilization equipment
The equipment you will need to sterilize sawdust for growing mushrooms depends on the scale of your operation and the specific substrate you are using.
If you are a small-scale grower, a pressure cooker is the most straightforward method for sterilizing your mushroom substrate. You will need a pressure cooker, jars or bags of prepared substrate, a wire rack or jar lids for the bottom of the pressure cooker, and water. Before using a pressure cooker, it is essential to inspect it thoroughly to make sure all components are functioning properly.
For larger-scale operations, you may need to use more advanced equipment, such as an autoclave, retort, or pressure canner. These machines can be expensive and may require special training to operate. Some commercial mushroom growers use industrial-sized autoclaves, which are large, sometimes loaded with forklifts, and can be loaded from one end, outside, with the exit end in the clean room.
Regardless of the equipment used, the goal of sterilization is to kill all living and dormant organisms and fungal spores by achieving a temperature of at least 121°C (250°F) for a minimum of 2 hours. This can be accomplished by using a combination of steam, time, temperature, and pressure. It is important to note that boiling water or steam alone is not sufficient to achieve these temperatures and kill all potential contaminants.
After sterilization, it is important to let the substrate cool before inoculating it with mushroom spawn. This can take up to 8 hours for atmospheric sterilization in a barrel steam sterilizer, and the substrate must be cooled before inoculation to avoid killing the spawn.
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Mixing the substrate
Firstly, select the right type of sawdust. Hardwood sawdust is commonly used for mushroom cultivation as mushrooms thrive on hardwood, whereas they do not grow well on softwood. You can use sawdust from various hardwood species, such as oak or eucalyptus.
Next, choose the appropriate supplements to mix with the sawdust. Wheat bran or rice bran are popular choices as they provide additional nitrogen and boost mushroom growth. Other supplements you can experiment with include oat bran, alfalfa, soybean hulls, gypsum, coffee grounds, or different seed hulls and chaffs. The type of supplement you choose can depend on what is readily available in your area and the specific mushroom species you are cultivating.
When mixing the substrate, it is important to maintain the right ratio of sawdust to supplements. A common ratio is 5 parts sawdust to 1 part bran. For example, you can mix 40 litres of hardwood sawdust with 10 litres of bran. You can also add optional ingredients like oat chaff, which aids colonisation with its longer fibres. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure a uniform distribution of supplements throughout the sawdust.
It is important to note that the ratios of ingredients can vary, and you can experiment with different mixes. Some recipes suggest using nitrogen-rich supplements like wheat bran, while others recommend adding water to soak the hardwood sawdust pellets, which will expand and provide a suitable growing medium for the mushrooms.
Finally, sterilise your supplemented sawdust mixture using a pressure cooker or autoclave to ensure a contaminant-free environment for mushroom growth. This step is crucial as supplementation can quickly lead to contamination if the mixture is not properly sterilised.
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Types of supplements
Nitrogen-rich supplements are commonly used to boost the nutrients in sawdust blocks for growing mushrooms. The type of supplement used can vary depending on the kind of mushroom being grown, with some varieties requiring a higher ratio of supplement to sawdust. Here are some of the most popular supplements used:
Wheat Bran
Wheat bran is a popular supplement for mushroom blocks, especially among experienced growers. It is inexpensive and readily available, making it a convenient and cost-effective option. Wheat bran can be added at a rate of 10 to 20% of the dry weight of the substrate before water is added, with the rest consisting of sawdust or fine wood chips.
Soy Hulls
Soy hulls are another commonly used supplement, often mixed with sawdust to create a nutrient-rich substrate known as "Master's Mix". This mix has gained popularity in recent years for its high nutrient content. Soy hulls can be purchased from local farm supply outlets.
Oat Bran
Oat bran is another nitrogen-rich supplement that can be used in sawdust blocks. It is similar to wheat bran in terms of its availability and affordability.
Alfalfa and Soybean Hulls
Alfalfa and soybean hulls are also used to supplement sawdust blocks, providing additional nutrition and increasing yields. Mushroom growers often have their own preferred recipes, customising the ratio of supplement to sawdust to suit the specific needs of the mushroom variety they are cultivating.
Other Supplements
Other supplements that can be experimented with include lucerne chaff, hemp hulls, gypsum, and coffee grounds. The choice of supplement depends on what is locally available and the specific requirements of the mushroom variety being grown.
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Ratios of ingredients
The ratios of ingredients for supplemented sawdust mushrooms can vary depending on the specific mushroom species and the supplements used. Here are some general guidelines and examples of ingredient ratios for growing supplemented sawdust mushrooms:
Basic Formula
A basic formula for growing wood-loving mushrooms involves using 40 litres of hardwood sawdust, such as Eucalyptus spp. This is then supplemented with 10 litres of oat chaff, which aids colonisation with its longer fibres, and 10 litres of bran or other nitrogen supplements. You can optionally add 2 kilograms of gypsum (calcium sulphate) to this mixture. This basic formula can be modified and supplemented according to your specific needs and the mushrooms you are growing.
Sawdust to Bran Ratio
The ratio of sawdust to bran can vary, but a common ratio is 5 parts sawdust to 1 part bran. This ratio can be adjusted depending on the specific requirements of the mushroom species and the availability of ingredients. For example, if you have limited bran, you can use a ratio of 6 parts sawdust to 1 part bran. Conversely, if you have a plentiful supply of bran and wish to boost the nutrient content, you can use a 1:1 ratio.
Other Supplements
In addition to bran, other supplements can be added to the sawdust substrate to enhance mushroom growth. These supplements include wheat bran, rice bran, gypsum, coffee grounds, soybean hulls, and even oat bran. The amount of these supplements added can vary, but generally, a small amount is sufficient to provide additional nutrients for the mushrooms. For example, 2 to 2.5 cups of wheat or oat bran can be added to your sawdust substrate.
Hardwood Sawdust Mix
Some growers experiment with different ratios of hardwood sawdust and wood chips. One suggested ratio is 60% hardwood sawdust, 20% wood chips, 18% bran, and 2% gypsum. This mix provides a good balance of nutrients and structure for the mushrooms to grow. The hardwood sawdust provides the primary substrate, while the wood chips add texture and additional surface area for the mushrooms to colonise.
It's important to note that the specific ratios and ingredients can vary depending on the mushroom species, environmental conditions, and personal preferences. It may be necessary to experiment with different ratios and supplements to find the optimal combination for your specific situation.
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Storing and incubation
Storing and incubating your supplemented sawdust substrate is a crucial step in the process of growing mushrooms. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure successful mushroom cultivation:
Preparing the Substrate
Firstly, it's important to use the right type of sawdust. Hardwood sawdust pellets are ideal, as mushrooms struggle to grow on softwood. A common species used is Eucalyptus. You can also add supplements to boost mushroom growth and enhance the nutrient profile of your substrate. Wheat bran, rice bran, oat bran, gypsum, coffee grounds, alfalfa, soybean hulls, and seed hulls are all popular choices. A typical ratio for your substrate mixture is 5 parts sawdust to 1 part bran. However, you can experiment with different ratios and supplements to find what works best for your mushrooms.
Sterilization and Pasteurization
Before incubation, your supplemented sawdust substrate must be sterilized to prevent contamination. This is especially important if you are using supplementation. You can sterilize your substrate using a pressure cooker or autoclave, ensuring a contaminant-free environment for your mushrooms. If you are not using supplementation, a simple pasteurization process may be sufficient.
Incubation and Storage
During incubation, it's crucial to maintain adequate airflow and prevent anaerobic conditions within your sawdust blocks. To do this, ensure your sawdust particles are not too fine, as this can cause compaction. Store your substrate in a cool, dry place, and consider using bags that can be sealed or closed off from direct sunlight. You can also use shelves on wheels to easily move your setup indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather conditions. Keep a thermometer nearby to monitor the temperature and ensure it remains optimal for mushroom growth.
Fruiting and Care
Once your substrate is incubated, you'll notice small mushrooms beginning to form. At this stage, a bit of sunlight is beneficial. You can cut the tops off the bags or adjust the shade cloth to expose your mushrooms to the right amount of light. Maintain adequate moisture and continue to provide the necessary nutrients to ensure a bountiful harvest.
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Frequently asked questions
Growing mushrooms on sawdust blocks is a popular method among enthusiasts and commercial growers. It is cost-effective, provides quicker yields, makes less mess, has lower chances of contamination, and provides a perfect medium for the mushrooms to grow large, healthy fruits.
Common supplements include wheat bran, oat bran, rice bran, soy hulls, lucerne chaff, hemp hulls, alfalfa, and soybean hulls.
The ratio of supplement to sawdust depends on the type of mushroom being grown and can vary from 10% to 50%. For wheat bran, a common supplement, the recommended ratio is 10-20% of the dry weight of the sawdust before adding water.
First, research what is locally available and what works best for the type of mushrooms you want to grow. Then, mix the sawdust with the chosen supplements and water, adjusting the moisture content to about 60-65%. Next, sterilize the mixture in a pressure cooker or autoclave to ensure a contaminant-free environment. Finally, pack the mixture into autoclavable bags or containers with filter patches, leaving enough space for mushroom growth.
