Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a fleshy fungus with a stem, cap and gills underneath the cap. They are highly nutritious, low-calorie foods with proteins, vitamins, minerals and natural medicinal properties. They can be cultivated hydroponically, using water or other growing mediums instead of soil. Hydroponic mushrooms grow quickly and have an improved flavour profile. They also do not require expensive grow lights because they do not rely on photosynthesis for food. The process can be difficult for beginners, but with practice, it becomes much easier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Shiitake, button, lion's mane, cinnamon cap, oyster variants |
| Growing medium | Water, sawdust, hay, straw, wood chips, spent coffee grounds |
| Light | No light required |
| Temperature | 60ºF to 75ºF |
| Environment | Dark, cool, sterile, humid |
| Time | Several weeks to colonise grain, 2-4 weeks to colonise medium |
| Nutrients | 50:50 vermiculite and perlite |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are fungi, so they don't need light or expensive grow lights
- Use a mushroom growing kit or create your own growing medium
- Place the growing medium in cold, non-chlorinated water and leave to soak
- Put the container in a dark, cool, humid environment
- Harvest the mushrooms and reuse the block for another cycle
Mushrooms are fungi, so they don't need light or expensive grow lights
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and unlike plants, they do not rely on photosynthesis to produce sugars for food. Instead, they feed on organic debris and can thrive in low-light environments. In fact, mushrooms can grow without any light at all, as they contain no chlorophyll. This means that you can grow hydroponic mushrooms without the need for expensive grow lights.
Mushrooms can be grown hydroponically, and one of the simplest ways to do this is by using a mushroom growing kit. These kits usually consist of a compact block of compressed sawdust that has been pre-inoculated with mushroom spores or mycelium. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can create your own sawdust or seed block using straw, wood chips, or even spent coffee grounds. You will then need to inoculate the growing medium with mushroom spores or mycelium.
To start the growing process, soak the sawdust block in cold, non-chlorinated water for several hours. After soaking, place the block in a dark, humid environment with temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. It will take between two to four weeks for the mycelium to fully colonize the medium. Once the mycelium has developed, you can transfer it to a tightly packed, sterilized grain, such as wheat or rye. It will take a few weeks for the mushrooms to colonize the grain, and you can start harvesting once they have begun to grow.
Hydroponic mushrooms have several advantages over traditionally grown mushrooms. They grow and mature more quickly, and you can increase your yields significantly. Additionally, hydroponically grown mushrooms are less susceptible to diseases and extreme weather conditions, making them a reliable option for farmers.
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Use a mushroom growing kit or create your own growing medium
The simplest approach to growing hydroponic mushrooms is to use a mushroom-growing kit. These kits are typically compact, square blocks of compressed sawdust, usually around 12 inches in size. This block is pre-inoculated with mushroom spores or mycelium. If you buy a mushroom kit, skip this step. However, if you create your own growing medium, you need to inoculate the growing medium with mushroom spores or mycelium.
You can create your own growing medium by using sawdust, straw, wood chips, or even spent coffee grounds. Start by soaking the sawdust block in cold, non-chlorinated water for several hours. After soaking, place the block in a dark, humid environment with temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. It typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks for the mycelium to fully colonize the medium.
Once the mycelium has fully colonized the medium, you can start the process of growing your mushrooms. Place small pieces of mushroom, spores, or cultures on a sterile Petri dish, allowing the mycelium to grow. This will most likely take several weeks. Transfer the fungus to a tightly packed, sterilized grain, such as wheat or rye. It will take up to 4 weeks for the mushrooms to colonize the grain.
Start harvesting your mushrooms once they have started to grow on the grain. Check on their progress every few days. You can use your grain seeds to grow more grain, which can then be used for your next batch of mushroom spores.
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Place the growing medium in cold, non-chlorinated water and leave to soak
Hydroponic mushrooms are cultivated in water or other growing mediums instead of soil. Mushrooms are fungi and do not require light to grow, unlike plants that use photosynthesis to produce sugars and form fruits. Mushrooms also do not have chlorophyll.
To grow hydroponic mushrooms, start with a mushroom growing kit or create your own growing medium. The growing medium should be soaked in cold, non-chlorinated water for several hours. Chlorinated water can be left for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate. The growing medium must be completely immersed in water, with several inches of water covering the top.
The growing medium is typically a block of compressed sawdust that has been saturated with mushroom spores or mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi and can be grown from small pieces of mushroom placed on a sterile Petri dish. It takes several weeks for the fungus to grow and it must be strong enough to support a mushroom reproductive cycle.
After soaking the growing medium, it should be placed in a dark, cool, and humid spot with a temperature between 60°F and 75°F (15.6ºC to 23.8ºC). The mycelium will then colonize the medium, which can take between two to four weeks.
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Put the container in a dark, cool, humid environment
Once you've prepared your mushroom block and soaked it in water, it's time to place the container in a dark, cool, and humid environment. Here are some detailed instructions to help you through this process:
Choose an Appropriate Location
Select a location that is consistently dark, cool, and humid. Basements are often ideal for growing hydroponic mushrooms as they tend to be darker and cooler than other areas of your home. If your chosen space receives light, use room-darkening shades or curtains to block out the light. Maintaining darkness is crucial, as mushrooms require darkness to grow properly.
Monitor Temperature
Keep the temperature between 60°F and 75°F (15.6°C to 23.8°C). This temperature range is optimal for mushroom growth. If the temperature is too warm, it can hinder mushroom development.
Control Humidity
To create a humid environment, you can use various methods. One option is to use a humidity sensor, which will help you monitor and regulate humidity levels. Misting spray bottles, pond misters, and fans can also be used to maintain the desired humidity. Additionally, consider using perlite, a volcanic rock that helps control humidity levels. Place a layer of perlite at the bottom of your container and add water to create a humid environment.
Container Considerations
Use a container made of materials that can hold moisture, such as plastic, glass, or polyethylene bags. Ensure the container is large enough to allow for proper air circulation, which is essential for maintaining humidity levels.
Maintain Sterile Conditions
Mushrooms require a sterile environment to thrive. Ensure that your container, tools, and growing medium are all sterilized before use.
Reuse and Repurpose
After harvesting your mushrooms, you can reuse the mushroom block (usually made of sawdust) several times. Simply repeat the process of soaking and placing it in a dark, cool, humid environment. Once the block is no longer productive, you can compost it and start anew with a fresh mushroom kit or spores.
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Harvest the mushrooms and reuse the block for another cycle
Once your mushrooms have been growing on the grain for a while, you can start harvesting them. Check on their progress every few days and pick them when they are ready.
After your first harvest, let your sawdust block rest for a week and then reuse it for another mushroom planting cycle. The size and number of mushrooms might reduce with each new cycle, as the amount of nutrients in the block decreases. When the block is fully used and is no longer producing mushrooms, you can add it to a garden compost pile.
If your mushrooms are growing in a closed-off room, keep the door open and the window cracked. Plants deplete the CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the room, so you need to provide fresh air. A cheap oscillating fan that stays on 24/7 will do the trick.
Growing hydroponic mushrooms can be difficult for beginners, but with practice, it becomes much easier.
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Frequently asked questions
The simplest way to grow hydroponic mushrooms is to start with a mushroom-growing kit. These kits are blocks of compressed sawdust that have been saturated with mushroom spores or mycelium. You can also create your own medium using sawdust, straw, wood chips, or spent coffee grounds.
First, immerse the mushroom block in a container of cold, non-chlorinated water for several hours. Then, place the container in a dark, cool, and humid spot with a temperature between 60°F and 75°F. The mycelium will colonize the medium within 2 to 4 weeks. Once the grain is fully colonized (completely white), remove the lid and the mushrooms will grow out the top.
Mushrooms are fungi, so they don't need light or expensive grow lights to thrive. They also grow and mature more quickly than traditionally grown mushrooms or other common hydroponic crops. Additionally, growing mushrooms in a soilless setup can increase yields and improve the flavor profile.
Some of the most popular mushrooms for hydroponic growth include shiitake, button, lion's mane, cinnamon cap, and oyster variants.
