Sarah Brown
Mushroom blocks are a popular way to grow gourmet mushrooms at home. The process involves creating a sterilised growing medium, usually a blend of sawdust, grains, and nutrients, which is then inoculated with a specific mushroom species and placed in a controlled environment to encourage fruiting. One of the critical steps in this process is tying the mushroom blocks, which involves sealing the growing medium within a sleeve of polyethylene film or a plastic bag to create a sterile environment for the mushrooms to grow. This step is essential to prevent contamination and ensure the mushrooms have the necessary space for healthy growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom block ingredients | Sawdust, grains, nutrients, lime solution |
| Equipment | Plastic grow bags, presto pressure canner, hydraulic cylinders, polyethylene film, tape, knife |
| Temperature | 65-75°F |
| Humidity | 80-90% |
| Time to harvest | 3-7 days |
| Watering frequency | Daily, 2-3 times a day |
| Tie-dye shape | Fold the material in small pleats in the shape of a mushroom |
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What You'll Learn
Growing mushrooms on sawdust blocks
To grow mushrooms on sawdust blocks, you will need to create a substrate for the mycelium to grow on. This substrate is generally made up of sawdust or fine wood chips, mixed with an additional nutrient supplement, such as wheat bran, soy hulls, or alfalfa. The ratio of supplement to sawdust will depend on the type of mushroom you are growing and can range from 10% to 50%. For example, bran-supplemented substrates are preferred for shiitake mushrooms, with a ratio of 15% bran and 85% hardwood sawdust.
Once you have your substrate, you will need to hydrate and sterilize it. Hardwood pellets are a great way to source sawdust because they are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to store. To hydrate your substrate, place your hardwood sawdust pellets in a large container, add water, and mix until the pellets have broken up into a loose sawdust texture. Warm water will speed up this process, but cold water works fine. Once the sawdust is mixed, add your supplement, mixing it thoroughly and evenly throughout.
After your substrate is mixed, you can add your grain spawn or liquid culture of the desired mushroom species. Tie off the top of the bag with wire or a zip tie and set it on a shelf. It may take anywhere from 10 to 21 days for the mycelium to take over the block. Once the block is fully colonized, it is ready to fruit. To trigger fruiting, some people hit or slap the fruiting block or spray it with a high-pressure water spray. After about a week, the mushrooms will be ready to harvest.
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How to make a mushroom fruiting block
Making a mushroom fruiting block at home is a simple process, but it requires the right materials and a controlled environment. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a mushroom fruiting block:
Prepare the Materials
Firstly, gather the necessary materials. Most gourmet mushrooms grow best on supplemented hardwood sawdust fruiting blocks. Hardwood pellets are readily available at local retail stores or online. You will also need wheat bran, which acts as a nitrogen-rich supplement, and water. Additionally, you will need a large container for mixing and a plastic storage container for fruiting.
Mix the Ingredients
Place the hardwood sawdust pellets in the large container. Add water and mix until the pellets break down into a loose sawdust texture. Warm water will expedite this process, but cold water works fine too. Ensure that all pellets are completely broken down to facilitate mushroom growth.
Add Supplements and Prepare the Mixture
Once the sawdust is ready, add the wheat bran to the mixture. Increasing the amount of bran will provide more nutrition for the mushrooms, but it also raises the risk of contamination. At this stage, the mixture is ready to be transferred to the plastic container for fruiting.
Create the Fruiting Environment
The plastic container should be as clean as possible before introducing the mixture. Wash it with hot water and detergent, or use a mix of iso-alcohol and water, then wipe it down. Place the block in the container and store it in a controlled environment. Maintain a temperature between 65-75°F and a humidity level between 80-90%Avoid direct sunlight, but a bit of morning sun is acceptable, especially during autumn, winter, and spring.
Care for the Fruiting Block
Keep the block moist by watering it daily. After about 2-3 weeks, you will notice the development of "pins" or baby mushrooms. At this stage, increase the frequency of watering to 2-3 times per day. After another 2-5 days, the mushrooms will be ready for harvest. Cut open the block, and either rinse its exterior or briefly dunk it in water.
Harvest and Maintenance
After harvesting the mushrooms, you can compost the block or use it as mulch in your garden. With proper care, the block can fruit multiple times before it is completely done. Once it has served its purpose, unbag, smash, and compost it.
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Using a tape dispenser to tie mushroom blocks
Using a tape dispenser is an essential part of the process when preparing mushroom blocks. Tape dispensers can be used to seal bags, secure injection ports, and attach micropore tape.
To begin preparing your mushroom blocks, you will need to gather your materials, including a tape dispenser, tape, and a laminar flow hood. It is recommended to work in front of a laminar flow hood to reduce the chances of contamination. Before you start, ensure your tape dispenser is loaded with tape and clamped securely to your workbench or table. This will allow you to use one hand to pull the tape while holding the bag or other materials with your other hand.
When preparing the mushroom block, you will need to unfasten the taped top of the bag. After exposing the block, fold the top flap tightly over the block, ensuring the filter patch is facing upwards. This step helps minimize side-pinning. You can use tape or rubber bands to secure the flap. If using tape, simply tear off the desired amount from your dispenser and secure the flap to the block.
Additionally, tape dispensers are useful when creating injection ports. After preparing your injection solution, you will need to seal the holes. You can use micropore tape, which is a thin, breathable cloth tape, or waterproof medical tape. Cover the holes with tape and then wrap the area with foil and rubber bands for added security. This process ensures your mushroom blocks remain sterile and contaminant-free.
Overall, a tape dispenser is a handy tool to have when preparing mushroom blocks. It allows for easy, one-handed access to tape, which is essential for sealing bags, securing flaps, and creating sterile injection ports. By following these steps and utilizing a tape dispenser, you can successfully prepare your mushroom blocks for cultivation.
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Soaking sawdust in a lime solution
To prepare the lime bath, you will need a container such as a large tote, bucket, or drum, depending on the amount of substrate you plan to pasteurize. A net or mesh bag, an old pillowcase, or a plastic laundry basket can be used to hold the substrate during the pasteurization process. First, fill your chosen container with cold water and add hydrated lime according to the recommended ratio of about 1 litre of lime to 40 litres of water. Ensure that the lime is thoroughly mixed with the water.
For pasteurizing sawdust, it is recommended to use a tied pillowcase to hold the substrate, as it makes it easier to retrieve and drain later. Submerge the bag of sawdust in the lime bath and let it soak for 16 to 20 hours. The soaking time can vary between 12 to 24 hours, depending on the substrate and your specific needs. After soaking, remove the sawdust from the lime bath and hang it up to drain for at least an hour. If you are using hardwood pellets, squeeze out as much water as possible to ensure that the substrate is not too wet. The ideal moisture content for mushroom substrates is between 50-70%.
Once the substrate has drained sufficiently, it can be inoculated with your chosen mushroom spawn. The mycelium will then have a clean and uncontaminated environment to grow. Remember to provide proper care for your mushrooms, including maintaining moisture, ensuring air circulation, and harvesting at the right time. Always handle lime with caution and refer to specific guidelines for creating and disposing of lime solutions.
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Folding fabric to create a mushroom shape
Creating a mushroom shape out of fabric is a fun and addictive craft project. You can use any fabric, but less waste fabric is preferable. For instance, you can use old clothes, fabric swatches, scrap pieces of fabric, or old curtains.
To start, cut out a circle from your chosen fabric. The circle doesn't have to be perfect, but aim for a diameter of around 6.5 cm. This will be the mushroom cap. If your fabric frays easily, apply some fray-stop glue to the edges. Sew some beads onto the cap, placing them closer together in the center and spreading them out as you move towards the edge. Avoid sewing beads along the very edge of the fabric.
Next, cut a small hole in the center of the fabric to create a doughnut shape. This hole will be used to insert the stem of the mushroom. Sew the edges of the fabric together, then turn the fabric inside out through the hole. Cut a small piece of cardboard into a circle with a diameter of about 3.5 cm. This will provide support for the stem. Poke a hole in the center of the cardboard and insert it into the cap through the hole.
Now, it's time to create the stem. Form a T-shape out of wire, wrapping it with cotton and securing it with thread. Wrap the stem with white fabric and stitch it closed. Insert the stem through the hole in the cardboard and cap, and then stitch the fabric gathered at the base of the cap. Trim any excess fabric. Finally, decorate the mushroom with paint, glitter, beads, or ribbons.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom block is a block used to grow mushrooms. They are made with a sterilized, organic blend of sawdust, grains, and nutrients that feed the mycelium (white stuff).
To make a mushroom block, you'll need to take sawdust, soak it in a lime solution, then mix it with grain spawn and put the mixture into bags. You can also use a press with hydraulic cylinders instead of bags, and use a sleeve of polyethylene film.
Keep your mushroom block in the existing bag and place it in a cool, dark place below 80° out of direct light. Keep it moist and water it daily. Once you see "pins" (baby mushrooms), give your mushroom more light and oxygen. Spritz with water on the slit daily.
Harvest the mushrooms with a knife after 3-5 days, before the caps start to curl up and spores drop.
