John Miller
Mushrooms are a fun and easy food to grow at home, and there are a variety of ways to do it. You can use a mushroom cultivation kit or a DIY method, such as growing them on logs or in bags of sawdust substrate. The type of wood you use will depend on the type of mushroom you want to grow. For example, shiitake mushrooms grow best on hardwoods like oak, while oyster mushrooms thrive on softwood species like sweet gum or poplar. If you're growing mushrooms on logs, you'll need to inoculate the dowels and seal them with wax before placing them in a shady, moist area. Mushroom farming can also be done on a larger scale, with six steps: Phase I composting, Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping. It's important to consider lighting, oxygen levels, and air exchange when creating the ideal environment for mushroom fruiting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom farming steps | Phase I composting, Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping |
| Mushroom substrate | Logs, bags of sawdust, straw, coffee grounds, and grain |
| Mushroom types | Shiitake, oyster, lion's mane, and maitake |
| Mushroom growing conditions | Temperature, light, humidity, and air flow |
| Mushroom yield | Up to 8 lb per ft^2, with a national average of 5.92 lb per square foot in 2006 |
| Mushroom farming challenges | Contamination, labor, and equipment |
| Mushroom benefits | Inexpensive, fun, and healthy |
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What You'll Learn
Growing mushrooms at home
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, thriving on substrates rich in organic material. They require adequate moisture, proper temperature, and limited light. By replicating their natural habitat, you can successfully cultivate various mushroom species at home. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started with growing mushrooms at home:
Choose the Right Mushroom Type
First, decide which type of mushroom you want to grow. Oyster mushrooms are the easiest species to grow, making them ideal for beginners. Shiitake mushrooms are also relatively easy to cultivate.
Decide on an Indoor or Outdoor Setup
You can grow mushrooms indoors year-round in a dark, cool place like a basement, crawl space, dark drawer, or cabinet. Alternatively, you can choose to grow them outdoors.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
You will need the following supplies:
- Plastic tubs or a baking pan
- Mushroom spawn (seedlings) purchased from a supplier
- Growing substrate such as compost, straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds
- A damp towel
- A spray bottle
Prepare the Substrate
Place several handfuls of your chosen substrate into your tub or pan. If using straw or sawdust, pasteurize it to kill any contaminants. Mix the spawn into the substrate and raise the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After 2–4 weeks, the spawn will take root in the substrate, forming white fuzz called mycelium.
Lower the Temperature
After the spawn has taken root, drop the temperature to 55–60 degrees Fahrenheit by moving the pan to a cooler area.
Create the Right Conditions for Colonization
Place your inoculated substrate in an environment with the recommended conditions for colonization, such as 75° F for Pleurotus ostreatus. Allow the substrate to become fully colonized by the mushroom mycelium during the "spawn run."
Promote Fruiting
When small mushrooms, called "primoidia," first appear (a stage called "pinning"), place the substrate with primoidia in an environment with conditions that promote fruiting. This includes controlling temperature, light, humidity, and airflow according to your chosen species' preferences.
Harvest Your Mushrooms
Harvest your mushrooms just before the spores are released for the best results.
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Mushroom farming
The first step, Phase I composting, involves preparing compost, which provides the nutrients needed for mushrooms to grow. Two types of material are generally used for mushroom compost: wheat straw-bedded horse manure and synthetic compost made from hay and wheat straw. Both types of compost require the addition of nitrogen supplements and a conditioning agent, gypsum.
In Phase II composting, the spawn and supplement are mixed throughout the compost, and the compost is worked so that the surface is level. The compost temperature is maintained at 75°–80°F, and the relative humidity is kept high to minimize drying. Under these conditions, the spawn will grow, producing a thread-like network of mycelium throughout the compost.
The next step is spawning, where the inoculated substrate is placed in an environment with the recommended conditions for colonization, such as 75° F for Pleurotus ostreatus. The substrate becomes fully colonized by the mushroom mycelium, which is called the "spawn run."
In the casing step, when the little mushrooms (called "primoidia") first appear (called pinning), the substrate with primoidia is placed in an environment with the recommended conditions to promote fruiting. This involves controlling temperature, light, humidity, and airflow according to the chosen species' preferences. For example, specialty mushrooms need light for proper morphology, while low-light environments create skinny mushrooms with long stems.
Finally, in the cropping step, the mushrooms are harvested, ideally just before the spores are released.
There are also some considerations for the substrates used in mushroom farming. Straw is a common substrate for home and beginning commercial growers, and it is particularly suitable for growing oyster mushrooms. However, it can be difficult to work with as it needs to be chopped for optimal yield. Coffee grounds are another interesting substrate because they are effectively sterilized when used to produce coffee. When using coffee grounds, it is important to inoculate on the same day as brewing the coffee and to add sawdust to the spent coffee grounds. For more advanced growers, grain can be used as a high-nutrient medium for rapid mycelial expansion, but it is too expensive and too high in nutrients for bulk substrate fruiting.
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Types of compost
Mushroom farming consists of six steps, two of which are dedicated to composting. The two types of compost used in mushroom farming are wheat straw-bedded horse manure and synthetic compost.
Wheat Straw-Bedded Horse Manure
This is the most commonly used and least expensive compost for mushroom farming. It is made from wheat straw and horse manure, and requires the addition of nitrogen supplements and a conditioning agent, gypsum.
Synthetic Compost
Synthetic compost is usually made from hay and wheat straw. However, the term can refer to any mushroom compost where the primary ingredient is not horse manure. Like wheat straw-bedded horse manure, synthetic compost also requires the addition of nitrogen supplements and gypsum.
Phase I and Phase II Composting
The preparation of compost occurs in two steps, Phase I and Phase II composting. During Phase I, the spawn and supplement are mixed throughout the compost, and the surface is levelled. The compost temperature is maintained at 75°–80°F, and the relative humidity is kept high to prevent the compost surface or spawn from drying out. Under these conditions, the spawn will grow, producing a thread-like network of mycelium throughout the compost.
During Phase II, the mushroom substrate can be amended with Micromax® to improve yield capacity. Micromax® contains a mixture of nine micronutrients, including Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn. Research has shown that approximately 70% of the yield increase is due to Mn. Commercial supplement makers have begun to add Mn to their delayed-release nutrients for mushroom culture.
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Environmental parameters
Temperature
Temperature control is vital for mushroom growth. During the spawn run, the substrate should be maintained at 75°–80° F (23.8°–26.6° C) to facilitate the growth of the mushroom mycelium. Each mushroom species has its own optimal temperature range for fruiting. For example, Pleurotus ostreatus thrives at 75° F (23.8° C). Maintaining the desired temperature is essential for successful mushroom cultivation.
Light
Lighting plays a significant role in mushroom development. Contrary to the common belief that mushrooms thrive in darkness, specialty mushrooms require light for proper morphology. The amount of light influences the length of the mushroom stems. Low-light environments result in mushrooms with long stems and skinny bodies, similar to plants grown in similar conditions. Regular shop lights or energy-efficient LED strip lights can provide adequate lighting for mushroom growth.
Humidity
Humidity levels are critical for mushroom cultivation. High relative humidity, typically above 60%, is necessary to prevent the substrate and spawn from drying out. Humidity levels impact the mushroom's ability to form its cap, with high CO2 levels resulting in mushrooms with long stems and small caps. Therefore, it is essential to monitor and control humidity levels during the fruiting process.
Oxygen
Oxygen management is an art in mushroom cultivation. Fresh oxygen is crucial for mushroom fruiting. Exchanging the air in the growing environment every five to ten minutes is recommended. This can be achieved through the strategic use of fans and timers. A general guideline is to blast new air into the room, exchanging all the air in one to two minutes, rather than having a low-level fan running constantly.
Substrate
The choice of substrate is essential for successful mushroom cultivation. Common substrates include straw, which is widely used but can be challenging to work with, and oyster mushrooms grow well on straw. Coffee grounds are another interesting option as they are inherently sterile due to the brewing process. However, they must be inoculated on the same day as brewing and mixed with sawdust. Grain is also used as a high-nutrient substrate for rapid mycelial expansion but is more expensive and prone to contamination.
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Mushroom business
Mushroom farming can be a fun and inexpensive business opportunity. It can be done at home or on a larger scale, and there are a few different methods to choose from. One popular method is to use a mushroom cultivation kit, which can be purchased online or from a specialist retailer. These kits provide an easy way to get started, and many come with pre-treated and chopped straw, which is a common substrate for growing mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms, in particular, grow very well on straw.
If you're feeling more adventurous, you can try the DIY approach. This method involves sourcing your own logs or substrates and inoculating them with mushroom spores. For shiitake mushrooms, hardwood logs like oak are best, while oyster mushrooms grow well on softwood species like sweet gum or poplar. You can also use bags of sawdust substrate or inoculated logs, which can be purchased from specialist retailers.
Once you've chosen your method and gathered your materials, you'll need to create the right environmental conditions for your mushrooms to thrive. This includes controlling temperature, light, humidity, and airflow. For example, specialty mushrooms need light to develop properly, and low-light environments can result in skinny mushrooms with long stems. Maintaining the right humidity levels is also crucial, as mushrooms need moisture to grow.
There are also specific techniques you can employ to improve your yield. For instance, supplementing your substrate with Micromax® can enhance your yield capacity, as it provides essential micronutrients that mushrooms need to flourish. Additionally, proper compost preparation is key, as compost provides the nutrients for mushroom growth. Phase I and Phase II composting help create the optimal conditions for mushrooms to grow and fruit.
Overall, starting a mushroom business can be a rewarding venture. Whether you choose to start small at home or dive into larger-scale farming, there are plenty of resources and techniques available to help you succeed in this fascinating and delicious endeavour.
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Frequently asked questions
You can start by growing mushrooms at home. It is easy, fun, and inexpensive. You can use a mushroom cultivation kit or the DIY approach.
Mushroom farming consists of six steps: Phase I composting, Phase II composting, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping.
Some common substrates used for growing mushrooms include straw, coffee grounds, and sawdust. Oyster mushrooms grow very well on straw and coffee grounds, while shiitake mushrooms prefer hardwood substrates like oak.
Mushrooms require controlled temperature, light, humidity, and airflow. Specialty mushrooms need light for proper morphology, and the amount of light they receive affects the length of their stems. It is also important to maintain adequate airflow and oxygen levels in the growing environment.
