Laura Smith
Mushroom spawn is a living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and is similar to the role of seeds in a mushroom farm. Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular mushroom cultivar. Spawn is the carrier that holds a specific strain of mushroom mycelium in stasis until cultivators are ready to transfer it into another substrate. The goal of the spawn is to spread out bits of mycelium into its final habitat where it can grow, colonize, and fruit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Spawn is a type of medium present in mushroom tissue that propagates the fungus such as Trichoderma, which is the root system of mushrooms. |
| Other names | Mycelium, actively growing mushroom culture |
| Form | Solid (agar wedge, existing mushroom mycelium spawn) or liquid (liquid culture) |
| Advantages | Reduces chances of contamination while giving mushrooms a firm beginning |
| Substrate | Usually sterilized grains such as rye or millet |
| Process | Mycelium is placed on a substrate and induced to grow into the grains |
| Inoculation | The process of placing mycelium on a substrate |
| Spawn types | Plug spawn, sawdust spawn, grain spawn, woodchip spawn, straw spawn, liquid spawn |
| Spawn production | Spawn is produced in a laboratory by incubating specialty mushroom strains and growing them into forms such as sawdust, grain, and plugs (hardwood dowels) |
| Spawn run | A critical stage in the cultivation of mushrooms where mycelium colonizes the substrate before the mushroom fruiting bodies develop |
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What You'll Learn
- Spawn is a living fungal culture, or mycelium, grown onto a substrate
- The spawn run is a critical stage in mushroom cultivation
- Plug spawn is a collection of small wooden dowels inoculated with mycelium
- Sawdust spawn is cheaper, faster, and more reliable than plug spawn
- Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows
Spawn is a living fungal culture, or mycelium, grown onto a substrate
Mycelium, or actively growing mushroom culture, is placed on a growth substrate to seed or introduce mushrooms to grow on a substrate. This process is known as inoculation, spawning, or adding spawn. It can be done using a solid such as an agar wedge, existing mushroom mycelium spawn, or a liquid form of mycelium called a liquid culture. Spawn is a medium present in mushroom tissue that propagates the fungus, such as Trichoderma, the root system of mushrooms.
In the spawn-production process, mycelium from a mushroom culture is placed onto steam-sterilized grain, and over time, the mycelium completely grows through the grain. This grain/mycelium mixture is called spawn, and it is used to ""seed" mushroom compost. Most spawn is made with mycelium from a stored culture, rather than a spore, as each spore could yield a new strain with unpredictable performance. Small pieces of pure culture mycelium are placed in small batches of grain.
The spawn run is a critical stage in mushroom cultivation, especially for edible and medicinal mushrooms like oyster mushrooms and shiitake. It is when the mycelium colonises the substrate before the mushroom fruiting bodies develop. The spawn run typically takes place in a controlled environment with specific temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions that favour the growth of the mushroom species. The mycelium spreads throughout the substrate, breaking down complex organic compounds and converting them into simpler substances.
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The spawn run is a critical stage in mushroom cultivation
Mushroom spawn is a living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and is similar to the seeds used in a mushroom farm. Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular mushroom cultivar.
During the spawn run, the mycelium grows and forms a network within the substrate, creating a white, web-like structure. This colonization process can take several weeks, depending on the type of mushroom and environmental conditions. The substrate is the material on which the mushroom mycelium will grow. Common substrates include straw, wood chips, sawdust, or a combination of these. The substrate is often pasteurized or sterilized to eliminate competing organisms that could hinder the growth of the mushroom mycelium.
There are different types of mushroom spawn, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Plug spawn, for example, is great for small projects as it is easy to use and requires no special tools. It is also very durable and can be used for fall inoculations in cold climates. Sawdust spawn, on the other hand, has the advantage of smaller particle sizes, which provide more inoculation points for the mycelium to grow into the substrate, resulting in faster colonization. However, sawdust spawn is less nutritious for mushroom growing, and you may be disappointed with your yield if you try to grow mushrooms from it alone.
The spawn run is a critical step in the mushroom cultivation process because it ensures that the mycelium is well-established in the substrate, making it more likely that the fruiting stage will be successful. By matching the spawn to the substrate, cultivators can reduce colonization time and improve the chances of a successful mushroom crop.
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Plug spawn is a collection of small wooden dowels inoculated with mycelium
Mushroom spawn is a substrate that has been previously colonized by the desired mushroom species. It is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It provides the backbone to any mushroom-growing operation. Think of it as the equivalent of seeds for a mushroom farm. Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular cultivar of mushroom.
Plug spawn is a collection of small wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mycelium. This can be done with sawdust spawn or even with stems of live mushrooms. Plug spawn is extremely durable and is recommended for fall inoculations in cold climates, stump inoculations, and overseas shipments. It is easy for young people to handle and is less prone to operator variability. It is also a reliable medium to carry slower-growing fungal species.
To use plug spawn, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Holes are drilled in the log, spawn plugs are hammered into the holes, and melted wax is brushed over the plugged holes to seal the log. Plug spawn is great for small projects because it's easy to use, requires no special tools, and is available in small quantities. The trade-offs are that the method is slower than using sawdust spawn and that the colonization rates are slower.
The spawn run is a critical phase in mushroom cultivation because it ensures that the mycelium is well-established in the substrate, making it more likely that the fruiting stage will be successful. The success of the entire mushroom cultivation process, from substrate preparation to harvest, depends on the health and vigor of the mycelium during the spawn run.
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Sawdust spawn is cheaper, faster, and more reliable than plug spawn
Mushroom spawn is a substrate that already has mycelium growing on it. It provides the backbone to any mushroom-growing operation. Think of it as the equivalent of seeds for a mushroom farm. Mycelium, or actively growing mushroom culture, is placed on a substrate and induced to grow into those grains. This is called inoculation. Inoculated grains (or plugs) are referred to as spawn.
Sawdust spawn is sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelia. It is usually sold in special plastic bags that have a filter patch so the mycelia can “breathe” but contaminants cannot enter and spoil the spawn. Large-scale commercial growers use this kind of spawn because it is the least expensive. Sawdust spawn is also easy to use for inoculation, with a few specialized tools. It has the fastest spawn run and can be a fun project with older children and other thoughtful helpers. The inoculation process can be mechanized on a very large scale.
Plug spawn, on the other hand, is made with hardwood dowels about the diameter of a pencil and 1" long. They are locally produced wooden dowels that have mushroom mycelium grown on them. To use plug spawn, you need to have access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Holes are drilled in the log, spawn plugs are hammered into the holes, and melted wax is brushed over the plugged holes to seal the log. Plug spawn is extremely durable and is recommended for fall inoculations in cold climates, stump inoculations, and overseas shipments. It is also a reliable medium to carry slower-growing fungal species.
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Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows
Mushroom spawn is a substrate that already has mycelium (the actively growing mushroom culture) growing on it. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and can be thought of as the equivalent of seeds for a mushroom farm.
Grain spawn is a type of mushroom spawn that is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. It is created by combining sterilized grains such as wheat, rye, or millet with mycelium. This process is called inoculation, and the grains that have been inoculated with mycelium are referred to as spawn. Grain spawn is ideal for inoculating sterilized or pasteurized substrates and is the industry standard for high-volume commercial production. It suits various cultivation methods, including indoor setups and outdoor beds.
North Spore, a producer of mushroom spawn, uses millet and wheat berries to create their grain spawn. They produce their spawn in-house in a laboratory, starting with mushroom cultures from their culture bank. Many of their cultures were isolated and grown from wild New England foraged mushrooms. North Spore's grain spawn is USDA-certified organic and is a favourite among commercial and home mushroom growers. They offer a wide variety of mushroom species, including Blue Oyster, Golden Oyster, Lion's Mane, and Shiitake.
While grain spawn is ideal for indoor mushroom cultivation, other types of spawn are better suited for outdoor cultivation. Plug spawn, for example, is great for small outdoor projects. It consists of wooden dowels that have been colonized with mycelium and can be easily hammered into freshly cut hardwood logs. Another type of spawn used outdoors is sawdust spawn, which is cheaper than plug spawn, more reliable, and colonizes faster.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom spawn is a substrate that has been previously colonized by the desired mushroom species. It is essentially the mycelium of the mushroom grown on a different substrate. The mycelium is placed on a substrate and induced to grow into those grains. This is called inoculation.
There are three distinct types of spawn: Plug Spawn, Sawdust Spawn, and Grain Spawn. Plug Spawn is a collection of small wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mycelium. Sawdust Spawn is sterilized sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelium. Grain Spawn is sterilized grain that has been inoculated with spores or a sterile culture of mycelium.
The spawn is used to transfer mycelium onto any material from which mushrooms will grow, called a substrate. Common substrates include straw, wood chips, sawdust, logs, cardboard, and compost. The spawn run is a critical stage in the cultivation of mushrooms, where the mycelium colonizes the substrate before the actual mushroom fruiting bodies develop.
