Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. They are neither plants nor animals but constitute their own kingdom: Fungi. Mushrooms grow from fungal spores, which thrive in damp, dark conditions with high levels of decaying plant matter. They are often found growing from dead trees or underground. Mushrooms are typically grown in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips, which help replicate natural conditions. They can also be grown using the ancient method of log growing, which has been practised in China for centuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. |
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Habitat | Mushrooms grow in damp, dark conditions with high humidity and airflow. They can be found in forests, warehouses, former industrial spaces, basements, and even your home. |
| Growth | Mushrooms grow from fungal spores, not seeds. They require a medium high in decaying plant matter. |
| Life Cycle | Most of the mushroom's life cycle takes place underground or beneath the bark of dead or living trees. |
| Duration | Mushrooms have a very short lifespan. Once they shed their spores, they collapse and deteriorate. |
| Uses | Mushrooms are nutritious and delicious. They are also used as recreational drugs, such as psilocybin or "magic" mushrooms. |
| Cultivation | Mushrooms can be cultivated indoors, on shelves, or in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are fungi, not plants
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of certain fungi. They develop from a button stage into a mature structure, and they produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke, rather than seeds. These spores help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. Mushrooms grow from fungal spores that thrive in damp, dark conditions with high levels of decaying plant matter. They often spring directly from dead trees, and their growth is not dependent on sunlight, making them popular with urban farmers.
In contrast, plants grow from seeds and require ample sunlight and soil. They do not thrive in overly damp environments. This fundamental difference in growth requirements means that mushrooms cannot be farmed in the same way as plants. Mushroom farming requires specific equipment and facilities, and it leaves behind a lot of plastic waste.
Fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling. They lack chlorophyll and obtain their nutrients from other materials, including dead leaves, fallen trees, and living tissues. Some fungi form mutually beneficial relationships with the roots of plants, helping them absorb water and minerals in exchange for nutrients. This symbiotic relationship is essential for the survival of many plants, including trees and orchids.
While mushrooms are often lumped in with vegetables when discussing nutrition, understanding their unique characteristics as fungi is essential. By studying the biology of fungi, including their growth requirements and ecological roles, we can gain valuable insights into their cultivation and their significance in our ecosystems.
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They grow from spores, not seeds
Mushrooms are fungi, which means they are not plants and therefore do not grow from seeds. Instead, they grow from spores. These spores are microscopic and are shot off basidia, falling between the gills in the dead air space. Each mushroom releases thousands of spores into its environment, and when these spores land in a suitable place, they germinate and develop the fine filaments that eventually become a new mycelium.
Mushrooms are often found growing in damp, dark conditions, and they require a medium that is high in decaying plant matter. They frequently spring directly from dead trees, but they can also grow from tissue culture. Mushrooms can grow from many different substrates and occupy many different ecological niches. They can grow in a variety of environments, including warehouses, former industrial spaces, and even basements. The most common method for growing mushrooms commercially is inside large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips.
The gills of mushrooms produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. The spores are almost as fine as smoke, and they come in a variety of colours, including white (most common), brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy. Mushrooms are typically short-lived, and once they've shed their spores, they collapse and deteriorate.
While mushrooms are not plants, they do share some similarities. For example, they can be found growing in forests or other shady environments with good humidity and airflow. However, mushrooms require different conditions to grow than plants, including dampness and a lack of sunlight. They also require different equipment and facilities for commercial growth.
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Mushrooms require different conditions to plants
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they are not plants. They are fungi and constitute their own kingdom. They lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. Most of a mushroom's life cycle takes place underground or beneath the bark of dead or living trees. Before developing the mushroom structure, the fungus lives as a mycelium, a mat-like or net-like network of filaments infusing a patch of soil or wood.
When conditions are right, the mycelium develops a fruiting structure, a mushroom, which emerges from the ground or the tree. Instead of seeds, mushrooms produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke. When spores land in a suitable place, they germinate, developing the fine filaments that eventually become a new mycelium. Mushrooms grow from fungal spores that thrive in damp, dark conditions. They require a medium that is high in decaying plant matter. They often spring directly from dead trees.
Plants, on the other hand, grow from seeds and require plenty of sun and soil, and do not do well in overly damp environments. In short, mushrooms can’t be farmed in the same manner as plants. They require different conditions, facilities, and equipment to grow commercially. Warehouses, former industrial spaces, and even basements can become excellent mushroom farms. The most common method for growing mushrooms is inside large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips. These bags retain moisture and help replicate natural conditions.
Mushrooms can also be grown using a method that has been used around the world for hundreds, if not thousands, of years: log growing. This method has been around in China for centuries and involves growing mushrooms on logs.
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They can be farmed indoors
Mushrooms are fungi that require different conditions to grow than plants. They can be farmed indoors, which is an excellent option for serious year-round production. Mushrooms require a dark, cool place to grow, such as a basement, crawl space, or even a dark drawer or cabinet. They also require less space than other types of agriculture. However, indoor mushroom farming requires fairly expensive equipment, and it can be labor-intensive.
The easiest way to grow mushrooms indoors is to purchase a ready-made grow kit. Open the bag of sterilized, inoculated straw or soil, place it in a bright location out of direct sunlight, and mist the material with water daily. Within 7-10 days, you'll have homegrown mushrooms!
If you want to try something more advanced, you can purchase mushroom spawn, which is sawdust or grain permeated with mushroom mycelia—the root structure of the fungus. Fill a sterilized container with a substrate like straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds. Mix the prepared mushroom spawn into the substrate. Cover the container and keep it in a dark place at about 70 °F (21 °C). Lower the temperature to 55 °F (13 °C) once the substrate is covered in white fuzz. Harvest the mushrooms when they're mature.
Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest types of mushrooms to grow indoors. Golden oysters, blue oysters, and pink oysters each have their own distinct flavors and grow best at temperatures between 65-80 °F (18-27 °C). They are typically ready to harvest 7-14 days after colonization.
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They have a short lifespan
Mushrooms are the fleshy,
Mushrooms have a short lifespan. Once they have shed their spores, they collapse and deteriorate. The spores are produced on the gills of the mushroom and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. The gills of a mushroom produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. Each mushroom releases thousands of spores, each carrying unique genetic information.
The spores are almost as fine as smoke and, when they land in a suitable place, they germinate and develop into a new fungus. This process is similar to planting a bunch of apple seeds, in that it is unpredictable, and none of the resulting mushrooms will be identical to its "parent".
The short lifespan of mushrooms is in contrast to the longer lifespan of the fungus from which they originate. Before developing the mushroom structure, the fungus lives as a mycelium, a mat-like or net-like network of filaments infusing a patch of soil or wood. When conditions are right, the mycelium develops a mushroom, which emerges from the ground or a tree.
The short lifespan of mushrooms can make them difficult to farm, as they require specific conditions to grow and deteriorate quickly once they have shed their spores.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. They are neither plants nor animals and constitute their own kingdom.
Mushrooms grow in damp, dark conditions with high levels of decaying plant matter. They often spring directly from dead trees. Mushrooms can be grown outdoors in forests or other shady environments with good humidity and airflow. They can also be grown indoors in warehouses, former industrial spaces, or even basements.
Mushrooms grow from fungal spores, which are almost as fine as smoke. Each mushroom releases thousands of spores, each carrying unique genetics. These spores land in suitable places and germinate, developing into a new fungus.
Mushrooms require different conditions than plants. They need a medium that is high in decaying plant matter and do not require sunlight. Instead of seeds, mushrooms produce spores, which help them spread across the ground or their occupant surface.
Mushrooms play an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down complex organic compounds and facilitating nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. They also form mutually beneficial relationships with the roots of plants, helping them absorb water and minerals in exchange for nutrients.
