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 can be considered 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 mushroom cultivar. Spawn is the carrier that holds a specific strain of mushroom mycelium in stasis until the cultivator transfers it into a substrate such as a wood log, straw, or compost. The spawn then spreads out bits of mycelium into its final habitat, where it can grow, colonize, digest food, and fruit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. |
| Use | Provides the backbone to any mushroom-growing operation. |
| Comparison with Seeds | Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular cultivar of mushroom. |
| Types | Plug Spawn, Sawdust Spawn, Grain Spawn |
| Plug Spawn Description | Wooden dowels grown with mushroom mycelium. Requires freshly cut hardwood logs with drilled holes to hammer in the spawn plugs. |
| Sawdust Spawn Description | Mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust. Requires an inoculation tool for injecting into logs. |
| Grain Spawn Description | Used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. Used to inoculate loose substrates like straw. |
| Production | Spawn is produced in a laboratory by incubating specialty mushroom strains and growing them into forms like sawdust, grain, and plugs. |
| Goal | To spread out bits of mycelium into its final habitat where it can grow, colonize, digest food, and fruit. |
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What You'll Learn
Spawn is a living fungal culture, or mycelium, grown onto a substrate
Mushroom spawn is typically grown in a laboratory setting, with mycelium from a mushroom culture placed onto sterilized grain. Over time, the mycelium grows through the grain, and this grain/mycelium mixture is known as spawn. Spawn acts as a carrier for a specific strain of mushroom mycelium, keeping it in stasis until the cultivator transfers it to its final substrate, such as wood logs, straw, or compost. The spawn allows the mycelium to spread into its final habitat, where it can grow, colonize, and eventually fruit.
There are several types of spawn, each with its own advantages and applications. Plug spawn, for example, consists of wooden dowels colonized by mushroom mycelium. To use plug spawn, holes are drilled into freshly cut hardwood logs, and the spawn plugs are hammered into the holes before being sealed with melted wax. This method is simple and ideal for small projects, but it is slower than other techniques.
Another type of spawn is sawdust spawn, which is often used by small farms and individuals inoculating logs outdoors. It consists of mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust and is more affordable, reliable, and faster-colonizing than plug spawn. Sawdust spawn requires an inoculation tool for injection into logs.
Grain spawn, on the other hand, is commonly used for commercial indoor mushroom cultivation. It is used to inoculate loose substrates like straw and provides a nutrient boost to unsupplemented substrates. Grain spawn is not suitable for outdoor log inoculation.
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It is the 'seed' for mushroom growing operations
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and can be thought of as the equivalent of a seed. Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular mushroom cultivar. This is similar to how people grow apples from grafted wood instead of planting seeds. Grafting ensures that a particular set of genetics produces a consistent variety.
Spawn is the carrier that holds a specific strain of mushroom mycelium in stasis until the cultivator transfers it into a substrate such as a wood log, straw, or compost. The goal is to spread out the mycelium into its final habitat, where it can grow, colonize, digest food, and fruit. To make spawn, specialty mushroom strains are incubated in a laboratory and then grown into forms like sawdust, grain, and plugs (hardwood dowels). Each of these, once colonized by mycelium, is called spawn.
There are several types of spawn, each with its own uses, benefits, and trade-offs. Plug spawn, for example, is sold in small bags at garden centres and farmers' markets. To use it, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs into which you drill holes, hammer in the spawn plugs, and seal with wax. This method is simple, requires no tools beyond a hand drill, and is great for small projects. However, it is slower than using sawdust spawn and has slower colonisation rates.
Sawdust spawn is similar to plug spawn but requires an inoculation tool for injection into logs. It is more reliable and colonises faster than plug spawn, making it a popular choice for small farms and outdoor inoculation. Grain spawn, on the other hand, is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. It is often used to inoculate loose substrates like straw and provide a nutrient boost.
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Spawn can be myceliated grain, sawdust, or wooden dowels (plugs)
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and can be thought of as the equivalent of seeds for a mushroom farm. Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production.
Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows. It is used to inoculate loose substrates like straw and provide a nutrient kick to unsupplemented substrates. Almost all commercial mushroom production is indoor and utilizes grain spawn.
Sawdust spawn consists of mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust. It is used much like plug spawn but requires an inoculation tool for injecting into logs. Sawdust spawn is cheaper, more reliable, and colonizes faster than plug spawn. It is the preferred spawn type for small farms and people looking to inoculate multiple logs outdoors.
Plug spawn is wooden dowelling, colonized with mycelium from a specific fungus. To use plug spawn, you need access to freshly cut hardwood logs. Holes are drilled into the logs, and the spawn plugs are hammered into the holes. Melted wax is then brushed over the plugged holes to seal the log. This method is simple to use, requires no tools beyond a hand drill, and is great for small projects. However, it is slower than using sawdust spawn, and the colonization rates are slower.
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Grain spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom growing
Mushroom spawn is the 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 for growing apples. Unlike seeds, mushroom spawn is grown from selected genetics and cloned for consistent production of a particular mushroom cultivar.
Grain spawn is a type of mushroom spawn that is used for commercial indoor mushroom growing. It is made by growing mushroom mycelium into certified organic rye or millet grain. The small particle size of the millet allows the mushroom mycelium to grow quickly, leading to a well-colonized substrate. This makes it ideal for use in indoor settings, where it can be used to inoculate loose substrates like straw, coffee grounds, or supplemented sawdust.
Grain spawn is also the industry standard for high-volume commercial production. It is high in nutrients, making it a good supplement to a sawdust or wood pellet base. However, its high nutrient content also means that it can easily become contaminated, so it should be used within one to two months of purchase and stored in a refrigerator for most species.
The process of creating grain spawn begins with growing mushroom cultures onto sterilized millet or wheat berries. This is then expanded into more grain, creating Generation 2 grain. From here, farmers can either continue to expand the mycelium further or move on to using sawdust. To mix the substrate, farmers use one part water, one part grain, and one-fifth part vermiculite.
Overall, grain spawn is a popular choice for commercial indoor mushroom growing due to its high nutrient content, rapid mycelial expansion, and suitability for indoor substrates.
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Plug spawn is used for outdoor mushroom cultivation
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and can be likened to seeds for a mushroom farm. Plug spawn is a type of mushroom spawn that is used for outdoor mushroom cultivation. It is the most basic way to grow mushrooms on logs and is ideal for beginners. Plug spawn is made of wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mushroom mycelium. To use plug spawn, you will need access to freshly cut hardwood logs, typically with a diameter of 4 to 6 inches and a length of 3 to 4 feet. Holes are drilled into the logs, and the spawn plugs are then hammered into the holes. The plugged holes are then sealed with melted wax to prevent the spawn from drying out.
Oak is a particularly good tree species for mushroom cultivation, but many others can also be used, such as poplar, aspen, sugar maple, willow, alder, and birch. It is important to avoid certain tree species, including conifers, eucalyptus, hackberry, beech, and dogwood. The timing of log inoculation is crucial, and it is generally recommended to inoculate logs in early spring if they have been cut during the winter. If logs are cut during the summer, inoculation should be done within 3 weeks to maintain adequate moisture content. The logs should be placed in a shady and sheltered location after inoculation.
Each log can produce approximately 2.5 to 4 pounds of mushrooms over its lifetime, with production typically beginning 6 months to 1 year after inoculation. Logs will continue to fruit for up to 4 years. Plug spawn is a great option for small projects or commercial growers who want an easy way to handle spawn. It requires no special tools beyond a hand drill and a hammer and is available in small quantities. However, it is important to note that the colonization rate is slower compared to other methods like sawdust spawn.
Overall, plug spawn is a simple and effective method for outdoor mushroom cultivation, especially for those new to the process. It allows for the cultivation of various mushroom species, including Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, and Reishi, among others. With the right techniques and care, anyone can successfully grow mushrooms outdoors using plug spawn.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom spawn is the living fungal culture, called mycelium, grown onto a substrate. It is the backbone of any mushroom-growing operation and can be thought of as the equivalent of seeds for a mushroom farm.
There are three distinct types of mushroom spawn, each with its own particular use, benefits, and tradeoffs: Plug Spawn, Sawdust Spawn, and Grain Spawn. Plug Spawn is grown on wooden dowels, Sawdust Spawn consists of mycelium grown into hardwood sawdust, and Grain Spawn is used for commercial indoor mushroom grows.
To make mushroom spawn, 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 then used to seed mushroom compost. Most spawn is made with mycelium from a stored culture, rather than a spore, to ensure consistent production of a particular cultivar of mushroom.
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