Emily Johnson
Oyster mushroom farming is a beginner-friendly process that has gained popularity in recent years. Oyster mushrooms are highly adaptable and can be grown in various conditions and on multiple substrates. They are a resilient, fast-growing crop with a high yield, making them a profitable choice for farmers. The most common substrate used for oyster mushroom cultivation is wheat straw, which is cheap, easily accessible, and contains essential nutrients. Other substrates include sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, and agricultural byproducts. Oyster mushrooms are also known for their nutritional benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels and being a good source of potassium, iron, and protein.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common substrates | Straw, sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, cotton waste, wheat straw, rice stalks, corn cobs, cotton pulp, peanut shells, banana leaves, plantain leaves, paper |
| Substrate preparation | Pasteurize by soaking in hot water (65-80°C / 149-176°F) for 1-2 hours, or in a cold-water high-pH lime bath for 12-18 hours |
| Temperature | 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 85°F) depending on the strain and stage of growth |
| Humidity | 85-90% during the fruiting stage |
| Yield | 400 pounds every other month in a 10x10 feet indoor growing area |
| Oyster mushroom types | Pink, golden, Florida, king, tree, blue, phoenix, pearl, black pearl |
| Oyster mushroom uses | Culinary, nutritional supplement, cash crop |
| Oyster mushroom advantages | High yield, fast-growing, resilient, can grow almost anywhere, easy to find spawn, effortless to work with |
| Oyster mushroom spawn | Can be purchased or produced at home |
| Oyster mushroom growing kits | Pre-inoculated "open-and-spray" kits, DIY kits |
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What You'll Learn
Oyster mushroom varieties
Oyster mushrooms are a high-yield, fast-growing crop that can be grown all year round. They are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels and carbon dioxide levels, making them a great crop for first-time growers.
There are many varieties of oyster mushrooms, some of the most common are:
- Pearl oyster mushroom: The most common type, particularly in North America. They have a slightly sweet and woodsy taste and are more mild and tender than a shiitake mushroom.
- Blue oyster mushroom: A subspecies of the common oyster, they are found throughout the northern hemisphere. They are one of the fastest colonizers of all oyster mushroom varieties and grow in cooler temperatures of 45-65 F (12-18 C). They are grey with a slight bluish hue, dark caps and pale gills.
- Golden oyster mushroom: Also called yellow oyster mushrooms, this variety is known for its colour and similarity in appearance to the chanterelle mushroom. They have a more complex and aromatic flavour than the standard pearl oyster.
- Pink oyster mushroom: This variety grows quickly, producing fruit in as little as 3-4 weeks. They prefer warmer temperatures of 64-86 F (18-30 C) and have a firm texture and meaty flavour.
- King oyster mushroom: Also known as king trumpet, they are composed mostly of a thicker, tubby stem. They have a flavour similar to scallops when sliced and cooked in the same way.
- Salmon oyster mushroom: These range from a pale to deeper salmon colour. The caps are initially thicker and more compact but become thinner in following harvests.
- Phoenix oyster mushroom: This variety has evolved to grow in warmer climates. Depending on the strain, it is either white or brown/tan.
Oyster mushrooms can be grown on a wide variety of mediums, including straw, sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds and other by-products of agriculture such as sugarcane bagasse, coco coir and cotton waste.
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Oyster mushroom growing kits
The kits are designed to be easy to use and typically include everything you need to get started, such as organic oyster mushroom spawn, a growing medium (substrate), and detailed instructions. Some kits even include a spray mister for maintaining moisture levels and a discovery booklet with growing and harvesting instructions, recipes, and fun activities.
When preparing your growing space, it is important to ensure the room is clean and dimly lit, with indirect sunlight. The room should be able to retain moisture in the air and provide adequate airflow when ventilation is needed. It is recommended to seal off the area with plastic sheeting to help maintain humidity and reduce unwanted moulds and insects. Before inoculating the substrate, it is good practice to sanitise the room and yourself to reduce the risk of contamination.
The most commonly used substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation is straw, which is usually cheap, contains essential nutrients, and is favoured by oyster mushrooms. Wheat straw is a good option, and it is easy to source and prepare by shredding it into shorter pieces. Other substrates that can be used include sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, and cotton waste. It is important to pasteurise the substrate before use to give your chosen mushroom spawn a head start and reduce the risk of "weed" mushrooms taking over.
With the right care and conditions, oyster mushrooms can be a highly rewarding crop to grow at home or on a small scale.
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Oyster mushroom substrates
Oyster mushrooms can be grown on various substrates, including wood and other plant debris, such as straw, sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, and agricultural byproducts like sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, and cotton waste. Wheat straw is the most commonly used substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation due to its cheap cost, essential nutrients, and suitability for oyster mushrooms. Before use, the straw must be pasteurised by soaking in hot water (65-80°C/149-176°F) for 1-2 hours or in a cold-water high-pH lime bath for 12-18 hours. The pasteurisation process eliminates weed fungi that may compete with the oyster mushrooms.
Coffee grounds can also be used as a substrate for oyster mushrooms, but it is important to use fresh grounds (within 24 hours of brewing) to ensure proper pasteurisation and hydration. Corn cobs are another viable substrate option, but they must be soaked in a food-grade hydrogen peroxide solution for 20 minutes before being drained and pasteurised in boiling water for two hours.
For those seeking a low-maintenance substrate, kitty litter, specifically the Yesterday's News brand made from pelleted newspaper and soy-based inks, offers an easy way to grow oyster mushrooms without the need for heating or chemicals. This method is ideal for educational activities in classrooms, providing an excellent opportunity to teach mushroom biology.
When preparing substrates for oyster mushroom cultivation, it is crucial to ensure a clean environment to reduce the risk of contamination. This includes wearing clean clothes, using antibacterial soap, and considering sterile gloves, a face mask, and a hair cap. Additionally, the growing room should be dimly lit, able to retain moisture, and provide adequate airflow when needed.
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Oyster mushroom spawn
The spawn is used to inoculate the substrate, which is the mushroom's food source. The most commonly used substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation is wheat straw, which is cheap, contains essential nutrients, and is easy to source. Other substrates that can be used include sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, and agricultural byproducts such as sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, and cotton waste.
Before inoculating the substrate with spawn, it is important to pasteurise it to give your chosen mushroom spawn a head start in the race to colonize. This can be done by soaking the substrate in hot water (65-80°C / 149-176°F) for 1-2 hours, or in a cold-water high-pH lime bath for 12-18 hours. The growing room should be clean and dimly lit, able to retain moisture in the air yet also provide airflow when ventilation is needed.
After the substrate has been inoculated with spawn, it will take 3 to 5 weeks for the mushrooms to fruit. During this time, it is important to maintain high humidity (85-90% is recommended) and a consistent source of fresh air. Temperatures can be higher than for the initial pinning stage, with pleurotus ostreatus (winter) requiring 10°C to 20°C (~50°F to 70°F) and pleurotus pulmonarius (summer) requiring 16°C to 28°C (~60°F to 80°F).
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Oyster mushroom growing conditions
Oyster mushrooms are highly adaptable and can grow in a variety of conditions. They are a great choice for beginner mushroom growers due to their resilience and fast growth. Here are the key factors to consider when creating the ideal growing conditions for oyster mushrooms:
Temperature
Oyster mushrooms are highly tolerant of temperature variations, with some species growing in colder temperatures and others in warmer climates. For example, the blue oyster mushroom thrives in cooler temperatures of 45-65°F (12-18°C), while the pink oyster mushroom prefers temperatures of 64-86°F (18-30°C). The winter strain, Pleurotus ostreatus, grows well at temperatures between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 70°F), while the summer strain, Pleurotus pulmonarius, prefers temperatures between 16°C and 28°C (60°F to 80°F).
Humidity
Maintaining high humidity is crucial for oyster mushroom growth, especially during the fruiting stage. A recommended humidity level is between 85% and 90%. Oyster mushrooms also require a consistent source of fresh air, so ventilation is important.
Substrate
The substrate is the food source that enables the growth of oyster mushrooms. The most commonly used substrate is straw, specifically wheat straw. Straw is cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. Other substrates that can be used include sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, rice stalks, corn cobs, cotton waste, peanut shells, and paper. It is important to pasteurize the substrate by soaking it in hot water or a lime bath to eliminate any unwanted fungi.
Light
Oyster mushrooms require indirect sunlight or dim lighting. During the fruiting stage, they are triggered by light and lower temperatures.
Cleanliness
It is important to maintain a clean growing environment to reduce the risk of contamination by mould or insects. The growing room should be sealed off, and surfaces should be sprayed with a diluted bleach solution to prevent mould growth. It is also recommended to wear clean clothes and sterile gloves when handling the substrate and mushroom spawn.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Levels
Oyster mushrooms are tolerant of variations in carbon dioxide levels, but high CO2 levels can lead to small deformities in the mushrooms. Fresh air exchange is important to maintain optimal growing conditions. Some farmers adjust the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels to promote growth and fruiting.
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Frequently asked questions
Oyster mushrooms are a high-yield, fast-growing crop with a huge range of flavours. They are known to help lower cholesterol levels and are a great source of potassium, iron and protein. They can be dehydrated and stored for long-term use and fetch an average of $10/pound at retail.
Oyster mushroom growing kits are a great way to start your journey into fungi culture. They provide you with everything you need to get started, including a detailed set of instructions specifically for the strain you are growing. You can also buy ready-to-fruit oyster mushroom blocks, which come fully colonised and ready to grow.
Oyster mushrooms are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels and carbon dioxide levels, making them a great choice for first-time growers. They grow best in enclosed structures that allow the farmer to manage humidity and temperature. The growing room should be clean and dimly lit, able to retain moisture in the air yet also provide airflow when ventilation is needed.
