Laura Smith
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, and they can be grown indoors or outdoors, making them a great crop to grow at home. The time it takes for mushrooms to sprout varies depending on the variety and growing conditions. Oyster mushrooms, for example, are one of the fastest-growing varieties and can be ready to harvest in as little as 13 to 15 days. On the other hand, Lion's Mane mushrooms can take up to 1 to 2 years to grow when cultivated on logs. Magic mushrooms, which grow wild in the UK, typically appear in early autumn, usually from September to December. The growth of mushrooms is influenced by temperature, moisture levels, and the presence of compatible mycelium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom growing environment | Indoors or outdoors |
| Temperature | Minimum of 15°C |
| Light | A few hours of light (can be artificial) |
| Mushroom spawn | Commercial labs |
| Growing medium | Compost, manure, coffee grounds, straw, logs |
| Mushroom types | Oyster, Shiitake, Wine cap, Pioppino, Lion's mane |
| Mushroom growing kits | GroCycle Mushroom Kit |
| Mushroom fruiting | Mushrooms can double in size every 24 hours |
| Mushroom growth time | 14 days to 18 months |
| Magic mushroom season | Early Autumn (September to December) |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms in the UK: usually sprout in early autumn
Magic mushrooms grow wild in the UK, typically popping up in early autumn. The most common species, Liberty Caps (Psilocybe semilanceata), thrive in moist, moderate climates and are often found in open grasslands where sheep graze. The ideal temperature for Liberty Cap growth is below 15°C during the day and 10°C at night.
While the mushroom season can vary depending on weather conditions, it usually falls between mid-September and November. The arrival of the first autumn frost, typically in late November, signals the end of the season. However, in recent years, climate change has delayed the first frost, extending the mushroom season into December or even January in some parts of the UK.
Growing your own magic mushrooms in the UK is illegal, as both fresh and dried mushrooms containing psilocybin were banned in 2005. However, it is possible to legally grow other mushroom varieties at home using kits or by purchasing mushroom spawn to grow in beds or boxes with a suitable substrate like compost or manure.
When foraging for magic mushrooms, it is important to be cautious as they closely resemble several types of lethally poisonous mushrooms. Additionally, picking and consuming psychedelic mushrooms carries legal risks, as they are classified as a Class A drug in the UK.
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Oyster mushrooms: the fastest-growing variety
Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms to cultivate due to their rapid growth, tolerance to different growing conditions, and ability to grow indoors all year long. They are also the fastest-growing variety of mushrooms, with some sources claiming that they can be ready to harvest in as little as 13 to 15 days.
Oyster mushrooms can be grown on a wide variety of substrates, including straw, cardboard, sawdust, coffee grounds, soybean hulls, and even on logs. The most commonly used substrate is straw, as it is usually cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. However, it is important to pasteurize the straw before use by soaking it in hot water or a lime bath to kill any competing microorganisms.
Oyster mushrooms also have a wide temperature range for growth, with some strains preferring temperatures as low as 45-55 degrees F and others thriving at temperatures up to 80-86 degrees F. This adaptability makes them suitable for a wide range of growing environments and conditions.
For those new to growing mushrooms, oyster mushrooms are an excellent choice as they are forgiving and can be grown using ready-made kits that are simple to use. These kits provide a sterile environment and come with full instructions, making the process low-maintenance and straightforward.
Oyster mushrooms are not only fast-growing but also produce abundant yields, making them a popular choice for small to medium-scale mushroom producers. Their ability to fruit in clusters makes harvesting and storage easier, and their distinctive taste and texture add variety to meals, increasing their demand among consumers.
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Shiitake mushrooms: one of the slowest-growing varieties
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the slowest-growing varieties, and they are a bit more challenging to grow than other types of mushrooms. They require a longer incubation time because their mycelium is not as aggressive as that of other mushrooms. However, the extra effort is well worth it, as shiitake mushrooms are delicious and provide numerous health benefits. They are low in sodium and calories, but rich in fibre, B vitamins, and minerals.
Shiitake mushrooms are native to Japan and China and thrive in nature throughout much of East Asia. They were traditionally grown in forests in this region, but now they can be cultivated worldwide. Shiitake mushrooms are fungal spores that remain dormant until they find the right conditions to grow. They require a wood-based growing medium, such as freshly cut logs or sawdust, to get the nutrients they need.
When growing shiitake mushrooms, it is important to use fresh logs to prevent other types of fungi from growing inside them. The logs should be cut from hardwood trees such as oak, beech, or maple, and they should be inoculated no more than six weeks after cutting. Dowels impregnated with spawn are inserted into pre-drilled holes in the logs, and the logs are then placed in a shady spot and kept moist.
It can take up to six months for shiitake mushrooms to grow on logs, but when grown on sawdust, the incubation period is shortened to eight to twelve weeks. After this initial growth period, it takes another one to two weeks of fruiting time before the mushrooms are ready to harvest. The fruiting process is triggered by temperature and moisture changes, and optimal conditions include a temperature of 55–65°F and a relative humidity of at least 85%.
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Mushroom growing kits: a foolproof way to grow mushrooms
Mushroom growing kits are an easy and straightforward way to grow mushrooms at home. They are perfect for beginners and make excellent gifts. Mushrooms are adaptable and can be grown indoors or outdoors, making them a convenient option for gardeners, especially during winters when homegrown crops are scarce.
Benefits of Mushroom Growing Kits
Mushroom growing kits come with everything you need to get started, making them a convenient and foolproof option. They are also time-saving, as you don't have to go through the intricate inoculation and incubation stages, reducing the risk of contamination. The kits are designed to be low-maintenance, requiring just a few minutes of misting each day. Additionally, they offer a controlled environment to optimize temperature and humidity levels, enhancing the chances of successful mushroom growth.
Types of Mushroom Kits
Mushroom growing kits are available for various mushroom varieties, catering to different tastes and environments. Some popular options include:
- Oyster Mushrooms: These are one of the fastest-growing mushrooms, with pink oyster mushrooms being particularly quick, ready for harvest in just 13-15 days.
- Shiitake Mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms are slower-growing and take 8-12 weeks for incubation, followed by 1-2 weeks of fruiting time.
- Lion's Mane Mushrooms: This variety produces mushrooms in 4-6 weeks when grown in bags but can take up to 1-2 years when grown on logs.
- Wine Cap Mushrooms: These mushrooms take 4-6 weeks in bags and 2-8 months in outdoor beds.
Tips for Success
When using a mushroom growing kit, follow the instructions carefully, especially when cutting open the bag. Maintain the optimal temperature range of 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit for fruiting kits. Additionally, ensure a constant supply of moisture by misting the kits regularly.
With mushroom growing kits, you can enjoy the convenience of growing your own mushrooms at home, regardless of the season or outdoor conditions. So, whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, these kits offer a foolproof way to cultivate delicious and healthy mushrooms.
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Mushroom life cycle: from inoculation to incubation
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, and they can be grown indoors or outdoors, in logs, beds, boxes, or buckets. The life cycle of a mushroom can be broken down into seven stages: strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest.
Inoculation
Inoculation is the process of introducing mushroom spawn to a substrate. The substrate is the growing medium, which can be compost, manure, coffee grounds, straw, or logs. The spawn is introduced to the substrate through spawn substrate inoculation or grain spawn inoculation. Spawn substrate inoculation involves drilling holes into logs and inserting spawn-impregnated wooden dowels. Grain spawn inoculation involves mixing grain with spawn.
Incubation
Incubation is the period after inoculation when the mycelium (the mushroom roots) grows through the substrate. This process is also known as colonization. The mycelium expands through the substrate in a three-dimensional sphere, fusing together when it encounters another mycelium. Incubation typically starts around four days after inoculation. The rate of spawn run (how quickly the mycelium grows through the substrate) depends on the density of the substrate and the species of mushroom. For example, oyster mushrooms grow faster than shiitake mushrooms, and a sawdust-based substrate is faster than logs. The ideal temperature for incubation is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and it should not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate, it can be initiated into fruiting. This involves exposing the mycelium to specific conditions, such as carbon dioxide or temperature levels, as well as light and humidity.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms typically sprout in early autumn, usually around the end of September, and continue to grow well into late November. However, certain species like Morels and St George’s Day Mushrooms appear in April, May, and around St George's Day, respectively.
Mushrooms thrive in moist, damp, and humid conditions. They usually appear after a period of heavy rain, during an otherwise dry spell. The ideal temperature for mushroom growth is a minimum of 15°C, and they require a few hours of light per day, which can be artificial.
The time taken for mushrooms to sprout varies depending on the variety and growth conditions. Some mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, can be ready to harvest in as little as 13 to 15 days, while others, like Lion's Mane mushrooms, can take up to 2 years when grown on logs.
