Emma Wilson
Oyster mushrooms are a great fungi for beginner growers due to their resilience, fast growth, and ability to grow almost anywhere on just about anything. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, all year round, and are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels, and carbon dioxide levels. They are also low-calorie, high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are reputed to have medicinal properties. So, when is the best time to cultivate oyster mushrooms? The best time to start growing oyster mushrooms outdoors is after the last frost for the area, while growing them indoors means they can be grown year-round.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 50-86˚F for most oyster mushrooms, 45-65˚F for king oyster mushrooms |
| Humidity | High (85-90%) during the fruiting stage |
| Light | Tolerant of variations in light levels |
| Containers | Purpose-made mushroom cultivation bags, buckets, or large freezer or Ziploc bags with holes |
| Substrates | Straw, sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, logs, compost, paper, and other agricultural byproducts |
| Spawn | Grain spawn produces bigger yields than sawdust spawn |
| Yield | High |
| Maintenance | Simple misting of mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Oyster mushrooms are resilient, fast-growing, and can be grown almost anywhere
- They require a specific combination of temperature, humidity, and nutrition
- Oyster mushrooms can be cultivated on a variety of different substrates, both indoors and outdoors
- The best time to start growing oyster mushrooms outdoors is after the last frost
- Oyster mushrooms can be grown with little water and space and don't require special lighting
Oyster mushrooms are resilient, fast-growing, and can be grown almost anywhere
Oyster mushrooms are a great choice for first-time growers due to their resilience, fast growth, and ability to grow almost anywhere. They are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels, and carbon dioxide levels. Additionally, they are packed with nutrients and flavour and are a great source of potassium, iron, and protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
Oyster mushrooms can be grown at home or on a farm, and they thrive on straw, which is cheap, accessible, and contains essential nutrients. Other substrates that can be used to grow oyster mushrooms include sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, sugarcane bagasse, coco coir, and cotton waste.
To grow oyster mushrooms, you will need a container, a growing medium, and oyster mushroom spawn. Cylindrical plastic grow bags are a good option for containers, but any water-tight container that is free of contamination will work. The growing medium should be pasteurized to kill any unwanted microorganisms, and the spawn should be mixed into the growing medium.
Once the spawn has been added to the growing medium, it will take between one to three weeks for the mycelium to fully colonize the growing medium. During this time, it is important to maintain high humidity levels (85-90% is recommended) and allow fresh air to flush through the growing area. After the mycelium has fully colonized the growing medium, the mushrooms will begin to fruit. The temperature requirements for this stage depend on the variety of oyster mushroom being grown. For example, the phoenix oyster mushroom, also known as the summer oyster mushroom, grows in warmer temperatures ranging from 64-86°F (18-30°C). On the other hand, the blue oyster mushroom and the pearl oyster mushroom prefer cooler temperatures of 45-65°F (12-18°C).
Oyster mushrooms are typically ready to harvest a few weeks after inoculation. They can be harvested at any size, but once they reach full size, they will begin to dry out and turn yellowish. To harvest, simply twist the mushroom firmly at its base.
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They require a specific combination of temperature, humidity, and nutrition
Oyster mushrooms are highly adaptable and can grow in a variety of conditions, making them a great choice for novice growers. However, to ensure optimal growth, specific temperature, humidity, and nutritional requirements must be met.
Oyster mushrooms thrive in warm and humid environments, with a temperature range of 50°F to 75°F (10°C to 24°C) and a relative humidity of 80-85%. Lower temperatures will slow their growth, and they will struggle to grow below 41°F (5°C). Higher temperatures can also be tolerated, but the humidity must be adjusted to prevent the mushrooms from drying out and turning pale in colour. The ideal humidity range for oyster mushrooms is between 82% and 89%, with some sources recommending up to 90% humidity.
To achieve the desired humidity, a humidification system can be used to control moisture levels. The water temperature in this system should be close to the air temperature, typically around 55°F to 63°F (13°C to 17°C). Regular misting of the mushrooms is also recommended to maintain humidity. Additionally, it is important to ensure proper ventilation and air circulation, with fresh air exchange recommended at least three times a day.
Nutrition is another critical factor in the successful cultivation of oyster mushrooms. The substrate, or food source, provides the necessary nutrients for the mushrooms to grow. Straw is the most commonly used substrate as it is cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. Other suitable substrates include coffee grounds, sawdust, and cardboard. It is important to pasteurise the substrate by soaking it in hot water (65°C to 80°C) for 1-2 hours or using other methods to kill any unwanted microorganisms.
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Oyster mushrooms can be cultivated on a variety of different substrates, both indoors and outdoors
Oyster mushrooms are a great choice for first-time growers because of their resilience, fast growth, and ability to grow almost anywhere on just about anything. They are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels, and carbon dioxide levels.
Other common substrates for oyster mushrooms include wood chips, coffee grounds, and cardboard. Coffee grounds provide a rich nutrient medium ideal for mycelium growth. However, it is important to only use fresh coffee grounds (within 24 hours of brewing) that have already been pasteurized and hydrated by the coffee brewing process. Hardwoods such as oak, beech, and maple also make great substrates for oyster mushrooms, especially when combined with a bran supplement. Soy hulls can be mixed with hardwood sawdust to produce extremely effective and high-yielding substrates, particularly for growing oysters.
When cultivating oyster mushrooms, it is important to correctly prepare the substrate and maintain proper humidity and temperature levels. The substrate should be pasteurized or sterilized to kill unwanted microorganisms. Then, the substrate is mixed with oyster mushroom spawn and placed in a sterile environment for incubation. During the incubation phase, the spawn runs, and the mycelium spreads throughout the substrate. The incubation phase typically takes between 1 to 3 weeks, after which the substrate should be white and fully colonized by the mycelium.
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The best time to start growing oyster mushrooms outdoors is after the last frost
Oyster mushrooms are a great choice for beginner growers due to their resilience, fast growth, and ability to grow almost anywhere on just about anything. They are also highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels, and carbon dioxide levels.
To grow oyster mushrooms outdoors, you will need to prepare a substrate, such as straw, coffee grounds, cardboard, logs, compost, hardwood sawdust, or paper. Straw is the most commonly used substrate as it is usually cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. You will also need to purchase oyster mushroom spawn, which can be sourced online or from local suppliers.
Once you have your substrate and spawn, you will need to inoculate the substrate. This involves placing the spawn onto or into the substrate and providing the optimal temperature, humidity, and nutrition for the mushrooms to grow. For outdoor growing, it is important to ensure that your setup has sufficient fresh air exchange (FAE) to prevent abortion of the mushroom growth.
By following these steps and starting after the last frost, you can successfully grow oyster mushrooms outdoors with multiple harvests throughout the season.
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Oyster mushrooms can be grown with little water and space and don't require special lighting
Oyster mushrooms are a great choice for beginner growers due to their resilience, fast growth, and ability to grow almost anywhere with very little water, space, and lighting. They are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels, and carbon dioxide levels.
Oyster mushrooms can be grown in any warm (20-24°C) space, such as a cupboard or boiler room. The area should ideally be dark to prevent early pinning, but it is not essential. The spawn will thrive in warm, humid conditions and eat its way across the food source provided. Once the bag is completely white, it is time to start fruiting.
The most commonly used substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation is straw. Straw is usually cheap, contains essential nutrients, and oyster mushrooms thrive on it. Other substrates such as sawdust, cardboard, coffee grounds, and agricultural byproducts can also be used. The substrate should be pasteurized by soaking in hot water (65-80°C) for 1-2 hours or in a cold-water high-pH lime bath for 12-18 hours.
To initiate fruiting, cut open the membrane of the substrate and spray water on the block. This triggers the mycelium to enter the fruiting stage by mimicking the natural environment of oyster mushrooms, which are often found growing from the sides of dead tree logs after rainfall. Spraying the exposed substrate with water tricks the mycelium into producing mushrooms by increasing humidity and moisture. Therefore, it is important to mist the growing environment twice a day to maintain optimal moisture and humidity levels.
Lighting is important to signal to the mycelium that it is time to fruit. However, oyster mushrooms do not require direct sunlight and can even survive in complete darkness. They can be placed near a window with indirect or shaded light, and an ambient indoor lighting source is sufficient.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to start growing oyster mushrooms outdoors is after the last frost for the area.
Most oyster mushrooms thrive at temperatures between 50-86˚F. The exception is king oyster mushrooms, which prefer cooler temperatures of 45-65˚F.
Depending on the mushroom variety, humidity, temperature, and substrate used, colonization typically takes between 1 to 3 weeks.
