Emily Johnson
White button mushrooms are grown all over the world and are the most popular mushroom variety for consumption. They are cultivated in both large and small farms, as well as in home gardens. The major producing countries include India, the Netherlands, China, Germany, France, and the UK. White button mushrooms are also grown indoors, making them a great option for beginner gardeners as they can be planted at any time of the year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | The most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed globally. |
| Species | Agaricus spp. |
| Common Varieties | White button, cremini (brown), and portobello. |
| Nutritional Profile | Significant quantities of B vitamins, potassium, selenium, and copper, with minimal caloric content. |
| Growing Conditions | Requires 20-28°C for vegetative growth and 12-18°C for reproductive growth, relative humidity of 80-90%, and adequate ventilation. |
| Growing Locations | Grown in small, medium, and large farms worldwide, with major production in India, the Netherlands, China, Germany, France, and the UK. |
| Growing Season | Grown year-round with technology; seasonally during winter in northwest plains of India and 8-10 months in the hills. |
| Cultivation Technology | Grown in farms with different technology levels, from small units without climatic control to hi-tech export-oriented farms. |
| Growing Methods | Can be grown indoors or outdoors, in apartments, basements, or tents, using growing kits or trays with spores and substrate. |
| Yield | An average of 3-4 crops per year, with beds producing mushrooms for 3-6 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Button mushrooms can be grown at home
Button mushrooms, or Agaricus bisporus, are the most popular mushroom variety consumed worldwide. They are grown all over the world, with the Netherlands and China accounting for 60% of mushroom exports. In the United States, the demand for fresh mushrooms is increasing, while that for preserved or canned mushrooms is decreasing.
For beginners, it is advisable to start with a button mushroom growing kit. These kits come with everything you need, including a pre-inoculated substrate with mushroom spawn, and provide a simplified entry point to mushroom cultivation. The most common mistake when growing button mushrooms at home is poor temperature management and contamination from inadequate sanitation. Therefore, successful button mushroom cultivation requires methodical environmental control and attention to substrate preparation.
To grow button mushrooms at home without a kit, you will need to purchase mushroom spores online or from a nursery. You will also need a dedicated growing space with temperature control, such as a basement or a closet. The growing process involves creating a mixture of equal parts compost and nitrogen-rich manure, filling a tray with it, and adding spores over the surface. Cover the spores with a couple of inches of damp potting soil or peat, known as the casing layer, which will protect the spores and provide nutrients for the mushrooms. Maintain a temperature of around 70°F and keep the environment constantly moist. In about a month, you should start to see mushrooms. Harvest them by twisting them out of the soil, and fill the empty space with more casing to make way for new mushrooms.
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They are the youngest stage of the same mushroom that becomes cremini and then portobello
Button mushrooms, also known as white button mushrooms, are the most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed globally. They are cultivated in various environments, from small farms to large-scale operations, and are produced almost all year round. The white button mushroom is a member of the Agaricus spp. class, specifically the Agaricus bisporus species, which also includes cremini and portobello mushrooms.
White button mushrooms are the youngest stage of this species, and as they mature, they become cremini mushrooms, also known as baby portobellos. Cremini mushrooms are distinguished by their brown colour and firmer texture compared to their younger white counterparts. They are often marketed as ""baby bella" or "baby portobello" mushrooms, indicating their status as juvenile versions of the larger portobello variety.
As cremini mushrooms continue to mature, they develop into portobello mushrooms, the fully grown adults of the Agaricus bisporus species. Portobellos are characterised by their large size, dark brown colour, and open caps, with visible gills on the underside. This extended growth period results in a loss of moisture, contributing to a more pronounced mushroom flavour.
The progression from white button to cremini and ultimately portobello mushrooms is akin to the transition from toddler to teenager to adult. This analogy reflects the increasing maturity, flavour, and size of the mushrooms as they progress through their life stages.
Growing button mushrooms can be a rewarding hobby for enthusiasts, and with proper environmental control, it can be done indoors in apartments, basements, or closets. White button mushrooms are particularly suitable for indoor cultivation as they do not require sunlight and can be grown year-round.
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They are grown all over the world
White button mushrooms are grown all over the world and account for 35-45% of total mushroom production. They are the most popular mushroom variety consumed globally and can be found in virtually every grocery store worldwide.
In India, button mushrooms are grown in large quantities, mainly for export to the USA. The major producing states are Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These mushrooms are grown seasonally in environmentally controlled cropping houses, requiring specific temperature and humidity conditions. However, with modern cultivation technology, they can now be grown anywhere in India throughout the year.
In the United States, there is a large gap between the demand and supply of white button mushrooms. While the country imports a significant amount from India, it also has domestic production. Button mushrooms can be grown indoors by individuals across the country, making them accessible to home growers.
Other significant producers and consumers of button mushrooms include Germany, France, and the UK. The Netherlands and China are also major exporters, supplying 60% of the exported mushrooms in the international market. The demand for fresh mushrooms is increasing globally, while the demand for preserved or canned mushrooms is decreasing.
Button mushrooms have a long history of cultivation, dating back to the 16th century, and their commercial-scale production began in Europe during the 17th century. They are a popular choice for growers due to their quick and easy growth, making them an excellent option for beginners in gardening or small-scale farming.
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They can be grown indoors without sunlight
White button mushrooms can be grown indoors without sunlight. They are the most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed worldwide, accounting for 35-45% of total mushroom production. In addition to being grown on large farms, they can also be cultivated indoors by beginners seeking a rewarding hobby.
Button mushrooms can be grown in apartments, basements, closets, or dedicated growing tents. They require minimal space and can yield multiple harvests from a single setup, making them economical and sustainable for home growers. The mushrooms follow a predictable growth cycle, beginning with microscopic spores that germinate into thread-like mycelium, which then forms primordia (pins) that develop into mature fruiting bodies.
To grow button mushrooms indoors, a growing kit can be purchased, which comes with everything needed, including a pre-inoculated substrate with mushroom spawn. Alternatively, the necessary materials can be acquired individually: spores, a tray, nitrogen-rich manure, and a spray bottle for watering.
To create an indoor bed for the mushrooms, fill a wooden box that is at least 6 inches deep with manure, leaving a few inches of space below the rim. Spread the inoculated material or spores on top of the soil and mist it thoroughly. Keep the bed in a dark, damp, and warm environment, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
With proper care, the mushrooms should start to appear within a month and can continue to produce for 3 to 6 months.
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They grow well in nitrogen-rich manure
Button mushrooms are the most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed globally. They are cultivated on a defined, straw-derived compost, and the nitrogen required to grow these high-protein foods is provided mainly by the addition of nitrogen-rich manure.
Fresh manure is very high in nitrogen and needs to mature before being used, otherwise, it will burn the plants. The nitrogen content in manure helps button mushrooms grow, but too much nitrogen can be detrimental. Excess nitrogen leads to the overgrowth of foliage and stunted roots. Therefore, it is important to use the correct balance of carbon and nitrogen sources to produce mushroom compost and achieve maximum mushroom yields. Changes in the amount and form of nitrogen added, the rate and timing of nitrogen addition, and the other compost components used can dramatically change the yield and quality of the mushrooms.
Horse manure, in particular, plays a large role in providing nitrogen for button mushroom compost in Europe and the USA. In Australasia, a blend of wheat straw, poultry manure, and gypsum is commonly used, with smaller amounts of horse manure added. In China, wheat straw is commonly replaced by rice straw. In addition to straw and manure, other materials used in button mushroom compost include gypsum, coffee grounds, hardwood dust, coconut coir, peat moss, and various types of hulls and meals.
Button mushrooms can be grown both outdoors and indoors, in places such as basements, closets, or dedicated growing tents. They do not require sunlight, making them suitable for indoor gardeners. Growing button mushrooms at home can be a rewarding hobby that can be practised year-round, with multiple harvests possible from a single setup.
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