Michael Davis
Mushrooms are grown all over the world, with China being the leading mushroom farm worldwide, accounting for over 94% of production as of 2022. In the United States, nearly half of the country's mushrooms are grown in a small area of southeastern Pennsylvania, near the town of Kennett Square. Mushrooms can be grown indoors or outdoors, in a variety of settings such as gardens, porches, or woodlots. They require the right amount of light, temperature, and moisture to grow, and can often be found on forest floors or growing on trees and decomposing leaves.
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are grown in the wild, on forest floors, trees, and decomposing leaves
- They can be cultivated in gardens, porches, and woodlots, with dappled shade
- The US is a large producer, with nearly two-thirds of production in Pennsylvania
- Mushrooms can be grown indoors, in bags, monotubs, or martha tents
- China is the world's largest producer, with 94% of global production as of 2022
Mushrooms are grown in the wild, on forest floors, trees, and decomposing leaves
Mushrooms are fungi that can be found in the wild, on forest floors, trees, and decomposing leaves. They have been foraged and cultivated for hundreds of years. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, but the term is used to describe a variety of gilled fungi.
Mushrooms require specific conditions to grow, and different strains thrive in different substrates. Growers often experiment with new strains and substrates to find the best combination for their desired mushroom. The most common substrates are synthetic compost, consisting of wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum, or manure-based compost. Oyster mushrooms, for example, grow very well on straw, spent coffee grounds, and even used coffee grounds.
In the wild, mushrooms grow on forest floors and trees. They can also be found on decomposing leaves, as they require organic matter to grow. Some of the most well-known wild mushrooms are the artist's conk, which grows on trees, and the fly agaric, which pushes its off-white toadstool head through the loam.
To cultivate mushrooms, growers must first select the right substrate and strain. They then inoculate the substrate with spawn, which is cultivated mycelium from a known species. The spawn is mixed into the substrate, and a top layer is applied. The substrate is then placed in a controlled environment with the correct temperature and humidity for the mushrooms to grow.
While most commercially sold mushrooms are grown indoors in trays or containers, some are still grown outdoors on logs, as has been done for hundreds of years. This method does not require sterilization and provides a natural, sustainable, and self-replenishing growing medium.
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They can be cultivated in gardens, porches, and woodlots, with dappled shade
Mushrooms can be cultivated in a variety of settings, including gardens, porches, and woodlots, as long as the necessary conditions for their growth are met. Mushrooms are fungi and require different conditions and equipment for growth compared to plants. They thrive in dappled shade, benefiting from controlled light exposure.
One popular method for cultivating mushrooms is the use of logs, which has been practised for hundreds of years in various parts of the world, including China. Logs provide a naturally sterile growing medium and, when responsibly sourced, offer a sustainable and self-replenishing resource. To cultivate mushrooms using logs, spawn (actively growing mushroom culture) is placed on a substrate, typically sterilised grains such as rye or millet. This process is known as inoculation, and the inoculated grains become spawn, which can then be sown.
For outdoor log cultivation, logs are often placed in stacks or piles. The logs are inoculated with spawn and allowed to grow in wild conditions. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms have traditionally been produced using this method. For shiitake mushrooms, hardwood logs with a diameter of 10-15 cm are drilled with holes, filled with cultured shiitake mycelium, and sealed with hot wax. The logs are then placed under a closed canopy to incubate for 12-15 months, followed by soaking in water to trigger fruiting.
Indoor cultivation, on the other hand, allows for greater control over light, temperature, and humidity while excluding contaminants and pests. This method is commonly used for commercial production, with windowless buildings providing consistent environmental conditions. The indoor tray-growing technique, followed by containerised growing, is the most prevalent commercial method. The trays are filled with pasteurised substrate and spawn, with a top layer of peat moss, and mushrooms are typically ready for harvest within three weeks.
In addition to logs and indoor trays, mushrooms can also be grown in large plastic bags filled with sterilised sawdust and wood chips, although this method generates significant plastic waste. Oyster mushrooms, in particular, are well-suited for indoor cultivation and can be grown in substrates containing sterilised wheat, paddy straw, or used coffee grounds. They require less space compared to other crops and offer higher per-unit production and profit.
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The US is a large producer, with nearly two-thirds of production in Pennsylvania
The US is a significant producer of mushrooms, cultivating 700 million pounds of mushrooms in 2021/2022, which accounted for less than 3% of worldwide production. The country's mushroom farms support over 21,000 jobs and contribute $3.3 billion to the economy. The US also has a large market for specialty mushrooms, with sales of $200 in this category.
Nearly two-thirds of US mushroom production occurs in Pennsylvania, specifically in the southeastern part of the state, near the town of Kennett Square. This area has the highest concentration of mushroom farms in the country, and these farms support more than 9,300 jobs and contribute $313 million in compensation and $1.2 billion to the local economy.
Mushrooms are grown year-round across the US and do not require much land. They are a low-energy footprint crop, requiring less than 2 gallons of water to produce one pound of button mushrooms. Urban farms, such as R&R Cultivation in New Hope, Minnesota, can provide the ideal conditions for mushroom growth by controlling temperature and humidity. Mushrooms can also be grown indoors in monotubs, Martha tents, or bags, or outdoors in wooded areas or gardens.
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Mushrooms can be grown indoors, in bags, monotubs, or martha tents
Mushrooms can be grown in a variety of indoor settings, including bags, monotubs, and Martha tents. Each method offers varying levels of control over environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and airflow, influencing the growth and yield of mushrooms.
Bags designed for mushroom cultivation are a popular option for both commercial farmers and hobbyists. These bags are made of high-temperature-resistant polypropylene plastic, which is durable, flexible, and transparent enough for monitoring growth. Mushroom bags are inexpensive and come in various sizes and thicknesses, accommodating different substrates and growing mediums. They are easy to use and help expedite the growing process, providing more control over the mushroom's environment. Hanging mushroom bags allow for mushrooms to grow in all directions, increasing the harvest quantity. Additionally, the bags can be sterilised and sealed to create a sterile environment for adding mushroom spawn.
Monotubs are another option for indoor mushroom cultivation. Monotubs are typically used in conjunction with fruiting blocks, which are pre-colonised blocks of amended sawdust. By using a monotub, growers can effectively control humidity and airflow, creating an optimal environment for mushroom growth.
Martha tents, also known as Martha Tek or the Martha technique, originated from the underground mushroom community. These mid-sized grow chambers provide a controlled environment for fruiting mushrooms in trays, blocks, and jars. Martha tents are highly versatile, as they can be adjusted to fit any space or budget. They can be set up in closets, kitchens, or basements and scaled up to fruit pounds of edible or medicinal mushrooms. Martha setups are particularly suitable for beginner to intermediate mushroom growers, as they offer a solid solution for growing various mushroom species with different techniques. The key to successful mushroom growth in Martha tents lies in balancing four critical conditions: humidity, fresh air exchange, temperature, and light.
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China is the world's largest producer, with 94% of global production as of 2022
Mushrooms are grown all over the world, with China being the largest producer as of 2022, accounting for 94% of global production. This is a significant increase from previous years, where China produced over 75% of the world's mushrooms. The United States is the second-largest producer, with about 5% of global production, while the other countries on the list each produce between 1-3%.
Mushrooms have been cultivated for hundreds of years, with the most common method being indoors in large plastic bags filled with sterilized sawdust and wood chips. This method helps to replicate natural conditions and maintain the correct humidity and temperature required for mushroom growth. However, it can be wasteful and energy-intensive due to the need for sterilization and climate control.
Outdoor log inoculation is another traditional method of growing mushrooms, particularly in China, where it has been practiced for centuries. This technique involves inoculating tree logs with spawn and allowing them to grow in wild conditions. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are commonly produced using this method, although controlled techniques such as indoor tray growing or artificial logs made of compressed substrate have become more common.
The advantages of indoor tray growing include scalability and easier harvesting, making it a popular choice for commercial production. This technique is often used for the widely cultivated Agaricus bisporus, also known as the white button mushroom. To produce shiitake mushrooms specifically, hardwood logs are drilled with holes filled with cultured shiitake mycelium and then sealed with hot wax. After a lengthy incubation period, the logs are soaked in water, triggering the growth of shiitake mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are produced all over the world. China is the leading mushroom producer, accounting for over 94% of worldwide production as of 2022. In the US, nearly half of the mushrooms are grown in a small area in southeastern Pennsylvania, near the town of Kennett Square.
Mushrooms grow in different places in the wild, depending on the species. Some mushrooms grow on trees, while others grow on decomposing leaves on the forest floor. Mushrooms can also be found growing on manure in a field.
Mushrooms can be grown indoors in monotubs, Martha tents, or directly in a bag. A spot with dappled shade is ideal, but some species, like Wine Cap, tolerate more sun.
Medicinal mushrooms are grown in shade houses. The dried mushrooms are then ground into a powder and extracted with hot water and/or alcohol to produce a simple extract.
