Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are a form of fungi that are widely consumed and enjoyed in a variety of dishes. However, they are susceptible to mould growth, especially in moist environments. Mould is a pervasive fungus that thrives in similar conditions as mushrooms, posing a significant threat to mushroom cultivation. While some mushrooms naturally exhibit slimy or discoloured characteristics, it is crucial to distinguish between healthy variations and signs of decay. Mould typically appears as green, black, or pink spots, and its presence warrants immediate removal to prevent contamination. Proper ventilation, humidity control, and sterile practices are essential for inhibiting mould growth and ensuring the health of your mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for moulding | Mushrooms and mould thrive in the same environment |
| Type of mould | Green, black, orange, white, pink |
| Preventative measures | Store in a brown paper bag in the fridge, increase ventilation, reduce humidity, maintain a sterile environment, clean with water and hydrogen peroxide |
| Signs of mould | Fuzzier texture than mycelium, strong smell, discolouration, softness, slimyness |
| Mycelium | White or off-white network of fibres, healthy sign of mushroom development |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms and mould share similar growing conditions
Mould usually has a distinct colour and a fuzzier texture than mushroom mycelium. The most common mould is green, but it can also be black, orange, or pink. Mould contamination can cause an unpleasant smell and needs to be removed immediately to prevent it from spreading.
On the other hand, mycelium is the lifeblood of a mushroom kit and indicates healthy growth. It often appears as white or off-white fibres. Mycelium can help prevent mould growth by encircling and quarantining it into a small space. Additionally, metabolites produced by the mushroom's immune system can kill and digest the mould.
To prevent mould growth in your mushroom kit, it is crucial to maintain a sterile environment and ensure proper ventilation. Regular misting inside a humidity tent is necessary to keep the environment moist, but excessive moisture can encourage mould growth. It is also important to differentiate between mould and mycelium, as they have different appearances and roles in the growth of mushrooms.
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Mould is a threat to mushroom growth
Mushrooms are a form of fungi, and while mould is also a fungus, not all fungi are edible. Mould is potentially the biggest threat to mushroom growth. Fungi, and by extension, mushrooms, belong to a group known as saprophytes, which live on decaying wood or plant matter, breaking their host down until only minerals and carbon dioxide remain. One key purpose of saprophytes is the conversion of decomposing organic matter into inorganic substances.
Mushrooms and mould thrive in the same growing environment. Mould is one of the most opportunistic and pervasive life forms on the planet. The same ideal conditions for growing mushrooms are also ideal for mould. Mould spores can be present in the growing environment, and if the mushroom mycelium has not grown sufficiently, it will be outcompeted by mould. The danger period is usually in the first week after a mushroom kit has been made.
Mould can be identified by its distinct colour and fuzzy texture, which is different from the white or off-white mycelium of the mushroom. Mould typically appears as green, black, or pink spots. If the mycelium of the mushrooms is strong, it will usually encircle and quarantine the mould into a small space. A brown liquid, referred to as metabolites, forms around the edges and contains properties that will kill and digest the mould. This is part of the mushroom's immune system and forms the basis of the mushroom's health benefits.
To prevent mould growth, it is important to maintain a sterile environment and ensure proper ventilation. Regular misting inside a humidity tent is crucial, and storing mushrooms in a brown paper bag in the fridge can help prevent mould. If mould is discovered, it is crucial to act swiftly to prevent further contamination. Isolate and remove the affected area, and maintain a sterile environment to prevent recurrence.
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Mushrooms can deal with mould
Mushrooms are a form of fungi, and while mould is also a fungus, not all fungi are mould. There are over 10,000 species of fungi that produce mushrooms, but not all are edible. Fungi, and by extension, mushrooms, belong to a group known as saprophytes. Saprophytes live on decaying wood or plant matter, breaking their host down until only minerals and carbon dioxide remain. One key purpose of saprophytes is the conversion of decomposing organic matter into inorganic substances.
Mould is one of the most opportunistic and pervasive life forms on the planet. It is a problem in homes, especially in damp and humid conditions, and can cause health issues and damage to property. Mould can also be a concern for mushroom growers, as it favours the same growing environment as mushrooms. However, many mushrooms, such as Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms, have evolved mechanisms to deal with mould.
When mould appears in a mushroom kit, it is important to act quickly to slow it down and possibly beat it. The first week after making the kit is critical, as the mushroom needs time to establish itself. If mould appears during this period, it is likely that mould spores were present when the bag was made. To contain the mould, cover any holes directly over the outbreak with tape to deny it oxygen and prevent spore escape. Outline the outbreak with a marker pen to easily monitor its growth or recession. Move the kit to a different location, as the current one may be too warm or cold, favouring mould over mushroom growth. Putting the kit outside, with the mould facing the sun, will expose it to UV light, which can help inhibit mould growth.
If the mushroom mycelium is strong, it will usually encircle and quarantine the mould, preventing its spread. A sign of this is the presence of brown liquid or dots around the edges of the outbreak, which are metabolites produced by the mushroom's immune system. These metabolites contain properties that can kill and digest the mould, and they are also believed to contribute to the health benefits associated with mushroom consumption. As the mould is contained and broken down by the mushroom's immune system, you may notice its colour fading from green to yellow, eventually being replaced by the white of the mushroom's mycelium.
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How to identify mould
Mushrooms and mould share the same growing environment, which makes mould the biggest competitor to mushroom growers. Mould is a microscopic fungus, and mushrooms can be contaminated by various types of mould, bacteria, or insects.
Mould can be identified by its distinct bright colours. If you spot green, blue, grey, or black patches on or in your fruiting box, your culture is most likely contaminated. Trichoderma, a genus of green mould that preys on other fungal mycelium, is distinguished by its vibrant blue-green colour during sporulation. It is the most common mould found in mushroom growing. Another common variety of mould is Penicillium, which is generally easy to spot.
Discolouration is another obvious sign of contamination. If you see brown and yellow stains, slimy patches, or crusty or gel-like textures, your mushroom culture is likely contaminated.
If you are growing mushrooms, you may also notice that the mycelium has a white, fluffy coating. This is usually a sign of cobweb mould, which causes mushrooms to rot quickly.
What to Do if You Identify Mould
If you identify mould, it is important to act quickly to prevent it from spreading. If the mould area is small, you can try to remove it with a clean knife or spoon. Be careful not to touch or disturb the mould, as this may release spores. It is also recommended to spray the area with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to kill the mould before removing it. If the mould is contained within a bag, you can try to slow it down by putting tape over any holes directly over the outbreak to deny it oxygen. You should also move the bag to a different location, as the current one may be too warm or cold, favouring mould growth over mushroom growth. Exposing the mushroom mycelium to sunlight can also help, as it will usually tolerate this without too much damage.
It is important to note that mouldy mushrooms should not be eaten, as they can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
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Preventing mould
Mushrooms and mould share the same ideal growing environment, so it's no surprise that mould is the biggest competitor when growing mushrooms. Mould spores can be present in the growing kit, or they can be introduced to the mushrooms through the air. Mould loves warm, humid weather, with ideal conditions for growth between 25-30 degrees Celsius.
To prevent mould when growing mushrooms, it is important to control the temperature and humidity. The optimal temperature range for mycelium growth is between 55-60°F (13-16°C). Regularly adjusting the humidity and temperature will ensure the mycelium's consistent growth. Proper air circulation is pivotal to prevent mould growth. This can be achieved through air exchange systems or manual fanning.
If you do discover mould in your mushroom kit, there are some steps you can take to prevent it from spreading:
- Isolate the affected mushrooms and substrates to prevent the mould from spreading to healthy parts.
- Adjust the humidity and temperature to slow down or stop the spread of the mould.
- Use tape to cover any holes directly over the mould outbreak to deny it oxygen and contain its spores.
- Outline the outbreak with a marker pen to easily indicate if it is growing or receding.
- Move the kit to a different location with good ventilation and cooler temperatures.
- Expose the mould to sunlight (UV light) to kill the mould spores.
- Use chemical treatments such as fungicides, but only as a last resort.
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