Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The process of fruiting involves forcing the substrate to produce fruit bodies, which are the mushrooms themselves. This can be achieved by manipulating the substrate's temperature, oxygen level, and humidity. The presence of mycelium, a mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus, is crucial for mushroom growth. Environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, also play a significant role in the fruiting process. The specific requirements vary depending on the mushroom species, with some mushrooms preferring cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels to fruit successfully.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. |
| Formation | Mushrooms develop from a nodule, or pinhead, called a primordium, which is typically found on or near the surface of the substrate. |
| Structure | The primordium enlarges into a roundish structure called a "button", which has a cottony roll of mycelium called the universal veil. As the egg expands, the veil ruptures, leaving remnants like a cup, warts, or patches on the cap. |
| Species | There are approximately 14,000 described species of mushrooms, including common ones like oyster, shiitake, and lobster mushrooms. |
| Environmental Conditions | Mushroom growth is influenced by factors such as temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels, humidity, and light. Specific conditions vary depending on the mushroom species. |
| Cultivation | Mushrooms can be cultivated indoors or outdoors using various mediums and techniques, such as controlling temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels to induce fruiting. |
| Yield | The yield of mushroom cultivation depends on factors such as species, growing conditions, and cultivation methods. |
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What You'll Learn
The role of mycelium
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The process of fruiting involves forcing the substrate to produce these "fruit bodies". The mycelium is a mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus. The mycelium starts from a spore falling in a favourable spot and producing strands (hyphae) that grow out in all directions, eventually forming a circular mat of underground hyphal threads.
Mycelium is important for the development of mushroom cultivation practices. It is the mycelium that produces the mushrooms, and it is the mycelium that continues to grow and produce new mushrooms as long as the environmental conditions are favourable. The mycelium can live for hundreds of years, producing a new crop of mushrooms each year during its fruiting season. The length of life of the mycelium depends on the available food supply.
The mycelium is also important for the initial formation of the mushroom. The mushroom develops from a nodule, or pinhead, called a primordium, which is typically found on or near the surface of the substrate. It is formed within the mycelium, and as it enlarges, it becomes a roundish structure of interwoven hyphae called a "button". The button has a cottony roll of mycelium, the universal veil, that surrounds the developing fruit body. As the egg expands, the universal veil ruptures and may remain as a cup, or volva, at the base of the stalk.
The mycelium is also important for the absorption of water, which is key to the rapid expansion of the mushroom. Once the initial stages of the mushroom are formed, it can rapidly pull in water from its mycelium and expand by inflating pre-formed cells. This is how mushrooms can seemingly appear overnight, as they expand rapidly by absorbing water.
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Temperature control
During the incubation phase, the ideal temperature range is between 20°C and 24°C (65°F-75°F). At this stage, the mycelium, the vegetative part of the mushroom, develops. Keeping the temperature within this range is crucial to promoting the growth of the mycelium. If the temperature is too low, the colonisation process may slow down, while higher temperatures increase the risk of contamination by encouraging the growth of undesirable mould and bacteria.
Once the mycelium has developed, the mushrooms enter the fruiting stage. At this point, lowering the temperature to around 10°C-18°C (50°F-65°F) is necessary to encourage the growth of the fruiting bodies. Maintaining this cooler temperature range is critical for optimal fruiting. Deviations from this temperature range can negatively impact the mushrooms' quality and increase the risk of contamination.
To achieve precise temperature control, growers can utilise various tools and techniques. Thermometers or temperature sensors help monitor the temperature, while heating pads and cooling fans can adjust it. More advanced technology, such as smartphone-controlled heating and cooling systems, also allows for remote temperature management.
Additionally, the growing environment plays a role in temperature control. For example, growing mushrooms in a basement may require less temperature control compared to a warehouse due to the more stable temperature conditions in a basement.
By carefully controlling the temperature at each stage of mushroom growth, cultivators can optimise their yields and ensure the healthy development of their mushrooms.
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Oxygen levels
Oxygen is an essential element for the survival and growth of mushrooms. It is involved in many processes that contribute to the overall development of mushrooms. Mushrooms are not plants; they do not photosynthesise and therefore do not take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Instead, they respire like humans, taking in oxygen and producing carbon dioxide.
During the colonisation phase, the mycelium needs oxygen to grow and develop. The mycelium uses oxygen to break down nutrients and convert them into energy that is needed for growth. Oxygen is also necessary for the fruiting phase of mushroom cultivation. During this phase, mushrooms produce the actual fruiting body that we see and consume. Oxygen is required for the respiration process, which is the breakdown of carbohydrates into energy. Without sufficient oxygen, the mushroom's growth will be stunted, and it may not produce the desired fruiting bodies.
However, too much oxygen can also be detrimental to mushrooms during cultivation. Excess oxygen can cause the mycelium to dry out and become less productive. It can also lead to the formation of harmful moulds and bacteria that can infect the mushroom and cause disease. Therefore, it is important to maintain the proper levels of oxygen during the cultivation process, which can be achieved through ventilation and air exchange.
Carbon dioxide monitoring is also important during pinning, a critical part of the mushroom's growth cycle. Mushrooms pin under high carbon dioxide levels, then extend their stems to find oxygen. If carbon dioxide concentrations are too high during pinning, "legging" or long stems can occur, as the developing fruit pushes higher in the air to search for oxygen.
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Humidity
If the humidity is too low, mushrooms may dry out and fail to develop properly. They may also stall, form cracks, and discolour. On the other hand, if the humidity is too high, it can promote the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and moulds, which can cause disease and prevent the mushrooms from growing. High humidity can also cause browning or yellowing of the caps.
To maintain the ideal humidity level, growers can use various methods such as misting, pond misters, fans, and humidifiers. Misting involves using a spray bottle to spray the mushrooms and the surrounding area with water. This method is cost-effective and easy to set up but may not be sufficient for large-scale cultivation as it requires manual labour and may not provide consistent humidity levels. Pond misters, on the other hand, are often used in commercial mushroom cultivation as they provide consistent humidity levels and are easy to set up. They involve using a device that sprays a fine mist of water into the air, which then settles on the mushrooms and the surrounding area.
Another method to control humidity is companion planting, which involves growing other plants alongside mushrooms to help regulate humidity levels. This method requires selecting plants that require high humidity and ensuring they do not compete with the mushrooms for resources. Growers can also construct a fruiting chamber or use a greenhouse to control humidity levels. A simple and low-cost method is to use a cardboard box with holes cut in it or a plastic crate or bag with air holes to allow for fresh air exchange, which is crucial for the growth of healthy mushrooms.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are another popular option for mushroom cultivation. These use sonic vibrations to turn water into a fine mist and can be either free-standing or floating in a tub of water. To monitor humidity levels, growers can use a humidity sensor to ensure successful mushroom growth and maximise their yields.
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Environmental conditions
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. The growth of mushrooms is dependent on the presence of mycelium and certain environmental conditions. Mycelium is a mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus. The mycelium starts from a spore falling in a favourable spot and producing strands (hyphae) that grow out in all directions, eventually forming a circular mat of underground hyphal threads.
Temperature
Temperature plays a crucial role in the fruiting of mushrooms. Different mushroom species have specific temperature requirements for fruiting. For instance, the king oyster mushroom prefers cooler temperatures for fruiting and will struggle to produce fruiting bodies if the temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the blue oyster mushroom is quite adaptable and can fruit in a wide temperature range, from about 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering the temperature can induce fruiting in some mushroom species.
Humidity
Humidity is another critical factor for mushroom fruiting. Most mushroom species require high humidity levels, typically above 80%, to initiate fruiting. During the pinning phase, some mushrooms prefer even higher humidity levels of 95-100%. The availability of moisture in the environment is essential for mushroom growth, as it allows the mushrooms to rapidly absorb water and expand their fruiting bodies.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen levels are also important for mushroom fruiting. Providing adequate ventilation and fresh air is necessary to support the fruiting process. Additionally, CO2 levels should be monitored, with levels typically maintained below 800 ppm.
Light
Mushrooms do not require as much light as many plants. However, some light is necessary during the fruiting process. The amount of light should be sufficient to comfortably read a book in the area where the mushrooms are growing.
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Frequently asked questions
Fruiting is the process of forcing the substrate to produce “fruit bodies”, which are the actual mushrooms.
Mushrooms require the right mix of temperature, oxygen level, humidity, and light to fruit. The specific requirements vary depending on the mushroom species.
Mycelium is the mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus. It is important for mushroom growth as it provides the necessary nourishment and moisture for the development of the mushroom.
All species of mushrooms take several days to form primordial mushroom fruit bodies. However, they can expand rapidly by absorbing fluids and inflating pre-formed cells.
Common examples of mushroom fruiting include the cultivated mushroom and the common field mushroom. The king oyster mushroom is another example, which fruits in cooler temperatures.
