Emma Wilson
Oyster mushrooms can be grown on newspaper logs. To grow mushrooms on newspaper, you will need clean cardboard or paper, a container, and mushroom spawn. After tearing the cardboard into small pieces, fill the container with clean water and soak the cardboard pieces. Prepare the container by ensuring it is clean and then tearing or crumpling the soaked cardboard into the container. Sprinkle spawn on the cardboard, spreading it evenly, and repeat until the container is full. Keep the container out of direct sunlight and let it sit for a few weeks. However, it is important to note that some people are concerned about the potential toxicity of newspaper ink and its effect on mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Type | Oyster, Shiitake, Button |
| Substrate | Newspaper, Cardboard, Straw |
| Ink Type | Soy-based, Chemically-based |
| Moisture | Damp |
| Oxygen | Required |
| Sunlight | Beneficial |
| Spawn | Available for purchase |
| Yield | Low |
| Contamination | Possible |
| Growth Period | 4 months |
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What You'll Learn
Oyster mushrooms grow on newspaper logs
Oyster mushrooms are a great variety to grow at home, as they are available in a variety of colours and flavours. They are also a high-value crop with a short incubation time, making them a popular and profitable mushroom to sell.
Oyster mushrooms grow naturally on trees, so logs are an excellent substrate for growing them. They do well on hardwoods, particularly beech, white birch, alder, oak, maple, poplar, balsam, aspen, elm, and willow. If you have access to any of these trees, you can cut healthy, living logs during the dormant season and rest them for a minimum of two weeks before inoculating. Protect the logs from drying out by storing them on the ground, out of the sun and wind, and where they can receive natural rainfall.
However, if you don't have access to logs, you can make fake logs out of newspaper. First, dampen the newspaper, tie it together with string, and inoculate it with oyster mushroom spores or spawn. Then, keep it in a plastic bag with the end open to allow in air and light, dunking it in a bucket of water occasionally to maintain moisture. Oyster mushrooms need oxygen and benefit from sunlight. From inoculation to harvest can take as little as four months.
One concern with growing mushrooms on newspaper is the potential for toxic ink to contaminate the mushrooms. Some newspaper inks are soy-based, while others are chemically-based and may contain metals such as copper. It is recommended to find out which inks the newspapers you plan to use are printed with.
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Use clean cardboard and newspaper
Cardboard is a great material to use for growing mushrooms. It is easy and cheap to find, and it retains moisture well. It is also a wood-based product, so it is a familiar substance for many types of mycelium to colonize. The corrugations in cardboard allow for air exchange, which is important because poor air exchange may prevent the mycelium from colonizing. This is a concern with finer substances such as sawdust.
When using cardboard to grow mushrooms, it is important to make sure that it is clean and dry. Remove any tape or stickers, and break the cardboard down into smaller pieces. Anywhere from 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 centimeters) is a good size. It is also important to pasteurize the cardboard to kill off as many contaminants as possible. You can do this by soaking the cardboard in warm water for about an hour. Drain the extra water and squeeze out any excess.
Newspaper can also be used to grow mushrooms, but it is important to be cautious of the ink used. Some newspaper inks are soy-based, while others are chemically-based and may contain metals such as copper. It is recommended to find out which inks the papers you plan to use are printed with, as some mushrooms are very good at concentrating metals to high levels. Black ink is generally okay to use, but avoid glossy or colored inks.
Overall, using clean cardboard and newspaper is a simple and effective way to grow mushrooms at home. It is a low-tech method that is perfect for beginners, and it allows you to produce small amounts of mushrooms with very little work.
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Soak the cardboard in water
Cardboard is a cheap and accessible material that can be used to grow mushrooms. It is a wood-based product, making it an easy substance for many types of mycelium to colonize. The corrugations in the cardboard allow for air exchange, which is necessary for the mycelium to colonize.
When preparing cardboard for mushroom growth, it is important to ensure that it is slightly damp to retain moisture, but not soaking wet. This is because mycelium needs oxygen to grow and produce mushrooms. If the cardboard is too wet, there will be no oxygen for the mycelium to use and excess water can create an environment for mould, bacteria, and protozoa to grow.
To prepare the cardboard for mushroom growth, you should soak the cardboard in water. However, it should only be soaked until it reaches field capacity, meaning no water is running off of it. After soaking, you can shake off the excess water and layer the cardboard in a container, tote, or grow bag. It is important to ensure that the container has holes for drainage and air exchange.
After preparing the damp cardboard, you can begin the process of growing mushrooms. This involves layering the cardboard with mycelium or a piece of a mushroom, and allowing it to be colonized. This process can take a few weeks to a few months.
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Prepare the container for mushrooms
Preparing the container for mushrooms is a crucial step in the mushroom-growing process. Here is a detailed guide to help you prepare your mushroom-growing container, specifically focusing on using cardboard and newspaper as substrates:
Choosing the Right Container
First, select an appropriate container for growing mushrooms. Common options include buckets, large pots, or sealed plastic containers with lids. These can often be sourced for free from local businesses, such as restaurants, or purchased at hardware stores. Ensure the container is clean and free from contaminants by washing it with boiling water, alcohol, or a diluted bleach solution.
Preparing the Substrate
The substrate is the material on which the mushrooms will grow. Cardboard is a popular and environmentally friendly choice, as it is easily accessible and reusable. To prepare cardboard as a substrate, tear or shred it into small pieces. Then, soak the cardboard in water for several hours, weighing it down to ensure it stays submerged. Alternatively, you can pour boiling water over the cardboard and let it cool to room temperature. This pasteurization process helps reduce the risk of contamination.
If you choose to use newspaper as your substrate, be cautious of the ink used. Some inks may contain metals or chemicals that could be absorbed by the mushrooms. It is recommended to contact the distributor to inquire about the type of ink used and opt for soy-based inks if possible.
Inoculating the Container
After preparing your substrate, it's time to inoculate the container with mushroom spawn. First, examine your spawn for any signs of contamination, such as strange green or black spots. Then, fill your container with the damp substrate, leaving enough space for the mushrooms to grow. You can use a single container or transfer the spawn into larger grow bags for a more substantial yield.
Creating Holes for Mushroom Growth
To provide exit points for the mushrooms, use a sharp knife to carefully poke small holes in the container, disturbing the mycelium as little as possible. Make four to five holes, each about the size of a fingernail. Submerge the container in cool water for a couple of hours, avoiding extreme temperatures that could harm the mycelium.
Keep the container out of direct sunlight and maintain a comfortable temperature. Use a spray bottle to moisten the holes, and consider covering the container with a plastic bag to prevent drying. With the right care, you'll soon see the white fuzzy mycelium growing and spreading, signalling the upcoming mushroom growth.
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Newspaper ink may be toxic to mushrooms
It is possible to grow mushrooms using old newspapers as a substrate. However, some people are concerned that the mushrooms will absorb the chemicals in the ink, which may be harmful to the mushrooms.
Indeed, some newspaper inks are chemically-based and may contain metals such as copper phthalocyanine, especially on glossy ad inserts. Copper isn't particularly toxic, but some mushrooms are adept at concentrating metals to high levels, which could be harmful. Therefore, it is recommended to find out which inks the newspapers are using, as some inks are soy-based and likely less harmful. Most distributors will be happy to provide this information.
Alternatively, cardboard can be used as a cheap and environmentally friendly substrate for growing mushrooms, especially for beginners. It is easy to obtain cardboard boxes for free from most shops, and growing mushrooms on cardboard is a low-tech and straightforward process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, oyster mushrooms can grow in newspaper.
First, tear the newspaper into small pieces and soak them in water. Then, place a clean weight, like a coffee cup, on top of the newspaper to keep it submerged. Let it soak for a few hours. Prepare a clean container and tear or crumble soaked newspaper into it. Sprinkle spawn on the newspaper, spreading it evenly. Repeat until you reach the top of the container. Keep the container out of direct sunlight and let it sit for a few weeks.
Either grain spawn or sawdust spawn can be used. Grain spawn is preferred by some as it is easy to work with and can be expanded using cardboard.
Mushroom spawn can be purchased online from sources like Fungi Perfecti or Field and Forest. It can also be obtained from a local mushroom grower.
Growing mushrooms in newspaper is a simple and low-cost way to grow mushrooms at home. It is an environmentally friendly way to recycle waste newspaper into something edible.
