How to grow mushrooms at home

Grow mushrooms at home

You don’t have to be in the dark to grow mushrooms. These delicious chameleons in the food industry are very healthy. It’s fat-free, low in calories, and rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients (which also helps keep your brain healthy). The key to growing mushrooms at home is to create proper cultivation conditions and acquire mushroom spawns, the materials used to breed mushrooms. Use this step-by-step guide to grow oyster mushrooms, port bellows, shiitake mushrooms, and more.

How do mushrooms grow?

Fungi grow from spores (not seeds) that are so small that individual spores cannot be seen with the naked eye. These spores feed on substances such as sawdust, grains, straw, and wood chips, not soil. A mixture of spores and these nutrient sources is called spawn. Mushroom spawns act like the starters needed to make sourdough bread. The spawn supports the growth of a small white thread-like body of mushrooms called mycelium. Mycelium grows first before mushroom-like things penetrate the soil. The spawn itself can grow mushrooms, but placing the spawn in the growth medium will significantly increase the mushroom yield. Depending on the type of mushroom, this can be a compost mixed with materials such as straw, cardboard, tree trunks, pieces of wood, or straw, cob corn, cocoa seed husks.

Where to grow mushrooms?

A place to grow mushrooms Mushrooms like a dark, cool, and humid growing environment. If you’re growing mushrooms at home, a place like a basement is ideal, but it can also work in places under the sink.

Check the temperature and test the location before you start waxing. Most mushrooms grow best at temperatures between 55 ° F and 60 ° F, away from direct heat and ventilation. Enoki mushrooms grow well in cool temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Growing mushrooms is a good winter project, as many cellars get too warm for the ideal summer conditions.

Mushrooms can use some light, but most of the places to choose should be dark or dark. When growing mushrooms in the basement, it may be best to put them in an unobtrusive closet. Some mushroom species grow best outdoors in prepared soil and logs. This is a much longer process (6 months to 3 years) than an indoor controlled environment.

mushrooms

Growing Asparagus at Home in Pots

Steps to grow mushrooms at home

1. Decide what kind of mushroom you want to grow.

The three types of mushrooms grown at home are oysters, white buttons, and shiitake mushrooms. The cultivation method of each mushroom is similar, but the ideal cultivation medium is different. Oyster mushrooms grow best on straw and coffee grinds (see below). Shiitake mushrooms grow best on hardwood sawdust. Mushrooms grow best on composted fertilizers. These different substrates reflect a variety of different nutritional needs. However, all three types can be cultivated without problems with sawdust and straw. When using sawdust, make sure it is from untreated wood. The choice of mushroom type is a matter of taste. You should grow the variety you want to eat the most.

2. Buy a mushroom spawn.

Mushroom spawns are sawdust interspersed with mushroom mycelium (essentially the structure of fungal roots). It is used as well as plant seedlings to promote growth. High-quality mushroom spawns can be purchased from several online retailers, some garden stores, or some organic grocery stores. Buy a spawn instead of a spar. Some retailers also sell spores that resemble plant seeds (rather than seedlings). Growing mushrooms from spores require more time and practice and are ideal for experienced mushroom growers.

3. Sterilize the growth substrate.

If you are growing mushrooms on straw or sawdust, these growth media should be sterilized before inoculating the spawn. This is done to kill microorganisms that may compete with mycelium. To sterilize the substrate, place it in a microwave-compatible bowl and add enough water to moisten the straw and sawdust. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high heat for 2 minutes or until the water boils. This will kill all microbes and allow safe ingestion of mycelium. You may need to work in batches to sterilize all straw and sawdust.

4. Heat the substrate for the mycelium to disperse.

The white mycelium of the fungus must be completely spread in the medium before forming the fungus. Warm temperatures promote this growth. After choosing the best substrate for your mushroom, place a few handfuls in the baking dish. A shallow pot with a wide surface will provide the most space for the fungus to grow. Mix the blank with the substrate using a sterilized instrument. Place the baking dish on a heating tray set to 70°F (21°C). This is the ideal temperature to promote growth. You can also try placing the pot in a warm place in your home. To install in a dark environment, such as a cabinet, for about three weeks. This will allow the mycelium to penetrate the substrate.

5. Place the material in the proper environment.

After 2 weeks, verify that the substrate is completely colonized. The board should be completely covered with white flakes. This can take 2-4 weeks. Once the substrate has colonized, the pot can be placed in a dark and cool environment (about 13 ° C). Basements are usually suitable for this, but in winter closets and drawers work in unheated rooms. If you notice dark green or brown spots (such as those found on moldy bread), remove those spots from the material and discard them. Cover the substrate with a handful of compost and spray the entire mixture with sufficient water to completely moisten it. A damp towel can be placed on the pan if necessary to prevent water loss. Consider placing a cold lamp near the pot. This simulates the sun and helps mushrooms turn and “grow” to facilitate harvesting. The mixture should be kept moist and cold while the mushrooms grow. Check regularly and spray with water if necessary. Mushrooms prefer a cool environment, but it’s important to keep them from getting too hot. Mushrooms should grow well if the ambient temperature is below 21 ° C.

6. Harvest when the mushrooms are fully grown.

You should see a small mushroom in about 3 weeks. Keep the surroundings moist, cool, and dark to promote their growth. When the mushroom cap is completely removed from the stem, it is ready for harvest. Mushrooms can be pulled out with your fingers, but doing so risks damaging new mushrooms under the surface. Instead, use a sharp knife to cut the mushrooms at the base of the stem. It is recommended to rinse the mushrooms before cooking or eating. Harvested mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.

mushrooms at home

FAQ

1. What are the necessary steps for growing mushrooms at home?

A. The necessary steps for growing mushrooms at home include obtaining mushroom spores or spores, selecting a growing medium, preparing the growing area, inoculating the medium with the spores, incubating the inoculated medium, and harvesting the mushrooms.

2. What types of mushrooms can be grown at home?

A. Some of the types of mushrooms that can be grown at home include button mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and lion’s mane mushrooms.

3. What is the best-growing medium for mushrooms?

A. The best-growing medium for mushrooms depends on the type of mushroom being grown, but commonly used materials include straw, sawdust, and coffee grounds.

4. How do I prepare the growing area for growing mushrooms?

A. When preparing the growing area for growing mushrooms, it is important to maintain a controlled environment with the right temperature, humidity, and air circulation. A growing area can be created in a dedicated room, a closet, or even a small space in your home.

5. How do I inoculate the growing medium with the mushroom fragments?

A. To inoculate the growing medium with the mushroom fragments, the medium should be sterilized and then mixed with the spores. The inoculated medium can then be placed in the growing area and maintained under the right conditions.

6. How long does it take to grow mushrooms at home?

A. The time it takes to grow mushrooms at home varies depending on the type of mushroom being grown and the growing conditions, but it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

7. What are the necessary conditions for growing mushrooms at home?

A. The necessary conditions for growing mushrooms at home include a controlled temperature, high humidity, adequate air circulation, and proper light. It is also important to maintain a clean and sterile growing area to prevent contamination by bacteria or other pathogens.