How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch: A Comprehensive Guide

Mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious addition to any diet. They are also relatively easy to grow at home. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown mushrooms all year round.

Choosing the Right Substrate

The first step to growing mushrooms is choosing the right substrate. The substrate is the material that the mushrooms will grow in. There are many different types of substrates that can be used, but some of the most common include:

How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch: A Practical Guide to Cultivating Portobellos, Shiitakes, Truffles, and Other Edible Mushrooms

by Magdalena Wurth

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• Straw
• Wood chips
• Compost
• Manure

The best substrate for growing mushrooms will depend on the type of mushrooms you want to grow. For example, oyster mushrooms grow well on straw, while shiitake mushrooms grow best on wood chips.

Preparing the Substrate

Once you have chosen a substrate, you need to prepare it for growing mushrooms. This involves sterilizing the substrate to kill any bacteria or mold that could contaminate the mushrooms.

There are two main ways to sterilize a substrate:

• Pressure cooking: This is the most effective way to sterilize a substrate. To pressure cook a substrate, you will need a pressure cooker and a large pot. Place the substrate in the pot and add enough water to cover it. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and heat the pot over high heat until the pressure reaches 15 psi. Cook the substrate for 90 minutes at 15 psi.
• Pasturizing: This is a less effective way to sterilize a substrate, but it is easier than pressure cooking. To pasturize a substrate, you will need a large pot and a thermometer. Place the substrate in the pot and add enough water to cover it. Heat the pot over medium heat until the temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold the temperature at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Inoculating the Substrate

Once the substrate has been sterilized, it is time to inoculate it with mushroom spawn. Mushroom spawn is a mixture of mushroom spores and mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative part of the mushroom, and it is what will grow into mushrooms.

To inoculate the substrate, you will need to mix the spawn with the substrate. You can do this by hand or with a drill. Once the spawn has been mixed with the substrate, it is important to pack it down firmly. This will help to prevent the substrate from drying out and it will also help to keep the mushrooms from getting contaminated.

Incubating the Substrate

Once the substrate has been inoculated, it needs to be incubated. Incubation is the process of providing the mushrooms with the right conditions to grow. The ideal temperature for incubating mushrooms is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The substrate should also be kept moist, but not too wet.

You can incubate the substrate in a variety of ways. One common method is to place the substrate in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Another method is to place the substrate in a grow tent. Grow tents are designed to provide the ideal conditions for growing mushrooms.

Fruiting the Mushrooms

Once the mushrooms have colonized the substrate, they will begin to fruit. Fruiting is the process of producing mushrooms. To fruit the mushrooms, you need to provide them with fresh air and light.

You can fruit the mushrooms in a variety of ways. One common method is to place the substrate in a fruiting chamber. Fruiting chambers are designed to provide the ideal conditions for fruiting mushrooms. Another method is to simply place the substrate in a well-lit area.

Harvesting the Mushrooms

Once the mushrooms have fruited, they are ready to harvest. To harvest the mushrooms, simply twist them off the substrate. Be careful not to damage the mycelium.

Mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be dried or frozen for longer storage.

Growing mushrooms from scratch is a rewarding experience. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown mushrooms all year round.

How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch: A Practical Guide to Cultivating Portobellos, Shiitakes, Truffles, and Other Edible Mushrooms

by Magdalena Wurth

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	28437 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	144 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE