How to grow mushrooms?

Mushrooms, more than mere edibles, captivate our curiosity as a distinct kingdom of life—neither plant nor animal. They belong to their fungal kingdom. With over 20,000 mushroom species capable of producing spores, their significance lies in their diverse flavours and ecological roles. They play a vital role in nature, recycling matter and contributing to a balanced ecosystem. 

Besides their environmental significance, many mushrooms are edible, offering a healthy and delicious addition to our diets. Unlike vegetables, mushrooms demand specific growing conditions. With attention to the suitable medium and temperature, beginners can transition from mushroom spawn to a delightful crop in weeks. This comprehensive guide will explore mushrooms, covering growing types, the step-by-step process, and essential tips for a successful harvest.

 

What are mushrooms?

A mushroom is a fleshy fungus from microscopic spores and holds culinary and medicinal significance. Edible varieties, enjoyed in diverse dishes, range from the classic white button to exotic shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Unlike plants, mushrooms don’t grow from seeds but emerge from mycelium, intricate thread-like structures. Differing from vegetable growth, mushrooms, being fungi, necessitate specific conditions for cultivation. 

 

Types of mushrooms to grow

Alluring varieties await those eager to cultivate their mushrooms. While some are ideal for indoor growth, others thrive in outdoor environments. Ensure safe cultivation by avoiding poisonous species. Consider these popular options:

Shiitake Mushrooms

Famed in Japanese cuisine, shiitakes offer a meaty texture and an earthy, umami flavour.

Oyster Mushrooms

White to light brown with a mild, sweet taste, perfect for Chinese stir-fries and soups.

White Button Mushrooms

Spongy and often found on pizzas, these are a simple yet versatile choice.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

With a unique appearance resembling a lion’s mane or beard, this variety offers an earthy aroma.

Portobello Mushrooms

Dense and hearty, often used as a meat substitute in Italian cuisine.

Maitake Mushrooms

Also known as hen-of-the-woods, these mushrooms have soft, overlapping caps and an earthy aroma.

 

How do mushrooms grow?

Mushrooms, distinct from plants, sprout from minuscule spores. The growth process involves mycelium, the thread-like structure supporting mushroom development. Attention to growing conditions, mushroom spawn, and appropriate substrates are crucial for a successful harvest.

 

Where to grow mushrooms?

Dark, cool, and humid environments suit mushrooms best. Basements offer an ideal setting, maintaining temperatures between 55°F and 60°F. While some light is tolerable, minimising exposure is essential.

 

Process of growing mushrooms

A kit is an excellent starting point if you’re new to mushroom cultivation. For button mushrooms, fill trays with compost, use a heating pad to maintain the right temperature, and keep the soil consistently moist. Harvest when the caps open, ensuring a continuous crop for six months.

 

How to grow mushrooms: Different methods

From a box kit

Ordering online mushroom growing kits simplifies the process. Follow these general steps for a successful harvest:

Moisten the block

Mist the block several times daily with non-chlorinated water, avoiding tap water.

Cover the block

After misting, cover the block with plastic to retain humidity, excluding white button mushrooms that need darkness.

Harvest mushrooms

Within days, blisters will appear, and mushrooms will emerge, ready to harvest in a week.

Repeat

To reuse the block, let it dry for a week, soak it for 24 hours, and repeat for multiple harvests.

In a bucket

Growing mushrooms in a bucket with spawn requires attention to detail. Follow these steps for successful cultivation:

Prepare the bucket

Sterilise the bucket, drill holes for aeration, and ensure cleanliness.

Prepare the substrate

Fill the tote with wood chips, add boiling water, and allow it to cool—layer damp wood chips with mushroom spawn.

Let it spawn

Store the bucket in a cool, dry spot, allowing the mycelium to colonise the substrate. Harvest when mushrooms appear.

On logs

Shiitake mushrooms thrive on hardwood logs. Follow these general steps for log cultivation:

Prepare logs

Drill holes in the log, insert plugs with spores, and seal with wax to prevent drying or contamination.

Manage moisture

Keep logs shaded and moist, covering them with burlap if needed. Harvest when shiitakes develop gills and curled caps.

 

Tips to grow mushrooms at home 

Grow indoors

Indoor cultivation offers better control over conditions. A cool, consistently moist climate is essential for optimal growth.

Select the right growing medium

Mushrooms thrive in substrates like wood chips, hardwood sawdust, composted manure, straw, or coffee grounds. Tailor your growing medium to the specific mushroom type.

Care for pins

Moisturise tiny mushrooms with a spray bottle to prevent drying.

Inoculate your mushrooms

Use mushroom spawn for beginners, sprinkling it on the substrate without pressing it in. Alternatively, opt for spores in subsequent attempts.

Maintain optimal conditions

Keep mushroom spawn warm initially, around 70°F, before dropping it to 55-60°F. Monitor soil temperature and humidity for successful cultivation.

Harvesting

Harvest when mushrooms’ caps fully open, harvest entire clusters when caps open and cut the stalk with a sharp knife. Regular harvesting ensures a continuous crop. 

Consume freshly

Freshly harvested mushrooms offer optimal taste. Freeze for extended storage or use within a few days.

Preserve fresh mushrooms

Use a dehydrator at 110 to 125 degrees to dry mushrooms for longer storage. Rehydrate them before cooking.

Compost used substrate

After harvesting, compost the used substrate for an excellent soil amendment, contributing to sustainable cultivation.

 

Mushroom: Toxicity

Mushroom toxicity, or mushroom poisoning, arises from consuming mushrooms containing toxins, often mistaken for non-toxic varieties during foraging. With thousands of mushroom species globally, about 100 cause the majority of human poisonings, and only 15-20 are potentially lethal. Distinguishing edible from poisonous mushrooms lacks a simple rule, leading to over 95% of toxicity cases due to amateur misidentification. The severity varies based on factors like geographic location, growth conditions, toxin amount, and individual susceptibility. 

While boiling or cooking may not eliminate toxicity, supportive treatment is crucial, with early volume resuscitation important for liver and kidney toxicities. Gut decontamination, including activated charcoal, is recommended for specific toxins like amatoxins, particularly in suspected cases. Children are generally more vulnerable to mushroom toxicity than healthy adults. Identifying and managing mushroom poisonings present challenges for clinicians.

 

FAQs

How long does it take for mushrooms to sprout?

Depending on the variety and conditions, mushrooms typically sprout within three to four weeks.

What temperature is ideal for mushroom growth?

Maintain temperatures between 55°F and 60°F for optimal mushroom cultivation.

Can I grow mushrooms outdoors?

While possible, indoor cultivation offers more controlled conditions, especially for beginners.

Can I use potting soil for growing mushrooms?

No, mushrooms thrive in substrates like wood chips, straw, or composted manure.

How do I store freshly harvested mushrooms?

Consume them within a couple of days or freeze them after drying.

Can I use the composted substrate after harvesting?

Yes, compost the used substrate to enrich the soil for future cultivation.

How many harvests can I expect from one kit?

Depending on conditions, expect several harvests, with diminishing yields after each cycle.

What is the purpose of waxing holes in log cultivation?

Sealing holes with wax prevents the spawn from drying out or being contaminated, ensuring successful log cultivation.

Can I reuse mushroom growing kits?

Kits can be reused by letting the block dry for a week, soaking it for 24 hours, and then placing it back under a humidity tent for additional harvests.

How long does it take to see mushrooms after inoculating logs?

Timing varies, but with pre-inoculated logs, mushrooms can appear in as little as 10 days, while homemade logs may take several weeks.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]