Basics For Growing Your Own Mushrooms (Mushroom Cultivation)
Mushroom cultivation usually involves the use of a container or a log for starting the growing process.
Logs are often thought to provide the tastiest and healthiest fungi as they receive more nourishment from the wood. Log cultivated mushrooms usually have a richer smell and taste than container cultivated mushrooms. Mushroom cultivation in a container also has some advantages. The growth of the mushroom is considerably quicker in the container than the log. It will be your choice of how you choose to grow your mushrooms. You may even want to consider both types of cultivation so you can choose based upon your own experience.
Regardless of the method used the basic requirements remain the same. Fungi require a dark, moist, and warm place. The moisture will be added artificially by either sprinkling or soaking. Compost is generally sprinkled with water and the logs are placed in a bucket of water for soaking. Both types of mushroom cultivation can be done indoors.
Indoor cultivation is usually best. By keeping the cultivation inside you can provide crop protection from snails and flies. Both flies and snails would be more than happy to make an enjoyable snack with your growing fungi. Our mushroom growing guide ebook can help you learn how to obtain multiple flushes from the same container or log that are not damaged by insects.
With some good planning and instructions you can be successful growing your own mushrooms right at home. Everyone always enjoys harvesting a crop of edibles from their garden to enjoy with their meal and mushrooms are no exception. Start making your plans to grow your favorite edible fungi to serve alongside and with your favorite dishes!
Mushrooms and Logs – The most common way to begin
Let’s take a brief look at the steps involved in growing mushrooms on logs.
First you will need to obtain piece of wood which is freshly cut of a specific diameter. Holes will need to be drilled into the log and then the log is inoculated with mycelium. If the log is older and perhaps dryer you will need to place the log in cold water to soak for a couple of days first. After inoculation you will begin to see clusters of fungi appear upon the log within a few weeks. Some species of mushrooms will take longer to appear than others will.
After you harvest the fungi you can include them in your favorite dishes such as salads and soups. You can also grill the mushrooms in foil. Whichever way you choose to serve your mushrooms you will have the pleasure of making a fantastic meal with your mushroom harvest.
If you elect to grow your mushrooms in containers rather than on logs you will need to obtain compost and sawdust. After the compost has been inoculated with the mycelium you will need to cover it with sawdust. This will protect the mycelium and also provide for water retention. Once again within just a few weeks you will be harvesting your first flush of mushrooms for your dining pleasure. Mushrooms are a good addition to gourmet meals.
Plan now to grow your favorite mushrooms such as Shitakes or Enoki and enjoy your first homegrown mushrooms in just 2-3 weeks.
(We believe that more in-depth details and specifics will be needed before you actually start growing mushrooms, which is why we’ve developed a complete electronic guide. Check out our ebook)
Mushroom Growing FAQ
How do I get started cultivating mushrooms?
Choose one of the easy to grow species such as oysters or button mushrooms. A kit can be ordered from a reputable Spawn Producer which makes growing mushrooms relatively easy. After you have had success with the kit you can move on to other types of mushroom cultivation.
Is it difficult to grow mushrooms?
Mushroom cultivation is best learned through experience, and having the right information to begin with, that’s why we’ve spent hours and hours of research and testing to provide you with all the information you’ll need – in once place.
Starting with a Mushroom growing kit can be a great way to get some experience and be successful in your first attempt. Cultivating with a kit is also an economical way to get started.
Where can I get a kit?
A reputable mushroom spawn producer is the best choice when it comes to mushroom supplies including kits. There is a list of our trusted/reputable suppliers in the resource section of our e-book. Most suppliers provide world wide service, for example, there are a number of Mushroom Kits on Amazon
What is the best growing medium or substrate to use?
Several factors have to be considered when choosing a substrate. First you want to make sure the substrate you use will be a good match for the mushroom species you plan to cultivate. The resource section of our ebook includes an easy table to match substrates with mushroom species.
Can I cultivate morel mushrooms?
Morel mushrooms are more difficult because of their unpredictability but some cultivators have accomplished this with some degree of success and there are also morel kits available for use. This book includes a section about obtaining spores and cultivating morels that will be helpful for those interested in morel cultivation.
Do I need a grow light to cultivate mushrooms?
Mushrooms are not like green plants. They do not need light for photosynthesis like green plants do. The only time light is needed is for the cultivator to see when working with the mushrooms or harvesting. Many growers even use flashlights for this process.