Growing mushrooms is usually done in a few steps. One starts by purchasing and preserving agar cultures of a selected strain. Alternatively, spores are used to start this project. However, peroxide should not be used when preparing the substrate if spores are used. A starter is then made from the agar culture. Organic material of choice is selected and mycelium is introduced into it where the final growth takes place.
There are companies that make kits. Kits are cultures that have undergone all preparation steps mentioned above. The buyer is only required to provide the right conditions for growth which include cool temperature and wetness. Not all species are easy to grow. Some require specific temperatures making them more difficult to grow.
Instead of acquiring a kit, one could get spawn. Appropriate substrate is prepared at home or bought and the spawn is introduced into it. Homemade substrate is made from materials such as old newspaper and tissue paper. The choice of the material to use in making the substrate will depend on the strain one will grow.
There are two types of substrates that are commonly used. These are compost and woody materials. Certain species prefer specific substrates so as to grow well. Using the wrong substrate will affect the results while using the right one will increase chances of success.
Before compost is used, it has to be heat treated. This is time consuming taking several weeks. Heat treatment rids it of microorganism which might compete for the same food as the strain being grown. However, some microorganisms are helpful and need to be preserved by not overheating the substratum. They provide nutrients into the compost. After the heat treatment, compost is allowed to cool, gypsum is added to it and spawn mixed into it.
Sometimes, woody material is the material to be used. In such cases, it can be treated either by heat or hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide treatment takes a shorter period. It also protects the substratum from harmful air borne microorganisms such as bacteria and mold.
A layer of soil is placed on the culture when compost is used. This is important in preserving wetness. For woody substratum, strains grown in it will determine the conditions which should be maintained. These include the right exposure to light, heat and air flow.
This general information about growing mushrooms is very helpful to people who are interested in this project. They should understand and follow it accurately. This way the project will be successful.
There are companies that make kits. Kits are cultures that have undergone all preparation steps mentioned above. The buyer is only required to provide the right conditions for growth which include cool temperature and wetness. Not all species are easy to grow. Some require specific temperatures making them more difficult to grow.
Instead of acquiring a kit, one could get spawn. Appropriate substrate is prepared at home or bought and the spawn is introduced into it. Homemade substrate is made from materials such as old newspaper and tissue paper. The choice of the material to use in making the substrate will depend on the strain one will grow.
There are two types of substrates that are commonly used. These are compost and woody materials. Certain species prefer specific substrates so as to grow well. Using the wrong substrate will affect the results while using the right one will increase chances of success.
Before compost is used, it has to be heat treated. This is time consuming taking several weeks. Heat treatment rids it of microorganism which might compete for the same food as the strain being grown. However, some microorganisms are helpful and need to be preserved by not overheating the substratum. They provide nutrients into the compost. After the heat treatment, compost is allowed to cool, gypsum is added to it and spawn mixed into it.
Sometimes, woody material is the material to be used. In such cases, it can be treated either by heat or hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide treatment takes a shorter period. It also protects the substratum from harmful air borne microorganisms such as bacteria and mold.
A layer of soil is placed on the culture when compost is used. This is important in preserving wetness. For woody substratum, strains grown in it will determine the conditions which should be maintained. These include the right exposure to light, heat and air flow.
This general information about growing mushrooms is very helpful to people who are interested in this project. They should understand and follow it accurately. This way the project will be successful.
About the Author:
If you'd like more information about the art of growing mushrooms, check out this page for my latest e-book titled Growing Mushrooms for Profit and Pleasure.