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Mushroom Production
Low Cost Mushroom
Production at Home
By Arzeena Hamir
Published May 2001
Gourmet mushrooms like Shiitake, Oyster
& Enoki mushrooms are growing in popularity
but the retail price for many of these delicacies
can often be out of range for most people.
Mushroom lovers on a budget have another
option - growing mushrooms at home.
Mushroom production might seem complicated
but there are many kits on the market that
make growing mushrooms easy. These kits
provide the substrate, pre-inoculated with
mushroom mycelia and simple instructions.
When we think of mushrooms, we often think
of the soft caps & stems that we see
in the grocery store. Hidden underground,
however, is the vast majority of the mushroom
mass itself- the network of feathery mycelia.
These mycelia, often seen when turning over
compost, are what the mushroom uses to absorb
food & moisture. The cap & stem
that we commonly eat is just the fruiting
body.
To grow, mycelia require an uncontaminated
food source, free from other microorganisms,
moisture, and temperatures between 60-80F.
The food source can vary, depending on the
species of mushroom, from sawdust &
shavings to manure or compost. Once mycelia
have colonized a food source, they begin
to produce fruiting bodies, commonly referred
to as pins. As the pins mature, they develop
into recognizable mushrooms.
Most commercially available kits range in
price from $20-$30. Most kits will
start fruiting within a week and you can
expect a harvest of 1-2 pounds of mushrooms
per flush. Commonly, each kit will provide
2-3 flushes of mushrooms before the food
supply is spent. Finished kits can then
be placed on the compost pile where you
can sometimes get a bonus flush of edibles.
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes), have
a rich, meaty texture. The brown caps often
grow up to 3-4 inches in diameter. They
have been highly prized in the Orient for
centuries and scientists are researching
its medicinal, anti-viral properties. Indoors,
the kits can be stored from 55 to 75F and
will produce 2-3 pounds within 3 months.
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp) are named
for the fact that their flavor & texture
resembles oysters. The mushroom itself comes
in different colors, depending on species,
from pink, cream, white & gray. The
white mushroom is the easiest to grow and
will fruit over a wide temperature range
from 55-75 F. These mushrooms are particularly
sensitive to humidity and need to be misted
2-3 times per day.
Enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes)
have long delicate stems, joined at the
base Both the caps and stems are edible
and are best eaten raw to take advantage
of this variety's crisp texture. Toss them
into salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish
for soups. Enokis require a colder environment,
45 degrees compared to growing temperatures
of about 60 degrees, which other varieties
require.
Once a kit arrives, it should be free of
any different colored moulds. If you do
see anything strange, get a replacement.
An incubation period is required for the
mycelia to colonize the whole substrate.
The kit should be kept at the proper temperature
and should be kept moist at all times. Colonization
usually requires 7-10 days.
After this period, the mycelia need to
be forced into fruiting, usually by placing
the kit in the refrigerator. Afterward,
the kit will have to be opened and exposed
to some light (excluding Agaricus species).
A good place to keep the kits is in a garage
or a sheltered place outdoors. Keeping the
kits under your sink usually results in
fungus gnats. If outdoor temperatures dip,
a Styrofoam cooler makes an excellent humidity
chamber, insulating the kit against cold
temperatures.
As the fruiting bodies appear, the humidity
needs to be kept high. Most kits come equipped
with a plastic tent so a regular spray of
water is enough to achieve the right conditions.
Using the right water, however, is critical.
Spring, well or rainwater is best, as it
doesn't contain any chlorine. If none of
these are available, leave a bucket of water
to stand overnight to allow the chlorine
to evaporate.
If you become hooked on mushroom production,
you can move on to the next step- growing
mushrooms on logs. While logs take much
more time to develop edible mushrooms, they
produce for up to 4 years and are even more
economical than the kits.
Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms,
by Paul Stamets
The Mushroom Cultivator, A Practical Guide
to Growing Mushr ooms at Home, by Paul Stamets
and J.S. Chilton
The Mushroom Council- http://www.mushroomcouncil.com/
- Mushroom facts & buying tips
MykoWeb - http://www.mykoweb.com/
- articles news & recipes
Terra Viva Organics - http://www.tvorganics.com
- self-contained mushroom kits.
Arzeena Hamir is an agronomist and President
of Terra Viva Organics - www.tvorganics.com
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