Types of set-ups

There are three common types of set-ups namely: compost set-up, hardwood logs set-up and sawdust/wood chips set-up. Basically, your choice of set-up should be inspired by the types of mushrooms that you wish to plant.

Species such as shaggy mane and blewit are best suited for manure composts setups. On the other hand resilient types such as Reishi and oyster mushrooms thrive on hardwood mushroom logs. Most of the species that do well on hardwood logs can also be grown in indoor conditions using containers filled with hardwood chips and saw dust.

Types of mushrooms to grow

There are many types of mushrooms available out there in the world; however, not all of them are suitable for commercial farming. As such, there are a couple of things to ponder before you decide on the right mushroom types to plant.

Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are the best choices for beginners- the two grow well in different seasons. If you’re an experienced farmer, you may want to try out other types of mushrooms e.g maitake and enoki which require sensitive conditions to thrive but fetch good returns.  Button mushrooms are also quite popular.

What substrates are the best for commercial growing? Homemade or purchased?

Lots of homemade substrates fit the bill, including, oat bran, wheat, rice, spent barley, ground corn and stale bread. While utilizing homemade substrates, it is important to double your sterilization time to prevent the risk of accumulation of contaminants.

Be very careful while using homestead substrates. Some products to avoid include: old newspapers, corncobs, cardboard, books, peanut shells, coffee grounds and tea leaves.  You want to avoid mold and other unsterilized items.

Indoor or Outdoor Set-up?

Different mushroom species require different cultivation techniques. Indoor settings are perfect for species that require adherence to strict parameters for successful cultivation- White Button mushroom is a good example.

Outdoor conditions are perfect for resilient mushroom species such as Shiitake, Tremella, Reishi and Maitake. Although this type of setting (outdoor) attracts a 90% success rate, it is known to produce top grade mushrooms.

Commercial mushroom marketing

Mushroom marketing is dependent on a number of factors that are peculiar to any geographical region. Potential customers include: wholesale vegetable distributors, restaurants, gourmet food retailers and supermarket chains. Make sure to do a thorough market research before making any investment.

The cost of starting and profit

Mushroom farming is a labor intensive industry. As such, you must be prepared to commit a significant portion of your efforts to ensure that everything-right from preparation stages to final stages is done accordingly. It goes without saying that you need to understand your market needs before choosing to concentrate with particular mushroom species.

On average, starting a mushroom farm can cost you anywhere between $30,000 and up depending on how big you plan to operate. It normally takes around two years to start realizing profits.

As we sum it up, we hope that you will find the tips on how to grow mushrooms commercially provided above quite useful. Above all we wish you all best in your farming efforts!

While it is possible to grow reishi mushrooms outside, many people prefer to grow them inside. Mushrooms require constant humidity and moisture and will not thrive in a dry climate. If living in a humid area, growing them outside is possible and will result in less work for the grower. However, it is important to notice dry spells and ensure that the mushrooms have a constant supply of water.

If living in a dry part of the country, growing the mushrooms inside is usually the best option. While growing them indoors does cause more work, it will result in the best results and the highest yield. Climate and temperature are usually the deciding factors when considering whether to grow the mushrooms indoors or outdoors. Remember that they can be grown indoors year-round while it may not be possible to grow them outside during the summer and winter months.

When deciding how to start growing reishi mushrooms, there are several options available. While some ardent gardeners may prefer to do most of the work on their own, there are also growing kits available. Growing kits can be a little expensive and limit the space and number of mushrooms grown at a time, first-time mushroom growers should probably go with a kit, especially if they are not familiar with gardening at all. Experienced gardeners and anyone who has had experience with mushrooms may want to make their own garden.

If growing the mushrooms at home, gardeners should start by getting the reishi mushroom spawn and a hardwood log. After drilling holes in the log, the mushroom spawn will be put in the holes and sealed with a light film of beeswax. It’s best to keep the log covered with plastic and keep the humidity high. Usually the reishi mushrooms will grow within a few months but may take up to a year.

Reishi mushrooms are most commonly grown in a hardwood. Softer woods like pine are not recommended, but oak, walnut, or other common hardwoods are good choices. Most farmers prefer to grow reishi mushrooms in logs that have been aged and partially broken down by bugs. If woods are nearby, try to find fallen logs, chop them into smaller pieces and use these to grow the mushrooms. Using green wood from a tree that has recently fallen is much harder for the mushrooms and will not yield the best results. While the log should not be completely decayed, a few months of aging can make a large difference.

Another tip when growing reishi mushrooms is that the basement is the preferred space. While this may not be practical when growing large amounts, dark spaces are usually the best areas for the mushrooms. Growing experts recommend putting them in a dark space under a florescent light. The mushrooms should be sprayed throughout the day with a light mist of water. In a large-scale production, automated sprinkler systems can be set up.

There is no optimal time to grow reishi mushrooms indoors as long as they are kept in a moist environment under 70 degrees. Beginning gardeners may have the best results in the spring and fall months if growing outdoors. The first mushrooms will be ready to be harvested in about two months. The mushrooms will begin to show a light brown dust on the surface. This means that they have matured and can be harvested for medical use. In a typical temperature controlled environment, all of the mushrooms will mature within six months.

Growing reishi mushrooms takes diligence and attention to detail, but is fairly simple. When starting off, begin with a few smaller batches to find methods that are practical. Large scale productions can be successful as long as the temperature and humidity are closely watched. These two factors are the key to growing reishi mushrooms successfully.

Mushrooms have become one of the most popular ingredients for a wide range of cuisines around the world.  As such, the commercial value of mushrooms has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. There is a popular misconception amongst the general public that mushrooms can only grow in the wild, but did you know that you can grow mushrooms in your home?

Indoor mushroom growing is quite possible and in fact, most mushrooms being sold in stores have been commercially cultivated indoors as well.  The following tips on how to grow mushrooms indoors might prove invaluable for individuals who wish to grow mushrooms in their own home.

The following materials are helpful to gather before starting your project.

• Mushroom spawn

• Barrel

• Containers

• Cotton fabric

• Straw

• Cotton wool

• Elastic bands

• Heating source

• Small platform-to be placed inside the drum

• Plastic bags

• Bleach spray

Preparation of the Straw

Mushrooms usually thrive on compost material and straw is one of the best materials for growing mushrooms.  However, the straw must be adequately prepared to eliminate microorganisms that might end up feeding on the mushrooms and reducing the yield.  If you do not wish to prepare your own growing medium, you can purchase commercially sold growing mediums and skip steps down to the planting process.  Purchased mediums are easier to work with, but will cost you more money over time, especially if you scale up your production.

The following steps should be followed when preparing the straw for cultivation.

• Cut the straw into tiny pieces approximately 2 – 4 inches in length.

• Submerge the straw in water for 24 hours.

• Remove the straw from water and rinse it with fresh water after which you should drain it completely.

• Pack the straw in the watertight plastic bags and tie the bag securely with a rubber band.

Pasteurization of the Straw

The main goal for pasteurization is to eliminate all living matter from within the straw. The living matter commonly found in straw includes insects, microorganisms, and fungi.  These things can ruin your mushrooms if not destroyed before growing.  Besides, you really don’t want them in your home to begin with.

When carrying out pasteurization, the following procedure should be followed.

• Position the drum over the heat source and pour around 10 liters of water into the drum

• Place a platform inside the drum; so as to keep the plastic bags above water while at the same time allowing steam to rise through the plastic bags.

• Position the fabric on the sides drum while putting in the straw to prevent the plastic bags from melting. Alternatively, you can use pieces of wood can be used to perform the same function.

• Cover the top of the drum with a fabric and seal it shut.

• Steam/ pasteurize the straw for 1 hour.

• Leave the bags to cool down for some time before transferring them to the planting area.

The steam will kill all microorganisms and fungi within the straw ensuring that the mushroom will not be attacked while growing.

Planting

This is the most important step of growing mushrooms indoors.  Mushrooms usually thrive in a dark and sheltered environment, and as such, the room where the mushroom is being grown should be dark and free from direct sunlight. The temperature within the room should be maintained between 55®F and 75®F.

The following steps should be followed when planting the mushroom spawn.

• Spray the walls and floor of the room with bleach to prevent the development of mold.

• Take a small amount of mushroom spawn and mix it [inoculation] with the straw in the plastic bags; ensure you wash your hands before doing this to avoid contaminating the spawn.

• Place a piece of cotton at the mouth of the plastic bags and fasten with a rubber band.  This helps in aeration and keeping out pests.

• Place the bags in the designated, darkened room.

One of the best locations for growing mushrooms indoors include the basement, attic or even the garden shed, provided that the windows are covered.

Growing care

After inoculation, the bags are then left to incubate. During this period, the spawn run throughout the straw.  Light is not required at this point but the bags should receive a lot of fresh air. Mushroom growth will be noticed after approximately 1-3 weeks.

The following should be carried out during this period.

• Carefully detach the plastic bag from the substrate/straw.

• Increase growing room humidity by spraying water in the air or wetting the floor.

• Check the straw for mold and if any is detected, remove the straw that has mold.

Within a few weeks, your mushrooms will be ready for harvesting.

By following the above steps on how to grow mushrooms indoors, you are assured of successfully growing and harvesting safe, fresh mushrooms for your family.  You can even expand these procedures to begin to produce your own crops commercially and sell them to markets and restaurants for a healthy profit.

Numerous cultures not only value shiitake mushrooms for its culinary benefits, but also for its medicinal benefits.  The shiitake mushroom has been proven to have some antiviral, anti-fungal and tumor fighting effects.  Eating it regularly has also shown signs of being able to lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure in laboratory tests.  Shiitake mushrooms contain all eight amino acids in better quantity than soy, meat, dairy or eggs.  It contains vitamins A, B, B12, C, D and Niacin.

Outdoors is the preferred way to grow your own shiitake mushrooms.  You should use the best quality hardwood logs you can find.  If you are a new grower, oak will help ensure success until you gain some experience.  When selecting and ordering your spawn for inoculation the first time, you should order several types of spawn to test the results and see what works best for your growing conditions. 

Find the best strains for your climate.  Some types of shiitake do better in cooler conditions while others thrive where it’s warm.  Try out several suppliers too if your able.  If you unsure of doing all this, you can always look to a mushroom growing kit.

Inoculation is the process where you drill holes or make cuts in your logs to place the spawn in so that it can grow.  If you choose to drill holes in the logs, be sure to gently water the spawn and then seal the hole with wax to protect the spores and seal in the moisture. 

Spawn generally is purchased as a plug that you place in your holes or packed in sawdust that must be injected into the holes with an injection tool.  Other techniques include using a chainsaw to cut wafers or wedges out of the log and place the spawn into the cut.  After you have applied the spores to the log cuts, you would place the cut out pieces back into place and seal it with paraffin wax.

Your logs should always be kept shaded from direct sunlight and moistened regularly.  Spawn will begin fruiting anywhere from 6 months to a year or more.  Typically, the shiitake mushroom will fruit twice a year in the spring and fall months.  When your mushrooms have opened up ¾ of the way, you should begin to harvest them.  It is best to pick them in the afternoon when they are driest, twisting or cutting them from their base.

When harvesting your crop, place them in cardboard boxes and keep them refrigerated at all times.  You should bring them to market in under a week or dry them to be sold.  Dried mushrooms often bring in less money per pound than fresh will, but are a better alternative than losing an entire crop to spoilage.  You could also compost excess mushroom crops to use or sell as organic fertilizer.

In order for you to grow edible mushrooms at home in the best possible way, you should look to buy the newest types of mushroom growing kits. Check out this site to see some great examples of quality growing kits.  Organic kits are considered to be the best as they always seem to provide positive results. They are environment-friendly in that they do not pollute and they can simply be used as compost after they have served their purpose.

Being that there is a variety of organic mushroom growing kits available in the stores today, you should be cautious when looking to buy one. It is very important for you to look for sizable mushroom growing kits that are the best that you can afford.

Even though there are kits that are as cheap as $3.00, the price of the best types usually ranges between $15.00 and $100.00.  You don’t want a kit that gives you mold or very little fruit.

Some great choices of organic mushroom kits include:

1. Fresh Morel Mushroom Easy Grow Kit – Magic Mushroom Patch
This is one of the most modern mushroom growing kits available in the stores today. It comes with very simple instructions that are helpful in guiding you on how to prepare an excellent outdoor morel mushroom patch.

All you have to do is sow the fine morel mushroom spawn, ensure that your morel garden is well maintained after which you can pick and enjoy lots of fresh morels with your family each spring for many years.

Home grown morel mushrooms provide you with an excellent combination of nutty flavors and unique meaty texture that makes them to be very delicious. They also have a perfect aroma that rouses your appetite each and every time you cook with them.

2. 250 Organic Shiitake Mushroom Plugs Growing Kit
This mushroom growing kit has a very comprehensive set of Mushroom-growing instructions. All you have to do after purchasing this marvelous kit is to inoculate hardwood stumps or logs by the use of your mushroom plugs. Drill the number of holes that you require for your plugs and then tap them in lightly. Cover them with some wax after watering and then wait for your shiitake mushrooms to grow.

It normally takes a period of 6 to 12 months for Shiitake mushrooms to start growing.  After that you can start having a constant supply of nutritious mushrooms for a long period of time.

3. Rainbow Seeds 100 Organic Shiitake Mushroom Plugs Growing Kit
Even though rainbow seeds 100 organic shiitake mushroom plugs growing kit is relatively smaller, it performs the same functions as the 250 organic shiitake mushroom plugs growing kit. You can also use it perfectly in your backyard for the constant production of mushrooms. It normally performs well on oak logs.

4. 50 Organic Blue Oyster Mushroom Plugs Kit Gourmet Food
Rated among the best Mushroom Growing Kits, this marvelous kit grows well on hardwoods such as cottonwood, tulip poplar, sweet gum, alder, maple and willow. Inoculate logs and stumps or even recycled waste papers using these fantastic plugs.

It is very advisable for you to use hardwoods that have been freshly cut due to the fact that older hardwoods normally contain fungi spores that can compete with your mushrooms for food. However, you should wait for at least a period of 3 weeks after cutting your logs before you start plugging them. Mulch the logs after plugging them and water them regularly and wait for your mushrooms to grow.

5. White Button Mushroom Kit
It also comes with very simple instructions that you can follow. Simply place a pre-inoculated log or stump in a cool and dark spot and then water it. After maturity, you can enjoy your button mushrooms for a long time. A little patience and you can harvest for years. Button mushrooms are suitable for both children and adults.

6. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Growing Log Kit
This non-species mushroom growing kit is also referred to as a pom pom mushroom or bearded-tooth mushroom. It normally grows on dying or dead hardwood trees such as beech and oak in the late summer and fall. It is commonly found in Europe, Japan, China and North America. It has spines instead of a cap and no stem. It has a very chewy texture and pleasant taste.

There are numerous varieties of mushrooms and they may require different approaches to cultivation. Some like growing on logs hence a different surface is needed to ensure their growth. The nature of the soil is very important when it comes to ensuring the success of any mushroom growing operation. Substrate preparation must be done carefully and with the mushroom type to be grown in mind, since they depend on it for support and nutrition.

The soil needs to be very high in organic matter since mushrooms, like all fungi thrive on rotting vegetation. Typically, a two-inch layer of soil, high in organic matter, should be used on top of ordinary soil. If you happen to maintain some kind of compost pile at home, you can even prepare your own mushroom soil at home. Otherwise, there are stores from which you can purchase it.

A cool, dark environment is vital for the well-being of mushrooms. Unlike plants, mushrooms do not need the sun for photosynthesis and rely on the soil for nutrition. Ensure that the areas surrounding the mushrooms are full of material with high carbon content.

A good oxygen supply should also be provided along with water regularly.  Mushrooms are a type of fungi rather than a plant and not all varieties are safe for human consumption. Unlike plants, where you would use cutting or seed to propagate them, you need to use spawn or plugs to cultivate mushrooms. These typically germinate when spores find the right environment for their growth.

The variety of spawn you select will determine the growing technology to be used. Miatake, Shiitake, Hen of the woods, Reishi and Hericium plugs would be selected if you are going log or stump inoculation technology. Once you have selected the variety, you have to choose the plug to use.

Plug spawn consists of wooden dowels grown through with mushrooms and hammered into logs. Cardboard spawn consists of organic material sandwiched between two layers providing ideal conditions for mushroom growth. Coffee spawn also works because coffee grounds are small and easy to sterilize and colonize.

There is special equipment used to make surface preparation, spawn development and harvesting easier.  Since there is a wide variety of mushrooms each requiring special technology to grow it, wide ranges of equipment is available in growing supply stores. You have to choose the equipment the best suits the method of propagation you chose and your budget.

Mushrooms can be harvested at any of these three stages of development.

• Buttons – These are unopened mushrooms where the gills are yet to be exposed. Harvesting them at this stage typically yields less and the flavor is not yet fully developed. However, many people prefer them for their appearance.

• Cups – At this stage, the mushrooms have a rounded cap and many people prefer them to fully opened mushrooms.  

• Fully opened mushrooms – Here, the gills are already exposed and the cap has a flat appearance. They are also much larger resulting in a bigger yield.

Mushrooms should be picked with a single upward twisting motion individually. Breaking them off at the casing surface or pulling them up with pieces of casing attached to the mushroom should be avoided.

Once picked, the mushrooms should be brushed to remove casing material and compost since they can discolor the cap if left for long. For fully opened mushrooms, timing is vital. Leaving them for even 5 more hours can be disastrous for the crop since they over mature very quickly.

Uses of Button Mushrooms

Button mushrooms have been used for centuries both as medicine and as food. They are usually classified as an herb, but the truth is that they’re fungi. From more than 14,000 species of mushrooms, only 3,000 are edible and about 800 possess medicinal properties. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms are an excellent source of strength for their warriors in the battle, while the Romans saw them as a gift from gods. On the other hand, the Chinese realized the importance of button mushrooms and treasured them accordingly.

Nowadays, button mushrooms are enjoyed for their unique flavor. It is extremely popular in many cultures to add these mushrooms to salads, soups and sandwiches. In the United States, button mushroom extract is used on a larger scale in sports drinks and other nutraceutical products. Since mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, niacin, selenium and riboflavin, they are considered an important ingredient in many dishes.

Indoor or Outdoor?

You have two options on how to grow button mushrooms: indoor or outdoor. If you choose an indoor kit, you will be able to harvest them within just a couple of weeks. An indoor kit comes with everything you need to know about growing your own button mushrooms. If you are a beginner, it is preferably to choose an indoor kit, because it is very detailed and gives you immediate results. All you need to do is to find a good spot and to add water regularly.

On the other hand, outdoor mushroom kits are a little more difficult than the indoor ones.  Still, they will give you several years of continuous mushroom production. The majority of outdoor kits are mushroom spawn plugs that are normally used for hardwood inoculation. You will need to work extra with an outdoor kit, but you will have the satisfaction of several years of mushroomy goodness.

Choosing the Right Place

Whether you prefer an indoor kit or an outdoor one, an extremely important decision is choosing the right place. Of course, indoor kits are easier and represent the most viable option for beginners. There are three main factors you will need to consider before finding the right place to grow your button mushrooms on: temperature, humidity and light.

• Temperature: probably the most important factor. You need to assure the proper temperature range is maintained on a hourly-basis. Too much heat can easily kill your mushrooms. If you choose to grow your mushrooms outdoor, it is harder to control the temperature. The optimal temperature of growing your button mushrooms is between 62.6 and 78.8 Fahrenheit.

• Humidity: never use tap water to water the button mushrooms, because it contains various chemicals. The best choice is to use bottled spring water for indoor kits and natural rain water for outdoor kits. Try to avoid pond or lake water, because it might be contaminated. Another important factor is moisture. Sprinkle 1 liter of water on your kit two times a day.

• Light: try to avoid direct sunlight, because it will cause your mushrooms to dry out. White button mushrooms need to be kept in a dark place, because when exposed to light, they will not stay white.

Modern Procedures and Growth Process

First, choose a large growing tray deeper than 7 inches and larger than 2.5 feet. If you don’t possess a suitable container, build one from scrap wood. The next step is to fill it with well-rotted mixture and plenty of water. The key to success is uniform moisture, not a damp soil. Next, mix 2 or 3 cups of dry spawn flakes with this compost and then stack it into large, loose piles. After one night, press the whole compost into the tray using a piece of firm wood. The next step is to spawn the mixture into the growing tray.

When to Harvest Your Mushrooms

You can harvest the mushrooms at the stage of your choice. Picking them while they are still young (around 2 weeks) will give you firm mushrooms, just perfect for snacking. On the other hand, by letting them mature enhances their flavor. New mushrooms usually sprout every 14 days for a period of 4 months.

Understanding The Morel Life Cycle

Before starting to grow morel mushrooms, it is essential to understand how they grow and what is their life cycle. Basically, the sclerotium acts like a tough shell that protects the morel from the harsh natural conditions. When spring arrives, the sclerotium can form either new mycelium or a fruiting body.

Obtaining a fruiting body is what every morel mushroom enthusiast is looking for. However, it is quite difficult to obtain it, due to the fact that the growth of the fruiting body is significantly influenced by a series of factors, such as humidity and temperature. All the necessary conditions must be met for the sclerotium to form a fruiting body.

Morel Cultivation History

Regarding the history of morel mushrooms, it is known that various tribes of North America used to consume these delicious mushrooms on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, these tribes are said to be the first people who cultivated morel mushrooms. They had numerous early spring crops and they partially relied on morels in order to get the nutritional value they needed.

Some of the most known tribes such as Sioux used morels as both food and food supplement (they used to powder the mushrooms to make them easier to carry around). Several centuries later, the morel mushrooms reached Europe as well. It was then when extensive morel cultivation was recorded for the first time.

Regarding morel cultivation in the United States of America, morels were cultivated for the first time back in the 17th century. Nonetheless, solid proof of morel cultivation started to appear only in the 19th and 20th century. This is one of the most delicious types of mushrooms, and this is why they are so popular among mushroom hunters all across the globe.

Most Popular Growing Techniques

Nowadays, enthusiasts and farmers use a wide range of techniques to grow morel mushrooms. All these techniques are efficient, but while some of them are more complex and require more time and effort, other methods are less demanding.

• The Spore Slurry method is one of the most successful techniques at the moment. The spoke slurry is basically a mixture of pure water, salt, sugar and spores. Wild, mature morels are needed to create this mixture. With regards to the quantity, several morels per gallon would be ideal. The first step is to pour pure water in a container, add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of molasses. After that, you need to add the mushrooms and cover the mixture for 24-48 hours.

• Grow kit and spawn method requires a purchased spawn and this is another very popular technique. All you have to do is to purchase a morel kit, then prepare the bed for the mushroom, plant the spawn and then wait.

• The inoculated trees method refers to inoculating the tree roots with morel mycelia in order to obtain mushrooms. The easiest way to do so is to purchase trees that have already been inoculated. This can easily be done online. If you carefully follow the instructions, you will obtain mushroom production within several years.

Outdoor Versus Indoor Growing

Both the indoor and outdoor growing have advantages and disadvantages. One of the most important advantages of indoor growing is that with the right equipment, you can ensure the morels proper conditions for growing. Besides, you have full control over the morels. On the other hand, outdoor morel growing involves some risks. For instance, the mushrooms can get eaten by wild critters.

Recommended Growing Supplies

Regarding the growing supplies that are needed for proper morel development, a spawn is certainly one of them. Spawns are usually included in mushroom kits and they are essential for creating a suitable micro climate. In addition, it is also recommended to have a thermometer that monitors the temperature as well as a moisture monitoring system.

In conclusion, these are the basic things every beginner needs to know about how to grow morel mushrooms. This hobby requires dedication, effort and a lot of patience, since it can take years until you get to eat your first morel mushrooms. Even so, the wonderful taste is certainly worth the effort!