How to Grow Reishi "Mushroom of Immortality"

Spore n' Sprout

3 Sept 202107:18

Summary

TLDRThis Sporenspro video offers a comprehensive guide on cultivating the medicinal rishi mushroom, known for its beneficial polysaccharides and beta glucans. It begins with preparing sterilized rye berries, followed by inoculating them with a liquid culture syringe. After colonization, a substrate of hardwood pellets and wheat bran is prepared and sterilized. The video then demonstrates the process of mixing the spawn with the substrate, sealing it, and allowing the mycelium to colonize. It concludes with tips on fruiting block maturation and the formation of rishi mushrooms, providing viewers with a detailed and engaging tutorial on mushroom cultivation.

Takeaways

🍄 Rishi mushrooms are prized for their medicinal properties, containing polysaccharides and beta glucans.
🌾 Sterilized rye berries are used as the grain spawn, which can be purchased at a local feed store or grain elevator.
💧 Rye grains should be rinsed and soaked overnight before being sterilized.
🔥 The grains are sterilized by boiling them for 10 minutes and then drying them on a flat surface.
🍶 Self-healing injection port jars are used to load the sterilized rye grains and are pressure cooked at 15 psi for two and a half hours.
🧪 Inoculation is done with a rishi liquid culture syringe, which can be found through a link provided in the video description.
🧴 Sterile technique is crucial during inoculation, preferably done in a laminar flow hood or a still air box.
💉 Two milliliters of liquid culture per jar are injected for inoculation.
🌡 The inoculated jars are placed in a warm area to colonize for one to two weeks, with the substrate turning fully white indicating readiness.
🌳 Rishi prefers hardwood, so hardwood fuel pellets are used as the substrate base, supplemented with wheat bran.
📏 The substrate preparation involves mixing pellets with water until expanded, then adding wheat bran.
🛍 The substrate-filled filter patch bags are pressure cooked at 15 psi for two and a half hours.
🔄 After cooling, the substrate is mixed with rishi spawn in a sterile environment before sealing the bags.
📈 Rishi mycelium colonizes the substrate block quickly, usually within two weeks.
🍄 Discoloration on the fruiting block and the formation of pins are normal signs of maturation.
🌱 Pins will form antlers in a high CO2 environment, seeking oxygen, or form brackets on the walls if no air is left inside the bag.

Q & A

What are the health benefits of growing rishi mushrooms mentioned in the video?
-Rishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides and beta glucans, which make them prized for their medicinal properties.
What type of grain is used for the rishi mushroom cultivation in the video?
-Rye berries are used as the sterilized grain spawn for growing rishi mushrooms.
How much does a 50-pound bag of rye berries cost according to the video?
-The video mentions that a 50-pound bag of rye berries costs about 40 dollars.
What is the process of preparing the rye grain for sterilization?
-The rye grain should be rinsed, soaked overnight, boiled for about 10 minutes, drained, and then laid out to dry on a flat surface for about 30 minutes.
At what pressure and for how long should the rye grain be pressure cooked?
-The rye grain should be pressure cooked at 15 psi for two and a half hours.
What is used to inoculate the sterilized rye grain with rishi mushroom culture?
-A rishi liquid culture syringe is used to inoculate the sterilized rye grain.
How much liquid culture should be injected into each jar of grain spawn?
-Two milliliters of liquid culture should be injected per jar of grain spawn.
What is the expected time frame for the grain spawn to fully colonize?
-The grain spawn should be allowed one to two weeks to fully colonize.
What type of substrate is recommended for rishi mushroom cultivation in the video?
-Hardwood fuel pellets are used as the substrate, with wheat bran as a supplement for rishi mushroom cultivation.
How are the substrate bags prepared and sterilized for mushroom growth?
-The substrate is mixed, added to filter patch bags, and then pressure cooked at 15 psi for two and a half hours.
What is the process for adding rishi spawn to the cooled substrate?
-The spawn is mixed with the substrate in front of a laminar flow hood or inside a still air box, and then the bag is sealed using a heat sealer, bag clamps, or zip ties.
How long does it typically take for the rishi mycelium to colonize a fruiting block?
-Rishi mycelium is fast and aggressive, so it should take about two weeks to fully colonize a block.
What happens if the rishi mushroom pins are kept in a high CO2 environment?
-If kept in a high CO2 environment, the pins will form antlers that grow upwards in search of oxygen.
What occurs if there is no air left inside the fruiting bag after spawning?
-If there is no air left inside the fruiting bag, the mycelium will grow up the walls and form a bracket outside of the filter patch.

Outlines

00:00

🍄 Introduction to Growing Rishi Mushrooms

This paragraph introduces the process of growing rishi mushrooms, a prized medicinal mushroom known for its polysaccharides and beta glucans. The video begins by explaining the need for sterilized grain spawn, specifically rye berries, which can be found at a local feed store or grain elevator. The grains are rinsed, soaked overnight, and then boiled for 10 minutes before being drained and dried. Once dried, they are loaded into self-healing injection port jars and pressure cooked at 15 psi for two and a half hours. After sterilization, the grain is ready to be inoculated with rishi liquid culture, which can be found through a link provided in the video description. The inoculation process should be done as sterile as possible, either in front of a laminar flow hood or inside a still air box, using a sterile needle to inject two milliliters per jar of grain spawn. The jars are then placed in a warm area to colonize for one to two weeks, with a check for discoloration to ensure full white colonization.

05:10

🌱 Preparing Substrate and Growing Rishi Mushrooms

The second paragraph details the preparation of the substrate and the subsequent steps in growing rishi mushrooms. The substrate consists of hardwood fuel pellets and wheat bran. Five cups of hardwood fuel pellets are measured and added to a five-gallon bucket with six cups of warm water. After the pellets expand, one and a quarter cups of wheat bran are stirred in. This mixture is then added to a filter patch bag designed for mushroom cultivation. The bags are folded and pressure cooked at 15 psi for two and a half hours. Once cooled, the rishi spawn is added in a sterile environment, either in front of a laminar flow hood or inside a still air box. The bag is sealed using a heat sealer, bag clamps, or zip ties. The rishi mycelium colonizes the block aggressively, taking about two weeks. As the fruiting block matures, normal discoloration occurs, and pins form on the surface. In a high CO2 environment, the pins grow upwards as antlers seeking oxygen. If no air is left inside the fruiting bag after spawning, the mycelium will grow up the walls and form a bracket outside the filter patch. The video concludes with a reminder to subscribe for more informative content and an invitation to ask questions in the comments section.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rishi Mushroom

Rishi Mushroom, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a prized medicinal mushroom that contains beneficial compounds such as polysaccharides and beta glucans. It is the main focus of the video, which aims to teach viewers how to cultivate this mushroom at home. The script mentions that it is a 'prized, medicinal mushroom' and provides a step-by-step guide on how to grow it.

💡Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates consisting of long chains of sugar molecules. They are important in the context of the video as they are one of the key nutritional components found in Rishi mushrooms, contributing to their medicinal value. The script highlights that Rishi mushrooms 'contain polysaccharides', emphasizing their health benefits.

💡Beta Glucans

Beta glucans are a type of fiber found in the cell walls of certain fungi, yeasts, and plants. They are known for their potential health benefits, including immune system support. In the video, beta glucans are mentioned as another beneficial component of Rishi mushrooms, reinforcing the mushroom's status as a medicinal species.

💡Sterilized Grain Spawn

Sterilized grain spawn refers to the process of preparing a substrate, such as rye berries, that has been sterilized to eliminate any contaminants and is ready to be inoculated with mushroom spores or mycelium. The video script describes using sterilized rye berries as the base for growing Rishi mushrooms, emphasizing the importance of sterilization in the cultivation process.

💡Rye Berries

Rye berries are the whole grains of rye, which are used in the video as the substrate for the Rishi mushroom spawn. They are mentioned as being purchased at a local feed store or grain elevator and are used after being rinsed, soaked, and sterilized. Rye berries provide the necessary nutrients for the initial growth of the mushroom mycelium.

💡Self-Healing Injection Port Jars

Self-healing injection port jars are a type of jar used in mushroom cultivation that allows for the inoculation of the substrate without opening the jar completely, thus reducing the risk of contamination. The script mentions loading the sterilized rye grain into these jars, which are then used for inoculation with the Rishi liquid culture.

💡Pressure Cooking

Pressure cooking is a method of cooking that uses high pressure to raise the boiling point of water, effectively sterilizing the contents at a higher temperature than conventional boiling. In the video, pressure cooking is used to sterilize the rye grain and the substrate at 15 psi for two and a half hours, ensuring a sterile environment for the mushroom growth.

💡Liquid Culture Syringe

A liquid culture syringe is a tool used to inoculate the sterilized grain with a liquid culture containing the desired mushroom mycelium. The video script instructs viewers to inoculate the sterilized rye grain with a 'rishi liquid culture syringe', which is a critical step in the mushroom cultivation process.

💡Laminar Flow Hood

A laminar flow hood is a device that provides a sterile environment by creating a constant flow of HEPA-filtered air, which helps to prevent contamination during sensitive processes like inoculation. The script advises performing the inoculation 'either in front of a laminar flow hood or inside of a still air box' to maintain sterility.

💡Hardwood Fuel Pellets

Hardwood fuel pellets are a type of compressed wood material made from hardwood, which can be used as a substrate for growing certain types of mushrooms. The video script specifies using hardwood fuel pellets for the Rishi mushroom substrate, as they are a suitable medium for the mushroom's growth.

💡Wheat Bran

Wheat bran is the hard outer layer of the wheat kernel, which is often used as a supplement in mushroom cultivation to provide additional nutrients. In the video, wheat bran is mixed with hardwood fuel pellets to create a substrate for the Rishi mushrooms, enhancing their growth and colonization.

💡Filter Patch Bag

A filter patch bag is a type of bag used in mushroom cultivation that allows for gas exchange while keeping contaminants out. The script mentions adding the substrate to a 'filter patch bag made for growing mushrooms', which is essential for the proper development of the Rishi mushroom mycelium.

💡Mycelium

Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments called hyphae. In the context of the video, mycelium refers to the growing network of Rishi mushroom cells that colonize the substrate. The script describes the process of the 'rishi mycelium' colonizing the substrate and eventually forming fruiting bodies.

💡Fruiting Block

A fruiting block is a term used to describe the substrate block that has been colonized by the mycelium and is ready to produce mushrooms. The video script refers to the 'fruiting block' as the final stage of the cultivation process where the Rishi mushrooms will grow and form their fruiting bodies.

💡CO2 Environment

A CO2 environment refers to a condition where there is a high concentration of carbon dioxide, which can influence the growth pattern of mushrooms. The script explains that if the Rishi mushroom pins are kept in a high CO2 environment, they will form 'antlers' that grow upwards in search of oxygen.

Highlights

Introduction to the process of growing rishi mushrooms, a prized medicinal mushroom.

Requirement of sterilized grain spawn, specifically rye berries.

Instructions on rinsing and soaking the rye berries overnight.

Boiling the grains for sterilization and drying them on a flat surface.

Loading sterilized rye grain into self-healing injection port jars.

Pressure cooking the jars at 15 psi for two and a half hours.

Inoculating the sterilized grain with a rishi liquid culture syringe.

The importance of maintaining a sterile environment during inoculation.

Injecting two milliliters of liquid culture per jar of grain spawn.

Allowing one to two weeks for the grain spawn to fully colonize.

Checking for discoloration to ensure proper colonization.

Creating a substrate for rishi mushrooms using hardwood fuel pellets and wheat bran.

Instructions for mixing the substrate and adding it to a filter patch bag.

Pressure cooking the substrate-filled bags at 15 psi for two and a half hours.

Incorporating rishi spawn into the cooled substrate in a sterile environment.

Sealing the bag after mixing spawn with the substrate.

The fast and aggressive growth of rishi mycelium, colonizing the block in about two weeks.

Observing normal discoloration as the rishi fruiting block matures.

Formation of pins on the surface of the fruiting block.

Conditions for pin development into antlers or brackets based on CO2 levels and air availability.

Conclusion and invitation for questions and subscription.