The 7 Basic Steps Of Mushroom Cultivation (How Most Mushrooms Are Grown)

Summary

This video serves as a concise introduction to mushroom cultivation, breaking down the growing process into seven essential steps. Beginning with the cultivation of mushroom mycelium on a petri dish, the guide progresses through transferring mycelium to sterilized grain, exponentially expanding grain spawn, and inoculating bulk substrates. Key stages include colonization and inducing pinning, leading to the eventual growth and harvesting of mushrooms. Each step emphasizes the importance of sterility and environmental conditions, making it accessible for beginners eager to learn how to grow their own mushrooms.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Takeaway 1: The mushroom growing process involves expanding mycelium on various mediums until it produces mushrooms.
• 📋 Takeaway 2: There are seven basic steps in the mushroom cultivation process that apply to most techniques.
• 🔬 Takeaway 3: Step one involves growing mushroom culture on a petri dish, focusing on specific advantageous genetics.
• 🌾 Takeaway 4: In step two, a small amount of mycelium is transferred to sterilized grain to create grain spawn.
• 📈 Takeaway 5: Step three highlights the exponential growth of mycelium, where one grain jar can be used to create many more.
• 🧪 Takeaway 6: Step four is about inoculating a bulk substrate with grain spawn to prepare for mushroom growth.
• 🍄 Takeaway 7: In step five, mycelium colonizes the bulk substrate, absorbing nutrients until fully grown.
• 💧 Takeaway 8: Step six involves inducing pinning by changing environmental conditions to encourage fruiting.
• 🌞 Takeaway 9: Step seven focuses on harvesting mushrooms, which can often yield multiple flushes after the initial harvest.
• ♻️ Takeaway 10: After harvesting, the remaining substrate can be composted, allowing the cultivation process to restart.

Q & A

What is the overall process of growing mushrooms?

The overall process of growing mushrooms involves expanding mycelium on various mediums until it produces a fruiting body, commonly known as a mushroom.

What are the seven basic steps in the mushroom growing process?

The seven basic steps are: 1) Growing mushroom culture on a petri dish, 2) Transferring mycelium to sterilized grain (grain spawn), 3) Expanding the grain spawn, 4) Spawning grain to a bulk substrate, 5) Colonization of the bulk substrate, 6) Inducing pinning, and 7) Allowing mushrooms to grow and harvesting subsequent flushes.

Why is it important to use sterile conditions in the first step?

Sterile conditions are crucial to prevent contamination from molds or fungi that could out-compete the mushroom mycelium on the petri dish.

What is the difference between starting with a commercial strain and a spore swab?

Starting with a commercial strain typically provides proven genetics with reliable results, while a spore swab can produce a variety of different strains, resulting in unpredictable outcomes.

What is grain spawn, and why is it used?

Grain spawn is created by transferring mycelium to sterilized grain, which serves as a nutritious medium for the mycelium to grow. It is used to efficiently inoculate bulk substrates where mushrooms will eventually grow.

How does the exponential growth of mycelium work in mushroom cultivation?

Exponential growth occurs when a small piece of mycelium is used to inoculate grain jars. Each fully colonized jar can be broken up to inoculate multiple new jars, leading to a rapid increase in the amount of grain spawn available.

What types of substrates can be used for mushroom cultivation?

Common substrates include straw, hardwood sawdust, compost, and logs. The type of substrate depends on the mushroom species being grown.

What conditions are required for colonization of the bulk substrate?

During colonization, the mycelium requires high humidity, cooler temperatures, and a nutritious substrate to absorb nutrients and grow.

What is pinning, and how can it be induced?

Pinning refers to the formation of tiny knots by the mycelium, which will develop into fruiting bodies. It can occur naturally or be induced by changing environmental conditions, such as lowering temperatures or increasing humidity.

Can mushrooms be harvested multiple times, and how does this process work?

Yes, many mushroom species can produce multiple flushes of mushrooms. After harvesting, the conditions can be maintained to encourage further growth, allowing for subsequent crops.