Nothing compares to the taste of home-grown produce and mushrooms are no exception to this statement. Unlike most vegetables, mushrooms grow very well in doors because they thrive in cool, dark, moist environments. Fungi can grow outdoors, of course, but growing conditions without special controls can make the process take much longer.
The best place to plant mushrooms at home is in a basement or under a sink where they are not exposed to bright light. Even people living in apartments with limited space can grow mushrooms. With the following guide you will be able to grow mushrooms without problems, enjoying an incomparable flavor.
Preparation for planting mushrooms
The process of growing mushrooms is different from that of most other vegetables. While most plants are grown from seeds, mushrooms are grown from spores, which must be mixed with soil or other growing medium to see a white root-like substance called mycelium grow. The recommended substrate or growing medium is a mixture of compost and manure.
Instead of buying your own mushroom spores, it is recommended for beginners to purchase a mushroom growing kit, which includes a growing medium as well as mushroom seeds that have already been incubated. If in addition to enjoying delicious vegetables, you want to decorate your home in the best way, find out that how easy it is to plant climbing nasturtium.
How to grow mushrooms?
Add the spores to the culture medium.
The first step is to obtain the ideal substrate or growing medium. To do this, get a planting tray that measures approximately 30 to 40 centimeters with a depth of approximately 15 centimeters. The tray can be made of wood, plastic or metal. Fill it with a mixture of compost and manure, leaving an inch of space at the top of the tray and spread the spores on top.
For best results, try to maintain sterile conditions during this step so that other types of mold and fungi are not introduced into the substrate. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before working with the substrate and sterilize any tools used.
Make sure the soil is moist at all times.
Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, so it is essential to ensure that the soil remains moist throughout the growth process. To keep the growing medium moist, spray it once or twice a day or cover it with wet towels.
Incubate spores in the right conditions
During the first three weeks, the soil temperature should be incubated at 21 degrees to promote growth. This can be done by keeping the trays in a warmer area of the house, or you can place the tray on a heat mat for seedlings. Choose a heating pad that has precise temperature controls and place it under the tray. You can use a soil thermometer, to make sure that the soil temperature never exceeds 22 degrees because higher temperatures can kill the spores.
If all goes well, white root-like growths, or mycelium, will soon appear on top of the soil. When the entire pan is covered, it is time to lower the temperature. While many vegetables should be grown in the summer, growing mushrooms is a great winter project because they thrive in cooler temperatures. Lower the soil temperature to between 12 and 15 degrees and cover the mycelium with about 3 centimeters of potting soil. After a few days at this temperature, tiny mushrooms known as primordia will begin to sprout.
Harvest the mushrooms and enjoy
Mushrooms should be fully developed after three to four weeks. You will know they are ready to be harvested when the tops open completely and separate from the stems. If allowed to grow any larger, they will turn brown. To harvest mushrooms, use a sharp knife to cut the stem. Do not pull mushrooms out of the soil because the surrounding growth may be damaged in the process.
Mushrooms will grow continuously for about six months if harvested daily because each mushroom will release its own spores. When growth ceases, more mushroom seeds can be added to the growing station you have already prepared. It is important to keep in mind that fresh mushrooms will not last long after cutting, so they should be cooked or eaten in at least a couple of days.