Growing mushrooms at home is a labor-intensive process that requires special knowledge, patience, and diligence from the grower. Additionally, you will need to allocate a special space for the mushroom beds, equipped according to the needs of these delicate fungi, purchase the necessary equipment and soil. However, with the right mindset and conscientiousness, all difficulties can be overcome, and the result often exceeds even the boldest expectations.
There are several key step-by-step rules to follow when planting and growing mushrooms at home in bags and boxes. By adhering to these, you can consistently harvest large quantities of mushrooms.
Preparing the Substrate
This is the most labor-intensive stage in the process of growing mushrooms. It is important to follow strict instructions, as successful cultivation largely depends on the quality of the nutrient medium.
The main component of the substrate is compost, made from winter rye or wheat straw (20-25%) and horse manure (75-80%). In the absence of horse manure, cow manure or poultry litter can be used, though this may slightly reduce yields. The substrate should ideally be prepared outdoors, under a shelter that protects it from rain and sun. However, it can also be done indoors, but the room must be well-ventilated, as the fermentation of the components releases carbon dioxide, ammonia, and moisture in large quantities.
The components are measured as follows: for 100 kg of straw, use 2 kg of urea, 2 kg of superphosphate, 7-8 kg of gypsum, and 5 kg of chalk. With the addition of manure and all the supplements, the final mixture will yield about 300 kg of substrate, which is enough to plant mushrooms on an area of up to three square meters.
If poultry litter is used, the components and proportions will differ: for 100 kg of straw, use 100 kg of litter, 250-300 liters of water, gypsum, and instead of superphosphate and chalk, add alabaster.
First, the straw must be soaked in a reservoir for 24 hours. Then, layer the wet straw and manure in a pile (3-4 layers of each). During the stacking process, each layer of straw must be additionally moistened (a total of 300-400 liters of water per 100 kg of straw) and gradually add 0.5 kg of superphosphate and 2 kg of urea. Afterward, everything should be thoroughly mixed four times, adding the other components. After the first mixing, add gypsum; after the second, add 1.5 kg of superphosphate; after the third, add chalk and mix again.
Once all components are mixed, fermentation (heating) will begin, and by the third day, the temperature inside the pile will rise to 65-70°C. For better fermentation, the pile should be 1.5 meters high, with a length and width of 1.2 meters. The compost will be ready in 20-22 days.
Mycelium
To grow mushrooms at home, only high-quality, sterile mycelium (fungal culture) grown in special laboratories is suitable. The industry produces grain and compost mycelium.
Grain mycelium is sold in polyethylene bags and can be stored for up to six months at 0-4°C. For 1 square meter (approximately 100 kg of substrate), you will need 350-400 g of grain mycelium.
Compost mycelium is sold in glass jars. At 0°C, it can be stored for about a year, but at 18-20°C, no more than 20 days. Compost mycelium is less susceptible to external negative influences, but it is less productive than grain mycelium. For 1 square meter of area, about 500 g of compost mycelium is needed.
Preparation of the Room and Substrate
First, the room where the mushrooms will be grown should be prepared by treating it with special agents to eliminate bacteria and fungi. The prepared compost cannot be immediately planted with mycelium. It must be disinfected in advance. The best method for this is thermal treatment.
The substrate should be heated to +80°C by any available means. It must be kept at this temperature for at least 20 minutes. After that, it should be cooled to about +25°C and placed in disinfected bags or boxes. The substrate layer should not exceed 35 cm. This will reduce the risk of mycelium being affected by harmful microorganisms.
Planting/Seeding
After preparing the substrate and placing it in boxes or bags, it is seeded with mycelium, which should be buried 5 cm deep. Maintain a 20 cm distance between the holes. It is recommended to plant in a checkerboard pattern. After planting, cover the mycelium with soil.
If mushroom spores are being planted, they are sown on the soil’s surface. After sowing, do not cover them with soil or water. The soil should be covered with fabric and regularly moistened. The mycelium grows for five days. During this time, maintain a humidity level of 80-95% and a temperature of 22-27°C. After 12 days, cover the surface with 1 part of lime, 4 parts of soil, and 5 parts of peat. The thickness of the layer should be at least 3 cm. After another 5 days, periodically moisten the soil. In another 5 days, lower the temperature to 13-16°C.
Growing and Care
Although there is no need for constant care for the mushrooms, the room must be prepped and special conditions must be created:
Equipment for Growing
For growing mushrooms in bags, special supports with hangers are needed to suspend the bags with substrate. Plastic equipment is recommended as it does not deform, is corrosion-resistant, and is much cheaper.
Temperature
Mushrooms do not require high temperatures, so greenhouse conditions are not necessary. You will only need to insulate the room and carry out thermal insulation to help retain moisture. Heating devices should also be installed – the temperature should not drop below 13°C. Elevated temperatures should only be used at the beginning. Infrared lamps can be used for additional heating.
Humidity
Mushrooms prefer high humidity, so the air in the room should always be moist. Use sprayers or special electronic humidifiers. Maintain a humidity level of 70-90%.
Ventilation and Lighting
The room must be ventilated regularly. It is best to use exhaust systems that supply fresh air. However, if you do not plan on large-scale cultivation, manually ventilating the room is acceptable. For lighting, several garden lamps should be installed.
Fertilizers
As the mycelium grows, it gradually appears on the surface, and in a few weeks, it will be fully above the ground. To prevent the mycelium from drying out and deteriorating, use a fertile substrate on top. Fertilizers consisting of 9 parts peat and 1 part chalk should also be added to the soil. Spread 40-50 g of this mixture evenly per square meter.
Harvesting
From planting to harvesting the first crop takes 3-4 months. Young mushrooms of medium size are harvested, those with an intact membrane connecting the stem and cap. For planting material, it is recommended to harvest mushrooms with fully opened caps – older mushrooms lose their beneficial properties.
It is forbidden to harvest mushrooms with dark brown caps, as they may cause poisoning and severe intoxication.
Mushrooms should not be cut like forest mushrooms, but twisted. The hole left after harvesting should be lightly covered with compost. A new mushroom will grow in its place. Active mushroom production lasts 8-14 weeks. During this time, the harvest can be gathered up to 7 times. After that, the yield decreases, so the mycelium is removed, and the substrate is disposed of.
Once fruiting stops, the mycelium is removed and used as fertilizer for the next generation. The remaining substrate should not be reused, as it loses its fertility. From 1 square meter, you can harvest up to 25 kg of mushrooms.