Have you heard this yet? Life on Earth, as you know it, would be impossible without the humble fungi. It’s like this … fungi decompose practically everything that dies or decays – Mushly.
Meaning that without fungi, the Earth would be saturated with death
Melodramatic? Maybe. But can you picture it? No beautiful natural vistas. No walks down by the river. Constantly hiding away from the brutal natural world. And as if to upstage this uniquely valuable function, fungi also happen to have given us certain antibiotics such as penicillin. Fungi also help stabilize our soil, cycle nutrients, control disease, and produce oxygen. And if that isn’t enough, then, without fungi, we wouldn’t have bread or beer. I’m finished. What on Earth? What magic is this? Well, in this article, we’re going to explore it in a very real sense. By learning to grow mushrooms in our homes ourselves.
Let's dive deeper into the mushroom's lifecycle.
In urban embrace,
Mycologist seeks treasure,
Fungi secrets found.
Here we go – the steps to grow
Step 1 – The Spores & a Petri Dish: Typically 1-2 weeks.
Welcome to the intriguing world of mushroom cultivation! Just like a scientist peering into a petri dish, you're about to embark on a journey that's both captivating and full of life. But instead of mysterious microorganisms, you'll be nurturing the magical world of fungi.
To start, think of your workspace as a laboratory – clean and precise. Everything needs to be sterilized. At home, especially if you’re working at this step, it’s important to be detail-oriented. Sterile gloves, light a candle, and burn any tweezers, knives etc you’re using. Head to the pharmacy and get a sterilizer for your working surface at home. And buy actual Petri dishes.
Think of your petri dish as the marital bed. Love is about to happen. You’re going to place (or swob) your mushroom spores and if you’ve made the bed just right for them, the spores (masculine and feminine) will fall in love and combine.
The ‘bed’ is what is called an ‘Agar’ medium. Agar is a gel-like substance derived from seaweed that provides nutrients for fungal growth. Source. I love it – when researching where to get Agar, the usual suspects like online retailers and specialty stores, came up. However, the most interesting option to get Agar? Asian grocery stores. Makes sense.
It may just be easier to buy spores already in a petri dish. But if you’re doing it yourself, remember, maximum sterilization. Some people even use what’s called a Flow Hood or Still Air Container to minimize the introduction of unwanted microorganisms. It’s all about ensuring your spores have enough uninterrupted time and space together to find each other.
Alright, Ready to go … >>> Tools Sterilized >>> Place Agar Medium in the Petri Dish >>> Swop your spores onto the Agar Medium >>> Close the Petri Dish >>> Seal & Incubate Petri Dish
Just like lighting candles, putting on the right music, and getting the mood right, incubate your spores in the ideal conditions.
Temperature: The ideal temperature for incubating spore-inoculated Petri dishes depends on the specific mushroom species. However, a common range is around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 27 degrees Celsius).
Light: In general, during the incubation phase, you want to minimize exposure to light. Most mushroom species do not require light at this stage and may even be negatively affected by it.
This step also involves selecting the type of mushroom (spores) you want to grow..
Kitchen mushrooms? Oyster, white button, and Shiitake mushrooms are your top choices here, each with its unique flavor profile.
Magic mushroom? Here’s a handy guide.
Head on over to our shop for easy checkout.
Step 2 – Making the Spawn (Grain, Sawdust, etc.): 10-14 Days
Once the mushroom culture is ready, you’ll transfer them to what is called ‘Spawn.’
Think of Spawn as the incubation chamber. It describes the substance that has been treated with mycelium to grow mushrooms. Source. Currently, only four types of spawn, including sawdust spawn, grain spawn, liquid spawn, and stick spawn, are commonly available for mushroom cultivation. Link. Grain spawn seems to be the most popular.
Sterilization note. Yes, you got it, cleanliness is still godliness. This time it’s about sterilizing the substance, grain for example, that will become the spawn. It seems to be best to add water and go through a process of boiling the water off. This article describes it way better than I can when you’re ready and actually at this step.
Timing note. What is going on behind the scenes? Transferring to ‘Spawn’ happens somewhere between hyphae meeting and combining and mycelium developing. The goal in making the spawn is to create the right conditions for the mycelium to expand. Mushroom grain spawn should be left in the jar for about 10-14 days, but this can vary depending on factors like the type of mushroom and environmental conditions. The goal is to allow the mycelium to fully colonize the grains. And so you can actually eyeball this one.
I really like this video for its solid visuals and simple explanations.
Step 3 – Expand the Spawn:
You can exponentially expand your spawn. The most common vessel is the jar, filled with sterilized or pasteurized grain. So you can absolutely prepare a new jar and a new jar and a new jar. Simply break off some of the ‘Grain Spawn’ from your current jar where mycelium is growing and add it into the new jar. Watch the mycelium work its magic. It really is magic.
To ensure their robust growth, the environment needs to be just right. These spawn thrive in a warm and dark space. Leave them each for three weeks, or until you can see all the grain has been colonized.
Step 4 – Substrate:
Now it’s time to move the mycelium into its growing location. This can be a growing bag (you can buy these online), a log, or a growing bed. And this will be filled with a material called ‘Substrate.’
The material you choose will be the vessel that takes your mycelium for the rest of its journey to mushrooming. Straw is popular, and coffee grounds too.
Check out this list. Depending on your mushroom species, you'll choose a suitable substrate. It's like selecting the perfect potting mix for your plants.
Oyster mushrooms prefer straw or coffee grounds, Shiitakes thrive on hardwood sawdust, and button mushrooms love composted manure. Just as different plants need different nutrients, these substrates cater to each mushroom's distinct tastes.
Psilocybe cubensis doesn't have a singular preference when it comes to substrates. Different strains and growing conditions can influence their tastes. It's more like a diverse menu for these mushrooms. Some strains might thrive better on certain substrates, but there isn't a one-size-fits-all choice.
Step 5 – Colonization: Variable 2-6 weeks Substrate size dependant
Ah, colonization – the epic journey of the mycelium through its chosen substrate. It's like the mushroom version of a quest, and trust me, it's a wild ride.
Once your Mycelium (Spawn) has been added to the bulk substrate, it will kick a whole other level of growth, and it will set about colonizing the bulk substrate.
Now, this mycelium, it's on a mission. It spreads through its chosen substrate, which could be wood, manure, or even good old soil. But here's the cool part – as it spreads, it's not just taking up space. It's secreting enzymes like a little fungal wizard. These enzymes work like magical spells, breaking down the substrate into a form the mycelium can slurp up. Yes, slurp. Because in the mushroom world, they're the ultimate recyclers, turning stuff into nutrients.
Conditions: Humid, on the warm side. At this point, strong natural light may actually inhibit the process. A common temperature range is around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 27 degrees Celsius), which is a similar temperature you were keeping for the incubation. Source. Perhaps keeping them in a bathroom cupboard is a good idea? Or one of the warmer rooms in the house.
The mycelia from your spawn will colonize its canvas (growing bag etc.) entirely, resembling a snowy landscape. This colonization process is vital, ensuring that your mushrooms have a firm foundation to grow. Maintain the right conditions – moisture and darkness – to make your canvas a thriving mycelial masterpiece.
The mycelia will not start to fruit until it has colonized its full canvas and, also, the environmental conditions change. Which we can induce.
Step 6 – Induce Pinning: 3 – 14 Days
Mushroom ‘Pinning’ is the first stage of mushroom formation, or ‘fruiting.’ When the mycelia has enough nutrients, i.e. has colonized its full canvas, then specific environmental conditions will trigger the production of fruiting bodies that we know as mushrooms.
Inducing Fruiting: The temperature has to drop. 10-15% down in temperature. And Ideally keeping humidity high. That’s why under the kitchen sink could be a good idea. Source. It may take 3 to 14 days after having changed the conditions for your pins to appear.
The moment when tiny mushroom pins start to appear. This is akin to the curtain rising on a theater show.
Step 7 – Fruiting and Harvest: It may seem like overnight
Finally, the grand finale! Think of it as the moment when your audience applauds a breathtaking performance.
Light is not essential in the mycelial growth period. However, in the period of initiation and growth of fruiting bodies, it is a decisive factor in obtaining a high yield of good quality. Source.
So introduce a daily dose of natural light while ensuring overall the temperature stays low and the humidity high.
Once your pins have matured into full-grown mushrooms, it's time for harvest. When the caps separate from their stems and rise slightly, they're ready. Pluck them gently, and remember to rinse them before cooking or savoring them in your favorite dishes.
Store your bountiful harvest in a paper bag in the fridge, just as you would preserve your garden's treasures.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – the seven enchanting steps to grow mushrooms at home. Much like nurturing a garden, growing mushrooms is a journey of patience, observation, and appreciation for the wonders of nature.
Furthermore, growing Psilocybe Cubensis can be seen as your own alchemical journey of self-transformation. As you tend to this alchemical process, you're essentially transmuting the base elements of your being into something more profound, much like turning lead into gold.
Whether you're an experienced gardener or a curious novice, this endeavor promises a delicious reward and a deeper connection to the world beneath your feet. Happy mushroom growing! 🍄🌱
