Mushroom Cultivation. Mushrooms in History Mushrooms have been used by humans for thousands of years...
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- Slide 1
- Mushroom Cultivation
- Slide 2
- Mushrooms in History Mushrooms have been used by humans for
thousands of years for a variety of purposes: Mushrooms have been
used by humans for thousands of years for a variety of purposes:
Ancient cave image: 5,000 B.C. Polypores found on Otzi, the Ice
Man: 3,300 B.C.
- Slide 3
- What is a mushroom? It is important for cultivation to realize
the iconic mushroom shape is merely the fruiting body of a much
larger organism. For example, a single fungus in Oregon was found
to be spread over 10 square kilometers and thousands of years old.
Each year, it gives rise to thousands of mushrooms. It is important
for cultivation to realize the iconic mushroom shape is merely the
fruiting body of a much larger organism. For example, a single
fungus in Oregon was found to be spread over 10 square kilometers
and thousands of years old. Each year, it gives rise to thousands
of mushrooms.
- Slide 4
- Mushroom Life Cycle
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- Spores : A reproductive unit produced by fungi that typically
contains half the genetic material of the parent organism. When
they find favorable conditions, they germinate in the form of
hyphae. Hyphae are threadlike structures that grow into whatever
substrate is preferred by that species. Spores : A reproductive
unit produced by fungi that typically contains half the genetic
material of the parent organism. When they find favorable
conditions, they germinate in the form of hyphae. Hyphae are
threadlike structures that grow into whatever substrate is
preferred by that species.
- Slide 6
- Mushroom Life Cycle The hyphae continue to expand into the
substrate until they have taken over the substrate or they run out
of nutrients The hyphae continue to expand into the substrate until
they have taken over the substrate or they run out of
nutrients
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- Mushroom Life Cycle Together, the hyphae are called mycelium.
The mycelium can be thought of as the body of the fungus. It is
from this body that mushrooms form. Together, the hyphae are called
mycelium. The mycelium can be thought of as the body of the fungus.
It is from this body that mushrooms form.
- Slide 8
- Mushroom Life Cycle To prepare for mushroom formation, the
mycelium clumps together into structures called hyphal knots. To
prepare for mushroom formation, the mycelium clumps together into
structures called hyphal knots.
- Slide 9
- Mushroom Life Cycle The hyphal knots give rise to pinheads,
which are the first signs of very small mushrooms. The hyphal knots
give rise to pinheads, which are the first signs of very small
mushrooms.
- Slide 10
- Mushroom Life Cycle Pinheads develop pretty quickly into
primordia, which are the step between pinheads and the mushrooms we
all know. It is common to see primordia and they are often mistaken
for fully developed mushrooms. Pinheads develop pretty quickly into
primordia, which are the step between pinheads and the mushrooms we
all know. It is common to see primordia and they are often mistaken
for fully developed mushrooms.
- Slide 11
- Mushroom Life Cycle The mushrooms will sometimes stay in the
primordia stage until conditions are just right, but usually the
primordia devlop quickly into mushrooms. Once mature, the mushrooms
produce spores, releasing them to the environment and continuing
the cycle of mushroom growth. The mushrooms will sometimes stay in
the primordia stage until conditions are just right, but usually
the primordia devlop quickly into mushrooms. Once mature, the
mushrooms produce spores, releasing them to the environment and
continuing the cycle of mushroom growth.
- Slide 12
- Growing Mushrooms When you think about the life cycle of a
fungus, it quickly becomes apparent that to grow quality mushrooms,
you have to grow quality mycelium. This is not unlike a tomato
farmer having to grow quality tomato plants to get quality
tomatoes. When you think about the life cycle of a fungus, it
quickly becomes apparent that to grow quality mushrooms, you have
to grow quality mycelium. This is not unlike a tomato farmer having
to grow quality tomato plants to get quality tomatoes. So, how do
we grow quality mycelium? So, how do we grow quality mycelium?
- Slide 13
- Growing Mushrooms There are dozens of methods for growing
mycelium. Most of these methods require strict sterilization
standards and are, therefore, impractical for the average grower.
There are dozens of methods for growing mycelium. Most of these
methods require strict sterilization standards and are, therefore,
impractical for the average grower. For the sake of brevity, I will
touch on three methods, focusing on the last of the three, log
cultivation. For the sake of brevity, I will touch on three
methods, focusing on the last of the three, log cultivation.
Natural method Natural method Sterile lab inoculation Sterile lab
inoculation Log cultivation Log cultivation
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- Natural Method The natural method just allows nature to do its
thing. Hobby cultivators often find places where their favorite
mushrooms grow. They carefully pick some of the available mushrooms
while leaving enough to continue the cycle. The natural method just
allows nature to do its thing. Hobby cultivators often find places
where their favorite mushrooms grow. They carefully pick some of
the available mushrooms while leaving enough to continue the cycle.
Here in Leysin, there are many edible species. It is NOT
recommended that you try to identify and eat mushrooms from nature
unless you really know what you are doing!!! Here in Leysin, there
are many edible species. It is NOT recommended that you try to
identify and eat mushrooms from nature unless you really know what
you are doing!!!
- Slide 15
- Natural Method Here is the shaggy ink cap, found behind Belle
Epoque. It is deemed one of the safest mushrooms to eat because it
is so easy to identify. Here is the shaggy ink cap, found behind
Belle Epoque. It is deemed one of the safest mushrooms to eat
because it is so easy to identify.
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- Natural Method Here is one of the shaggy ink caps after sitting
in my room for an afternoon: Here is one of the shaggy ink caps
after sitting in my room for an afternoon:
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- Sterile Lab Inoculation Many different substrates can be used
to grow mycelium. Unfortunately, once you create a suitable
environment for mycelium, many other fungi can take over your
substrate, overpowering the fungi you want to grow. Many different
substrates can be used to grow mycelium. Unfortunately, once you
create a suitable environment for mycelium, many other fungi can
take over your substrate, overpowering the fungi you want to grow.
To avoid this contamination, sterile lab techniques must be used
and perfect conditions must be kept for the mycelium to develop
properly. To avoid this contamination, sterile lab techniques must
be used and perfect conditions must be kept for the mycelium to
develop properly. Despite these problems, most specialty mushrooms
are grown in this manner. Despite these problems, most specialty
mushrooms are grown in this manner.
- Slide 18
- Sterile Lab Inoculation Typically, the mycelium is grown in
bags or bottles and the mushrooms emerge from these containers.
Typically, the mycelium is grown in bags or bottles and the
mushrooms emerge from these containers.
- Slide 19
- Log Cultivation Somewhere between the first two methods is log
cultivation. The logs act as a safe place for the mycelium to grow
and they can be kept outside, eliminating the need for
climate-controlled areas. Somewhere between the first two methods
is log cultivation. The logs act as a safe place for the mycelium
to grow and they can be kept outside, eliminating the need for
climate-controlled areas.
- Slide 20
- Log Cultivation Basically, the logs are inoculated with
mycelium through the use of small pieces of wood that have spawn
(mycelium). Basically, the logs are inoculated with mycelium
through the use of small pieces of wood that have spawn (mycelium).
Holes are drilled in the logs and the spawn is placed inside the
holes. The holes are then capped with wax to keep out any competing
fungi. Holes are drilled in the logs and the spawn is placed inside
the holes. The holes are then capped with wax to keep out any
competing fungi. The cultivator then just needs to keep the logs
moist (in Leysin, watering should be minimal) until the mycelium
has sufficiently grown to allow for the fruiting process The
cultivator then just needs to keep the logs moist (in Leysin,
watering should be minimal) until the mycelium has sufficiently
grown to allow for the fruiting process
- Slide 21
- Log Cultivation To begin the fruiting of the mushrooms, the
logs are placed in cold water, mimicking the rains of spring. To
begin the fruiting of the mushrooms, the logs are placed in cold
water, mimicking the rains of spring. Different types of mushrooms
require different types of wood, so its important to do a little
research to make sure the needed logs can be found in your area.
For example, shitake mushrooms grow best on hardwoods, such as oak.
Different types of mushrooms require different types of wood, so
its important to do a little research to make sure the needed logs
can be found in your area. For example, shitake mushrooms grow best
on hardwoods, such as oak. Finally, the logs must sit for anywhere
from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the species of mushroom and
hardness of the wood. Shitake mushrooms typically take from 6-18
months to begin fruiting. Finally, the logs must sit for anywhere
from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the species of mushroom and
hardness of the wood. Shitake mushrooms typically take from 6-18
months to begin fruiting.
- Slide 22
- Log Cultivation
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- Lets give it a try!!!