HowtoGrowMushroomsatHome

GuidetoIndoorMushroomFarmingforHealthandProfit

Includesfungicultureinformation,healthandmedicinalbenefits,editablemushrooms,sellingmushrooms,mushroomkits,andcomposting

ByRandallFrank

HowtoGrowMushroomsatHomeGuidetoIndoorMushroomFarmingforHealthandProfitAuthor:RandallFrankPublishedby:HomesteadingPublishers,homesteadingpublishers.comAllrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recordingorbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermissionfromtheauthor,exceptfortheinclusionofbriefquotationsinareview.

ISBN:978-1-927870-29-7

Copyright©2013byHomesteadingPublishersFirstEdition,2013

PublishedinCanada

Contents

HowtoGrowMushroomsatHome1.IntroductiontoMushroomsMushroomsareaSuperFoodMushroomConcentratesandExtractsRaworWholeFoodMushroomsMedicinalBenefitsWorldMushroomProductionHowMushroomsGrowFungiLifeCycleToxicMushrooms2.IntroductiontoGrowingMushroomsIndoorsMushroomKitsMakingMoneyGrowingMushroomsSellingMushroomsTheFutureofMushrooms3.TypesofMushroomsSaprotrophs:ThriveonDecayMycorrhizaeMushrooms:PartnerwithPlantsParasitesMushrooms:FeedontheWeakEndophytes:AnUnexplainedSymbiosisTypesofMushroomstoGrowIndoorsTheAgaricusBisporusFamilyCreminiHealthandMedicinalBenefitsImmuneSystemSupportAnti-InflammatoryBenefitsAntioxidantBenefitsCardiovascularBenefitsAnti-CancerBenefitsPreparationandCookingWhiteButtonHealthandMedicinalBenefitsPreparationandCookingGrowingWhiteButtonsPortobellos

EnokiGrowingEnokiMushroomsMaitakeMushroomHealthBenefitsandMedicinalEffectsPreparationandCookingGrowingMaitakeMushroomsLion’sManeHealthBenefitsandMedicinalEffectsPreparationandCookingGrowingLion’sManeMushroomsHealthBenefitsandMedicinalEffectsPreparationandCookingGrowingPaddyStrawMushroomsShiitakeMushroomsHealthandMedicinalBenefitsImmuneSupportCardiovascularBenefitsAnti-CancerBenefitsGrowingShiitakeMushroomsOysterMushroomsHealthandMedicinalBenefitsPreparationandCookingGrowingOysterMushroomsWinecapsHealthandMedicinalBenefitsGrowingWinecapsReishiMushroomsHealthandMedicinalBenefitsPreparationandCookingGrowingReishiMushroomsTurkeyTailHealthandMedicinalBenefitsPreparationandCookingGrowingTurkeyTail4.IndoorMushroomFarmingChooseYourFungusKitsEnvironmentCleanliness

TemperatureandHumidityLightAirEquipmentGrowinginaPlasticBagSubstratesPestsWhyPeopleFailEnvironmentCleanlinessCautionsPetsPestsandDiseasesMoldPreservingMushrooms5.BasicsofLargerScaleMushroomFarmingStepI:MakingMushroomCompostSixStepsofMushroomCultivationStepII:CompletingtheCompostStepIII:SpawningStepIV:CasingStepV:PinningStepVI:CroppingConclusionCertifiedOrganicAppendixHomeCultivationCommercialCultivationManualsandArticlesonMushroomCultivationMycologicalSocietySitesUniversitySitesGlossary

Dedication

Iwouldliketothankmyimmediatefamilyforallowingmethefreedomtoexperimentwithtryingtogrowediblemushroomsovertheyears.Ittookmeawhiletofindsuccess,andwhenIdid,Itriedtogetmyfatherintothislucrativehobby.Thisbookisdedicatedtohismemory.

DisclaimerThisbookisdesignedtoprovideinformationonindoormushroomgrowingonly.Thisinformationisprovidedandsoldwiththeknowledgethatthepublisherandauthordonotofferanylegal,health,orotherprofessionaladvice.Inthecaseofaneedforanysuchexpertiseconsultwiththeappropriateprofessional.Thisbookdoesnotcontainallinformationavailableonthesubject.Thisbookhasnotbeencreatedtobespecifictoanyindividual’sororganizations’situationorneeds.Everyefforthasbeenmadetomakethisbookasaccurateaspossible.However,theremaybetypographicalandorcontenterrors.Therefore,thisbookshouldserveonlyasageneralguideandnotastheultimatesourceofsubjectinformation.Thisbookcontainsinformationthatmightbedatedandisintendedonlytoeducateandentertain.Theauthorandpublishershallhavenoliabilityorresponsibilitytoanypersonorentityregardinganylossordamageincurred,orallegedtohaveincurred,directlyorindirectly,bytheinformationcontainedinthisbook.Youherebyagreetobeboundbythisdisclaimeroryoumayreturnthisbookwithintheguaranteetimeperiodforafullrefund.

ForewordLearnabouthowyoucanbeapartof‘fungiculture’andgrowmushroomsathomeforhealthandprofit.

Thisbookexplainshowmushroomsgrow,howtogrowmushrooms,whatmushroomstogrow,andtheamazinghealthbenefitsofeatingcertaintypesofmushrooms.

Youwilldiscovermushroomsareeasytogrowandmanyhaveprotein,Bvitamins,mineralsandsometoutmedicinalpropertiessuchasboostingtheimmunesystem,loweringcholesterol,andhavingapositiveeffectoncertaincancers.Inadditiontherearetips,methods,andinsidertechniquesforgrowingmushroomsandmarketingthem.

Acknowledgements

WhenIreturnedtomushroomcultivationaftersometimeaway,thereweremanybloggersthatinspiredmewiththeircreativeshiitakemushroomgrowing.Iwouldconsiderit"art"insomeform,andIattemptedtorecreateit.Myloveofthehobbyjustgrewfromthere.Therearetoomanypeopletothank,andIdon'twanttoriskleavinganyoneout,soIwilljustsaythebloggersandonlineforumcontributorsdeservemostofthecreditforthisbookbeingwritten.Withoutthem,Iwouldn'thavesharedasmuchknowledgetohelpgetstartedproducingmushroomsinafinanciallyprofitablemannerwhilebeingenvironmentallysustainable.

1.IntroductiontoMushrooms

"Naturealoneisantique,andtheoldestartamushroom."

--ThomasCarlyle

Mushroomsarenotafruitorvegetableorevenaplant.Theyarefruitingbodiesoffungusorfungi(pronounced,"fungee"or"funguy".)

‘Fungiculture’isthepracticeofproducingfood,medicine,andfurtherproductsbycultivatingmushroomsandadditionalfungi.Americansconsumeabout900millionpoundsofmushroomsayearandmostofthosearethewhitebuttonmushroomand,inthesamefamily,theCreminiandPortobellomushrooms.

Youcanpractice‘fungiculture’orgrowmushroomsforhealthandprofit.Theyarefairlyeasytogrowandmanyhaveprotein,Bvitamins,mineralsandsometoutmedicinalpropertiessuchasboostingtheimmunesystem,loweringcholesterol,andhavingapositiveeffectonbreastcancerinwomenandprostatecancerinmen.

Theremightbeasmanyas140,000speciesofmushrooms.Onlyabouttenpercentor14,000ofthemhavebeenidentified.Outofallthosedifferentkindsofmushrooms,onlyabout250speciesareedible.Currentlyapproximately100speciesofmushroomsarebeingresearchedformedicinalbenefits.

ThelargestcommercialproducerofmushroomsintheworldisChinaandthentheUnitedStateswherealmostthreefourthsofU.S.mushroomsaregrownontheeastcoast.

MUSHROOMSAREASUPERFOOD

Thereisampleevidencesupportingmushroomsasa"superfood"packedwithpotentnutrition.Healthconsciousconsumerspreferorganicallygrownmushroomstosteerclearofanyharmfulcontaminantsandhealthexpertsrecommendexclusivelyeatingorganicallygrownmushrooms.Mushroomseasilyabsorbelementsfromtheirgrowthenvironment,suchassoil,airandwaterinconcentratedquantities.

Mushroomsarerichwithbeneficialnutritionandlowinfat,caloriesandcholesterol.Thereare2gramsofprotein,ahealthydoseofpotassiumandthreeimportantBvitaminsinanaverageserving.Mushroomsalsocontainselenium

foundinmeats.Thatmakesmushroomsanadequateseleniumsourceforvegetarians.

Certainmushroomsareadietstapleofsomepeople,whileotherspeciesaremoreofadelicacy.Themountingknowledgeoftheirhealthbenefitshascontributedtotheirgrowingpopularityanddemand.

Peoplelookfororganicallygrownmushroomsduetothefactthatmushroomsareporousandabsorbgoodandbadelementsfromtheair,water,andsubstratewheretheyaregrown.Theyconcentrateanyheavymetalsandpollutantspresent.

AncientChinesemedicinediscoveredthehealthbenefitsofmushroomsthousandsofyearsagoincludingtheiraidinboostingimmunity.Thehumanmakeupiscloselyrelatedtofungiaswesharetheequivalentpathogens,orbacteriaandviruses.Theantibioticsdevelopedbyfungitoprotectthemselvesagainstbacteriaarealsoeffectiveforus.Someexamplesincludepenicillin,streptomycin,andtetracycline.

Numerousstudieshaveshownvariedhealthbenefitsofavarietyofmushrooms.Onesuchstudyshowedthatregularmushroomconsumptionwasdirectlyrelatedtobetternutrition.EatingdriedwhitebuttonmushroomextractisthesameastakingvitaminD2orD3supplements.Thismushroomalsocontainsprotein,enzymes,Bvitamins,andvitaminD2.

Mushroomsarelowcalorieandgreatsourcesofantioxidants,includingpolyphenolsandselenium,aswellasantioxidantsuniquetomushrooms,suchasergothioneine.

Anotherstudyfoundthatsubstitutingredmeatwithwhitebuttonmushroomscanassistinlosingweight.

Inadditiontotheculinaryusesofmushrooms,peopletakemushroomsupplements.Therearebasicallytwotypesofmushroomsupplements.

MushroomConcentratesandExtracts

Inordertogettheseextracts,themushroommyceliaorfruitbodyisplacedinboilingwaterforsometimetoremovethelongchainpolysaccharides.Whatyouareleftwithisaconcentratedformofglycol-nutrientsorcomplexsugars.Thesearewherethemushroom’shealthbenefitsarethoughttobeandcanoftenbefoundincapsuleform.

RaworWholeFoodMushrooms

Thesesupplementsareintheformofapowderedpillandgenerallytakenbypeoplestrivingtomaintainoptimalhealth.

MedicinalBenefits

Researchsupportsthemanymedicinalbenefitsofavarietyofmushrooms.

Forexample,Cordyceps,alsocalledcaterpillarfungusorTochukasu,hasahistoryofuseinmedicinebytheChineseandTibetansdatingfarback.AthletesbenefitfromanincreaseinATPproduction,strengthandendurance.Thismushroomalsohasanti-agingeffects,andcanhelpenhancefemalefertilitybyimprovingtheinvitrosuccessrate(IVF).

Thisfungialsohasshowntohavepositivepossibilitiesforhypoglycemicandantidepressanteffects,increasingbloodflow,normalizingcholesterollevels,andhasbeenimplementedintreatmentforHepatitisB.

Morerecentresearchshowspromiseforpreventionandtreatmentofimmunedisorders,cancerandasapotentanti-inflammatoryagentforasthma,rheumatoidarthritis,renalfailure,andstrokedamage.

WorldMushroomProductionWorldmushroomproductionhasbeengreatlyincreasing.In1965,about350,000metrictonswereproduced.By1997,thisincreasedto6,160,800metrictonsorbyover1700percent.During2010-2011,theU.S.aloneproduced862millionpoundsofmushroomsvaluedat$1.02billion.

Thebuttonmushroomwhich30yearsagoaccountedfor70percentofallmushroomproduction,nowrepresentslessthan30percentofmushroomsproduced.Estimatesarethatoystermushroomsnowaccountforcloseto20percentoftotalworldproduction.Consumerdemandhasdriventhegrowthandmarketpricesforthismushroomwhichrequireslesstechnologyandriskforcultivation,essentiallymakingthisaprofitablecropforgrowers.

HowMushroomsGrowMushroomsdonotneedanylighttogrow.Onlygreenplantsneedlightforphotosynthesis.Aircirculationisnecessarytogrowmushroomsandhelpmaintainhumidityandtemperature.Environmentalrequirementsformostmushroomsareachievableathome.

Mushroomsdonothaveseedsandaregrownfromsporesthatarenotvisibletothehumaneyewithoutmagnification.Plantseedscontainchlorophyllwhichhelpsthemgerminate.Mushrooms,however,donotcontainchlorophyllandrelyonexternalmaterialssuchaswood,sawdust,grain,woodenplugs,straw,orliquidforsustenance.Thisprocessisknownasreversephotosynthesis.Mushroomstakeincarbonandconsumeoxygen.Plants,ontheotherhand,consumecarbondioxideandproducecarbonandoxygen.

Mushroomsstartassporesthatarereleasedfromthegillsorporesbeneaththecapsimilartodust.Whenmushroomsreproduce,theymultiplybyputtingoutmillionsofspores.Sporessettlinginfittingenvironmentsdevelopintomycelium,whichisanetworkofdampfibers.Thesefibersutilizepowerfulenzymestoentertheirsubstratesuchasstraw,woodorotherorganicmaterial.Themyceliumgetsnourishmentfromdigestingthewood.Themyceliumdevelopswhenmushroomsarereadytoreproduce.Thesporesarecreatedinthegillsandthenreleasedtoinitiatenewmyceliaelsewhere.

Amixofthesporesandnutrientsisknownas"spawn".Thespawnsupportsthegrowthoftheroots.Themushroomshavesmall,white,thread-likeroots,called"mycelium".Theserootsbegingrowingbeforetheactualmushroom.

ImageSource:http://www.chesterfield.k12.sc.us/

Mostmushroomsgrownindoorsareprimarydecomposers.Thistypeofmushroomcanbreakdownwoodchipsorlogstoeat.TheAgaricusgenusfamilymembersaresecondarydecomposers.Thesemushroomsneedotherfungiorbacteriatobreakdownwoodintocompostbeforetheycanutilizethisforfood.Thesecondarydecomposersrequireamorecomplicatedcultivationprocess.Fungidirectthenaturaldecompositioncyclesandarecriticaltobiologicalsystemsandhumans.

FungiLifeCycle

Whencultivatingediblemushrooms,sporesarenotusedbecausetheyaretoosmallandmushroomsporestakeconsiderabletimetogerminate.

Pre-grownmyceliumofthemushroomisinoculatedonasterilesubstrateandthisisknownasspawn.Spawnplacedinsterilizedsubstrategivethecultivatedmushroomaheadstartaboveotherfungi.Themyceliumthencolonizesthesubstratefeedingonthenutrients.Thisperiodisknownasthespawnrunwheremyceliumthenbeginsfruiting.Factorsthatcaninducefruitingincludeachangingtemperature,highhumidity,lossofordeficiencyofanutrient,ahighCO2concentrationintheair,orlight,dependingonthetypeofmushroom.Mostofthesefactorsthatstimulatefruitinghaveaharmfulconsequenceonthe

mycelium.Sowhencultivatingchangesintendedtoinducefruiting,thisshouldonlybedoneifthemyceliumgrowthhasgonethroughthesubstrate.

Themyceliumreproduceswhenthenutrientshavebeenallusedortheenvironmentchanges.

ToxicMushroomsWhileonlyabout100mushroomspeciesaretoxic,asmanyas6,000Americanseattheseeveryyearandsomeresultindeathcausedbyamatoxins.Becausethesearemushroomsgrowinginthewild,unfortunatelythemajorityofthosevictimsaresmallchildren.

Ifyouforageforwildmushrooms,makecertainyousupervisechildrenandknowhowtoidentifyediblespeciesfromtoxicmushrooms.

Ifyoususpectthatsomeonehaseatenapoisonousmushroom,getthepersontoahospitalimmediately.Amanitinpoisoninghasnoknownanecdote,somedicalattentionisrequiredtoremovetoxins.

2.IntroductiontoGrowingMushroomsIndoors

Inadryorwinterclimate,growingmushroomsindoorsisoftentheonlyoption.Mushroomscanbegrownindoorsyear-round.Althoughgrowingindoorscanrequiremorework,itproducesthebestmushroomsandyields.

Ifyouareseekingextraorfulltimeincome,analternativewaytogardenduringtheoffseason,orspecificnutritionalormedicinalbenefits,growingmushroomsindoorsmightbeyouranswer.

Growingmushroomsonasmallscaleisnotdifficultonceyouarearmedwiththeknowledgeofhowmushroomsgrowandtheirneeds.

Mushroomsaresimpleorganismsthatgrowinthedarkwithsomehumidity.Mushroomscanbegrownindoorsinanyclimateandinanyseasonandnearlyanywherewiththerightconditions,includingbasementsandcrawlspaces,aswellasotherothersmallerspaceslikeapartments.Unlikeplants,thesefungusesareoneofonlyafeworganismsthatgrowwithoutchlorophyll.Theygetalltheirnutritionfromthematerialorsubstratetheygrowinoron.Asubstratecanbestraworwoodchips.

Youneedagrowingroomwhereyoucancontrolthetemperature.Yourgrowingroomshouldmaintainatemperatureof78degreesFahrenheit(25degreesCelsius).Youalsoneedtobeabletocontrolthehumidityandthelight.

Cleanlinessisalsocriticaltohealthymushroomgrowth,astherearenumerouspossiblecontaminatesthatcanharmorruinmushrooms.Pasteurizingthesubstrateorstrawisagreatstartforeliminatingpossiblecontaminates.Allgrowingareasurfacesandtoolsshouldbecleanedwitha10%bleachsolutionbeforeaddingthesubstrate.Washyourhandseverytimeandthoroughlybeforeyouhandleyourspawn,substrate,ortools.

Therearesupplementsthatcanbeaddedduringthegrowingprocesstoenhanceflavorandincreaseyields,includingsoy,cottonseedandalfalfameal.

MushroomKits

ImageSource:http://sustainability.sbcc.edu

Mushroomkitsareavailablewithready-to-inoculatespawn.Thesekitscomewithsporesandallthesuppliesneededtogetstartedgrowing.Thesimplestmushroomgrowingkitsincludeabagofsawdustorstrawthathasbeeninoculatedwithspawn.

Kitsincludefullinstructionsandsomehaveplastictentsforcontrollinghumidity.Basically,youfindalocationthatisroomtemperatureandawayfromanydirectsunlightforyoursetupandsubstrate.Thenyouspraymistseveraltimesadayforhumidity.

Thenextchapterdetailsthedifferentculinarymushroomtypesthatarepopularforhomegrowersthatincludecremini,oysters,shiitake,winecapsandportabellas,yettherearemore.

MakingMoneyGrowingMushroomsWhenyoulearntheartofgrowingmushrooms,youmightdecidetogrowforprofit.Gourmetmushroomsareavaluablecrop,althoughyoushouldhaveyourmarketinplace.Whereyoucansellwilldependonthequantityandtypesofmushroomsyougrow,aswellasyourlocation.Asconsumerdemandhasincreasedasawarenessofthehealthbenefitshasspread.Themarketformushroomsisbetterthaneverandmedicinalmushroomresearchisaidingthedemandformorespecies.

Mushroomgrowingcanberewardingandprofitable.Thebarriertoentryismoreknowledgethancostasexpensiveequipmentisnotneeded.However,thereisalearningcurve.Timingcanbesomewhattricky,andcertainspeciesentailintensemanagement.

Gourmetmushroomsareenjoyingagrowingpopularity.Thisincreasingdemandhascreatedprofitableopportunitiesevenforsmallindoorfarmingwiththeexoticmushrooms,suchasoysterandShiitakemushrooms.

Oystermushroomsareagourmetmushroomthatisprofitableforthehomegrowerduetodemandandthelowexpensebarriertogrowing.Theoystermushroomgrowsquicklyandahomegrowercanproduceaboutfivecropsannually,evenintheirsparetimeofaslittleasafewhoursperweek.

Duetothefactthatoystermushroomsaresofruitful,evenasmallspacecanproducegoodincome.Infact,agrowingareaofabout100squarefeetcanproduceasmuchas2,500poundsofmushroomsayear!Inanareaassmallasfivehundredsquarefeet,about12,000poundsofmushroomscanbegrownandharvestedannually.Whenretailpricesforoystermushroomsareatabout$6perpound,whichtheyhavebeen,thatequatestoagrossincomeof$72,000annually.

Yourchancesofsuccesscangreatlyincreasewiththeknowledgegainedfromthisbook,aswellasacuriosityandpassionforfungi.

SellingMushrooms

Becausefreshmushroomsbringthemostmoneyandsellthebest,youwanttosellyourmushroomswhenyouharvestthemwheneverpossible.Anymushroomsyoudonotsellcanbefrozenordriedtoselllater.

Bepreparedaheadoftimetomarketyourmushrooms.Learnaboutanyfarmers'marketsthatarewithinareasonabledistanceofyourlocation.Thesemarketscandrawlargecrowds,includingmarketandrestaurantownersaswellasotherbuyers.Thesecanbegreatcontactsandyoucouldhavecommitmentsfrombuyersforyourfuturecropsbeforeyouevenbegingrowing.

Restaurantslookforuniqueandlocalproduce;mushroomsarenoexception.Maketheroundsinyourareaandmeetrestaurantowners.Givethemfreesamplesandletthemknowyourharvestschedule.

Grocerystoresandsomehealthfoodstoresstockmushroomsandmanyalsoappreciatelocalgrowers.Ifyoucansupplythemwithfreshgourmetmushrooms,youmightnotneedanyothercustomers.Youcanaskstoresifyoucansetupafreesampletableforadaytocatertotheircustomers,also.

TheFutureofMushrooms

ImageSource:http://greennature.com/article424.html

Peoplearebecomingeducatedaboutthehealthbenefitsandculinarycharacteristicsofmushrooms.Demandisincreasing.Cultivationtechnologycontinuestoadvanceasfueledbythedemand.Researchisbeingdonetoincreasetheshelflifeofmushroomsincludingpackagingtechnologyandstorage,aswellasimprovingthemushroomsthemselves,whichwillhelptomeetthedemand.

Researchintothemedicinalbenefitsofmushroomalsocontinuesandasnewadvantagesarediscovered.Thiswillalsocausedemandtoincrease.Theeaseofproducingmushroomsonasmallscalemakesthisaperfectincomeopportunityformanypeople.

3.TypesofMushrooms

Mushroomsaredividedintocategoriesbasedonhowtheyfeed.Therearebasicallyfourmushroomcategories:saprotrophic,mycorrhizal,parasitic,andendophytic.

Saprotrophs:ThriveonDecay

Saprotrophicmushroomsusespecificenzymesandacidstohelpdecomposedeadtissuefromtrees,otherplants,andsometimesmammals.Theydothistobreakdownthesesubstancesfortheirfood.Saprotrophsplayavitalroleinnature’sdecompositionandfoodchain.

Saprotrophmushroomsinclude:

•WhiteButtons

•Morels

•Reishi

•Shiitake

•Cremini

•Oysters

•Maitake

•TurkeyTail

•GiantPuffball

•ChickenoftheWoods(alsoaparasiticmushroom)

•EnokiorEnokitake

•ShaggyMane

•BlackTrumpet

MycorrhizaeMushrooms:PartnerwithPlants

Thesefungihaveabeneficialpartnershipwithplantroots.Theygrowintotherootcells(endomycorrhizal)orwraparoundtheroots(ectomycorrhizal).The

mushroomsgivemoisture,phosphorous,andnutrientstothetreesandgetthesugarstreesproduce.Farmersandgardenersinoculatecropswiththisfungustoencouragegrowth.

Mostplantsinnaturehaveamycorrhizalpartnershipwithsomesortoffungiyetthemajorityeithertoohardtocultivateornotedible.Mycorrhizaemushroomsinclude:

•Caesar'sMushroom

•Chanterelles

•Matsutake

•Porcini

•Truffles

ParasitesMushrooms:FeedontheWeak

Parasiticmushroomstakeplanthostsandinfectthem.Thisisfatalforthehost.Mostparasiticfungidonotproducemushroomsuntilthehostisdeadordying.Parasitemushroomsinclude:

•Honeymushrooms

•CaterpillarFungus

•Lion'sMane

•Chaga

Endophytes:AnUnexplainedSymbiosis

Theendophyticcategorypartnerwithplantsbyinvadingthehosttissuewithoutharmingthehostandmightevenbenefitthem.Manyofthesespeciesdonotproducemushroomsandhowtheyworkisstillamystery.

TypesofMushroomstoGrowIndoorsTherearemanykindsofmushroomsyoucangrowindoorsandeachtypehasparticulargrowingneeds.Youcanorderkitsforthemostcommonlygrownmushrooms.Choosingwhatmushroomtogrowwilldependonyourpurposeforgrowingmushrooms(personaluseorforincome,)resourcesandspaceavailable,geographicallocation,andsoon.Themostcommonhomegrownmushroomsinclude:

Agaricus:NumerousAgaricusspeciesaregrowncommerciallysuchastheWhiteButton(Agaricus.Brunnescens,)Portobello(AgaricusPortobello,)alsoknownas"ItalianAgaricus"andtheCremini.

Enoki:EnokiorEnokitakemushroomsarealsoreferredtoasthewintermushroomandcanbefoundinmanygrocerystores.

Reishi:PopularinAsiaformedicinalproperties.Easilygrownonconiferandhardwoodstumps.

Lion’sMane:Somesaythismushroomtasteslikelobster.

Maitake:(HenoftheWoods):Grifolafrondosa(Polyporusfrondosus).Thismushroomisinhighdemandandcangrowtobeupto100pounds.

Nameko:TheshiitakemushroominthemostpopularinJapanandtheNamekoisnumbertwo.Nameko(Pholiotanameko)isverysimpletogrow,especiallywithaNamekoMushroomKit.

Oyster:Thereareavarietyofcultivatedoystermushroomsspeciessuchas:Pearl(Pleurotusostreatus),Pink(Pleaurotusdjamor),Gray(Pleurotuspulmonarius),BlueOyster(Pleurotuscolumbinus)andmore.

PaddyStraw:Thismushroomhasoneofthelongesthistoriesandoldestmushroomsincultivation.Thisoneiseasytogrowindoorswithacontrolledtemperatureofatleast86-95Fahrenheit(30-35degreesCelsius),whichiscommoningreenhouses.

Shiitake:Shiitakesmushroomsarepopularfortheirhealthbenefits.Theyareeasytogrowonstraworhardwoods.

Therearestrainscategorizedbyindoorandoutdoorcultivation.

TheAgaricusBisporusFamily

ThemostpopularmushroomsforeatingareWhiteButtons,Cremini,andPortobellos.Asmentioned,thesethreemushroomsareallpartofthesamefamilyknownas“Agaricusbisporus.”ThisLatinnameAgaricusmeaning"gilledmushroom"andbisporusmeansthespore-producingstructuresonthegillshavetwo(bi)”ratherthanfour.

Thewhitebuttonisthecommonmushroomsoldingrocerystoresandisalsoknownasthetablemushroom,commonmushroom,champignondeParis,orthewhitemushroom.Thebuttonmushroomisasaprotroph,definedasfeedingondeadordyingorganicmaterial.

ThecreminimushroomisabrownstrainofthewhitebuttonandisalsoknownastheItalianmushroom,brownmushroom,babyPortobello,orbabybella.

Theportobellomushroomisacreminithathasbeenpermittedtogrowtomaturityandisalsoknownastheportobello,portabella,orcappellonemushroom.

CreminiCremini:Agaricusbisporus

Creminimushrooms,alsoknownascriminimushrooms,haveastrongresemblancetothewhitebutton,onlytheCreminihaveabrowncap.Creminimushroomsaretheworld'smostfrequentlyeatenmushroom.Thismushroomisalsoknownasthe"button"mushroom.Thereareavarietyofstrains(or"isolates")ofAgaricusbisporus.

Harvestingthesemushroomsindifferentstagesproducesavarietyofcultivatednames.Whitebuttonsareharvestedearlyingrowthoratanintermediatestage.Creminiarealsocalledbabybellas,babyportobellos,andportobelliniorbrownmushrooms.Portobellosareoldercremini.WhencreminimushroomsarepermittedtoreachfullmaturitybeforeharvestingtheyarereferredtoasPortobellomushrooms.

WildCreminihavemoreflavor,firmertextureandadarkerbrowncolorthanthewhitebuttonmushroomscommonlyfoundingrocerystores.

Buttonmushroomshavebeenpresentinnaturesincethebeginningofman.TheEgyptiansbelievedthesemushroomscouldgiveimmortalityandinRometheywerereferredtoas“foodforthegods.”Otherculturealsothoughtmushroomspossessedsuperpowers.

HealthandMedicinalBenefits

Althoughcreminimushroomshavenutritionalbenefits,theydonotthemedicinalpopularityoftheircousins-reishiandormaitake.ResearchhasshowntheCreminiholdsaromatase,anenzymethataidsestrogenproductionwhichcanhelpreducetheriskofbreastcancer.

Creminimushroomsareknowntocontain:

•VitaminD

•Potassium

•BVitamins

•Helpfulantioxidantslikeselenium

•Fiber

•Linoleicacid

ImmuneSystemSupport

Ourimmunesystemsarebenefitedbycreminimushroomsbyactuallyalteringhowwhitebloodcellsoperate.Incertainstudies,thesubstancesinthemushroomspreventtheactivityofsomewhitebloodcellsandactivateothers.

OnekeynutrientforahealthyimmunesystemisvitaminD1,whichisfoundincreminimushrooms.

Anti-InflammatoryBenefits

ChronicinflammationisrelatedtotypeIIdiabetes,cardiovasculardisease,andsomecancers.Freshmushroomsandextractsassupplementshavebeenproventoreduceandpreventinflammation.Creminimushroomshavecertaininflammatoryblockingmoleculesthatworkbetterthanshiitakeandmaitakemushroomsincertaincases.

AntioxidantBenefits

Creminimushroomshaveanutrientcompositionthatprovidesantioxidantsupportandhaveapositiveeffectonoxidativemetabolism.Theirnutrientsincludethemineralsselenium,zincandmanganesewhichareallvitalforantioxidantenzymes.

CardiovascularBenefits

Creminimushroomshaveshowntoprovideremarkablecardiovascularbenefitsthatcanhelppreventcardiovasculardiseaseandareparticularlyproventoprotecttheaorta.

Dailyconsumptionforseveralmonthshasalsoindicatedthecreminicanhelplowercholesterol,LDLcholesterol,andtriglycerides.

ThecreminimushroomsarealsoexcellentsourcesofvitaminsB2,B3,andB5(pantothenicacid)B6,andfolate.

Anti-CancerBenefits

Thebenefitsofcreminimushroomsforimmunesupport,andinflammationsupport.Theyalsoaidinpreventingandfightingcancer.

PreparationandCooking

RawAgaricusbisporusdocontainsmallamountsoftoxinsthatarereducedbyheatsocookingmushroomsbeforeeatingisrecommended.

WhiteButtonWhiteButton:Agaricusbisporus

Thewhitebuttonmushroom,isacommongrocerystoreitemintheproducedepartmentandrelativelyinexpensive.This“tablemushroom”issocommonthatistheU.S.,thetypicalconsumptionperpersonisabouttwopoundsannually.Theyalsogrowwildingrasslandsallovertheworld.Thebuttonmushroomiswhitethoughturnsbrownwhenbruised.

HealthandMedicinalBenefits

Thereisverificationthatwhitebuttonmushroomscanenhancetheimmunesystemandbattlecancer.TheyhaveBvitamins,selenium,potassium,andproteinaswellasotheressentialvitaminsandminerals.

Note:Innature,confusingtheAgaricusbisporuswithpoisonousmushroomssuchasthefataldeathcapmushroomiseasy.Makesureyouhaveanexperiencedpersonalongwhocanidentifygoodfrompoisonousmushroomsifyougomushroomhunting.

PreparationandCooking

Whitebuttonmushroomsareflavorfulandeasytocook.TheAgaricusbisporusshouldbewashedthoroughlyandwrappedinpaperforstorage.Theywilllastaboutaweekinrefrigerationwhichislongerthanmostmushrooms.

Thesemushroomsarecookedwithmeat,fish,poultry,orasapizzatopping.Theyaremarinated,skewered,grilledandsautéed.

GrowingWhiteButtons

Whitebuttonmushroomsgrowbestoncompostandkitsarehighlysuccessfulwhengrownindoors.Thesewillbeginfruitingwithinaweekorso.Buttonmushroomsaregrownonacompostsubstrate.

PortobellosPortobello:Agaricusbisporus

ThePortobelloisthematureversionofthecreminiorwhitebutton.Growingbuttonmushroomsindoorsisfairlyeasyasthecommonwhitebuttonsandportobelloorcremini(babyportobellos).

TheyaretastyandagoodPortobellomushroomkitwillyieldyourcropwithinthreeweeksandfruitforasmuchaseightmoreweeks.

EnokiEnoki:Flammulinavelutipes

TheEnokimushroomisalsocalledtheenokitake,enokidake,wintermushroom,furryfoot,nametake,yuki-motase,goldenneedle,wintermushroom,snowpuffandvelvetstemmushroom.

Enokisarecommerciallygrownandfoundinthewildinclustersgrowingonaspen,elmandwillowtrees.ThecultivatedEnokimushroomlooksdifferentthanthewildgrownformastheyaremuchlargerandhaveaburntorangecolor.Thisisduetothefactthatthismushroomhasmorphologicallysensitivitylightandcarbondioxide.OntheotherhandwhencultivatedtheEnokiarealmostpurewhitewithlongstemsandsmallcaps.

HealthandMedicinalBenefitsEnokimushroomsarelow-fatandhaveprotein,carbohydrates,dietaryfiber,andanexcellentsourceofniacin,ironandpotassium.TheChineseandJapaneseclaimtheEnokimushroompreventsandcuresliverdiseasesandstomachulcers.

PreparationandCookingEnokimushroomshaveamildflavorandaresmallandwhitewithtallstalksandarecommonlysoldinabunch.Theyarepopularforuseinsalads;noodleandstirfrydishesandgowellwithsobanoodles,lemongrass,herbs,soy,andseafoodorpoultry.

GrowingEnokiMushrooms

Enokimushroomscapsarebetweenonetotwoinchesdiameterandcanbefiveinchestallwithawhite,lightcreamcolor,orreddishbrown.Enokiisfairlyeasytogrow,needingahumidenvironmentandwarmtemperaturesonhardwoodsawdustmedium.

StepOne

HardwoodsawdustmediummustbeinoculatedwithEnokimushroomsterilizedspawnusuallyinasyringe.

StepTwo

Enokimushroomsmustbekeptinawarmenvironmenttospawn.Thehumidityneedstobecloseto100percentandthetemperatureshouldbe72to78degreesFahrenheit(22-25degreesCelsius)-preferablywithincreasedexposuretoCO2.Spawningshouldoccurinabouttwotofourweeks.

StepThree

Afterspawningthetemperatureisloweredto50to55degreesFahrenheit(10-12degreesCelsius)toencouragegrowth.ReducetheamountofCO2exposureto80to90percent.

StepFour

HarvestyourEnokimushroomsinbunchesorbouquetstoguardtheirdelicatestructure.Thesubstratemightbeabletoproduceonemorecrop.Enokimushroomkitscanalsomakethingsmucheasierforthebeginner.

MaitakeMushroomMaitake:Grifolafrondosa

Thismushroom,alsoknownasthe“henofthewoods","sheep'shead","kingofmushrooms"and"cloudmushroom,"isedibleandflavorful.Maitakemeans"dancingmushroom"inJapaneseandisapolyporesoithasnogillsandreleasessporesfromsmallpores.

GrifolafrondosagrowinthewildappearingatthebaseofoaktreesandsomeothersintheUnitedStatesandCanadaandinJapan,China,andEurope.

Thecapsareincurvylayersthatsproutfromalargetubularstructureunderground.Themushroomcanmeasureseveralfewfeetacrossandweighasmuchas40to50pounds(18-22Kilograms).

HealthBenefitsandMedicinalEffects

InJapan,themaitakemushroomhasbeenusedforyearsasapowerfulmedicinalmushroom.Similartootherpolyporehaspolysaccharidesthatmotivatetheimmunesystem.

Apolysaccharideisacomplexcarbohydrateconsistingoftiniersugarmoleculesthatstabilizebloodpressure.Specificpolysaccharides,suchasbeta-D-glucans,arebelievedtoarousetheimmunesystemagainstcancer.AglucanextractisthemaitakeD-fractionorMD-fraction.

Inadditiontohelpingfightcancer,researchforthebenefitsofotherconditionsinclude:

•diabetes

•HIV/AIDS

•highcholesterol

•highbloodpressure

MaitakesupplementsareavailableasanextractoftheDorMDfraction,orpowderedcapsules.

PreparationandCooking

Maitakemushroomcapscanbestirfried,baked,sauteed,stuffed,orusedintea.

GrowingMaitakeMushrooms

Maitakemushroomsarelusciousand,althoughtheyaredesirableforculinaryandmedicinalpurposes,theyarenotcommoningrocerystores.YoucangrowmaitakemushroomsindoorsandorderaMaitakemushroomkit,butkeepinmindtheyarefinickyandneedaccuratelightlevels,temperature,andhumidity.

StepOne

Buymaitakespawnasaliquid,grain,sawdustorwoodenplugs.Ifyouarefabricatingyourownsubstratefromscratchorforcommercialoperations,youwillwanttheliquidspawn.

StepTwo

Createasubstratewithablendofabouthalftothreefourthssawdustandhardwoodchips.Theremaindershouldbeagrainsuchaswheatbranandasmallamount(approximately1percent)ofsugar.Youcanalsoaddabouttenpercenttopsoilfromaplacewherehardwoodsgrow.Thisisblendedinburlaporplasticbagswithventholes.Slowlyputinsmallamountsofcalcium,limeorgypsumuntilthesubstratereachesapHleveloffiveandahalftosixandahalfpercent.

StepThree

Inoculatethesubstratewiththespawnliquid,sawdust,orgrain.Youcandrillsmallholesinalogandinserttheplugs.

StepFour

Yourprojectshouldbeinaroomwithoutanydirectsunlightandwithsomeairflowandventingwithatemperatureof60to70degreesFahrenheit(15-21degreesCelsius)andabout60to75percenthumiditycanbemaintained.

StepFive

Yourmaitakemushroomsshouldfruitandunfurledlikeaflowerwithinthreetofourmonthsforharvesting.Mushroomcapsoughttobeuprightandshouldhaveafreshearthyaroma.Whenmushroomshaveafishyodororhavereleasedspores,theyarenotsuitableforeating.

Lion’sMane

Lion’sMane:Hericiumerinaceus

Lion'smaneispurewhiteandgrowsinseveralstrandsclusteredinaroundshapewitharigidtexture.Theycanbe6inchesorlargerindiameter.TheygrowwildinthesouthernareaoftheUnitedStatesusuallyondeadoak,walnut,beech,sycamore,andmapletrees.

HealthBenefitsandMedicinalEffects

Lion'sManemushroomhasbeenhighlyprizedinChinaandusedtotreatdigestionissuesaswellasesophagusandstomachcancer.Researchresultsshowthatthemushroomcontainspolysaccharidesthatstimulatetheimmunesystemandincreasewhitebloodcellcounttofacilitatehealing.Lion'sManehasalsodemonstratedabilitiestoassistincontrollingbloodsugarandcholesterollevels.Thereisnoevidenceofanysideeffectsfromthismushroomorriskoftoxicity.

Anotherareaofcurrentresearchisinthemushroom’spotentialtohelpbattledementiaandAlzheimer'sdiseaseanditiscurrentlyavailableincapsules.

HirokazuKawagishiofShizokaUniversityJapan,adocumentedauthorityonLion'sManehasconfirmedtheextraordinaryabilityofthismushroomtostimulatethesynthesisofNerveGrowthFactor(NGF).AdeficiencyofNGFisthoughttobeachiefcauseofAlzheimer'sdisease.

PreparationandCooking

Lion’smaneisadelicacyintheEast.Thismushroomhasatastethatresemblesseafood.Lion’smanemustbecookedslowlytoretaintheflavorandanyspicesshouldbeaddedwhenalmostdonecooking.

GrowingLion’sManeMushrooms

YoucanpurchaseLion'sManemushroomkitsinplasticbagsforindoorgrowing.Normalroomtemperatureisrecommendedandmisttwiceaday.

Harvestwhenthespinesareelongatedbutpriortosofteningofthefruitingmassandanydevelopmentofayellowcolor.

PaddyStrawImageSource:bestspores.com

PaddyStraw:(Volvariellaviolaceae)

PaddystrawmushroomorChineseMushroomiscommerciallygrowninAsiaonricestraw.ThisisadarkcoloredmushroomusedinnumerousAsiandishes.

Theyhaveamarkedlyappealingtaste.Theiruniqueshapeiseasytorecognizeandissoldatgrocerystorescanned,fresh,ordried.Themushroomsgrowsurroundedbyasackandcanbeleftonorremovedatharvestorattimeofcooking.

HealthBenefitsandMedicinalEffects

PaddyStrawmushroomsarethoughttohelpmenddamagecausedbyauto-immunedisease.Theyalsooffermanyofthenutritionalbenefitsassociatedwithothermushrooms.

PreparationandCooking

Thesesmallbitesizemushroomshaveameatytextureandareagreatadditiontovegetabledishes,stirfry,chopsuey,chowmein,soups,andsauces.

GrowingPaddyStrawMushrooms

ThePaddyStrawmushroom’snaturalhabitatistropicalsogrowingthemushroominwarmindoorenvironmentsissuitable.Thismushroomistypicallygrowninpaddystrawthatisdriedandtiedinbundlesandthensoakedinwaterfor12to16hours.ThePaddyStrawspawnisalsocreatedongrainsormillets.

Mushroomsusuallyappearwithintwoweeksafterbedsarespawnedandwillfruitforaweekorso.Duetotheirdelicatemakeup,theyonlylastafewdaysafterharvest-evenwhenrefrigerated.

ShiitakeMushrooms

Shiitake:(Lentinulaedodes)

Shiitakes(she-ta-keys)havebeencalledthe"kingofmushrooms”andtheycangrowtothreeorfour-inchesindiameter.Theyhaveanumbrella-shapedarkbrowncolor.Thesebrownmushroomshavemeatyconsistencyandsmallwhitespotsorflecks.Theyhavearichfullandevensmokyflavorandarepopularforcookingflavorfuldishes.Thesemushroomsarealsopopulardriedtouseincookingaswellasforhealthandmedicinalreasons.ShiitakeshavealonghistoryofculinaryandmedicinalusesbyNativeAmericansandAsiansocieties.

Thismushroomgetstoclaimthethirdspotformostwidelyproducedmushroomintheworld.ProductionofShiitakeintheU.S.hasbeenoccurringforovertwentyyearsandisgrowingfasterthananyoftheotherspecialtymushrooms.

HealthandMedicinalBenefits

ShiitakeareoftencalledmedicinalmushroomsbecauseoftheirmedicaluseinAsianmedicine.Theresultsofextensivestudiesshowthesemushroomsdecreasebloodpressure,lowercholesterollevels,protecttheimmunesystem,andpossessanti-tumorproperties.Shiitakemushroomscontainlentinan,anaturalanti-tumorcompoundandareagreatsourceofvitaminD.ShiitakemushroomsalsoexhibitantiviralthatworkagainstHIV,hepatitis,andthecommoncold.InadditiontovitaminDandminerals,ShiitakealsohaveA,B,B12,andC.Shiitakecontainseveryoneoftheeightessentialaminoacids.Theaminoacidsinthismushroomareinbetterscopethanmilk,meat,eggsorevensoybeans.

ThemedicinalbenefitsoftheShiitakeareconfirmedandconsistofantiviralandantifungaleffectswiththeabilitytolowercholesterolandhighbloodpressure.

MostmedicinalresearchstudiesonShiitakemushroomshavebeenconductedwithextractsinlaboratorieswhicharenotthesameastheShiitakemushroomconsumedasafood.Thereissubsequentlyanabundanceofmedicinalinformationonshiitakemushroomsextractandlessaboutthebenefitsinhumanconsumptionasafood.YettheinformationthatisavailableisapparentandshowstheShiitakemushroomshavedistinctandextraordinaryhealthbenefits.

ImmuneSupport

TheimmunesupportevidenceforShittakemushroomsisimpressive.Theextractshaveproventohavemostofthemedicinalbenefits.

Theextraordinarymixtureofantioxidantsinshiitakemushroomsalongwithasupportfortheimmunesystems,openuppossibilitiesforthepotentialofprotectionfromanumberofissuessuchasrheumatoidarthritis(RA).

CardiovascularBenefits

ThecardiovascularbenefitsofShiitakemushroomshavebeenrecognizedinthreefundamentalareasincludingcholesterolreduction,theinteractionbetweenourcardiovascularsystemandourimmunesystem,andcardiovascularbenefitsthatinvolveantioxidantsupport.

Shiitakemushroomsarerichinthreekeyantioxidantminerals:manganese,selenium,andzincandsomeuncommonphytonutrientantioxidants.

Anti-CancerBenefits

Asmentioned,researchhasbeenperformedonmedicinalextractsfromshiitakemushroomsthanthewholefood.Thereisevidencethatcertainelementsoftheshiitakemushroomhelpblocktumorgrowth.

GrowingShiitakeMushrooms

YoucangrowShiitakemushroomsathomeonblocksofsterilizedsawdust.Theblockscanbeenhancedwithcottonseedmeal.YoucaninoculatelogsandgrowShiitakemushroomsinahumidwarmareasuchasabasement.Growingshiitakeonlogsmightproducethebestmushroomthoughsawdustcreatesmoresurfaceareasfromtheparticlesformorepotentialcolonization.

Shiitakemushroomkitsareeasytogrowindoorsbetween55ºFto75ºF.Akitwillcommonlyyieldtwotothreepoundsinjustafewmonths,fruitingeveryfewweeks.

OysterMushrooms

Oyster:(Pleurotus)

Oystermushroomscomeinavarietyofspeciesandforms,butthePleurotusostreatusandPleurotuspulmonariusarepopularforgrowing.AmemberofthePleurotaceaefamily,oystermushroomscangrowinthewildinclustersonlogs,treestumps,anddeciduoustreetrunkswithacapwidthofonetosixinchesandastalklengthupto1¼inches(2-15cm)andabout¾inchround(2-3cmwide).

Theoystermushroom’snativehabitatincludesdeciduoushardwoodandconifertreesasadecomposer.Theycanbefoundinforeststheworldover.

Thepopularoystermushroomgetsthenamefromhavingatasteandtexturesimilartooysters.Consideredadelicacy,thewildoystermushroomshavebetterflavorthanthecommerciallycultivatedonesoftenfoundinthegrocerystores.However,thepopularityofthisfungushascausedproductiontoincreaseatarateofmorethantenpercentannually.Howeverthisdesiredculinarymushroomisnotonlyfoundondinnerplatesaroundtheworld,itservestodisposeofwasteplasticsandpetroleumspillsthroughdigestion.Oystermushroomscandegradeenvironmentaltoxinsandhelpcleanpollutedareas.

HealthandMedicinalBenefits

OystermushroomsarecurrentlybeingresearchedforbeingapotentialdefenseagainstHIVbecauseofthehighanti-oxidantcompoundsthisspeciescontains.

Oystermushroomsarerichinprotein,Bvitamins,arecholesterolfree,andcontainsubstantialamountsofthecholesterol-loweringmoleculelovastatin.

Oystermushroomshaveareputationforbeingtheeasiesttogrow,abundantlynutritiousandmedicinallyvaluable.

PreparationandCooking

Oystercapsarescrumptiouswhensautéed.

Oystersfluctuateinflavoralthougharegenerallymilderthantheshiitakemushroom.

Oystermushroomsareahighlydesirableculinaryitem,althoughtheyarenotcommoningrocerystoresbecauseoftheirfragiletexturemakesthemachallengetoship.

Oystermushroomsmustbecookedbeforeeatingastheycontainaproteinknownas"ostreolysin,"whichcanbetoxic.

GrowingOysterMushrooms

Oystermushroomkitsaretypicallyacollectionofstickywhitemyceliumwhollycolonized,aswellasasmallwheatoroatstrawcolumn.Thisispackagedinaplasticbagwithholes.

Oystermushroomsthriveinhighhumidityandneedmistingseveraltimesaday.The"bluedolphin"isbestkeptbelow65ºF(18degreesCelsius).Thegoldenoyster"hasyellowfruitsandthewhiteoyster"isconsideredtheeasiesttocultivate.

Whentheyreceivetherightcare,temperatureandhumidity,atowerkitwillexplodewiththesemushrooms.Kitswillfrequentlyfruittwotimes.Thenyoucanputthemyceliuminacompostheaptogrowmore.

Blendingthemyceliumwithdampsawdust,coffeegroundsandsomestraw,andplacingthisinpaperboardmilkcartonswithafewholesthesides,andthenputtingtheseinplasticbagstoremaininthedarkforamonthortwo,canproducemoreoysters.Oystermushroomsoncommercialfarmsaregrownoncolumnsofsterilizedstrawhungfromceilings.

Winecaps

ImagesSource:urbpan.livejournal.com

AlsoknownasKingStropharia,Godzilla,andtheGardenGiant,thesemushroomshavealargecapthatgrowstobeaslargeasfiveinches(12cm)acrosswithareddish-browntoneorwinecoloritages.PopularinEuropethismushroomgrowsnaturallyinforestsintheUnitedStates,Europe,NewZealandandJapan.

HealthandMedicinalBenefits

Winecapscontainmanyofthecommonnutrientsfoundinmushroomsanditisbelievedtopromotehealthyskin,aswellaspreventhangnailsandblisters.

PreparationandCookingThismushroomcanbebaked,fried,stuffed,addedtosauce,andisgoodwhenstirfriedinbutterandsomelemonjuice,wine,nutmeg,orfennel.Cookingwithonionorgarlicisnotrecommended.

GrowingWinecaps

Whilemostpeoplegrowwinecapsinoutdoorgardens,theycanalsobecultivatedindoors.AsubstrateofsawdustandpasteurizedstrawwithacoveringofrichsoilandDouglasfirandalderwoodchipsinoculatedwithspawnwillworkbest.WineCapmushroomliquidculturecanbeinjectedeasilyintoasterilizedsubstrate.Kitscanfruitrepeatedlyafterthreetofourweeksofdormancybetweenfruiting.

ReishiMushrooms

Reishi:Ganodermalucidum

Reishimushroomsarepolypores(nogills)andthereisaflatareaunderneaththecapwherethesporesarereleased.TheGanodermalucidumcomeinred,purple,green,white,yellow,andblack.TheReishilookssimilartoaflowerwiththetextureofwood.

ReishiisknownasthemushroomofimmortalityinChinaandisalsocalledtheherb of spiritual potency. They have a long history ofmedicinal use inChinadatingbackover2,000years.While theiroriginalhabitatwasinChina,Japan,andKorea,thismushroomisgrownonhardwoodssuchasmaple,oaks,andelmsaroundtheworld.Thereishiisinthesaprotrophcategorywithsomepeoplealsoclassifyingthisoneasaparasite.HealthandMedicinalBenefitsTheredreishimushroomissaidtohavethemosthealingproperties.Thesupplementsaresakewithnoknownharmfulsideeffects.Reishimushroomshavenumeroushealthbenefitssuchas:

•regulatingbloodpressure

•stimulatingliveractions

•fightingtheeffectsofstress

Andtreating:

•insomnia

•gastriculcers

•neurasthenia

•arthritis

•nephritis

•asthma

•bronchitis

•hypertension

•neuromusculardisorders

•myastheniagravis

•musculardystrophy

Anti-inflammatory,usefulforreducingsymptomsofrheumatoidarthritis

•Immunesystemup-regulation

•Normalizationofbloodcholesterollevelsandbloodpressure

•Reductionofprostate-relatedurinarysymptomsinmen

Reishimushroomssupplementsaretakenfor:

•Allergies

•Anxiety

•Asthma

•Bronchitis

•Cancer,particularlyleukemia

•Chronicfatiguesyndrome

•Fluprevention

•HIV/AIDS

•Highbloodpressure

•Highcholesterol

•Inflammatoryconditions

•Insomnia

•Diabetes

•Hepatitis

•Radiationpoisoning

Theeffectsofthismushroomarecumulativeandcantakeseveralweeksormoretosee.

PreparationandCookingReishimushroomsareeatenanddrankinavarietyofways:

•Insoup:sautéedinoliveoil,salt,andseasonings.

•Grilled:assidedish.

•Driedreishimushroomscanbefoundwholegroundintoapowder.

•Reishiteaismadefromgroundmushrooms.

•Thedriedpowderisalsousedtocreate"reishispirits".

GrowingReishiMushroomsGrowingReishimushroomstakesmeticulousness.Itisnottoocomplicated,aslongasattentionisgiventotemperatureandhumidityandconsiderationisgiventoReishiMushroommyceliumplugspawn.Grow-it-YourselfReishiMushroomKitsareavailableandrecommendedforbeginners.

Growingreishimushroomsindoorscanbedoneanytimeoftheyearwithhumiditymaintainedandatemperatureusuallylessthan70degreesF(21degreesCelsius).Mostreishimushroomswillhavearedorbrowncapunlesscarbondioxidelevelsaretoohigh.Theninsteadofacapsmallfingerswillform.

TurkeyTail

Turkeytail:(Stereumostrea)

Turkeytailmushroomsgrowinbunchesofleathery,thinlayers,ofteninmanycolors,hencetheirname.Theycanbefoundinthewildonstumpsandlogsofdeciduoustrees.

Thecapisusuallyonetofourinchesindiameterandnostalkispresent.Whilethecolorsonthecapmaketheturkeytaileasytospot,thereisalsothefalse

turkeytail(Stereumostrea)thathasasmoothunderside.

ImageSource:http://www.etsy.com/listing/88164672/turkey-tail-mushroom-growing-kit-for

HealthandMedicinalBenefits

TurkeytailmushroomshavebeentreatingavarietyofwoesforcenturiesinAsia,Europe,andNorthAmerica.Turkeytailisusedtoboosttheimmunesystemandforlivercancerandjaundice,namelyintheformofaturkeytailmushroomcapsule.

Studiesshowturkeytailmushroomscouldbeaneffectiveadditiontochemotherapyandradiationtreatments.

PreparationandCooking

Turkeytailistypicallygroundforuseasaturkeytailteaorinsoup.

GrowingTurkeyTail

Whileyoucangrowturkeytailmushroomsathomeinaterrarium,theyaredifficulttogrowandnotrecommendedforbeginners.Althoughaturkeytailindoormushroomgrowingkitcanhelp.Mushroomscanvaryconsiderably,dependentontheculture,thegrowingmethodsandproductionsystem.Themyceliumcanbegrowninatightlycontrolledenvironment.

4.IndoorMushroomFarming

ImageSource:fungi.com

ChooseYourFungus

Whilethemostpopularmushroomsgrownindoorsareincludedinthisbook,therearehundredsofediblemushroomsyoucangrowindoors.Theoystermushroomisgreatforbeginninggrowers.Oystermushroomsareeasyexoticmushroomstogrowandyoucanuseanassortmentofproductsforasubstratesuchasstrawandwoodchips,cardboard,andcoffeegrounds.Thesecommonsubstrateswillhelpyousucceedingettingthebestcropyields.

Ifyouareconsideringgrowingmushroomstomakemoney,oystermushroomscanbringtopdollarandareinhighdemandinmanyareas.Youcangrowanoystermushroominaboutsixweeks.Aswithmostmushrooms,oystersarebestwhenfreshlypicked.Aspreviouslymentioned,ifyoucannotsellthemimmediately,youcandrythemandtheywilllastseveralmonths.

Herearesomequestionstohelpyouchoose:

1.Whichofthemushroomsdoyouwanttogrow?Checkthemarketandthetemperaturerangesforfruiting.

2.Willyoubegrowingforyourownconsumptionorpotentialprofit?

3.Doyouhaveaspacewiththeappropriateenvironmentforgrowingthemushroomyouwouldlike?

4.Canyouobtainmushroomspawnorakitofthespeciesyouwanttogrow?

5.Ifnotusingakit,whatkindofsubstratewouldyouneedtobeabletogrowthedesiredmushrooms?

Whenyouchoosethetypeofmushroomyouwanttogrow,reviewallthespecificgrowingrequirementsofthatspecies.

Youcanthenpurchaseyourspawnfromagardencenteroronline.Youcanfindnumerouswebsitessellingspawnandthesekitswillproducealoadofmushrooms.

Kits

Mushroomkitsareavailableforgettingstartedgrowingindoors.Thekitshaveallyouneedtogrowmushroomscountingthespores,orspawns,substrateandsoon.

Theyareeasytouseandusuallyincludeacardboardboxorperforatedbagthathasbeeninoculatedforcultivatingthespecificmushroom.Thesekitsusuallycontaintheingredientstoproducemultiplecropsfortwotofourmonths.Thecostatthistimeistypicallylessthan$35.Andthekitsareingardeningstores,someorganicgrocerystores,andavailableonline.

Youcanalsogrowmushroomsinsterilejars.Fillthejarswithyoursubstrateormediumandthenspreadthespores.Regulatingthehumidityandtemperaturecanbeeasyinajar.

Environment

Eachspeciesofmushroomhasdifferentgrowingandenvironmentalrequirements.Oystersorbuttonmushroomsaregreatforbeginninggrowers.

Cleanliness

Allmushroomsneedacleanenvironmenttoavoidcontamination.Ifyouarenotusingakitandcreatingyourownsubstrate,pasteurizethestrawtoremoveanypossiblecontamination.Submergethestrawinhotwateratleast140degreesFforonehour.Drainthesubstrateandletcool.Placethestrawintotheplasticbagandthenspreadthespawnontopuntilthebagisfull.

TemperatureandHumidity

Setupyourkitwherethetemperatureisstable.Dependingontheclimatewhereyouliveandyouraccommodations,youmightneedtoexperimentwithdifferentlocations.

Mostmushroomsthriveincoolanddampconditions.Thehumidityshouldbe70to80percentandthetemperaturebetween55and70degreesFahrenheit(12-21degreesCelsius).Theseconditionscanbefoundinmanybathroom,kitchens,andbasements.

Moistureiscriticalforcrops.Constanthumidityisessentialforthemushroomstodevelopandgrow.Mushroomswillnotgrowinairthatistoodry.Inmostclimates,themistfromaspraybottlewithwatertwoorthreetimesadayissufficient.Inadryclimate,youwillneedtospraythemushroomsmoreoften.Donotover-spraybymakingthecardboardsoggyorwet.

Light

Keepthemoutofdirectlightbygrowinginacabinet,closetorotherdarkarea.Someindirectlightisneededforsomemushroomssuchasoysterswhileotherssuchasthewhitebuttonsandcreminimusthavetotaldarkness.(Exposuretolightcanresultinbrowncaps.)

Air

Mushroomsneedair.Evenaclosetorcabinetwillneedsomeventilationtopreventanaccumulationofcarbondioxide(CO2).ToomuchCO2canslowmushroomproductiontoacrawlorstopgrowthaltogether.Afancanbeenoughforaircirculation.

Equipment

Evenifyoupurchaseagrowingkityouwillneed:

•electricfan

•spraymistbottle

•cookingoilspray

•bleach

GrowinginaPlasticBag

Submergethestrawforsubstrateinhotwateratleast140degreesF(60degreesCelsius)foronehour.Drainthesubstrateandletcool.Placethestrawintotheplasticbagandthenspreadthespawnontopuntilthebagisfull.

Tiethetopofthebagwithatiemadeofmetal.Perforatethebagallovertoallowaircirculation.Placethebaginawarmroomforabout2weeks.Thebagwillbecomewhiteasitcolonizeswithmyceliumgrowth.

Whenthebagisfullycolonizedfruitingshouldstartinafewdays.Youcanmovethebagtoacoolerwithareahighhumidityduringthisperiodtoencouragefruiting.

Youcantellwhentoharvestbyseeingtheveilthatattachesthecaptothestemstarttearing.Oystermushroomsmustbeharvestedbeforethecapsunfurlandreleasespores.Rotatethebageachdaytospotmushroomsreadyforharvest.Lightlyturnandpullmushroomstoremoveleavinganybrokenstemsbehind.

Substrates

ImagesSource:http://www.smithbrosmulch.com

Whilespawncangrowmushrooms,youwillproducemoreandbettermushroomswhengrowinginasubstratesuchasstraw,cardboard,logs,orwoodchips.Compostthatismadeupofacombinationofstraw,corncobs,gypsum,cottonandcocoaseedhullsandnitrogensupplementsisbetterandmorecommonlyusedbycommercialgrowers.Nitrogensupplementsandgypsumare

added.

Mushroomsneednitrogenandcarbohydratestogrow.Mushroomsmetabolizecarbohydratesfromthesubstrateintoglucose.Thismovesthroughthemyceliumandprovidesnourishment.Concentrationinthesubstrateshouldbeabout1percentandneverover2percent.

Bulksubstratesinclude:

•Woodchipsorsawdust

•Mulchedstraw(wheat,riceorother)

•Strawbeddedhorseorpoultrymanure

•Corncobs

•Wasteorrecycledpaper

•Coffeegrounds

•Nutandseedhulls

•Cottonseedhulls

•Cocoabeanhulls

•Cottonseedmeal

•Soybeanmeal

•Brewer'sgrain

•Ammoniumnitrate

•Urea

Whenspreadingoutthestrawsubstratetocool,alwaysmakesureallsurfaceshavebeencleanedwitha10%bleachsolution.Again,washyourhandsthoroughlybeforeandafterworkingwithsubstrateandspawn.

Pests

Youcanspraytheboxtopflapswithcookingoilspraytostopinsectsfromgettingtoyourmushrooms.Therearealsonematodeswhicharetinywormsthateatplantsandfungi.Oystermushroomsarenotaffectedasthemyceliumiscarnivorousandeatsbugs.

WhyPeopleFail

Growingmushroomsisnotdifficultwhenyoufollowtheproperproceduresandhavethecorrectknowledge.Meetingtheneedsofmushroomsrequireattentiontoenvironmentandconditions.

Environment

Onecommonreasonpeoplefailtogrowmushroomsindoorsistheydonotkeephumiditylevelsadequateforgrowth.Unlessyouhaveahumidifier(anddonotoversaturate)youmustremembertosprayyourmushroomswithwatereveryday.

Cleanliness

Anotherfailpointforgrowingmushroomsissterilizationandcleanliness.Maintainingahighlevelofcleanlinesstoavoidcontaminantsiscritical.Allsurfacesanditemsthatmightcomeincontactwithspawnsubstratesorcontainersshouldbecleanedwitha10%bleachsolution.Handsshouldbewashedbeforeandafterworkingwithyourmushroomproduction.

Cautions

Pets

99%ofmushroomsposenoissuesandhavelittleornotoxicity.Therearemushroomsthataretoxictoanimals.Justtobesafe,takeextraprecautiontokeepyourmushroomswherepetscannotaccessthem.

Ifyoususpectthatyourpethaseatenatoxicmushroom,contactyourveterinarian,petemergencyhospital,ortheanimalpoisoncontrolcenter.Letthemknowwhattypeofmushroomyourpethasconsumed.Ifinthewildandyoucannotidentifythefungusbringasampleorpicturealongtotheemergencycenter.

PestsandDiseases

Mushroomproductioncanbeharmedbyparasiticinsects,bacteriaandotherfungi.Thesciaridflyorphoridflycanlaytheireggsinthesubstrate.Thesehatchintowormsandspoilmushroomsatanyphaseofgrowth.Therearepesticidesandsanitizingagentsavailabletofightpests.

Mold

Trichodermagreenmold,aswellasothers,cansignificantlyaffectyourmushroomgrowing.Ifmoldappearsinoronyourkitorsubstrate,youwillneedtohaltproductionandthrowoutallaffectedmaterial,andcleantheareathoroughlybeforestartingover.

PreservingMushroomsMushroomsareattheirpeakwhenharvestedandthatiswhenyoushouldeatorsellthem.Mushroomsharvestedattherighttimecanbepreservedforlater.

Ifyoucannotsellyourmushroomsoryouwanttosavethem,asstatedearlier,youcanfreezeordrythem.Thesemethodswillpreserveyourmushroomsformonths.

5.BasicsofLargerScaleMushroomFarming

ImageSource:http://infranetlab.org

Thefollowingsixstepsarerelevantforlargerscalemushroomfarmingandtheprinciplesandmuchoftheinformationisrelevanttosmallscaleindoorgrowing.Themoreyouknowaboutmushroomgrowingthebetteryourchancesofsuccessandofproducingbettermushroomsandcropyields.

Materialsusedformushroomcompostincludewheatstraworsynthetics.Inthiscasethesyntheticscanstillbenaturalingredients,asthislabelreferstoanycompostthatdoesnotcontainhorsemanure.Syntheticcompostistypicallymadefromhayandcrushedcorncobs.Youneedtoaddnitrogensupplementsandaconditioningagentcalledgypsumtoeithercompost.

Youmightnotbeabletoobtaincorncobsatareasonableprice.Therearesubstitutesforcorncobsyoucanusesuchascocoabeanhulls,shreddedhardwoodbark,cottonseedhulls,andneutralizedgrapepumice.

Strawandhaydegradeandholdmoistureduringcomposting.Whenthishappensclumpingcanoccurthatpreventaircirculation,causingananaerobicsituation.

ThepreparationofcompostisdoneintwostepsandoftencalledPhaseIandPhaseIIcomposting.

•Step1:CompostingPhase1

•Step2:CompostingPhase2

•Step3:Spawning

•Step4:Casing

•Step5:Pinning

•Step6:Cropping

StepI:MakingMushroomCompost

Compostpreparationisfrequentlyaccomplishedoutdoorshowevercanbedoneinside.Forlargerscalegrowingawharforconcreteslabiswhatyouneedtobuildthecompostpile.Thiscompostpileoughttomeasurefivetosixfeetacrossbyaslongasyouneed.Thesidesneedtoberigidanddense,thoughtthemiddleneedstobelooseduringthisstep.

Acompostturnerwillhelpaerateandwateryourelements.Blendandwetyouringredientswhileyoupiletheminarectangularstack.Again,itisimportanttostressthatthesidesshouldbetightandthemiddleloose.

Spreadnitrogensupplementsandgypsumoverthetop.Addgypsumatthestartatarateof40poundsperonetonofdry

ingredientsinordertoreducethegreasinessthatnaturallyoccurs.Gypsumalsoincreasestheclumpingofsomechemicalsinthecompostastheysticktothestraworhay.Anadvantageofthiseventisthataircanpermeatethepilemoreeasily.Withoutenoughair,harmfulchemicalcompoundsformed,whichdegradethecompostforgrowingmushrooms.

SixStepsofMushroomCultivation

Thereareseveralnitrogensupplementsincludingbrewer’sgrain,peanuts,soybeanseedmeal,cotton,andchickenmanure.Nitrogensupplementsincreasethenitrogencontenttooneandahalfpercentwithhorsemanureorabitmore,oneandsevententhspercentforsynthetic,calculatedonadryweightbasis.

Whenthecompostiswettheaerobicfermentationbeginsasmicroorganismsgrowandreproducenaturally.Duringthisprocessheat,ammonia,andcarbondioxidearereleased.Theactivityofmicroorganisms,heat,andheatreleasingchemicalreactionsinthecompostbestconvertthematerialsintoafoodsourceformushroomswhilepreventingthegrowthofotherfungiandbacteria.Thisprocessneedsmoisture,oxygen,nitrogen,andcarbohydratestohappensowaterandsupplementsareaddedeverysooften.Oxygenissuppliedduringaerationwhenthecompostisturned.Ammoniumnitrateorureaisneededtostartsyntheticcomposttonitrogen.

Turnandwaterthepileeverytwodayswhenthepileishot(betweenabout145°to170°F(62-76°C).Thiswillwater,aerate,andmixthecomponents.Howoftenyouneedtoturnthepilewilldependontheconditionofthematerialinthebeginningandhowlongyouneedtoreachtemperaturesabove145°F(62°C).

Addingwaterintherightamountsisamustasoverwateringpreventsoxygen

fromoccupyingtheporespace,andnotenoughwatercanprohibitthedevelopmentofbacteriaandfungi.

Wateringisusuallydoneuntilleachingattheinitialturning.Atthispoint,addonlyabitofwaterperiodicallyduringcomposting.BeforePhaseII,compostingatfinalturningwatercanbeaddedliberally.Theamountsandelementsofwater,nutrition,microbialactivity,andtemperature,aredirectlyrelatedtothetotalprocessandreferredtoastheLawofLimitingFactors.

Thissteplastsfrom1to2weeksandyoumightsmellanammoniaodorandmoldysmellduringcomposting.Ammoniaispresentathighertemperaturesover155degreesF.

Compostpiletemperaturescanclimbto170to180degreesFatthetimeofthesecondandthirdturnings.

SignsthatthisPhaseiscomplete:

•Compostcolor:darkbrown

•Texture:soft,bendablestraws

•Moisturecontent:68to74percent

•Smell:strongammoniaodor

StepII:CompletingtheCompost

StepIIinvolvespasteurizationanderadicatingammonia.PPasteurizationwillgetridofinsects,pestfungi,orotherpests.TheammoniacreatedduringstepIwithalevelhigherthan0.07percentisfrequentlylethaltomushroomspawn.PhaseIIcompostingisaboutremovingammoniaandmaintainingtheoptimumtemperaturefortheorganismstogrowandreproduceastheyusecarbohydratesandnitrogen.ThisStepisalsoforeradicatinganypeststhroughapasteurizationcycle.

Thereareseveralproductionsystemsformushroomfarming.

ZoneProductionSystem

Inthissystem,woodtraysarefilledwithcompost.Thesetraysarekeptinstacksinanenvironmentallycontrolledroom.Thetraysaremovedasneededduringthegrowing

ShelforBedProductionSystem

Inthissystem,thecompostisplacedinbedsthatremainwheretheyare.

BulkProductionSystem

Inthebulkmushroomproductionsystemcompostisputinacinderblockcontainerwithfloordrainsdesignedforgrowingmushrooms.

Thecompostneedstobeuniformindepth.

Ahightemperatureforpasteurizationof145°Ffor6hoursisreachedbytheheatgeneratednaturallyorbyintroducingsteamintotheroom.Thenthecompostcoolsoveraweekortwoatabout2°to3°F(about1-2°C)eachdayuntilallammoniaisgone.

StepIII:Spawning

Thecompostnowneedstobeinoculatedwithmushroomspawn.Mushroomsaregrownfrommycelium.Inthisstepspawnisspreadandthenmethodicallymixedintothecompost.Therateofspawningisintermofaquartpersomanysquarefeetofsurface.Aquart(4cups)per10squarefeetissought-after.Therateisalsonowandthenarticulatedasspawnweightversuscompostweight.Inthiscaseyouwouldwantatwopercentspawningrate.

Thissteptypicallytakesthreetofourweeksdependingonseveralfactorsincludingthespawningrate,moisturecontentandtemperature,andthecomposttypeandquality.

StepIV:Casing

Casingisatoppingofclay-loamsoil,amixtureofpeatmosswithlimestonepowder,orreclaimedcompost.Casingservesasawaterreservoirandforrhizomorphstoform.Rhizomorphsarelikestringsandappearasthemyceliumgrowstogether.Casingispasteurizedtopreventintroducinganyinsectsorcontaminatestothecompost.Thenthecasingisspreadevenlyoverthecompost.

Humidityiskepthighandcomposttemperatureisusuallymaintainedat75°F(23°C)forfourorfive5daysaftercasing.Thecompostwillsoonshowsmallmushroompins.

StepV:Pinning

Pinningisthemostcomplexstepformushroomfarmers.Theymustgettherightcombinationofcarbondioxide(CO2),temperature,andhumiditytogetmushroomstofruit.

ImageSource:gardendrum.com

Whencarbondioxidelevelsareloweredto0.08percentorlowerpinswilldevelop.Pinswillgrowinthebuttonstageandeventuallybecomemushrooms.Mushroomswillbereadytoharvestaboutthreeweeksaftercasing.Airandwateramountsinthisperiodaredirectlyrelatedtothemushroomqualityandcropyield.

StepVI:Cropping

Mushroomsareharvestedincyclesusuallyinfivetotendayperiodsinarhythmicfashion.Croppingorharvestingisusuallyasixtosevenweekperiodthoughsomecanlastmuchlonger.Theseperiodsarealsoknownasflush,break,orbloom.

Airtemperatureinthecroppingperiodisusuallysetat57°to62°F(13-16°C).Outsideairisintroducedfortemperaturecontrolandcarbondioxideremoval.Theamountoffreshairneededdependsontheamountofmushrooms,theareaofsurface,theamountofcompostandthecondition.

Mushroomsarewateredtwoorthreetimesaweekduringcropping.

Harvestedmushroomshavetoberefrigeratedat35°to45°F(1-7°C).Mushroomsarepackagedinperforatedmaterialorapaperbagtoprolongshelflife.

Conclusion

Aproductioncyclewilltakeaboutfifteen15weeksfromcompostingto

harvesting.Basically,yieldshouldbefrom0to4pounds(around1kg)persquarefoot.Thefactorsthataffectyieldincludehowthehumidityandtemperaturewerecontrolled,outsideinfluencessuchaspestsandsoon.

Learningmushroomgrowingbasicsandunderstandingthenaturalbiologicalrhythmsofgrowingmushroomsisagreatadvantageforachievingconsistentsuccess.

CertifiedOrganic

Healthgurusadvocateconsumingorganicallygrownmushroomsduetothefactthatmushroomscansoakupcontaminantsfromtheairandsoil.

Atthistimenoorganiccertificationstandardsareinplaceexclusivelyformushroomproduction.Thereareorganicstandardsforgeneralfoodproductionthatapplytogrowingorganicmushrooms.

AppendixSmallScaleMushroomCultivation,<FAO.org>

ShiitakeLogProduction,<https://store.aces.edu>

TheMushroomCounciloffersexcellentresearchandproductioninformationformushroomgrowers.

<http://mushroomcouncil.org/>

TheUniversityofCaliforniaSmallFarmProgram

Thepotentialformushroomproductiononsmallfarmsandonlinepublication:Mushrooms:ASmallScaleAgriculturealternative.

<http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/>

TheNationalSustainableAgricultureInformationService(ATTRA)offerscomprehensiveinformationonmushroomproductionandsalesontheirMushroomCultivationandMarketingpage.<https://attra.ncat.org/>

ReferenceforMushroomGrowersfromPennStateUniversity<http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetable-fruit/mushrooms>

GardenGuides.com:LowCostMushroomProductionatHome.<http://www.gardenguides.com>

TheMushroomGrowersNewsletter<http://www.mushroomcompany.com>

UniversityofMarylandExtension:Shiitake.

<http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Publications/html/shiitake.html>

MushroomProductionDirectorylistscompanieswhosellsupplies,andfarmsthatproduceediblemushrooms.

<http://www.hotfrog.com/Products/Mushroom-Production>

GourmetMushroomsandMushroomProducts:mushroomgrowingkits,spawn,books,andothersupplies.

<http://www.gmushrooms.com>

GourmetMushroomsInc.:equipmentandinformationaboutmushroomproduction.<http://www.gourmetmushroomsinc.com>

Shroomery:Mushroomproduction.<http://www.shroomery.org>

MycoWeb:Lotsofgreatscientificinformation,pictures,recipes,articles,links,andmuchmoreandmuchmore…

<http://www.mykoweb.com/>

TomVolk’sFungiPage:<http://www.tomvolkfungi.net/>

FungiPhoto.com:<http://www.fungiphoto.com/>

<http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/>

BestPracticesforMushroomProductionandMarketing

<http://americanmushroom.org/>

CommunityAwarenessCommittee(CAC)

<http://www.mushroomfarmcommunity.org/>

MushroomCompostWebsite

<http://www.mushroomcompost.org/>

TheMushroomInformationCenter

<http://www.mushroominfo.com/>

TheMushroomCouncil

<http://mushroomcouncil.org/>

ThePennStateMushroomSpawnLaboratory

ThissitehasbeendevelopedtoserveasareferenceforMushroomGrowersbyPennStateUniversity.ItcontainstheMushroomFactsSheetaswellasmanyusefullinks.

<http://plantpath.psu.edu/facilities/mushroom/cultures-spawn>

InternationalSocietyforMushroomScience

ISMSservestodisseminateinformationonnewdevelopmentsandscienceofmushroomsandtostimulatetheexchangeofideasamonggrowersandscientistsaroundtheworld.<http://www.isms.biz/>

NationalAgriculturalStatisticsService-Mushrooms

ThisisthehomepageoftheUSDA'sNationalAgriculturalStatisticsService(NASS).

USDA'sEconomicResearchService-MushroomStatistics

Statisticalinformationonthissiteprovidesalmosteverystatisticevercompiledaboutthemushroomindustryfrom1966-2009.TheinformationispresentedintablesgatheredfromtheUSDA,theCensusBureau,StatisticsCanadaandtheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedStates.<http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu>

MushroomEducationPacket

Workbookforinstructingschoolagechildrenallaboutmushrooms.<http://www.americanmushroom.org/workbook.pdf>

TheMushroomGrowers'Newsletter

Containsinformationofinteresttocommercialmushroomgrowers,aswellaslinkstoothersites.

<http://www.mushroomcompany.com>

TheMushroomGrowers'NewsletterArchives

FungusoftheMonth

HomeCultivation

PaulStamets,leaderinthehomecultivationfield—supplies,books,kits,everythingamushroomcultivatorneeds.

PaulStamets’Books:

•FungiPerfecti<http://www.mushroomcompany.com/>

•TheMushroomCultivator

•GrowingGourmetandMedicinalMushrooms

•Alsosee:PaulStametsYouTubeChannel.

FieldandForestProducts

Homecultivationsupplies,kits,spawn,andbooks.

<http://www.fieldforest.net>

MushroomMountain

Bulkspawn,plugspawn,extracts,kits,mycogardeningsupplies,workshops.<http://shop.mushroommountain.com>

MushroomPeople

Onlinecatalogofmushroomspawn,books,andgrowingsupplies."TheFarm"isasurvivingcommunefromthe60’s.<http://mushroompeople.com/>

<FungusAmongus.com>

Growathomekits,driedmushroomsforsale

MushroomAdventures

Growathomekitsandsupplies.<http://www.mushroomadventures.com/>

UnicornBags

Autoclavableplasticbagsforspawn.

<http://unicornbags.com>

SporeTradingPost

CultivationSupplies,magicmushroomemphasis

<http://www.sporetradingpost.com/>

Mycosource.com

FunGuyFarm.Kits,spawn,loginoculationvideo

<http://www.mycosource.com/>

TheMushroomPatch

TheMushroomPatch.Kits,spawn,sporesyringes,spores,books,supplies.<http://www.themushroompatch.com/>

EverythingMushroom

Books,readytogrowmushroomkits,driedwildgourmetmushrooms,outdoorgardenpatches,mushroomlogs,mushroomculturesandspawn,gifts,art<http://everythingmushrooms.com/>

Mycopath

Mushroomcultivationsupplies.Liquidculturesyringesavailable.<http://www.mycopath.com/>

Organja

Mushroomkits,supplies,sporesintosubstrate

<http://organja.com/>

Bioculture

British—Cultures,supplies,cultivationinfo.

<http://www.bioculture.co.uk/>

LostCreekShiitake

Since1992sendingmushroomlogkitstoshiitakeloversandgardeners.Shiitakelogkits.<http://www.shiitakemushroomlog.com/>

MycoSupply

Extensiveinventoryofquality,professionallevelcultivationsupplies:pressurecookers,labequipmentandsupplies,gloveboxes,transportablegrowroom,andmuchmore.<http://www.mycosupply.com/>

WylieMycologicals

Mycologicallaboratory,spawnroomsandgrowingchambers.<http://www.wyliemycologicals.ca/>

MushroomShack<http://www.mushroomshack.com/>

CommercialCultivation

Phillip'sFarms

Amajorcommercialsupplierofspecialtymushrooms.Pennsylvania.<http://www.mushroomshack.com/>

MontereyMushrooms,Inc

Amajorcommercialsupplierofspecialtymushrooms.California<http://www.montereymushrooms.com/>

AmericanMushroomInstitute

Nationalvoluntarytradeassociationrepresentingthegrowers,processors,andmarketersofcultivatedmushroomsintheUnitedStatesandindustrysuppliersworldwide.<http://www.americanmushroom.org/>

MushroomCompany.com

PublishestheMushroomGrowersNewsletter.<http://www.mushroomcompany.com/>

GourmetMushrooms,Inc.

Amajorproducerofspecialtymushrooms.Sebastopol,CA

<http://www.gourmetmushroomsinc.com/>

CanadianMushroomGrowersAssociation

Avoluntary,non-profitorganizationdedicatedtotheproductionandmarketingoffreshmushroomsinCanada.

<http://www.mushrooms.ca/>

ForestMushrooms<http://www.forestmushrooms.com/>

ModernMushroomFarms

Suppliersof"whites"(Agaricusbisporus).<http://www.modernmush.com/>

MycoLogicalNaturalProducts<http://www.mycological.com/>

AmericanMushroomHunter<http://www.mushroomhunter.com/>

ManualsandArticlesonMushroomCultivation

ATTRAMushroomCultivationandMarketing<https://attra.ncat.org/>

"IntroductiontoShiitake<http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for78/FOR78.PDF>

ResourcesforShiitake

<http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for89/for89.pdf>

TrainingManualonMushroomCultivationTechnology

<http://www.unapcaem.org/publication/TM-Mushroom.pdf>

ShiitakeMushroomProductiononLogs

<https://store.aces.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=15612>

SixstepstoMushroomFarming.Buttonmushroomfarming.<http://extension.psu.edu/mushroom-grower-info/publications/guides/SixSteps.pdf>

MushroomCultivationforPeoplewithDisabilities-ATrainingManual.AnentiremanualavailableinhtmlorpdfaprojectsponsoredbytheUnitedNationsFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)

<http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/AB497E/ab497e00.htm>

SixStepstoMushroomFarming-FromPennState.

<http://plantpath.psu.edu/facilities/mushroom/cultures-spawn>

CultivationofOyster.Anoutstandingwell-illustratedmanual(12pages)fromPennState.<http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/UL207.pdf>

CultivationofShiitake<http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/xl0083.pdf>

ShiitakeandOysterMushrooms

<http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/introsheets/mushrooms.pdf>

Cultivatingmushroomsinnaturallogs.ArticlefromTheMushroomPeople<http://www.thefarm.org/etc/shiitake.html>

SeasonalChefMushroomkitreview.

<http://www.seasonalchef.com/mushrooms.htm>

CountrysideMagazineArticle;JoeKrawczykinterview;Shitakelogcultivation.<http://www.countrysidemag.com/84-5/countryside_staff/>

OysterArticlefromWylieMycologicalsonPluerotusofcolor<http://www.wyliemycologicals.ca/Colourful_Mush.pdf>

GrowingShiitake:<http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/agroforestry/af1010.pdf>

GrowingMushroomswithHydrogenPeroxide

<http://www.mycomasters.com>

RalfKurtzman’sOyster<http://www.oystermushrooms.net>

MycologicalSocietySites

ColoradoMycologicalSociety

<http://www.cmsweb.org/articles/cultivation_1.htm>

KitsapPenninsulaMycologicalSociety

<http://www.dietzfarm.com/growmushrooms>

SonomaCountyMycologicalAssociation

<http://www.somamushrooms.org/growing/>

Mykoweb<http://www.mykoweb.com/articles/cultivation.html>

UniversitySites

PennStateMushroomSpawnLaboratory

<http://plantpath.psu.edu/facilities/mushroom/cultures-spawn>

PurdueUniversityspecialtymushroomsite

<http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/mushroom_nex.html>

CornellUniversityMushroomCultivation

<http://blogs.cornell.edu/mushrooms/>

AgriculturalMarketingResourceCenter(Mushrooms)

<http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/specialty_crops/mushrooms_profile.cfm

MushroomRecipes<http://www.fungi.com/blog-archive/tag/Mushroom+Recipes.html>

<http://www.food.com/recipes/mushrooms>

<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/07/mushroom-recipes_n_1478550.html>

<http://www.mrfood.com/Editors-Picks/28-Mouthwatering-Mushroom-Recipes#>

<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/07/mushroom-recipes_n_1478550.html>

Glossary

A

Abort:Amushroomthatstopsgrowingforsomereasonandnevermatures.

Acidic:pHlowerthan7.

Adnate:WherethegillsortubesbeneaththecapofafungusareatrightanglestothestematthepointofattachmentAdnexed:AreaofamushroomwherethegillsortubesunderthecapsweepupwardsbeforethestemAerialmycelium:HyphalelementsthatgrowabovetheAgarsurface.

Agar:Aseaweedextractusedtosolidifysubstrate.

Agaric:Mushroomsthathavegillsunderacapthatisconnectedtoastem.

Alkaline:pHgreaterthan7.

Annulus:whenthetissueringatthestemofamushroomrupturesasthefruitdevelopsAntibiotic:Naturalandsyntheticcompoundsthatrestrainthegrowthoforeradicatebacteria.

Aseptic:Sterileconditionwherenoundesirableorganismsexist.

Autoclave:Pressurecookerthatoperatesathigherpressurethan15PSItoachievesterilizationtemperature(above250°F.)

B

Bacteria:Microorganismsthatcancontaminateandalsothosethatarebeneficialandrequiredforfruitingofcertainspecies.

Basidiomycetes:Fungithatproducesporesexternallyonbasidia.

Birthing:Removingfullycolonizedgrowthmediumfromitscontainerandoutingitincircumstancesfavorabletofruiting.

Bolete:Thesefungihavingtubesinsteadofgills.

BrownRiceFlour:(BRF)Groundbrownrice

Buffer:AsystemabletoopposechangesinpHevenwhenacidorbaseisadded.

C

CalciumChloride(CaCl2):Dryingagent.

Calciumcarbonate(CaCO3):Acasingingredientfoundinlimestone.

Cap:Thetoppartofamushroom.

CarbonDioxide(CO2):Acolorless,odorless,incombustiblegasthatiscreatedduringrespiration,combustion,andorganicdecomposition.

Casing:Acoveringlayerofsoilwithaparticularmicrofloraforfruitingthatcanbepeat,cococoirandvermiculitewithlimestoneandcrushedoystershells.

Cellulose:Glucosepolysaccharidethatisthemaincomponentofplantcellwalls.

Cobwebmold:CommonnameforDactylium,amoldthatiscommonlyseenonthecasingsoilorthemushroomthatlookslikeacobweb.

Colonization:ThemushroomcultivationperiodfromInoculationwhenthemyceliumgrowsthroughthesubstrateuntilcompletelypermeated.

Compost:Thefermented(orfermenting)substrateforgrowingmushrooms.

Contamination:Undesiredforeigncontaminantsinasubstrateorgrowingmedium.

Cottony:Looseandcoarsetexture.

Culture:Mushroommyceliumgrowingonaculturemedium.

D

Deciduous:Treesandplantsthatshedtheirleavesattheendofthegrowingseason.

Desiccant:Ananhydrous(waterless)substance,commonlyapowderorgel,utilizedtoabsorbwaterfromothersubstances.

Dextrose(Glucose):AsimplesugarutilizedinAgarformulations.

Dicaryoticmycelium:Containsthenucleiofbothsexestoproducefruitingbodies.

E

Endospore:Ametabolicallydormantstateofbacteria.

Enzyme:Aproteinsynthesizedbyacellthatworksasacatalystinchemicalreaction.

F

Flush:Whenmanymushroomsfruitatthesametimetypicallyinacycle.

Fruiting:WhentheMyceliumwillformmushrooms.MushroomsarethefruitingbodiesoftheMycelium.

Fruitingbody:Thepartofthemushroomthatgrowsaboveground.

Fruitingchamber:Thisisenclosedmanmadeareawithhighhumidityandairexchangeformushroomfruiting.

Fungicide:Aclassofpesticidesusedtokillfungi,chieflythosewhichcausediseasesofplants.

Fungus:Agroupoforganismsthatdecomposeorganicmaterial,returningnutrientstothesoil.

G

Genotype:Thesetofgenespossessedbyasingleorganism.

Germination:Hyphaespreadingfromaspore.

Gills:Thetinysegmentsontheundersideofthecapwherethesporescomefrom.

Gypsum:Calciumsulfate,CaSO4.ApowderusedinspawnmakingthathelpspreventgrainclumpingandasapH-buffer.

H

Hygrometer:Instrumentthatmeasuresrelativehumidity.

Hypha(e):FilamentousmakeupwhichexhibitsapicalgrowthandisthedevelopmentalunitofaMycelium.

I

Incubation:Timeperiodafterinoculationwhenthemyceliumgrows.

Inoculation:Introductionofsporesorspawnintosubstrate.

L

Lamellae:Mushroomgills.

Lignin:Acomplexpolymerthatarisesinthewoodyportionofplantsthatishighlyresistanttochemicalandenzymaticdegradation.

M

Metabolism:Thebiochemicalprocessesthatmaintainalivingcellororganism.

Mycelium:Thepartofthemushroomthatgrowsunderneaththeground.Thisissimilartorootsforpants.Myceliumnetworkscangrowverylarge.

Mycorrhiza:Asymbioticassociationbetweenaplantrootandfungus.

O

Overlay:Athickgrowthofmyceliathatcoversthesurfaceofthecasingsurface;Causedbydrycasing,lowhumidity,orhighlevelsofcarbondioxide.

Oystershells:GroundandaddedtocasingtoachieveabetterstructureandbufferthepH.

P

Parasitic:Fungithatfeedoffotherlivingorganisms

Pasteurization:Heatappliedtoasubstratetodestroyundesirableorganismswhilekeepingpositiveones.

Peat:Unconsolidatedsoilmadeuplargelyoforganicmatterthathasnotyetdecomposed;usedascastingingredient.

Perlite:Lightmineralwithmillionsofmicroscopicporesthatwhendampincreasehumidity.

pH:Ameasureoftheacidityofamedium.pH7isneutral;highpHisAlkalineandlowpHisAcidic.

Pileus:Themushroomcap.

Pinhead:Ayoungmushroomwhenthecapisthesizeofapin

Primordium:Theinitialfruitingbodystagebeforeformingapinhead.

R

Rhyzomorph:Theappearanceofthemyceliumofsomemushroomstrains.

S

Saprophyte:AFungusthatfeedsondeadorganisms

Selectivemedium:Mediumthatallowsthegrowthofcertaintypesofmicroorganisms.

Spawn:Thepurecultureofmyceliumusedtoinoculatethefinalsubstrate.

Spawnrun:Thevegetativegrowthperiodofthemyceliumafterspawning.

Spores:Themicroscopicseedsofmushroomsproducedinmillions.

Stem:Thestalkofagrowingmushroom.

Sterilization:Thedestructionofallmicroorganismspresentbyheatorchemicals.Spawnsubstratemustbesterilizebeforeinoculation.

Stipe:Thetoppartofthestemofamushroomwherethecapisattached.

Strain:Strainsvaryingeneticsbutarereproductivecompatible.

Stroma:Thickmyceliagrowthandnofruiting.Thisconditionhappensifspawnareexposedtoharmfulpetroleum-basedfumesorchemicalsorindryenvironments.

Substrate:Materialusedtogrowmushrooms.Differentmushroomgrowbetterindifferentsubstratessuchasryegrain,straw,rice,compost,woodchips,manure,andsoon.

T

Tissueculture:Tissueculturesareasampleofamushroomormycelia.Culturesareobtainedbyremovingapieceofthemushroomcaporsteminsterileconditionsandplacingthesampleonanagarplate.Myceliumgrowsfromthetissueandcolonizestheagar.

Veil:Edgesofthemushroomcapbreakawayfromthestemduringgrowthleavingathinveilofmaterialhangingfromthestem.

Vermiculite:Highlyabsorbentmaterialmadefrompuffedmicathathelpsholdwaterwhenusedinricecakes.

Z

Zonate:Markedwithconcentricbandsofcolorsuchastheappearanceofmyceliumofsomemushroomspecies.