Growing Mushrooms at Home

Although mushrooms need precise conditions, mushroom growing in the home is possible and can be an interesting and rewarding experience. Those who enjoy or want to experience the flavor of fresh mushrooms, may find it well worth the effort. The mushroom is a fungus that must depend on non-living organic matter for its nutrition. It has no true roots, stems or leaves. It does not reproduce by seeds but by tiny dust-like spores. These spores, when mixed with small amount of supporting material, may be purchased at mushroom "spawn".

Mushrooms may be grown in the dark or in light but should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The beginning mushroom grower might want to start with a prepackaged mushroom growing kit. If unavailable locally, these kits may be purchased from some of the mail order seed companies. The gardener who wants to do all the preparations for mushroom growing may purchase mushroom spawn without all the accessory materials at much less expense.

One of the most critical parts of mushroom growing is the compost. For many years mushrooms have been grown in composted horse manure mixed with some straw. Where horse manure is available, it is still simpler and easier to use than the more complex synthetic composts made from corn cobs, meadow hay, fertilizers, dried brewer's grain or chicken manure.

The horse manure must be allowed to partially decompose and heat to 140 degrees before use. Thereby, pasteurization takes place that kills most diseases and insects. Temperature should not go much higher than 140 degrees or changes can result in the compost that could reduce production. A small amount of compost that may be no longer sterile might be pasteurized in an oven at similar temperatures. Compost should be cooled to 75 degrees or less before placing the spawn on it.

After the compost is placed into sterilized flats, the spawn is scattered uniformly over it. Water thoroughly with a fine spray until the compost is uniformly wet, but not soggy. Flats kept too wet produce mushrooms only around the edges, and no in the center. A sheet of plastic may be placed on the surface to keep moisture uniform. Water only as needed. Flats should then be kept at temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees. After two to three weeks, the mushroom mycelium (a fine, thread-like growth) should have growth throughout the compost.

The mycelium does not produce the fruiting stage called a mushroom until a thin layer of soil called the "casing soil" has been placed on top of the compost. A good topsoil which is not acid, but has a pH between 7.9 and 7.8 is satisfactory. It must not form a hard crust when watered. Ground limestone may be added to soil that is too acid to make the proper adjustments. Before soil is used, it must be heated to about 180 degrees to kill any disease, insects or nematodes it may contain. This "casing soil" is then placed in a layer no more than an inch thick over the compost in the flat.

After about three weeks, small mushrooms should begin to appear. At that time keep temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees. Mushrooms should produce about two major crops or "breaks." With proper control of moisture and temperature, a lesser amount of mushrooms may still be picked between and after the main picking periods. With good care the tray should be productive for about three months.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom