How to Properly Cultivate Mushrooms

Mushrooms are an important ingredient use in different dishes and there are numerous varieties that you can pick from. They are also very easy to cultivate since you do not need to have a garden plot.

You can acquire mushroom kits in specialty gardening stores that already contains spores and everything that you will need to cultivate this delicious ingredient in your own home. You also do not need to cook it and just eat it raw if you want to enjoy its freshness and distinct flavor.

TYPES OF MUSHROOMS THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM

There are numerous edible mushrooms that you can pick from like Shiitake, Pompom Blanc, Crimini and others. Some of these expensive varieties are very difficult to find in ordinary grocery stores.

Each variety will need different growing requirements. You have to make sure that you thoroughly read the instruction manual that comes with your mushroom kit before beginning your project.

STEPS IN GROWING MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms are an example of fungus and develop without the aid of chlorophyll. Since they do not need the aid of chlorophyll to flourish, they must get all of their nutritional requirements on the material that they will thrive upon.

Most of the substrate sold for cultivating mushrooms is composed of straw, corn cobs or show to grow mushrooms other similar base that contains a good amount of nitrogen and gypsum. You can also create your own substrate by using vermiculite and other similar materials. Another option on how to cultivate this gastronomical delight is by utilizing sterilized containers or jars.

Place a substrate inside the jars and sterilize it by placing them inside a pressurized cooker or pouring boiling H20 over it. You can now place the mushroom spores that you have acquired in your local gardening shop on the substrate. To ensure that the H20 content and temperature inside the jars are well-regulated, you can choose from the numerous styled mushroom housings that are available in the market.

You also have the option to construct your own mushroom housing. After placing an additional covering in your mushrooms, the spawns will develop a web of filaments or mycelium. Do not expose them directly to the sunlight. You can transfer the mushroom spores to bigger containers after they have grown larger which will serve as the “fruiting room”.

Do not forget to apply peat on the filaments. After fifteen to thirty days, small spikes will protrude from the soil. These spikes are also known as “pinnings” and these will develop into mushrooms. You can harvest it after several weeks. You can now enjoy your very own homegrown mushroom.