Step by Step Mushroom Farming
Mushroom Farming is a profitable agribusiness due to the sophisticated horticultural technologies which are applied that makes the operation of Mushroom farming more efficient.
Growing Mushroom indoors, requires less time compared to the outdoors, this is so because when you grow your Mushroom indoors, you can easily control some environmental conditions necessary for optimal yields of your Mushroom.
This article will give in detail on the steps required to grow your Mushroom indoor. The article will fill up the knowledge gap that exists in Mushroom farming.
Before we get started, you should take note that the first step to consider for successful Mushroom cultivation, is to choose the right type of Mushroom which you want to grow indoors, and this is a most critical decision that you must make. Studies have shown that the following are an easy to grow Mushrooms; Oyster Mushrooms, Shitake and white Mushrooms.
Shitakes grow and give better yield on hardwood sawdust while Oyster Mushrooms give better yields when grown on straw or coffee. Compose manure are used to grow bottom Mushroom and it gives high yield. Studies have shown that all the three types of Mushrooms; Oyster Mushrooms, Shitake and white Mushrooms, can be grown on sawdust or in straw. Spawn is like plant seedlings that facilitates Mushroom growth.
Steps Required to Grow Mushroom Indoors
The following are the steps:
Step 1: Buy Mushroom Spawn
You should choose the type of Mushroom you would like to grow and buy Mushroom spawn. Spawn is a type of sawdust that is permeated with Mushroom mycelia, which is the root structure of the fungus.
The spawn acts like Mushroom plant seedlings which facilitates Mushroom rapid growth. Some retailer sells spores, that require more time and effort to grow, so you should ensure to buy a spawn that is easy to grow.
Step 2: Sterilize the Growing Substrate
The second step is to sterilize the mediums before inoculating it with the spawn. Whether the Mushroom will be grown in sawdust or straw at home, this should be considered.
This process will involve killing any microorganisms that may compete with the mycelia in the growing process. Thus, after buying the spawn, you can sterilize the substrate using a microwave. You should place it in a container and add a little water, and this will make your sawdust or straw dump. Once done, place it in a microwave and heat it on high flame.
The heating process should stop after the added water boils up and this can take 2 minutes or more. The main reason for doing this once again is to kill microorganisms and this will make it safe for the substrate to receive the mycelia.
Step 3: Heat the Substrate
After sterilizing the substrate, the next step is to heat the substrate so that the mycelia is able to spread. It is required for the mycelia to be thoroughly spread into the substrate before the Mushrooms are produced.
A warm temperature is required to fasten the growth. Once this process is completed, you should place the substrate in a shallow pan which has large surface area that will provide enough room for Mushroom to grow. Once this is done, you should add the spawn into a substrate using a sterilized utensil and then place it in a heated pan which has a temperature of 21 °C. This is an ideal required temperature for the growing of Mushroom. After this, you should leave it there for 3 weeks and you can as well place it in any dark place which has a warm temperature and this will enable the mycelia to permeate into the substrate.
Step 4: Place the Substrate into an Appropriate Environment
After two weeks or 14 days, you should check the substrate to see if it has been colonized fully. It is recommended to cover substrate with a white fuzzy if you are growing your Mushroom at home. After this, you should move the pan into a dark where there is a cool temperature if the substrate is already colonized.
Harvest the Mushrooms When They Are Fully Grown
After 3 weeks small Mushrooms will be be visible, but you should maintain it in a dark cool place. Once all the Mushrooms are grown up, you should pluck them using your hand figures.