Mushrooms are a saprobic organism, meaning they decompose dead wood and organic matter such as compost, straw, pasteurized manure and coco coir. They require a substrate and light to grow.

Cleanliness is critical to successful mushroom cultivation. All containers, growing substrate and inoculant must be sterilized.

When spores land in the right environment they germinate, sending a strand of hyphae into a substrate to begin colonizing.

Temperature

When it comes to home mushroom cultivation, the temperature of the growing medium is arguably the most critical factor. Mushrooms need to be kept at a relatively stable, moderate level of temperature in order to thrive. This is because fungi are saprobic decomposers that rely on the nutrients in their substrate to sustain them rather than sunlight or other forms of photosynthesis.

Ideally, a mushroom growing bed should be located somewhere that is cool and shaded throughout the day. If possible, this should also be surrounded by tall grass or other vegetation that can help to keep the soil and straw moist. This will prevent the mushrooms from drying out too quickly and potentially damaging the bed.

For most people, making their own mushroom beds will involve lining cardboard with some kind of shredded wood mulch or garden compost and then spreading sawdust or grain spawn over top. Different ratios of growing substrate to spawn are recommended by various sources, but ultimately it is the quality and vigor of the mushroom mycelium that will dictate what results you can expect when growing mushrooms at home.

In addition to the right temperatures, mushroom cultivation requires a lot of water. Mushrooms themselves contain 90% water and need to be kept well-watered in order to maintain their health. This is especially important during the fruiting phase, when they release a large amount of water through their pores.

The best way to get the most out of your mushroom beds is to use a hydroponic system. These handy systems allow you to control the temperature of your growing medium as well as the amount of water it contains, allowing you to achieve optimal conditions for maximum mushroom growth.

When you are first starting out, it is often recommended that you inoculate logs rather than creating mushroom beds. This allows you to take advantage of natural conditions and will usually result in faster harvest times. However, this will depend heavily on the species of mushroom you are trying to grow and weather conditions in your area. Extreme temperatures, high rainfall amounts, or even just a period of very dry weather can damage the logs or make it impossible for the fungus to colonize them.

Humidity

Mushrooms require a certain level of humidity in order to grow properly. High humidity levels help prevent fungi and bacteria from competing with the mushrooms for nutrients in the growing environment. Low humidity levels, on the other hand, can cause mushroom stems to dry out and dehydrate.

Humidity levels need to be carefully monitored and maintained throughout the mushroom cultivation process. Using a hygrometer, which is a device that measures moisture in the air, can help keep track of humidity levels in a home mushroom farm. A hygrometer can be purchased online or at most hardware stores. The basic model will measure humidity and temperature but can be upgraded to one that also measures carbon dioxide levels, which is important for mushroom growth.

Regular misting or spraying of the growing area can help increase the humidity levels, as the water evaporates and helps create a more suitable environment for mushroom growth. Alternatively, automated systems can be set up to release water at predetermined intervals. In either case, the misting or spraying should be evenly distributed to avoid excessive moisture in specific areas. Regular air ventilation is also essential for maintaining optimal humidity levels. Keeping the air moving will help to prevent an excess buildup of moisture, while also helping to exchange stale air for fresh air.

During the fruiting phase, humidity levels should be lowered slightly to around 85-90% in order to encourage mushroom formation. This can be achieved by adding water to the growing area or by using a fan to circulate the air. In addition, it is crucial to maintain proper ventilation to prevent CO2 levels from dropping too low, as this can inhibit mushroom growth.

Some home growers have used a garden shed, greenhouse or garage to grow their mushrooms. These spaces typically have a higher thermal stability and can be kept warmer during the winter months. However, they must be carefully insulated in order to maintain the correct temperature conditions and to prevent fluctuations in temperature. The climate and weather in the location where the home mushroom farmer lives will also play a key role in humidity and dew point fluctuations.

Light

Although mushrooms grow naturally in the wild without much intervention, when cultivated indoors they require conditions that closely resemble their natural habitat. This means a careful balance of environmental factors, including light.

Mushrooms need light to metabolize nutrients and produce fruit bodies. To complete this process, they must be exposed to a consistent light cycle and specific wavelengths of light that are compatible with their photosynthesis. These wavelengths are not provided by standard indoor lights, so it is essential that mushroom cultivators use the right kind of light to ensure optimal growth and fruiting.

For many mushroom cultivators, choosing LED lighting is the best way to provide the ideal light conditions for their fungus. LED lighting has a high efficiency rating and produces minimal heat, which is critical for maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels in the mushroom house. Furthermore, LED lighting lasts for a long time and is easy to maintain. It is important that cultivators do not become overly focused on the role of light in their success, though. While it is crucial to have the right light conditions, it is just as important that cultivators do not neglect other key environmental factors like substrate quality, temperature, and humidity.

The exact amount of light a cultivator needs depends on the species of mushrooms being grown. Some need as little as 4 hours of daily light, while others can thrive with up to 12 hours. Regardless of the species, it is important to have a consistent light cycle and not expose mushrooms to too much light or too little.

LED lights are particularly helpful for home mushroom cultivation because they offer the ability to customize the light intensity and duration. This can be especially beneficial for mushrooms because they require a very precise light frequency to grow and thrive, and this cannot be easily replicated with regular indoor lighting.

As with all things in life, the most successful mushroom cultivators are the ones that take the least shortcuts and have the highest level of cleanliness and discipline. For this reason, a strict cleaning routine is vitally important for home mushroom cultivation. This routine should include sterilizing container surfaces, growing substrates, and inoculant. In addition, it is essential to wear a mask and gloves while working with these sensitive organisms to prevent contamination.

Substrate

The substrate (also known as the growing medium) is the support on which a mushroom grows. It is a mix of material that contains nutrients, which the mushroom absorbs through its mycelium. It also provides structural support for the mushroom, and it helps to control moisture levels in the environment.

There are many different substrates to choose from, and different mushroom species prefer different types. A good substrate will be nutrient-rich and easily colonised by the mushroom mycelium, but it should also allow for airflow to avoid becoming too wet.

Substrate ingredients are often modified to suit different cultivars, but the best starting point is a basic mixture of sawdust and bran. This is a great option for home growers as it is inexpensive, easy to use, and suitable for most mushroom species. Often, this material is pasteurised, and this reduces the number of contaminants in the mix. However, it is important to understand that sterilisation kills off all organisms, including those that are good for the mushrooms, so a balance must be found between sterilisation and pasteurisation.

Mushrooms love to live in a nutrient-rich, moist and dark environment, but other things, like moulds and bacteria, also thrive under these conditions. They can quickly out-compete the mycelium and cause contamination, so something must be done to give the mycelium an advantage in this race for space. Sterilisation or pasteurisation are the common methods of choice, but if you’re lucky enough to have access to an autoclave then it can be even easier to sterilise your substrate in this way.

After sterilization, the mixture should be cooled and then inoculated with mycelium at a rate of 5-10% spawn per kilogram of substrate. This should be done at a temperature between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is typically done in a Phase II room that is designed to provide the ideal environmental conditions for this process. It can also be done in a cold room that has been cooled to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, or a dehumidified room at a lower humidity level. It is also possible to purchase mushroom blocks that have already been sterilized and inoculated, but this increases the costs of production and puts you at the mercy of your supplier’s ability to maintain consistent quality.