Six Pillars of
Mushroom Growth
Stage 1
Stage 2
Click Each Box For More Info!
Nutrition
In the wild mushrooms draw nutrients from decaying matter and soil components, converting them into sugars and minerals.
In the farming setting, mushrooms can grow from:
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Grain
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Straw
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Wood Pellets
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Logs
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Cardboard
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Manure
Nutrients are vital during the mushroom fruiting process for several critical reasons:
Fruiting Body Development: Nutrients serve as the building blocks for the growth and development of mushroom fruiting bodies.
Resistance to Contamination: Adequate nutrient levels can help the mushroom mycelium outcompete potential contaminants, reducing the risk of infections that could hinder fruiting.
Yield and Quality: The availability of nutrients directly affects the yield and quality of mushroom harvests. Insufficient nutrients can lead to smaller or underdeveloped fruiting bodies.
Here at Curious Ape Mushrooms we use Rye Grain and Masters Mix for their advanced mycelial colonisation times superior to other sources.
PRO INSIGHT: Mushroom colonisation can be sped up by adding nutritious mineral-rich supplements like gypsum and coffee grinds - both of which we add to our products.
Temperature
The magic temperature range for rapid mycelial colonisation is 18-26°C.
Deviations from the ideal temperature range can lead to abnormal or stunted growth.
Temperature influences enzymatic reactions within the mushroom, affecting nutrient absorption, metabolism, and overall development.
Methods to stabilise temperature:
- Seedlings mats
- Grow tents
- Place the fruiting tub in proximity to indirect sunlight.
You can purchase seedling mats, grow tents and temperature gauges HERE>
Humidity
Optimal humidity conditions are 90-100%.
Why Adequate moisture is crucial:
Promotes Primordia: Humidity encourages the timely and uniform emergence of hyphal knots and primordia - the early stages of mushroom growth.
Prevents Drying Out: Proper humidity prevents excessive evaporation of water from the mushroom's surface, which can lead to stunted or deformed mushrooms.
Reduces Molds: Adequate humidity creates an environment less conducive to the growth of competing molds and bacteria, helping to prevent contamination.
Q: When does humidity matter?
A: Once you have initiated fruiting and the jars or bags are in the fruiting chamber phase, humidity becomes a crucial factor to control.
You can purchase an equipment device that analyses humidity called a Hygrometer HERE>
Air Flow
In their natural habitat, mushrooms tend to choose areas with increased airflow, as this aids in the dispersion of spores (the primary function of mushrooms) and growth.
We recommend gently fanning your fruiting chamber 4-6 x daily.
You don't need an electric fan; common items like a tub lid or a book will suffice. If you're using grow tents, you can invest in an air fan that automatically circulates air. This is especially beneficial if you're unable to be present near the tub to ensure sufficient airflow.
Importance of Providing Adequate Airflow:
Circulate O2: Mushrooms, like all living organisms, require oxygen for respiration and metabolic activities. Sufficient airflow ensures a steady supply of oxygen to the growing mycelium and fruiting bodies.
Prevent CO2 Buildup: Like humans, mushrooms produce CO2 as a result of respiration. Excessive accumulation of CO2 within the fruiting tub can impede growth, result in malformed structures, and even trigger conditions like "furry feet."
WATCH OUT: Furry feet is the presence of white soft fluff at the bottom of the mushroom stipe (stem). Proper ventilation ensures that excess CO2 is effectively removed, preventing deformed mushroom growth.
Temperature Regulation: Air circulation helps distribute heat evenly throughout the fruiting chamber. This prevents localized temperature variations that could lead to uneven growth.
Humidity Control, Evaporation and Condensation: Adequate airflow controls humidity, preventing excess moisture, promoting evaporation, and inhibiting mold and contaminants in high humidity. It also helps prevent excessive condensation that can lead to waterlogged conditions.
Lighting
Light is divided into two main phases:
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Colonisation
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Fruiting
1. Colonisation
After inoculating your bag or jars with spores, place them in an area with no or low light such as a cupboard, drawer, or beneath a bed. Low light or complete darkness is opted for as mycelium naturally grows beneath the soil and does not require light.
2. Fruiting
Light acts as a signal to the mushroom's fruiting body, indicating its emergence from the soil's surface and initiating its growth.
Once your bag or jars are entirely colonised by white mycelium, it's time to adjust the temperature and lighting conditions.
Allowing your fruiting tub to be exposed to natural room light is sufficient; there's no need for an artificial lighting setup. If you happen to be in a space with limited illumination (e.g. dimly lit garage), artificial lighting becomes essential.
View our recommended lighting products HERE.
Water
Given that mushrooms consist primarily of water, it's important to uphold appropriate hydration levels to guarantee their structural strength, overall development, and size.
Importance of Providing Adequate Airflow
Promotes Growth: As mushrooms mature, they absorb water to aid growth. Adequate water ensures optimal size and shape of fruiting bodies.
Primordia Formation: Water plays a role in initiating the formation of primordia, which are the small, undeveloped mushroom structures that eventually mature into fully-grown mushrooms.
Prevents Drying Out: Insufficient moisture levels can lead to the drying out of mushroom fruiting bodies, resulting in stunted growth, deformation, or even failure to develop properly.
Different Hydration Requirements for BAG & Jar Methods:
Bag Method
Spray your fruiting chamber with H20 once the top layer is covered (80-100%) with white mycelium.
BRF Jar Method
Spray your fruiting chamber the moment the colonised cakes have been birthed and are in the tub.