If you are one of those who like to grow their own food at home, you should make an attempt to grow mushrooms indoors. Mushrooms are rich in nutrients, high in fiber, low in fat and calories with medicinal benefits. However, first of all, you need to decide which variety of mushrooms you would like to grow. Varieties like Shitake, Oyster, and white buttons are easy to grow indoors but Shitakes are highly prized and are most commonly grown.
There are several ways to grow mushrooms indoors with sawdust spawn on logs, with straw, or with a grow kit. Although growing mushrooms on logs are mainly associated with outdoor cultivation they can also be grown indoors. However, you can also get Mushroom Logs on sale from one of the most reputed suppliers of fresh mushrooms, dried mushrooms, and substrates of mushroom in China. If you are growing mushrooms for the first time it is best to start growing them on logs. Here are some instructions about growing mushroom substrates indoors.
- Preparing the log: To begin with, choosing the log on which mushrooms are likely to be grown. Though oak is the ideal choice, other hardwood trees like maple, birch, elm and poplar may also be used. The substrates should measure about 3-4 feet in length and 14″ in diameter. It should be left outdoors for a period of about 2-3 weeks to get seasoned as this will degrade the tree’s naturally formed anti-fungal properties. This will make the Mushroom Logs suitable for mushroom growth. However, the substrates should not be left on the ground and should be leaned against each other to prevent any infiltration by other fungi or contaminants.
- Introducing the fungus: Once the substrates have been seasoned, it’s time to inoculate the substrates. Substrates can be inoculated with sawdust spawns and there are online suppliers offering spawns of the highest quality. Now you need to drill 1 inch deep holes over the entire log maintaining a gap of 6-8 inches and rotating the log 2 inches. Then tap sawdust spawns inside with a hammer and then seal the holes with beeswax. Sealing them would protect them from harsh weather conditions and other contaminants. However, this step may be eliminated if you are growing mushrooms indoors and the log may be kept in a basement or garage. The substrates may be stacked against a fence or laid on a bed of straw in a damp and shady area.
- Colonization: After some time, the mushroom mycelium will spread all throughout the log and the entire log will get colonized. When the log gets fully colonized, it’s time for the mushrooms to sprout. It may take somewhere around 6 to 12 months for the mushrooms to appear after inoculation. Thereafter, it requires very little additional care. When it comes to selecting the ideal time, fall is an ideal time. The same substrates may continue to produce for up to 8 years.
It is one of the simplest ways to grow fungus. So, grow your own mushrooms indoors and enjoy the delicious taste of these fungi.
