Select a mushroom grow technique that is right for YOU!
Did you know that more than eighty percent of the earth’s ground is mycelium?
Since mushrooms grow all over the place, learning to grow your own mushrooms at home is easier than you probably think.
Growing a mushroom kit can be the gateway to a much bigger foray into cultivating and becoming self-sufficient in your own food. A mushroom growing kit is a simple and inexpensive way to get started.
If you’re not sure how to best care for your kit and get the most from it then this article is for you. Keep reading and we will tell you everything important that you need to know.
What Is a Mushroom Growing Kit?
The majority of mushroom grow kits will already include all of the materials that you’ll need for growing mushrooms.
Unlike plants that grow from seeds, mushrooms grow from spores. And spores need certain kinds of substrates for nourishment. Some common substrates include straw, wood chips, and sawdust.
Once you add spores to a substrate, something that is known as spawn will develop. Mycelium needs this material in order to grow.
Since mycelium grows beneath the surface of a substrate, people often compare them to the root systems of a plant.
Even though it is possible to grow mushrooms directly from a spawn, it’s a better idea to use a growing medium.
Several of the most common types of mushroom growing kits include logs, boxes, and bags. If you are using a kit for the first time, it is a good idea to find one that has already been seeded with spores.
On the other hand, if you want to grow the mushroom species of your choice, it’s a better idea to look for mushroom grow kits that have not yet been seeded.
The Various Types of Grow Kits
There are many different ways to grow mushrooms. Here are some of the most popular kinds of mushroom grow kits.
Mushroom Boxes and Blocks
This is one of the easiest kinds of kits to use. It comes pre-filled with a growing medium and spores have already been added to it.
If you choose to use a mushroom box or box, keep in mind that every kind of mushroom has its own growing instructions. But the most important thing that you’ll need to do is keep the growing medium moist by spraying it with water several times per day.
You’ll also need to make sure that there is a lot of humidity present in the area where you’re growing mushrooms.
Depending on what species of mushroom you’re growing, expect it to take between one week and a month for them to reach maturity.
Mushroom boxes and blocks are extremely popular. This is because they require little effort to grow with, take up a small amount of space, and can be used indoors. This is especially helpful for those who want to grow mushrooms that live in cold environments.
With this being said, those who want to have multiple flushes of mushrooms often choose not to use boxes and blocks. This is because they only allow for one or two flushes of mushrooms.
Mushroom Grow Kit From a Bag
The easiest and most fun way to grow mushrooms is by using a mushroom Grow Kit In-A-Bag™.
These kits will include all of the growing materials that you’ll need. This includes grain and substrate that have been sterilized and detailed growing guides.
If you want to have your own shroom supply, all you’ll need to do is find a good place to purchase spores. After doing this and adding them to your mushroom bag, you can continue to use it for up to four flushes.
The best mushroom grow kits contain high-quality grains such as millet. Since this material has more surface area than other low-quality grains, it’s possible to grow more mushrooms.
You should also look for mushroom growing kits with inject ports with filters of .2 microns or less.
Growing Mushrooms on Logs
It is slightly more difficult to grow mushrooms on logs than it is to grow by using blocks and boxes. The biggest challenge that people often have is finding suitable logs to innoculate.
It’s also necessary to have space outside for growing them. You also need to live in a warm geographical area.
The first thing you need to do to grow mushrooms on logs is to find a spawn plug that has been inoculated with mushroom spores. Once you find one, you’ll need to drill a hole in a log, add the spawn plug, and seal the hole.
If you want to grow a lot of mushrooms, it’s a better idea to grow them on logs than it is to use boxes and blocks. You’ll also have the benefit of having a grow kit that will produce mushrooms for multiple years. This is why experienced mushroom growers often choose to grow their mushrooms on logs.
Liquid Culture
This is a more challenging technique. You’ll need to make sterile substrates. You’ll also need to inoculate the substrates yourself.
Even though it’s possible to grow mushrooms with liquid culture on your own, it’s a good idea to use a mushroom Grow Kit In-A-Bag bag kit if you are growing them for the first time.
Also keep in mind that you need to be patient, have lots of time to spend, and be ready to experiment until you figure out how the process works. This is why most people choose not to use liquid culture grow kits.
What Kinds of Mushrooms Can You Grow With a Kit?
There are many different kinds of mushrooms that you can grow from a kit. It’s possible that you’ve never heard of many of these kinds of mushrooms before.
This is one of the reasons why so many people enjoy using kits to grow mushrooms. Doing this offers mushroom enthusiasts the opportunity to learn about different kinds of mushrooms and to watch them grow from spores.
Some of the most common mushrooms that people grow from kits include oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane, wine caps, and pioppino.
The easiest mushrooms to grow are oyster mushrooms. They are also tasty and nutritious.
Even though a single cup of these mushrooms only has around twenty-eight calories, they are full of fiber, protein, potassium, iron, and zinc. This is why they are one of the world’s most popular kinds of mushrooms.
Understanding the Differences Between Indoors and Outdoors Grow Kits
Some varieties of mushrooms are easy to grow outdoors, while others are more challenging. This is especially the case for those who live in cooler environments.
Mushrooms such as oysters, shiitake, and lion’s man are easy to grow outdoors by using block or box kits. You can also grow them outdoors, but keep in mind that they will probably grow more slowly outdoors than they will indoors.
Other mushrooms such as almond agaricus and wine caps will only grow outdoors. Before purchasing these mushroom spores, make sure that you live somewhere with a warm enough climate for them to grow.
Things to Know Before Purchasing
The first thing you should be aware of is that kits are sometimes time-sensitive. This means it’s not possible to let them sit at room temperature for more than a day or two before they begin to fruit.
Therefore, you should not buy a mushroom grow kit unless you have the time to tend to it. If you do buy a kit and don’t have the time to care for it, you might be able to store it in the refrigerator until you do have enough time.
Since it’s not possible to refrigerate all kits, make sure to do plenty of research before choosing a kit to buy.
You’ll also need to be patient when growing mushrooms from a kit. They generally take up to four weeks to grow. But there are some types of mushrooms that might not reach maturity for more than four months.
Regardless of what kind of mushrooms you choose to grow, you’ll need to make sure that you water or mist them every single day.
It’s not usually an issue if you forget to do this every once in a while, but if you forget to do this for several consecutive days, it’s possible that your kit will fail to produce mushrooms.
Even if you’ve grown mushrooms before, make sure to read the growing instructions. It can be frustrating to spend many weeks tending to a mushroom kit that doesn’t end up producing mushrooms because you haven’t followed the right steps.
If there are any aspects of a kit’s instructions that are unclear, make sure to get a hold of the seller to ask them for guidance. If it’s hard to contact the seller, it’s a good idea to do business with a different company.
The Basic Steps for Growing Mushrooms
Along with having the right mushroom supplies such as a growing medium, nutrients, and spores, mushrooms also need constant moisture and a bit of light.
Every type of mushroom will require different kinds of growing mediums. Some varieties will grow better in straw or sawdust. Others might need logs, bags, or wood chips.
If you want to increase the likelihood that your mushrooms will grow, make sure that you replicate as close as you can to the ideal growing climate. You might want to construct a small humidity tent or put your mushrooms in a very dark room such as an attic or closet.
Where to Buy
It’s extremely easy to find mushroom grow kits online. The problem is that many businesses sell kits made from cheap ingredients. It’s also common for sellers to cut corners when preparing their kits.
This means that people sometimes purchase kits that are not sterile. If this happens, it’s possible that the kits will become contaminated with mold.
If you want to have peace of mind in knowing that you’re buying the best possible mushroom grow kit, it’s a great idea to research your options. Look for companies that have great reviews and who have been in business for five years or longer.
You should always buy mushroom spores from reputable sellers. There are many kinds of mushrooms that are poisonous. Therefore, make sure that you know exactly what kinds of spores you are using before adding them to a mushroom growing kit
Harvesting From Mushroom Growing Kits
After the mushrooms begin to appear, you’ll notice that they’ll start growing more quickly. Once it’s nearing time to harvest them, they’ll be doubling in size every single day.
The best time to harvest them is when their growth is just beginning to slow down. Find a well-sharpened knife and snip the mushrooms off at the base. You can then dry your mushrooms, consume them, or store them.
It’s usually possible to get several flushes from a single mushroom growing kit. But some kits will only produce a single flush.
Find the Right Growing Kit Today
It’s easier than most people think to grow their own mushrooms from a mushroom growing kit. Some of the most popular kinds of growing kits include boxes and blocks, bags, and logs. When choosing a mushroom growing kit, make sure to buy one from a company that gets great customer reviews.
If you want to buy the best possible mushroom growing kits, we are here to help you. Please check out our shop to find out about the great products that we have for sale.