For normal life, growth, and reproduction, Mushrooms need numerous nutrients, the most important of which are carbon, nitrogen, some ash elements, biologically active substances, microelements. Below we will consider top mushroom growing substrates that have these elements in their composition. how to select subtract for growing different mushrooms.
Table of Contents
What is substrate in mushroom cultivation?
Mushrooms feed like animals, they need the supply of ready-made organic substances from the external environment. Such nutrition is called heterotrophic.
The mycelium consists of many hyphae, which are shaped like threads. The hyphae form the mycelium like a network. This network, growing strongly, provides a larger absorbing surface of the mycelium.
The mycelium cannot assimilate the solid particles of the nutrient substrate. Therefore, it releases into the external environment substances ( enzymes ) that break down complex organic substances (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) through hydrolysis to simpler ones. It has been established that the more pronounced the saprophytic properties of the fungus, the greater the set of enzymes it has, which allows it to settle on a variety of substrates and develop them as a source of nutrition. Some saprophytic fungi have the ability to produce about 20 different enzymes, and the composition of the latter may be variable and vary depending on the substrate.
The next stage of fungal nutrition is carried out by osmosis, with the help of mycelial hyphae, which, through the membrane of their cells, absorb organic substances from the substrate, that is, from the environment in which they grow. In other words, fungi have an external digestive system.
In the process of processing organic matter, saprophytes release water and carbon dioxide. Urea and ammonia are partially formed.
Saprophytes are characterized by chemotropism – the growth of mycelium in the direction of a high concentration of nutrients. The more food, the more mushrooms.
Which substrate is suitable for mushroom growing?
The main component for the normal development of the mycelium is wood cellulose. In its quality, when growing mushrooms at home, straw from cereals or sawdust of deciduous trees is used. Conifers are not suitable due to the presence of resins and essential oils.
Each type of mushroom prefers certain cellulose. For example, chopped straw of rye, wheat, barley is more suitable for champignons and oyster mushrooms. Sunflower seed husks are often used, but not in their pure form. Shiitake mushrooms grow best on large sawdust made from oak, beech, or maple. Honey mushrooms prefer any kind of cellulose, grow well on stumps and decks.
In addition to cellulose, additional components are required for the growth of soil mycelium, from which champignons are obtained. Such a substrate is prepared with the addition of compost, gypsum, and mineral components.
Substrate preparation is a tricky business. It is easier for beginners to buy a ready-made component, try to grow mushrooms, and get acquainted with cultivation technology.
Top Substrate for Growing Mushrooms
There are many types of substrates for growing mushrooms. They were chosen by us based on the experience of most cultivators.
Substrates are included in the kits in non-sterile and sterile form, complete with spore suspensions and spore prints.
Straw
A straw-based nutrient mixture is used for growing most types of mushrooms. Inexpensive raw materials can be found in any region of the country. You can prepare a nutrient mixture from rye, oat, or wheat straw.
The disadvantage of straw is the need to sterilize it. A priori, it is infected with aggressive fungi and mold spores.
There are several ways to sterilize. Among the most effective:
- Pasteurization. The sterilization process takes place at t-60-80°C. Before it starts, the straw is crushed. The optimal length of the straws is 5-10 cm. The duration of the processing raw materials with high temperatures is 60-70 minutes.
- Sterilization with hydrogen peroxide. The straw is first soaked for an hour in the water, and then washed with running water. After that, the straw is soaked in a solution of peroxide and water in a ratio of 1:1 for several hours.
For the preparation of the substrate, it is necessary to use the straw of freshly harvested cereals.
The advantage of cereal raw materials is the high content of cellulose and lignin. They are especially good at increasing the yield of oyster mushrooms.
Sawdust
The substrate for mushrooms is best made from sawdust of deciduous trees. It is not recommended to use too small fractions. This makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the mycelium.
You can use sawdust as a substrate for mushrooms only from deciduous trees.
In its pure form, sawdust cannot serve as a complete nutrient medium for mushrooms, so they are mixed with bran. They enrich the mixture with nitrogen.
You can improve the structure of the substrate by mixing it with leaves or branches. The content of organic additives in the mixture should not exceed 8%.
Wheat bran
A plant of the grass family. Major cereal crop worldwide.
In mushroom growing, it is used as a primary and main substrate.
Wheat is very convenient for its ability to keep its shape after preparation and sterilization. With the right approach, it does not stick together and at the same time retains moisture well. It has excellent nutritional value, as a result of which the mushroom mycelium quickly captures its required volume. Mycelium germinates 4-5 days after inoculation. Colonization 0.5 l. wheat substrate takes an average of 12-14 days at a temperature of 28-30C.
A wheat substrate block (cake) is capable of producing up to 5-6 fruiting waves, provided it is hydrated. From 1 liter of wheat mycelium, you can collect up to 300 grams of raw mushrooms from all waves.
It is important to emphasize that in order to use wheat as a substrate for mycelium, you need the so-called “sprout wheat”, durum varieties.
Wheat is one of the most accessible substrates. Sold in grocery, gardening, and hardware stores. Also in pet food stores.
Low price.
Oats Substract
A plant of the grass family. Used as primary and main substrates. In mushroom growing, it is used unpeeled (in the husk). This form is something between a pure grain substrate and hay or straw. The scales of the husk, loosely attached to the grain, form a kind of air cushion, which contributes to the aeration of the substrate.
An important advantage of oats is the simplicity of their preparation. Namely, that he does not need cooking. This eliminates the possibility of digesting the substrate and turning it into porridge. It is enough to soak oats in cool water and it is ready for sterilization.
The rate of colonization is not inferior to wheat. Mycelium germinates 4-5 days after inoculation. But the number of fruiting waves is somewhat lower due to the fact that the oat substrate block takes on more water during hydration, which reduces its integrity. On average, from 1 liter of mycelium, from 4-5 fruiting waves, you can collect up to 250-300 grams of raw mushrooms.
The temperature for mycelium colonization is 28-30C.
Like wheat, oats are sold in grocery, gardening, and hardware stores. Also on the market, among the villagers, as “healing oats”.
Animal Dung
Hay, straw, grass, everything that is eaten by animals such as cows, horses, goats, rabbits, and many others, undergoes a unique fermentation and microbiological processing in their intestines. Therefore, the manure substrate is a natural source of macronutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as a number of microelements, such as lime, magnesia, sulfur, chlorine, and silicon, necessary for the full development of the mycelium.
There is a strong belief that herbivore manure, like any excrement, has an unpleasant odor. Indeed, in a “fresh” form, only from under the animal it is. But if the manure is dry and all the urea and ammonia has evaporated, you will smell only the smell of rotted grass (which, in fact, manure is).
For mushrooms of the species Panaeolus, a manure substrate is, if not essential, then highly desirable for cultivation. After all, the second name of this species is dung beetles. Although there are manure-free technologies for growing Panaeolus, they are less productive.
Also, a very convenient property of the manure substrate is its resistance to infections.
Cow dung
Cow dung was collected from grassy meadows located far from highways and is an environmentally friendly substrate.
The composition of cow manure per 1 kg of mass:
- General nitrogen – 3.5 g;
- Calcium (oxide) – 2.9 g;
- Phosphorus (oxide) – 3 g;
- Potassium (oxide) – 1.4 g.
horse manure substrate for mushrooms
Horse manure supplies us with a pony club where the animals eat only quality forage. Horses live in an atmosphere of care and love, receive the best emotions, which is reflected in the quality of their manure.
The composition of horse manure per 1 kg of weight:
1. Total nitrogen – 4.7 g;
2. Calcium (oxide) – 3.5 g;
3. Phosphorus (oxide) – 3.8 g;
4. Potassium (oxide) – 2 g.
How to make substract for growing tree mushroom?
The easiest way is to prepare the substrate for tree mushrooms, for example, mushrooms or oyster mushrooms. The technology is based on high-temperature steaming of wood waste for their disinfection. Depending on the components used, there are two ways to prepare the substrate:
- The straw of cereal crops is crushed to make straws 2-7 cm long. First, they are washed from dust with running water, then pasteurized at a temperature of 80 ° C, allowed to cool and steamed again.
- Wood sawdust is prepared in a similar way, only pasteurization is performed at a temperature of 120 ° C.
Sometimes amateur mushroom pickers simply boil the straw inside a large barrel of water, then drain it after cooling. The substrate prepared in any way is packaged in bags, while sowing mycelium of mushrooms.
How to make substract for growing ground mushroom?
Ground mushrooms are not able to grow on sawdust or straw alone. They need compost, gypsum, chalk, and other additives. The number and list of components depend on the types of mushrooms growing.
Prepare compost under a canopy with a concrete platform. In the absence of such a place, a compost tank is used or the ground is covered with a thick film that prevents pests and pathogens from entering the substrate from the ground. The components are bookmarked in the following order:
- The straw is soaked for 5 days in a large container with water. During this time, the process of overheating begins.
- Horse manure and soaked straw are laid out in layers on the prepared site. Organics are moistened with warm water from a watering can. The amount of manure and straw is 50/50, and in total you should get 8 layers.
- After 4 days, the laid layers are shoveled, gypsum, chalk, fertilizers, additives needed for a certain type of mushroom are added.
- The next shoveling is done after another 4 days. Such procedures are carried out 4, and during the last mixing, the organic matter is shifted in a pile, the fermentation process is expected to be completed.
The substrate is infused for 3 weeks, after which it is packaged in bags, placed inside the chamber, where it is possible to maintain a constant temperature. Initially, it is set at 60 ° C, lowering by 3 ° C daily. The substrate will be ready when, after a week, the temperature in the chamber is reduced to 46-47 ° C.
Preparing Substrate for Growing Different Mushrooms
It is optimal to start growing mushrooms with oyster mushrooms, honey mushrooms or champignons. You can even get them on the balcony. White fungus is whimsical, and chanterelles will grow in outdoor conditions.
Preparing Substrate for Growing Champignon
The problem of growing champignons lies only in the complexity and high cost of preparing the substrate. If it is already there, the mass is laid out on the shelves of racks 30 cm thick.
In a checkerboard pattern with an indent of 25 cm, recesses are made, about 60 g of mycelium are populated, which is comparable in volume to a chicken egg. The substrate is covered with burlap or thin paper, moistened daily with a spray bottle.
Inside the room, the temperature is maintained at +20 ° C. After 14-15 days, a white coating will appear on the surface of the substrate . It is covered with soil or non-acidic peat 3 cm thick, the temperature is reduced to +18 ° C, lighting is turned on .
Mushrooms bear fruit for 6-14 weeks. The first harvest is obtained after about 3 months, if you count from the moment the preparation of the substrate began.
Preparing Substrate for Growing White mushrooms
The substrate for porcini mushrooms is prepared natural from a mixture of hay, sawdust, corn cobs, leaves, needles, sunflower seed husks. After sterilization and steaming, organics are laid out in boxes or bags, 4 parts of sifted sand and 1 part of dry clay are added. The substrate is kept in a dry, warm place for 2 weeks, then it is scattered into containers 30-35 cm thick. Drainage is arranged at the bottom so that the soil breathes.
Mycelium is distributed over the surface of the substrate, it is covered with the same mass from above, forming a layer 3 cm thick. Prior to germination, the air temperature is maintained at +27 ° C , humidity 90%. On the 9th day, the first signs of germination of the mycelium will appear. The temperature is lowered to +17 ° C, the light is turned on for 6 hours a day .
Harvest is first harvested after 25 days. Fruiting lasts 40-45 days. After collecting the fruiting bodies, the mycelium is sprinkled with a substrate, maintaining humidity, preventing them from drying out. To increase the yield, 5 parts of saltpeter from its total mass are added to the substrate.
Preparing Substrate for Growing oyster mushrooms
The steamed substrate for oyster mushrooms is laid out in bags in layers 15 cm thick. Mycelium 3 cm thick is immediately laid between them. Some mushroom pickers practice adding a third layer of soil 8 cm thick. In a filled bag, the top layer should be a substrate 8 cm thick.
The contents are rammed, the bags are tied, put on racks in the room or hung from the ceiling. The bottom of each bag is cut about 5 cm in length. Excess water will drain through the holes.
Inside the room, the temperature is maintained at 20-26 ° C, lighting is not yet required. After 10-20 days, the substrate in bags will be wrapped in a white web. This is the first sign of mycelium growth. The side walls of the bags are cut from the side from which it is necessary for the fruiting bodies to grow. Lights are turned on in the room, the temperature is lowered by 3 degrees, humidity is maintained by spraying. After about 10 days, the first mushrooms will appear, and they are harvested when the hats begin to lighten.
Preparing Substrate for Growing Chanterelles
If the chanterelle mycelium is brought from the forest, then it is planted near the same tree with which it was adjacent in nature. On the purchased mycelium, the manufacturer indicates the appropriate type of wood.
The soil infected with mycelium is dug up in the forest with a layer 20 cm thick. This is done in early April or from September 1 to September 20. It is crushed, mixed in half with garden soil. The prepared soil is packed in bags, kept in a cool room for up to 6 months.
It is better to plant chanterelles in the spring at the end of March, then it is logical to harvest the soil from autumn. The prepared soil is poured into a hole under a tree, a recess is made with the hands, the mycelium or a purchased spore infusion is populated, and sprinkled with leaves or small straw on top.
The landing site is moderately moistened, avoiding water stagnation. If everything is done correctly, the mushrooms will grow in 3-4 weeks.
Preparing Substrate for Growing Shiitake
The mushroom can be grown on a log, but it is better to prepare the substrate. It is made from shavings, chips, crushed branches of deciduous trees.
Optimal composition:
- 1.5 kg of dry wood;
- 2.2 kg of chopped fresh twigs;
- 100 g of wheat or barley grain;
- 10 g of chalk.
The proportions are increased to the desired volume, the substrate is sterilized with boiling water for about 3 hours, cooled, heated for 3 hours in the oven at a temperature of 110 ° C. After cooling, the mass is laid out in bags or boxes, populated with shiitake mycelium.
Further cultivation is similar to oyster mushrooms or champignons. When maintaining humidity, it is important not to flood the mycelium. It quickly gets wet, the mushrooms die.
Preparing Substrate for Growing Honey mushrooms
Popular mushrooms can similarly be grown from mycelium found in the forest or mycelium can be purchased. They grow mushrooms for themselves on stumps and logs. If you need large volumes for sale, prepare the substrate.
The technology of growing in bags is similar to the cultivation of oyster mushrooms. Only the composition of the substrate differs. The landing block is prepared from sawdust of deciduous trees, excluding oak.
Component proportions:
- dry sawdust – 200 g;
- water – 2 l;
- oats – 70 g;
- chalk – 1 tsp.
Sawdust is boiled in water, allowed to cool to a temperature of 25 ° C, the remaining components are added. The proportions are increased by the amount of mycelium. The finished substrate is laid out in bags. After settling the mycelium, they are placed on racks in the room, providing the same conditions as for oyster mushrooms. With the advent of fruiting bodies, the temperature is reduced to +14 C. Humidity is stably maintained at about 85%.
conclusion
If the goal of growing mushrooms is to make a profit, start with oyster mushrooms. They are considered the most unpretentious and fruitful mushrooms. Next in line are mushrooms and champignons. You can try to grow other types of mushrooms for yourself in small quantities for the sake of interest.
In conclusion, it is important to note that any of these substrates will be effective if you follow the right technology.
