Mushroom Substrate Recipe

[benzie]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share my go-to mushroom substrate recipe that I've had great success with. It's pretty simple and doesn't require any fancy ingredients. Perfect for those who are just starting out or looking for a reliable mix.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of hardwood sawdust
• 2 cups of wheat bran
• 1 cup of gypsum
• Water (enough to reach field capacity)

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large container, combine 5 cups of hardwood sawdust with 2 cups of wheat bran and 1 cup of gypsum. Make sure it's all well-mixed. The gypsum helps to provide calcium and sulfur, which are beneficial for mushroom growth.
2. Add Water: Gradually add water to the dry mix. You want to reach what's called "field capacity," which means the substrate is wet enough to clump together but not so wet that water drips out when you squeeze it. It's better to add water slowly and test as you go.
3. Pasteurization: This step is crucial to ensure that any unwanted bacteria or spores are killed off. You can pasteurize the substrate by heating it. I usually place the mixture in a large pot and steam it for about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can use an oven or a pressure cooker. Just make sure the temperature stays between 160-180°F (70-82°C).
4. Cool Down: After pasteurization, let the substrate cool to room temperature. This is important because you don't want to introduce your mushroom spawn to a hot substrate, which can kill the mycelium.
5. Inoculate: Once the substrate is cool, mix in your mushroom spawn thoroughly. Make sure the spawn is evenly distributed throughout the substrate.
6. Incubate: Place the inoculated substrate in a container or grow bag with some holes for air exchange. Store it in a dark, warm place (around 70-75°F or 21-24°C) for the mycelium to colonize. This usually takes a few weeks, depending on the mushroom species.
7. Fruiting: Once the substrate is fully colonized, move it to a location with higher humidity and some indirect light to encourage fruiting. Keep an eye on it and maintain the humidity levels to support mushroom growth.
   

And that's it! This recipe has worked wonders for me, and I hope it helps some of you out there too. Feel free to tweak the ingredients or method based on your own experiences and let me know how it goes!

 

[NANA_]

Perfect mix for growing your fungi friends! This mushroom substrate recipe is a grower's delight.

 

[Alfredo]

Thanks for sharing the mushroom substrate recipe! Excited to give it a try and grow some delicious mushrooms at home.

 

[chimam]

I've been wanting to try out some wood lovers myself, and this recipe seems really straightforward. I especially like that you mentioned the gypsum, I wasn't sure if that was necessary but it's good to know.

 

[MashaBear]

Totally intrigued by this Mushroom Substrate recipe! Can’t wait to see how it turns out. Thanks for sharing this cool tip!

 

[Horton]

Ah, a good mushroom substrate is key for a successful grow! I’ve had great results using a mix of straw and coffee grounds for that extra boost of nutrients. Makes a big difference for certain types of mushrooms!