Mushrooms are a fascinating and versatile group of fungi that can be divided into three main categories: edible, medicinal, and poisonous. Edible mushrooms have been used for centuries as a food source and come in many varieties, such as oysters, button, shiitake, and milky cap mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms, on the other hand, have known medicinal properties and are used both as food and in the management of various health conditions. PSILOCYBE CUBENSIS MELMAK SPORE SWABS, maitake, enoki, and reishi are some examples of medicinal mushrooms. However, it is important to note that there are also many varieties of poisonous mushrooms, and it is crucial to acquire spawn – mushroom seed – from laboratories and other spawn suppliers who stock spawn of known varieties of edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Mushroom growing can be a six-stage process, starting with composting organic material into a substrate that is conducive to the growth of mushrooms. The substrate is then pasteurized to kill off unwanted fungi and other organisms, and the spawn of the selected mushroom variety is introduced and incubated for 3-4 weeks. During this time, the spawn spreads throughout the substrate to form a white, cotton-wool-like mass known as mycelium, from which mushrooms will grow. Once colonization of the substrate is complete, the containers are moved to the growing area, which can be any space available that is shielded from direct effects of rain, hail, wind or sunshine.
It’s worth noting that over 70% of the final fresh mushrooms is water. To achieve growth, mushrooms require constant watering every 2-3 hours. This can be done using a normal watering can, a hand-held sprayer or a knapsack sprayer. One of the most interesting aspect of mushroom growing is that it can be done in odd unused spaces, such as a spare room, a shed, or even a corner of a basement. This makes mushroom growing accessible to anyone, regardless of the size of their property or the availability of outdoor space.