By Bornika Das
May 24, 2024
Mushrooms are one of the most favourite ingredients that is widely consumed all across the world. Growing mushrooms at home is a rewarding and relatively simple process that can provide a steady supply of fresh and delicious fungi. Here’s a basic guide to get you started:
Sterilise the chosen medium such as straw, sawdust, or compost to eliminate any competing organisms. This can be done by soaking straw in hot water or baking sawdust in the oven.
Once cooled, mix the mushroom spawn into the growing medium. Ensure the spawn is evenly distributed.
Place the inoculated medium into your container and keep it in a dark, humid place. The ideal temperature for most mushrooms is between 18-24°C. During this period, the mycelium (the mushroom's root system) will colonise the substrate.
After the substrate is fully colonised, it’s time to encourage fruiting. Move the container to a location with indirect light and slightly cooler temperatures. Maintain high humidity by misting with a spray bottle.
Mushrooms will begin to appear within a few weeks. Harvest them when the caps have fully opened but before they begin to drop spores.