Fruiting Your Mushrooms
Once your substrate is fully colonized by the mycelium, it's time to move on to the fruiting stage. Here’s how to create the perfect conditions for your mushrooms to flourish:
Setting Up the Fruiting Environment
Temperature: Maintain a temperature between 60-75°F (15-24°C), depending on the mushroom species. Most common varieties, such as oyster and shiitake, thrive within this range. Keep the temperature consistent to avoid stressing the mycelium, which can lead to lower yields or slower fruiting.
Humidity: Mushrooms require a high humidity level of 85-95% to fruit properly. Use a humidifier in your fruiting chamber or mist the environment several times a day with clean water to maintain the necessary moisture levels. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid excessive moisture buildup, which can lead to contamination.
Light: Provide indirect light for 12 hours a day. Mushrooms do not need intense light, but they do require a natural day-night cycle. A fluorescent lamp or indirect sunlight works well. Avoid direct sunlight as it can dry out the substrate and raise the temperature too much.
Fresh Air Exchange: Ensure good air exchange to provide fresh oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. You can achieve this by using a fan on a low setting or opening the fruiting chamber for a few minutes several times a day.
Inducing Fruiting
Some mushroom species, like shiitake, benefit from a cold shock to induce fruiting. Place the colonized substrate in a refrigerator at 39°F (4°C) for 24 hours before moving it to the fruiting environment.
Collecting Your Mushrooms
Timing: Mushrooms are ready to harvest when the caps have fully opened but before they start to release spores. For most species, this occurs about 3-7 days after pinning (the initial appearance of baby mushrooms).
Harvesting Technique: Always wash your hands before harvesting to prevent contamination. Gently twist the mushroom at the base and pull it away from the substrate. Alternatively, you can use a clean, sharp knife to cut the mushroom at the base.
Post-Harvest: Store harvested mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, you can dry your mushrooms using a dehydrator or by placing them in a well-ventilated area.
Maintaining the Fruiting Cycle
After the first harvest, the substrate may produce several more flushes of mushrooms. To encourage more flushes, keep the fruiting conditions consistent and continue to maintain high humidity and proper ventilation. Allow the substrate a rest period of a few days between flushes to recover.
By following these guidelines, you can create an optimal fruiting environment and enjoy a bountiful harvest of homegrown mushrooms. Happy cultivating!