Growing mushrooms at home from store-bought mushrooms is a fun and rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Materials Needed:
Store-bought oyster mushrooms (or another variety)
A sterile jar with a lid (for growing mycelium)
Grains (e.g., corn or wheat berries) for mycelium expansion
Straw or sawdust (substrate for mushrooms to grow)
A plastic bottle or bag for the fruiting process
Water and a misting bottle
Cotton or filter for jar lid (to allow airflow while preventing contamination)
Rubber bands or string (for securing bags or bottles)
Step 1: Create a Mycelium Starter
Take a few pieces of store-bought oyster mushrooms and cut the stems into small pieces.
Prepare a sterilized jar with boiled grains (like corn or wheat berries).
Insert the mushroom pieces into the grains inside the jar.
Cover the jar with a lid that has a small cotton plug or filter to allow air exchange.
Store the jar in a dark place at around 20-25°C (68-77°F) for 7-14 days until white mycelium spreads throughout the grains.
Step 2: Prepare the Growing Substrate
Soak and sterilize straw or sawdust:
Soak the straw in water overnight.
Boil or steam it for 1 hour to kill bacteria and competing fungi.
Drain and let it cool completely before use.
Mix the fully colonized grain spawn (from Step 1) with the substrate inside a clean plastic bottle or bag.
Pack the mixture firmly and poke small holes in the plastic for airflow.
Step 3: Incubation Phase
Store the packed bottle/bag in a warm, dark place for 2-3 weeks.
Check periodically until you see white mycelium completely colonizing the substrate.
Step 4: Fruiting the Mushrooms
Once the substrate is fully colonized, move it to a humid, well-ventilated area with indirect light.
Cut small slits in the plastic bottle/bag to allow mushrooms to grow.
Mist with water 2-3 times daily to maintain humidity.
In 5-10 days, oyster mushrooms will start sprouting.
Step 5: Harvesting
Once the mushrooms fully open, gently twist and pull them off.
Continue misting to encourage multiple flushes of mushrooms.
This method allows you to recycle store-bought mushrooms to create a sustainable supply at home. Enjoy your homegrown mushrooms!