How to grow mushrooms at home using store-bought mushrooms

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!

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