Oyster mushrooms come in several colors, like yellow. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
For mushroom lovers, the idea of growing these fabulous fungi at home can be exciting and intimidating. Shiitake mushrooms and oyster mushrooms are two great types for the beginning home mushroom grower to try. Shiitake mushrooms, while often found in stores, are much cheaper to grow at home. Oyster mushrooms are less common in stores because of their delicate, hard-to-ship nature.
Purchasing a mushroom cultivation kit is the easiest way to start growing your own mushrooms at home. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) or Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are great choices for first timers because they are delicious and are some of the easiest to grow.
How you grow your mushrooms will depend on the kit you buy. But don’t worry; they should come with instructions to help you get started.
A little about mushrooms
The parts of the mushrooms that we eat are actually the fruiting (reproductive) bodies of fungi. Growing mushrooms is quite different from growing plants. Since mushrooms are not capable of photosynthesis and producing their own food like plants, mushrooms depend on a substrate, material on which the mushrooms grow. Logs, straw, or other cellulose sources are some examples. The mushrooms take nutrients from the substrate as it decomposes. Growing mushrooms indoors is generally preferred since it will provide you more continuous and predictable fruiting.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are delicate, with a flavor that is milder than Shiitakes. You aren’t likely to see these in stores simply because they don’t ship well. Colors will vary with the different strains but you can have oyster mushrooms that are tan, cream, grey, pink, or yellow.
Generally, oyster mushroom growing kits will come with a mass of sticky white mycelium (the thread-like, non-reproductive starter part of mushrooms) that has colonized a tower of straw inside of a perforated plastic bag. After soaking, mushrooms will form on the outside and should be ready for harvest in just about a month.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms have a full, smoky flavor and a dense texture that holds up well for cooking. They're easily found in stores, but you can likely grow them much more inexpensively at home. Growing Shiitakes at home is rewarding. It might take a bit of time to get started, but once you’re going they can produce sporadic flushes. Choosing your substrate is a very important part of growing Shiitake mushrooms. If growing on hardwood logs, Shiitakes can be produced for 3 to 5 years once the wood has been inoculated with mushroom spawn.
Shiitake mushrooms growing on a log substrate. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
Once you get the hang of growing mushrooms you can try your hand at purchasing spawn that will grow on other materials, such as sawdust and even shredded paper. You may even want to try some different—and potentially more challenging—mushroom types like chanterelle (Chantharellus cibarius), “yellow” morel (Morchella esculenta), and field mushrooms (Agaricus campestris).
For more information on growing your own mushrooms, contact your local County Extension Office.
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FAQs
Spray-and-grow kits, a block of colonized substrate inside a small box, make for the easiest way for beginners to get started. “They're inexpensive. You get a lot of mushrooms out of them. And they're super easy,” says Lynch.
What are the cons of growing mushrooms at home? ›
You need a place that is dark and humid, which may be difficult if you live in an apartment or other place where it's hard to control such things as ventilation and light levels. In addition, mushrooms put off an interesting aroma which may not be pleasing to some people.
Where is the best place to grow mushrooms in your house? ›
Where to Grow Mushrooms. Mushrooms like dark, cool, and humid growing environments. When you're growing mushrooms at home, a place like your basem*nt is ideal, but a spot under the sink could also work. Before you start growing, test out your spot by checking the temperature.
What makes mushrooms grow the best? ›
Most mushrooms grow best near a neutral pH range; the optimum pH for mushroom cultivation and mycelial colonization is between 6.0 and 7.0 (Oyster Mushrooms: 6.5-7.0, Shiitake Mushrooms: 5.0-5.5). The pH of the substrate affects the growth and yield of mushrooms.
Are mushrooms good or bad for vegetable gardens? ›
Mushrooms and the fungal network living below the soil aren't just beneficial for your plants. They are also great for your soil. They not only help improve the structure of your soil. They also increase its drainage and help prevent some types of diseases spread through soil.
Is it bad for house plants to grow mushrooms? ›
While others use it for more altruistic purposes like sharing sugars and nutrients with neighboring plants. In conclusion, fungi, masters of the soil, can benefit your houseplants. When and if you see a mushroom in your plant's soil, consider it a sign of a happy, healthy mini-ecosystem.
Is it cheaper to grow mushrooms at home? ›
Save Money: It's cheaper to grow your own mushrooms than to buy them, and you can even sell the excess. Quality & Variety: Control what goes into your food and explore exotic mushroom types you won't find in stores.
How to speed up mushroom growth? ›
Gypsum is a mineral that helps speed up the mushroom growing process in small amounts. A teaspoon of gypsum is added to the supplemented sawdust mix, which also includes hardwood sawdust pellets, wheat bran and water.
How to keep mycelium alive? ›
Water generously every week to establish the mycelium. Check once a week for a few weeks to make sure the mycelium is spreading by digging down in a few spots and then patching it back.
Why do mushroom farms fail? ›
Whether you're a hobbyist or commercial mushroom grower, the leading cause of crop failure is contamination. Contamination, or 'contam' in grower slang, is anything in your substrate or mycelium that negatively impacts your grow, and can include bacteria, molds, and animal pests.
Store bought mushroom propagation is quite easy, but you should choose fungi from organic sources. Propagating store bought mushrooms from the ends just requires a good fruiting medium, moisture, and the proper growing environment. Read on to learn how to grow mushrooms from ends.
How do you increase mushroom yield? ›
If you want to grow more mushrooms simply give yourself more of the three “S's”: spores, substrate, and space. Having more substrate rich with inoculated mycelium will increase organic mass and potentially increase your mushroom production. Keep in mind that you'll need more surface area to accommodate it all.
Is it cost effective to grow your own mushrooms? ›
Cost-Effective: Growing your own mushrooms at home can be a cost-effective way to enjoy high-quality, organic produce. Learning New Skills: Mushroom cultivation provides a hands-on learning opportunity.
How hard is it to grow mushrooms indoors? ›
Basically, if you want fresh mushrooms all year, you need to find an indoor growing method that works for you! However, growing indoors does have its challenges. True, you don't have to worry about bugs- but getting a suitable and balanced environment that is humid while still providing enough fresh air is a real art.
Which mushroom is easier to grow? ›
Pretty much every mushroom growing resource I could find says that oyster mushrooms are the easiest variety for first time-growers, as they grow fast and can easily thrive in substrates made of things like coffee grounds and straw, making them relatively low maintenance.
Can I grow mushrooms from store-bought mushrooms? ›
The best variety for home growing is oyster mushrooms, though you can use any type. Store bought mushroom propagation is quite easy, but you should choose fungi from organic sources. Propagating store bought mushrooms from the ends just requires a good fruiting medium, moisture, and the proper growing environment.
