Methods of cultivating oyster mushrooms

Today, everyone is aware of the nutritional value of mushrooms. Also, many of us have tasted oyster mushrooms, as all the varieties of this particular species are classified as ‘edible mushrooms’. But, do you know that you could cultivate your own oyster mushrooms at home even if you are not an expert in mushroom cultivation. Over here you will find a summary of the methods of cultivating oyster mushrooms at home for yourself.

Growing Oyster Mushrooms on Straw

You will need straw on which to grow the mushrooms. Using wheat straw is recommended. Apart from straw, you will require plastic bags, spawn for oyster mushrooms, a spray bottle and, water.

In this list, all the materials except spawn will be readily available to you. You must find a local supplier in order to get your spawn. For this, you need to look on the Internet and find a quality product, since this is the most significant aspect of this type of cultivation.

Steps for Cultivation

Before you begin, you are advised to wash your hands thoroughly using hand sanitizers. The first step in cultivation is sterilization of the straw. The easiest way to do this is to heat your straw in water to about 70-75 degrees and leave it in at this temperature for around one hour. It is recommended to cut the straw into small pieces of 1-3 inches each.

After an hour, you take the sterilized straw, put the contents in a tub and allow it to cool. You must ensure that the straw gets cooled down to room temperature before the next step. Now, pack the plastic bags tightly with your sterilized straw, distributing spawn throughout the straw. After this is done, take a nail and sterilize it with boiling water. Using this nail put holes in the bag to let some air inside.

Keep this set up at around 15-20 degrees inside your home. After two weeks, you will see the mycelium growth across the plastic bag and you will have your mushrooms around five weeks later.

Growing Mushrooms in a Laundry Basket

Although, the requirements and method of cultivation don’t differ much, this method is preferable as it is easier and cheaper. The only difference in this method is that you pack the sterilized straw into a laundry basket, layering it with the spawn. Wondering how? It’s simple. Just put a layer of straw (approximately two inches thick) into the laundry basket and spread some spawn over it. Then again, layer more straw of the same thickness and add more spawn. Do this until the laundry basket is full. Now, cover the laundry basket with a trash bag. There is no need to put any holes in the bag. After you see mycelium growth, you can just remove the trash bag.

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