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Morels are spring mushrooms that appear after the snow melts. In forests they are collected on the edges, clearings, and places after a fire. Growing morels at home will ensure a stable harvest of these mushrooms. To do this, they purchase mycelium or collect fruiting bodies in the forest. Then a microclimate is created that is as close to natural as possible.
Is it possible to grow morels?
Morels are edible mushrooms that grow in temperate climates. They are found in early spring, from April to late May. In Russia they are harvested until mid-June, sometimes even in the fall there is a second wave of fruiting.
Morels are characterized by an unusual cap structure, covered with a layer of oblong cells. Its shape is ovoid or conical. The partitions have a pronounced brown color, which gradually becomes darker. The height of the cap is up to 7 cm, its girth reaches 8 cm. The stem is cylindrical, hollow, no more than 9 cm long.
In nature, morels prefer fertile soil and lighted places.They often grow in deciduous forests, where birch, willow, alder, oak, and ash predominate. Sometimes these mushrooms are found in gardens, front gardens, parks, and lawns.
What morels look like in summer cottages and more interesting information about this variety is in the video:
Morels are suitable for growing at home. To get a mushroom harvest, it is important to provide a number of conditions:
- the presence of a substrate rich in lime and organic matter;
- high humidity;
- penumbra;
- prepared mycelium.
Morels are valued for their early ripening and good taste. In many countries, this species is considered a real delicacy. Mushrooms require minimal heat treatment. They are stored dried or frozen. At home, you get an environmentally friendly product, ready for use.
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Technologies for growing morels
There are several technologies for growing morels. These methods make it possible to collect regular and high yields on an industrial scale. Each method has its own nuances and advantages.
American technology
In America, the morel is a symbol of local mushroom farming. It is his image that is placed on the emblems of many organizations that are engaged in mushroom cultivation. For mushroom pickers, the morel is considered one of the most valuable mushrooms. The main harvest is harvested in Oregon, where special beds are equipped.
It has been noticed that morels often appear in places where there have been forest fires. According to American technology, growing at home requires a fire pit or wood ash. The mycelium is planted in the prepared substrate. It is obtained by mixing peat, gypsum and ash.
For 1 sq. m of beds requires 500 g of crushed caps. It is allowed to use ready-made mycelium.Mushroom mass is poured onto the beds, the substrate is poured on top and watered generously with warm water. During the season, moisture is regularly added to prevent the soil from drying out.
A technology designed for growing morels has been patented in the USA. The mycelium is planted indoors. The work is carried out in a similar manner as when growing champignons.
Algorithm for planting morels at home:
- Prepare the cellar or basement: clear debris, concrete the floor, seal holes and cracks, treat surfaces with an antiseptic. Ventilation must be provided.
- At home, they maintain a temperature of about +16 ° C and a humidity of 70%.
- To obtain a substrate, peat, humus, and wood ash are mixed. The mixture is poured into boxes or bags.
- The mycelium is placed in the substrate, which is watered generously with warm water.
- After 2 weeks, soil, peat and limestone are poured onto the mycelium. The temperature is lowered to +14 °C and the first shoots are waited for.
French technology
In France, it was noticed that morels appear more often in apple orchards. Therefore, when growing them, a special substrate is prepared. Any waste from apples is added to it - peeling, peeling, etc. This composition promotes the active growth of fruiting bodies.
A separate bed is allocated for growing mushrooms. Find a dry place in the shade that is not subject to flooding in the spring. It’s good if begonias or phlox grow nearby. For a sunny area, a canopy is built from burlap, which will protect the beds from direct rays of the sun.
The procedure for growing morels using French technology:
- In the selected area, remove a layer of soil.
- A substrate consisting of peat, wood ash and gypsum in a ratio of 10:5:1 is placed in the resulting pit. Additionally, apple waste is added.
- Before planting, water the soil abundantly. Mycelium is sprinkled on top.
- The beds are covered with fertile soil 5 cm thick.
German technology
The easiest way to grow mushrooms is offered by German technology. First, the mycelium is prepared at home: the morel caps are crushed and cut into slices. The resulting mass is placed in a bucket of water and 1 tsp is added. salt and 1 tbsp. l. Sahara. This composition stimulates the germination of spores. The mass is left for 4 hours, stirring it periodically.
Then the contents of the container are separated and kept in a cool place at a temperature of 10 - 15 ° C. After 2 days, planting work begins. The mycelium is poured into the soil under the roots of trees and covered with a layer of earth on top. The planting site is watered with the water left over from soaking the morels. The first mushrooms appear after 2 - 3 weeks.
How to grow morels at home
Growing morel mushrooms at home is a simple and fun process. The mycelium is planted in boxes that are kept on the windowsill. The best results are obtained when grown outdoors.
How to grow morels at home on a windowsill
At home, a window sill or balcony is suitable for growing mushrooms. Windows should face west or north. The mycelium does not grow in direct sunlight. The mycelium is placed in jars, pots or boxes.
The procedure for growing morels on a windowsill at home:
- The containers are half filled with a substrate of peat, gypsum and wood ash.
- Then add purchased mycelium or crushed caps.
- Soil from deciduous forest is poured on top.
- The soil is watered abundantly with warm water.
For two weeks, the mycelium is cared for by watering. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and drying out of the soil. If all conditions are met, seedlings will appear in two weeks.
How to grow morels on the plot
To grow morels, choose any suitable technology. Work is carried out from April to August. First, prepare the mushroom mass: the caps containing the spores are crushed and soaked. If purchased mycelium is used, then the consumption is 10 g per 1 square meter. m.
Regardless of the technology chosen, when growing morels, the following algorithm is followed:
- Purchase or preparation of mycelium.
- If necessary, mix the substrate for the beds.
- Planting mycelium in the ground.
- Abundant watering.
- Shelter for the winter with dry leaves from a deciduous forest.
- Removing the cover in the spring, watering in the absence of precipitation.
- Feeding the mycelium after fruiting.
Tips and tricks
To grow morels at home, adhere to the following recommendations:
- use a substrate containing peat, birch or oak sawdust, wood ash and gypsum;
- do not add fresh manure or other organic matter to the soil;
- during the growth period of mushrooms, they are regularly watered, preventing the soil from drying out;
- at home do not use chlorinated moisture, it is best to take melt or rain water;
- during drought, water consumption is increased to 15 - 20 liters per 1 sq. m;
- mulch the beds with dry leaves and branches;
- in winter, the planting site is covered with a layer of foliage or straw;
- annually add up to 1 liter of ash per 1 sq. m landings.
At home, morels actively develop in warmth and high humidity. The first harvest is harvested the very next year after sowing the mycelium. Mineral fertilizers are not suitable for feeding. The best composition is wood ash, which is added to the water before watering. In addition, the mycelium is fertilized with fresh apple juice.
Conclusion
Growing morels at home will help you harvest a regular mushroom harvest. First, choose a suitable place - a window sill or garden plot. Then the mycelium and substrate are acquired.
