Content
Mushroom lovers love to discover more and more new varieties of mushrooms. In this article I would like to talk about the royal oyster mushroom. This mushroom is in many ways superior to ordinary oyster mushrooms. Next we will look at what makes them special. We will also learn how to grow the royal oyster mushroom yourself.
Features of the royal oyster mushroom
The appearance of this mushroom differs in many ways from other oyster mushrooms. For example, it has a large cap that often grows up to 12 centimeters in diameter. It is distinguished by its meatiness and excellent taste.In addition, this mushroom has a rather fleshy stem, which can also be eaten.
It is very interesting to watch the growth of these mushrooms. First, they form a teardrop-shaped stem. When the leg becomes thicker and denser, the cap is just beginning to form. She will grow only after the leg has fully grown.
Growing
Growing king oyster mushrooms at home is very easy. We can say that everyone can cope with this task. This process will not take much time and effort. In addition, this does not require any expensive equipment or a separate building. This mushroom grows well in the garden or even in utility rooms.
The first harvest can be expected after 3 months. By following all the rules of cultivation, you can achieve very good results. On average, from 4 to 7 kilograms of tasty and aromatic mushrooms are collected from one log.
First you need to prepare all the necessary tools and materials:
- For cultivation you will definitely need a substrate. As a rule, an ordinary log of any deciduous tree is used for this. Birch, aspen and alder are perfect for these purposes.
- You will also need to prepare a drill. It is necessary to create depressions on the log.
- And the most important thing is the mycelium.
Logs affected by fungus are also not suitable. In such conditions, it will not be possible to grow a high-quality mushroom suitable for consumption. The length of each log should be from 30 to 50 centimeters. The thickness can vary from 15 to 30 centimeters.
Method of growing oyster mushrooms in natural conditions
You should start growing royal oyster mushrooms in late spring. At this time the weather becomes warmer and more stable. If you have a heated room, then in such conditions mushrooms can grow throughout the year. For normal growth and development, oyster mushroom needs a temperature in the range of 10–27°C.
As everyone knows, mushrooms love moisture. To create the conditions necessary for growth, it is necessary to soak the wood. To do this, the log is immersed in water for several days. It should be completely saturated with it. Next, the finished substrate is taken out of the water and left for several hours so that excess moisture can drain off.
Next, you need to drill holes in the prepared substrate. The depth of each should be no more than 10 centimeters, and the diameter about 1 centimeter. After this you will have to work with the mycelium. Before work, you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap. This is done to ensure that no bacteria enter the mycelium.
The mycelium is placed in the prepared holes, after which they are simply covered with wooden plugs or wax. To make the mushrooms germinate faster, you need to cover the log with a piece of thick fabric. The wood itself should be placed in a dark, well-ventilated place. It is very important that the log remains moist at all times. To do this, take a regular sprayer and water, and then simply spray the substrate. In the case when mushrooms are grown in natural conditions, you will have to spray not only the logs, but also the soil around them.
The growth rate depends on many factors. But generally, oyster mushrooms grow very quickly, and after a short time you will be able to see young mushrooms on the logs.The royal oyster mushroom will fully ripen in 3 months. You can grow mushrooms not in one go, but gradually, then you can enjoy fresh mushrooms throughout the year. But remember that this requires a room with suitable conditions.
Growing king oyster mushrooms indoors
If you have a small plot and simply don’t have room for logs, you can grow mushrooms right in your home. True, for this you will have to create some conditions:
- The air humidity in such a room should be at least 90%.
- Temperature conditions are maintained between +16°C and +27°C.
- When the oyster mushroom begins to bear fruit, you will have to take care of special lighting.
Almost any container is suitable as a substrate in this case. It could even be plastic bags. Often plastic or glass bottles, boxes and jars are used for this. The photo below shows what this might look like. The main thing is to sow the mycelium correctly. After this, no special care will be needed. These mushrooms are not at all whimsical.
Conclusion
For many, growing mushrooms is a rather exotic activity. We are all used to them growing independently in the forest. Many people simply buy their favorite mushrooms in supermarkets and stores. But some representatives of this kingdom can be grown independently at home. Moreover, it is not such a difficult task. Royal oyster mushroom can grow both in natural conditions and indoors. This edible mushroom can even be grown in jars or bottles.Mycelium is very inexpensive, so everyone can afford such a small production. In the photos given in this article, you can see what beautiful mushrooms you can actually grow at home. Now you know exactly how to grow them, the rest is up to you!
