Content
Oyster mushrooms are a healthy and tasty product that is used to prepare various dishes. These mushrooms grow in forests in the middle zone, but if a number of indicators are provided, they can also be obtained at home. There are several ways to grow oyster mushrooms in the basement. The choice of the appropriate method depends on the size of the room and the availability of the necessary materials.
Features of oyster mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are white or gray mushrooms that grow in separate groups on dead wood. The size of the mushroom caps is 5-25 cm. If the necessary conditions are provided, fruiting of the mycelium lasts throughout the year.
Oyster mushrooms contain protein, vitamins C and B, calcium, iron and phosphorus. Their calorie content is 33 kcal per 100 g of product. Compared to champignons, they are considered more useful due to their rich composition.
Eating oyster mushrooms helps improve immunity and suppress cancer cells. They are also known for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. These mushrooms are useful for anemia, high stomach acidity and high blood pressure.
Oyster mushrooms should be consumed with caution, since in increased quantities they cause a hypersensitive reaction in the body.
Germination conditions
Oyster mushrooms grow under certain conditions:
- Constant temperature ranging from 17 to 28°C. Allowable temperature fluctuations are no more than 1-2°C. With more significant differences, the mycelium may die.
- Humidity over 50%. Optimal humidity levels for mushroom growth are 70-90%.
- Illumination. At a certain stage, the mycelium requires access to light. Therefore, you need to install a lighting system in the basement.
- Ventilation.
Access to fresh air is provided by a ventilation system or by ventilating the basement.
Preparatory stage
A basement or cellar is suitable for growing oyster mushrooms. At the preparatory stage, mushroom mycelium and substrate are purchased or made independently. The premises must be prepared, disinfected and, if necessary, equipment installed.
Choosing a growing method
In the basement, growing oyster mushrooms in the basement is done in one of the following ways:
- in bags;
- on stumps;
- other available materials.
The most convenient growing method is to use bags. It is best to choose durable plastic bags measuring 40x60 cm or 50x100 cm. Bags of mushrooms are placed in rows or on racks and hung in a small room.
Under natural conditions, oyster mushrooms sprout on stumps. In the basement, mushrooms grow on wood that is not too old. If the stump is dry, then first soak it in a bucket of water for a week.
You can also place the substrate in a plastic bottle with a volume of 5 liters or more or other suitable container.
Obtaining mycelium
The planting material for growing mushrooms is mycelium. It can be purchased at enterprises that breed oyster mushrooms on an industrial scale. Such companies obtain mycelium from spores in the laboratory.
If you have pieces of oyster mushrooms, you can get mycelium yourself. They are first disinfected by treating them with hydrogen peroxide. The mushroom is then placed over a flame into a test tube containing a nutrient medium (oatmeal or potato agar).
The mycelium is stored for 2-3 weeks in a dark basement at a temperature of 24°C, after which you can start planting it.
The following varieties of oyster mushrooms can be grown in the basement:
- ordinary (grows naturally on stumps, has white flesh);
- pink (characterized by rapid growth and heat-loving behavior);
- oyster (a valuable type of mushroom with lilac, blue or brown flesh);
- strains NK-35, 420, K-12, R-20, etc. (such mushrooms are obtained artificially and are characterized by high yield).
Substrate preparation
Oyster mushrooms germinate on a substrate that can be purchased ready-made or made independently. The following materials act as a substrate for mushrooms:
- barley or wheat straw;
- sunflower husk;
- chopped corn stalks and cobs;
- wood sawdust.
The substrate is crushed into fractions no larger than 5 cm.Then the base is disinfected to avoid the spread of mold and harmful microorganisms:
- The crushed materials are placed in a metal container and filled with water in a ratio of 1:2.
- The mass is put on fire and cooked for 2 hours.
- The water is drained, and the substrate is cooled and squeezed out.
Basement arrangement
To breed oyster mushrooms, you need to prepare a basement. This room must meet the following requirements:
- the ability to maintain the required temperature;
- stable humidity levels;
- disinfection of all surfaces;
- presence of light sources;
- ventilation.
Before planting oyster mushrooms in the basement, a number of preparatory works are carried out:
- the floor of the room must be concreted to reduce the likelihood of mold spreading on mushrooms;
- walls and ceiling should be whitewashed with lime;
- immediately before growing mushrooms, the room is sprayed with bleach and left for 2 days;
- After treatment, the room is ventilated for several days.
To grow mushrooms in the basement and maintain a constant temperature, it is recommended to install a heater. If necessary, you can increase the humidity by spraying the walls and floor with water.
Lighting is provided by fluorescent daylight fixtures. Each block is equipped with 40 W lamps.
Growing order
The growing process includes three main stages. First, mushroom blocks are formed, which contain substrate and mycelium. Then the oyster mushrooms go through the stages of incubation and active fruiting. At each of these stages, the necessary conditions are provided.
Forming mushroom blocks
The first step in the process of how to grow mushrooms is the formation of blocks.Mushroom blocks are a kind of beds on which oyster mushrooms sprout. When planting in bags, they are sequentially filled with substrate and mycelium. In this case, the top and bottom layers are the substrate.
Small slits are made in the prepared bags every 10 cm, through which the mushrooms will grow. If plastic bottles are used, then planting oyster mushrooms is done in the same way. There must be holes in the container.
To get a good harvest on the stumps, you first need to make holes in them with a depth of 6 cm and a diameter of 10 cm. Then the mycelium of mushrooms is placed there and the stump is covered with a sawn wooden disk. The stumps are covered with film and left in the basement.
Incubation period
During the first 10-14 days, mycelium grows. During the incubation period, the necessary growing conditions are provided:
- temperature 20-24°C, but not more than 28°C;
- humidity 90-95;
- lack of additional ventilation, which contributes to the accumulation of carbon dioxide;
- lack of lighting.
On the second day, white spots form on the substrate, which indicates the development of mycelium. At the end of the incubation period, the mushroom block becomes white. Within 5 days, provide the conditions necessary for further growth of oyster mushrooms.
Period of active growth
Active fruiting begins under the following conditions:
- temperature 17-20°C;
- humidity 85-90%;
- Illumination is about 100 lux / sq. m. for 12 hours.
Air circulation must be ensured, which will eliminate excess carbon dioxide. When growing oyster mushrooms in bags, additional cuts are made to ensure mushroom germination.
Harvesting
The first harvest of oyster mushrooms is harvested a month and a half after planting. Mushrooms are carefully cut off at the base so as not to damage the caps and the mushroom picker. To extend their shelf life, oyster mushrooms are harvested by the whole family at once.
The second wave of fruiting begins a week after the first harvest. During this period, 70% fewer mushrooms are collected compared to the first wave. After a few more days, the mushrooms germinate again, but the yield of the block is significantly reduced.
Oyster mushrooms are stored in the refrigerator, where they are placed immediately after cutting. It is not recommended to soak mushrooms; just wash them under running water. Fresh oyster mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Mushrooms can be placed in plastic containers or wrapped in paper. Then the shelf life is extended to 3 weeks.
When frozen, oyster mushrooms can be stored for 10 months. To store mushrooms in this way, you do not need to wash them; it is enough to remove dirt with a piece of cloth.
Conclusion
Growing oyster mushrooms can become a hobby or a profitable business. These mushrooms are rich in nutrients and, when consumed in moderation, have a positive effect on human health.
Oyster mushrooms are grown in a basement, which must be carefully prepared. To get a good harvest, it is necessary to provide a number of indicators: temperature, humidity and light.
