Grow truffles at home

Food production is an activity, the results of which are always in demand. And this is not surprising, because people are ready to pay constantly for the opportunity to eat delicious and natural food.

Those who are ready to devote themselves to the production of farm products should probably pay attention to such a rare idea of ​​an agricultural business in our country as the cultivation of truffles. How to grow a truffle in Russian natural conditions and how profitable can the production of this delicacy be?

"Golden mushroom". Is a truffle expensive?

They are not ready to pay as much for any mushroom that exists in the world as for a truffle: the price for 1 kg varies from 500 to 5000 dollars.

Moreover, it is not uncommon abroad to sell truffles as if they were works of art. Depending on the variety, quality, weight and other parameters, the price for one "golden mushroom" can reach an obscenely high mark of several thousand euros.

Of course, homemade truffles have little chance of being traded. And the price for them is significantly lower than for a mushroom that has grown in its natural environment. Restaurants, whose menus include dishes from the "golden mushroom", willingly buy up truffles grown on plantations. The price for 1 kg of the product does not scare them.

What truffle is in demand

In fact, there are many types of mushroom. But not everyone is good for food. In cooking, only two types are used. White, aka Piedmont, is the rarest and most valuable. It grows mainly in Italy, and specifically in the Piedmont region, which gave the name to the species. The mushroom has a delicate, delicate aroma and delicious taste. Unfortunately, these truffles cannot be grown at home.

Another type is black, or, as it is also called, the Perigord truffle. The homeland of the mushroom is the eponymous French region. Due to the fact that the black truffle is not as capricious as the white one, and lends itself to cultivation in a plantation, the Perigord truffle grows in many European countries, as well as in Russia and Ukraine.

Besides these two, there are other edible species. For example, Chinese or summer. But black is the most suitable for plantations. Therefore, when they talk about how to grow a truffle, they usually mean the Perigord view.

We grow truffles in Russia. Conditions for harvesting

Several centuries of observation and collection of truffles allowed to derive a formula for the necessary conditions for the successful growth of truffles on plantations. Truffle growing technology is a rather complicated, costly and, most importantly, a long process. It will take at least 5 years of careful farm maintenance to get the first crop. What you need to know about how to grow a truffle? First of all, in order for a capricious delicacy to take root and begin to grow, you need:

• suitable climate and landing terrain;
• favorable soil (ground);
• mycorrhiza.

Climatic and relief features

A moderate warm climate and a stable low rainfall are the main climatic requirements of a truffle. The delicate mushroom does not tolerate extreme heat or prolonged cold weather.

Where and how to grow a truffle in our country? The middle zone of Russia is well suited for production - sunny and not too hot summers, spring rains and warm autumn contribute to the excellent growth of a delicious mushroom.

If the lease of the land plot is not planned, it is quite possible to grow the truffle in the basement. In this case, the room should be sufficiently spacious, with moderate humidity and a stable temperature of about +22 degrees.

Soil for the truffle farm

The requirements for the soil in which the truffles will grow are no less high. A laboratory analysis will be required for the saturation of the soil with nutrients, nitrogen, carbon, lime, calcium. Also, the surface of the soil should not be subject to water erosion and be at an angle of no more than 15 degrees. The height of the fertile soil layer is required at least 30 cm.

Before planting, the acid-base balance of the truffle soil must be checked. This can be done with two simple tests. A little soil taken from the site of the proposed plantation should be added to a container of white vinegar. If the reaction is a faint hiss of the solution, this indicates too high a level of acidity. Another test is carried out with litmus paper, which simply needs to be immersed in the ground. The paper should turn blue. The absence of such a reaction also means that the alkali level is insufficient. In both cases, the alkaline level of the site needs to be increased by gradually adding lime.

Mycorrhiza and planting seedlings

The symbiosis of the roots of the partner tree and the truffle is called mycorrhiza. The mushroom grows underground, on the roots of a tree, in families of 5-7 truffles. The tree feeds its "neighbors" with everything necessary for growth: carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and other set of substances that affect the taste properties of the mushroom. But the truffle does not parasitize either - the symbiosis helps the tree to be saturated with minerals and phosphorus.

Planting the mycelium, the seed material of the fungus, takes place in several stages.

It is important to know that seedlings with mycorrhiza of the fungus are planted in open ground. Ready-made seedlings infected with truffle mycelium can simply be bought. And to create mycorrhiza on your own, you will need seedlings of partner trees and soil from the natural habitat of the truffle, infected with mycelium. Having infected the rhizome with truffle mycelium, the seedling must be kept in absolutely sterile conditions for at least two weeks. And only after quarantine, the seedling can be planted in open soil. This is done like this:

• A small amount of water is poured into the prepared holes about 70 cm deep, after which a tree with mycorrhiza is planted and sprinkled with earth.
• It is required to create a protective layer around the hole in a radius of 40 cm. This can be a layer of garden film, forest foliage and branches, straw.
• Important: it is unacceptable to plant trees too close to each other. The optimal planting is 5 by 4 m, so no more than 500 mycorrhizal seedlings will be needed per 1 hectare.
• Before planting, you do not need to additionally use fertilizers so as not to harm the mycelium.

After planting a seedling, mycorrhiza takes a whole year to gain a foothold. After that, the truffle will firmly and finally take root on the root.

Further care takes place in this way: it is required to remove the weeds around the planting, do not forget to loosen in the spring and regularly water the trees with a drip method. Cracks that may form in the soil must be covered with sand.

The entire growth period of seedlings must be protected from rodents, rabbits and pests. In addition, along with allied trees, there may be plants on the site, next to which a capricious delicacy cannot grow. Such trees need to be removed.

What trees are required to grow truffles

The ideal partner for mycorrhiza is oak. But trees such as olive, hazel, sequoia, beech, hornbeam, or any kind of citrus may also work.

Important: the truffle absolutely does not tolerate willow, poplar, spruce, chestnut, fir! These trees should not be on the territory of the plantation.

How do I find a crop?

Cultivated truffles at home ripen from early to late autumn, and the amount of mushrooms that can be harvested in one such period is roughly 10 or 15 kg per hectare.

Truffle differs from other fruits of the earth in that it is not enough to plant and grow it. This mushroom still has to be found - the crop can hide at a depth of about 30 cm underground. Better, of course, while waiting for the first truffles to purchase a specially trained animal (dog or pig) that can smell the delicacy. But if there is no such assistant in the household, there are several signs by which you can find a family of truffles:

• The smell of a ripe truffle family invariably attracts insects. For this reason, a large number of midges always hover over the place where the mushrooms have "lurked".
• The grass growing over the truffle dies and dries up by the time the mushroom ripens.
• The ground above the truffle is slightly raised.

How to store harvested mushrooms correctly

Undoubtedly, the best product is freshly cut, that is, one that was harvested no more than a day ago. However, if the realization of a truffle or the preparation of a dish from these delicacies is possible a little later, in order to preserve all the taste and nutritional properties of the mushroom, the following storage rules must be observed:

• truffles should always be stored without clearing from the ground, because it, like a natural container, will save the cut mushroom from the destructive action of microorganisms and the loss of its natural delicate taste;
• cool storage temperature (refrigerator);
• professional chefs advise this method of preserving the natural moisture of the truffle: wrap the unpeeled mushroom in parchment paper and place it in a container with dry rice.

So, having understood in more detail how truffle mushrooms grow and what conditions need to be created for this, we can conclude that the process of their production is incredibly long and costly. Nevertheless, plantations for the cultivation of this delicacy are not only common in European countries, but are also gradually gaining momentum in Russia. The explanation is simple: this business is profitable, no matter what. A truffle, once planted, bears fruit for a very long time, up to 30 years. And given the prices and high demand, we can expect that all investments will pay off already in the first fruitful years.

A mushroom called "truffle" is probably familiar to everyone, but only a few were able to appreciate its taste. This is not at all surprising, because all over the world it is recognized as a delicacy, and the price per kilogram can reach thousands of dollars. Therefore, even having found such a product on store shelves, not everyone can afford to buy it even for a test.

The high cost and valuable nutritional properties of the truffle are attracting more and more people who are trying to grow it on their own in order to get a very good income. How truffles are grown at home and whether it is possible to make your dreams come true, we will find out in this article.

Briefly about the delicacy

More recently, the French were engaged in the cultivation of such mushrooms, they called this product "black diamond". Today, they are trying to grow the delicacy in different parts of our planet, and this process most often ends successfully if this event uses an effective technology developed by specialists.

Currently, not only black but also porcini mushrooms are valued.

It is these varieties that are used by the most famous culinary experts around the world to create their masterpieces.

Such a plant can be safely attributed to unpredictable and even mysterious, since their life activity takes place underground and remains a mystery even for specialists. How the fungus develops depends primarily on what kind of tree, or rather on what roots, it conducts its parasitic activity.

And do not be surprised, this expensive delicacy is classified as a parasite, although it is probably not entirely true to talk about these mushrooms this way. Of course, these plants take their nourishment from the roots, using their own filaments, which are wrapped around the roots of shrubs or trees. But at the same time, mushrooms also benefit their so-called breadwinners, saturating them with moisture and providing protection against harmful microorganisms.

How to grow truffles yourself

It is, of course, possible to grow a "black nutritious diamond" with your own hands, but for a successful process you must follow the basic rules, and the growing technology should in no case be changed, otherwise the chance of success will be zero:

• provide the material with optimal conditions for growth and development;
• find the most favorable site for growing;
• choose a suitable soil;
• purchase quality material for disembarkation.

Optimal conditions for growing a delicacy

First of all, you need to create favorable conditions for the product for growth and development. The created parameters must correspond to a warm, temperate climate, if the temperature indicator is constantly changing, it is better not to try to grow a valuable product. If the climate in the region is favorable, then the chance to grow mushrooms increases significantly.

Purchase of special seedlings

The next step is to buy seedlings, which can be easily purchased from specialized stores. It is best to buy seedlings of such trees:

• hazel;
• hazel;
• oak.

Any kind of seedling must necessarily be grafted with spores of a black or porcini mushroom. It is impossible to say how much such material will cost, since the price most often depends on the region in which the product is sold.

Choosing a place for planting a seedling

It is imperative to carefully choose the place for planting the purchased seedling:

1. The chosen place should be fenced off from animals, both domestic and wild.
2. In this area, the scorching sun should not constantly shine, it is important that there are no drafts.
3. You should try to clear the selected area from other vegetation that will interfere with the growth and development of the new plantation.

Of course, you will have to make a lot of efforts, but there is certainly no other way to create ideal conditions for growing a valuable product.

See also: How much boiled mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator

Suitable soil

Both black and white truffles will not grow in the wrong soil. Many people know that mushrooms of all varieties thrive in alkaline soil. You should not abandon the idea if it turns out that the soil on the site is not alkaline, but acidic. Lime will help stabilize the parameters. It must be bought in a specialized store, applied to the soil according to the instructions before planting seedlings.

Staged landing

The soil in the selected area must be treated with a herbicide in advance. Not every type of drug is suitable for this process, experts advise choosing a composition that contains ammonium glufosinate, which can rapidly decompose. As already mentioned, the treatment must be carried out in advance so as not to harm the mycelium.

Seedlings are planted in open ground in early spring, when there will be no more frost on the soil:

• the depth of the planting hole should be 60-70 cm. Before planting a tree, it is watered abundantly with settled water;
• before loading the green plantation, the root system must be carefully straightened, fertile nutritious soil is poured over the roots;
• it is recommended to lay a layer of mulch on top of the ground, you can use fallen leaves or sawdust;
• in order for the seedlings to take root faster, they need to be fed with special fertilizers;
• in severe frost, it is recommended to cover the seedlings with a plastic bag.

When can you harvest

To get the expected harvest, you will have to wait 3-4 years. Of course, the period is very long, but over the next 20 years, if the rules of care are constantly observed, you can easily collect a valuable delicacy both for sale and for self-preparation of unusually delicious dishes.

It is quite easy to see white or black truffles, they usually grow in groups of 5-8 pieces, the soil will slightly rise under the fruits. To remove them from the ground, you will have to go deeper by about 15-20 centimeters, and the weight of the "black diamond" can vary from 500 grams to 1.3 kilograms. When digging up the fruit, you need to use a small spatula, carry out the process carefully so as not to damage both the product itself and the root system of the trees.

If the climate of the region is favorable, you are ready to spend time and energy on preparing the territory and waiting for the harvest, then you can safely try to start growing truffles at home and, of course, do not forget to believe in success.

This mushroom is recognized as a world delicacy. The price for 1 kg ranges from several thousand dollars. Many people have never been able to taste truffle mushrooms in their entire lives.

As you know, everything that grows in the earth under natural conditions can be grown independently if favorable conditions are created. Growing king mushrooms is not easy, you need not only start-up capital, but also enough space to grow truffles. If the process improves, then in 1-2 years you can develop your own business, which brings good income. Since the price of a truffle is very high, you can quickly recoup your investment.

About the secret of the truffle

This mushroom has many secrets. First, even those people who collect truffles cannot observe their growth. The fact is that the "life" of the fungus takes place under a layer of earth (depth of about 20 cm) and depends on shrubs and trees. It feeds on the roots of these plants, giving them some of the nutrients. The misconception of many that the truffle is a parasite, on the contrary, the fungus envelops the root system of the tree with its mycelium. Thus, thanks to fungi, plant roots receive more moisture and will be under reliable protection from harmful microorganisms. This coexistence of two plants is called symbiosis.

The second secret is reproduction. If we compare this process with ordinary mushrooms, then everything is clear: spores are carried through the air or through water. But the spores of royal mushrooms spread through the stomachs of animals. It turns out that after passing through the body of a wild boar, spores acquire the ability to germinate, but only in a convenient place for it - next to some trees. In order for a wild animal to find a mushroom, nature has provided for this moment too - the truffle has a delicate aroma. By the way, not every mushroom smells good. Most mushrooms thin out a rather unpleasant odor, similar to the "aroma" of spoiled fish or rotten onions. And only some varieties of truffles, including the royal (Perigorsk), thin out the pleasant aroma.

Of all the known types of truffles, only black ones have been artificially grown. They are also called French, because France is the leader in truffle cultivation. A favorable place - specially planted oak groves or plantings. Truffle sizes can range from a small, walnut-sized to a medium-sized apple. Larger specimens, about 1 kg, were also found in nature.

Truffle photo:

What is the use

Incredibly, culinary experts from many countries of the world are ready to pay several thousand dollars for 1 kg! Why is truffle so overwhelmingly popular?

There are about 10 types of mushrooms suitable for human consumption. The most valuable are the black truffle (Perigord or Italian), winter and Piedmontese.

Outwardly, the truffle is somewhat similar to a potato, the pulp of the mushroom has a reddish tint. When it reaches maturity, the flesh will turn black and white streaks will be visible in the cut. It is because of its subtle aroma that the black truffle is considered the most valuable among culinary specialists. Hundreds of different gourmet dishes can be prepared from the mushroom. It is very important to preserve the delicate flavor of the truffle, so in most cases, chefs add a small portion of the raw mushroom to the finished dish. If you do everything according to the rules, then you can appreciate the unique properties of the truffle.

The calorie content of royal mushroom is low, there are only 24 kcal per 100 g. The mushroom goes well with cheese, fruit and meat. It can also be served as a separate dish with a white creamy sauce. It tastes like roasted seeds or walnuts.

You can talk about the benefits of a truffle for hours - it is a source of vitamins of group B, PP and C. Truffle is of particular value for adolescents, pregnant and lactating women. In addition, regular consumption of Perigord truffle will prolong youth, preserve beauty and increase sexual activity.

How to grow a truffle

They have been trying to breed the royal mushroom for a long time in artificial conditions. Back in the 60s of the 19th century, active work was carried out in this direction. The breeders have been waiting for the first results for more than 10 years! Nobody gave any guarantees.

In those places that were not rich in black soil, they had to go to the trick and breed truffles indoors. For these purposes, spacious basement rooms were allocated, suitable trees were taken, crushed to the state of sawdust, moistened with a special solution with nutrients, and soil with mycelium was added. Such artificial breeding did not always give a positive result.

A little later, in France, scientists managed to conduct another experiment on breeding black truffles. In the laboratory, young oak trees were grown with an artificially bred truffle. As soon as the mushrooms took root with the trees, the "couple" were moved into the ground and the yield was monitored. Thanks to this technology, at the beginning of the 20th century, the French managed to collect almost 1000 tons of mushrooms a year.

At present, the technology developed by scientists from Australia is considered to be effective, about 100 kg of crop can be obtained from 1 hectare.

Growing truffles at home

Growing mushrooms on your own is a whole art. This is a troublesome and costly business. It is necessary to make large investments and wait for the harvest for a long time.

To grow truffles at home, you need to allocate a large plantation (if you plan to grow mushrooms in the open air in a natural way) or a spacious basement. Mushrooms do not tolerate temperature fluctuations, therefore, in order to get a harvest, the optimum air temperature should be + 22 ° C.

Consider 2 options for growing royal mushrooms.

Soil contamination with mycelium

For these purposes, you will need the following:

1. Purchase truffle mycelium (on a pad or substrate).
2. Prepare branches, leaves (fallen) from oak, walnut or beech, moss.
3. Shovel.
4. Water.
5. Soil for truffles or peat substrate for growing indoor plants.
6. Planting is best done in the warm season - at the end of May or June. Not far from the selected tree (the age of the trees is 5-10 years), you need to make several holes (3-4 will be enough), the depth of the hole is 20 cm, the diameter is 10 cm.
7. Put the prepared soil in half of each hole, and on top of it - the required amount of mycelium. Then the holes are filled to the brim with the remaining soil. It needs to be tamped very tightly.
8. Now, very carefully, 10 liters must be poured into each well. settled water. Rainwater can also be used for irrigation.
9. On top, you need to lay the prepared foliage, moss and branches and water again abundantly with water, but already around each hole.

After 3, or even 5 years, the first harvest should be expected. It will depend on weather conditions. By the way, you need to ensure that the soil is always moist and in no case should it dry out. With the onset of cold weather, the planting sites need to be insulated with an additional layer of leaves.

A few years later, at the end of August, you can count on the first harvest of truffles. It will reach sizes from 40 to 70 g and acquire a delicate aroma. Every year, you can collect 5-7 mushrooms from each hole.

Planting spore-infested seedlings

This method of growing truffles is considered more efficient, although it requires costs: both material and time.

First, sprouts of oak or hazel are taken, which are infected with the mycelium of the black fungus. They are kept in "quarantine" for several weeks in order to prevent the death of the mycelium. Seedlings must be kept in sterile conditions. If all the requirements are met, then the mycelium takes root and after that the seedlings can be planted in the nursery.

For the first few months, they must be kept in "quarantine" conditions. Even the maintenance personnel are obliged to observe hygiene rules so as not to infect young oak trees with harmful microorganisms.

After 12 months, we can talk about the complete survival of the seedlings. During this period, they should grow up to 20 cm. When breeding black truffles, it is very important to use sprouts, not young oaks, in which case good results can be achieved. By the way, on some farms, the replanting method is practiced, when a truffle is planted to oak sprouts, next to an adult tree.

How to choose the right place, professional advice:

• monitor the acidity of the soil, ideally so that the pH does not exceed 7.9 and does not fall below 7.5;
• choose an aerated soil with sufficient calcium and humus. Also, foreign inclusions and stones should not be present in it. Before planting seedlings, you need to thoroughly mechanically process the soil;
• pay attention to a very important detail: no other microorganisms (fungal spores) should be present in your soil;
• after planting within 2 years, you need to get rid of weeds;
• the average daily temperature in the warm season is from 16.5 to 22 ° C;
• to make it easier to carry out tillage, choose a non-embossed area.

How to land

Planting oak seedlings infected with black truffle mycelium is carried out in the spring, when the threat of frost has passed. The soil must be well prepared and all weeds removed. It is impossible to use chemicals to kill weeds, since even a small part of them in the soil can lead to the death of the mycelium.

The use of herbicides with ammonium gluphosphate is allowed, but only in small quantities and in case of urgent need. This substance decomposes quickly in the soil.

Planting is carried out according to a certain scheme, taking into account the fact that no more than 500 oak trees per 1 hectare. Immediately before planting, the soil cannot be fertilized, this can lead to the death of the mycelium of the royal mushroom.

It should also be borne in mind that when transplanting, there is a high risk of damage to the root system, therefore, oaks are first planted in the prepared hole, a small amount of water is poured, the seedling is densely covered with soil and again abundantly watered. Planting depth - 75 cm to protect mushrooms from frost and other adverse weather conditions. In addition, mulching is done near the tree (from a layer of leaves, moss and branches). If the plants are young, it is better to protect them with plastic wrap.

Since the truffle is an ectomycorrhizal fungus (the formation of mycorrhiza on the root system), the area of ​​the tree for development should be at least 20 m2. Along with the oak, it is allowed to grow other companion trees: citrus, olive trees.You cannot plant poplar, chestnut, pine, spruce and fir next to oak trees.

About pest control and harvesting

Since pigs and rabbits are the main danger to truffles, the area where the Perigord mushroom is grown must be fenced off. Cockroaches and weevils also pose a serious threat to the future harvest.

The appearance of fungi (after a few years) can be recognized by the small tubercles that appear on the soil. The body of the mushroom is in the ground, the depth is about 20 cm. The weight of one specimen is from 0.5 to 1 kg. The black truffle has a round or oblong shape. The color of the mushroom is black and the "skin" is hard.

Most of the crop can be located practically on the soil surface. In order not to disrupt the ripening process, it is important to sprinkle such places with sifted sand. By the way, the fact that the mushroom is close to the surface can be judged by the flies and midges - if there are a lot of them in this place, then it's time to harvest.

To search for royal mushrooms, specially trained dogs are used (they are watered with milk with the addition of mushroom broth, and later they are trained with a stick grated with truffle) and pigs. You need to dig out the truffle exclusively by hand with small spatulas.

Growing royal truffles is troublesome, but due to the high cost of mushrooms, it is very profitable. There are many valuable mushroom farms in the world. You can find lands even in places where these mushrooms have never grown. So it is quite possible to grow truffles in artificial conditions, especially since the yield on such farms will be several times higher than in nature.

For the intricacies of growing truffles, see this video:

Having studied the soil requirements and the technology of planting an exquisite truffle mushroom, the owner will be able to receive a consistently high income for several decades, since properly prepared soil and high-quality mycelium will provide an impressive result. Sell ​​groceries to restaurants and shops - get the desired profit and succeed in this business!

The content of the article:

• A little about the truffle family
• Physiology of taste
• Growing on an industrial scale: myth and reality
• Growing truffles in the garden
• Algorithm for growing truffles
• Soil requirements
• Growing in artificial conditions
• Algorithm for growing truffles in a greenhouse

The famous and aristocratic truffle has very little in common with the well-known dessert, but it is considered no less a delicacy all over the world. Chocolate or curd dessert is named truffle for the shape similar to the fruit body of an underground mushroom. Truffle is a whole taxonomic group, genus (that is, a systematic association of species similar in origin).

A little about the truffle family

Of course, truffles are called not only species belonging to this genus, but also some others, morphologically (in shape and structure), resembling them. The so-called "real truffles" are valued much more than the "truffle-like" ones, but with regard to the conditions required for growing they are very similar. These fungi are characterized by the fact that they grow underground, right between the roots of trees, therefore they belong to the category of mycorrhizal (forming a close symbiosis of the mycelium with the roots of trees).

The origin of these fungi and the number of their species are not fully known. We can say that this is a poorly studied taxonomic group in biology. The fruit bodies of truffles are especially valuable, edible, and, most importantly, delicious. They have a round or tuber-like shape, have a dense, fleshy or cartilaginous structure, and are covered on top with what are called "warts". In general, their appearance is far from attractive, which contrasts sharply with the taste of representatives of the Truffle genus.There is an opinion that it is worth trying this mushroom only once in order to forever be imbued with this magical aroma and wonderful taste that have conquered people at all times.

Physiology of taste

Even in ancient Rome, people admired the greatness of this mushroom. It was even considered healing, used by physicians of that time to prepare means aimed at improving "men's health". It was believed that he is able to give a person unthinkable strength, endurance. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that truffles have mystical properties, capable of giving a person supernatural strength.

Truffle has been considered a special delicacy since the 15th century AD. It was then that Italian chefs began to use this unsightly irregularly shaped mushroom in their dishes, which they called tartufo ("tuber"). At the same time, French chefs from the central regions of the country began to use truffles for cooking, but they did not position it as a delicacy, but considered it simply a “filler”. Then truffles began to be harvested in Russia, in the Moscow province. According to legend, some especially cunning "hunters" attracted bears to their hunt, which had their teeth pulled out beforehand, as they found underground mushrooms much easier.

Truffles were grown artificially in France only in the 19th century. Then there were whole "truffle forests" in every region of the country. They were available to almost any ordinary citizen at the festive table. At the same time, the famous chef Jean-Anselm Brillat-Savarin wrote his still popular book "The Physiology of Taste", in which he devoted an entire chapter to the "diamond of the kitchen" - the truffle, describing both its taste qualities and the qualities of an aphrodisiac.

However, the First World War, coupled with the deterioration of the environment, had a very bad effect on the cultivation of truffles in France. And, if until the XX century 100 tons of mushrooms per year were collected only from the territory of one region, then after the First World War the annual truffle harvest in the entire country has not yet exceeded 20 tons.

Growing on an industrial scale: myth and reality

Today, truffles are not grown on an industrial scale, but are harvested under natural conditions with the help of animals: truffle flies, dogs, pigs. The flies lay their eggs in the ground next to the truffle, and their larvae move towards the fruiting body of the fungus to receive nutrients and pupate. Swarms of such flies are clearly visible, so people have learned to find mushrooms with their help. Also, dogs and pigs, which find "deposits" of mushrooms, are subjected to special training.

Artificial cultivation of truffles as a business requires a lot of money, effort and energy, if only because they require a special soil composition. In addition, the truffle never bears fruit in the first year. However, according to experts, such a business allows you to receive consistently high earnings, but it also requires high costs. People who have been involved in such a painstaking business as growing truffles argue that it takes an average of six years for fruit bodies to fully ripen. Without a doubt, this is a rather impressive period of waiting time for payback. However, it is argued that the game is worth the candle. The soil produces crops for 30-35 years on average. A 1 hectare plantation produces about 15-20 kilograms of truffles. Their cost will be about $ 500-600. The distribution channel can serve as restaurants, the owners of which will quickly buy up products, even if grown in artificial conditions. The most progressive economists also advise creating an online store or posting information about the sale on online auction sites - this will allow you to sell truffles faster and more efficiently not only to restaurants, but also to gourmets who want to cook gourmet dishes with an amazing delicacy in their kitchens.

There are two possibilities for truffle cultivation: at home, that is, in an open area, or in a closed area - in a greenhouse.

Growing truffles in the garden

To begin with, a territory is selected that meets all the requirements of whimsical mushrooms. Tree seedlings are infected with mycelium, then planted in the ground at an average distance from each other. Trees are planted in a soil specially prepared for this.

It is planted one tree at a time in a 4x4 meter square. At the same time, there should not be more than 500 trees on one hectare of land. Fertilizing the soil is done long before planting, since the mycelium can be damaged by fertilizers. On each square of land, holes are dug into which water is poured, then a tree is placed. After that, the hole is covered with soil and watered. The planting depth should be at least 70 centimeters, which helps to keep the mycelium intact during temperature changes and protects it from pests.

Algorithm for growing truffles

1. Loosen the soil.
2. Apply fertilizers a season or two before planting, or not apply them at all.
3. Divide the soil into 4x4 meter squares.
4. Pick up a tree sapling. Oak (stone or pedunculated), as well as spruce, pine, fir, hazel, flax or sequoia may be suitable.
5. To buy mushroom mycelium, experts recommend choosing a French black truffle for growing with a seedling.
6. Infect seedlings with mycelium.
7. Dig at least 70 cm holes for the seedlings.
8. Fill the holes with water.
9. Plant a seedling with mycelium in the hole.
10. Cover with soil.
11. Carry out mulching (lay at least 40 centimeters of soil with remnants of dry leaves).
12. Cover the space within a meter of the tree with polyethylene.
13. Water the trees regularly and feed them with NPK fertilizers.

Soil requirements

1. The presence of a high humus content in the soil.
2. High degree of mechanical tillage.
3. Soil pH should vary between 7 and 8.
4. The soil should not contain any fungi.
5. Weeds are not allowed to germinate around the trees.
6. Growing conditions should be close to the natural conditions of a temperate continental climate.
7. In the spring-summer period, the temperature should not be lower than 16 degrees Celsius and above 22 degrees Celsius.
8. Landing area must be embossed.

The white truffle is grown in the same way as the black one, but in order for it to bear fruit as quickly and efficiently as possible, it is recommended to plant mycelium, which costs about $ 10, not on oak, as is the case with black, but on a walnut tree. The soil must also contain a lot of humus and have a high level of alkali, which can be checked with ordinary litmus paper. If acid is present, it will turn blue. This should not be allowed. In no case should rabbits or pigs be allowed near the truffle planting sites - they are considered the main pests for these organisms.

Growing in artificial conditions

The artificial cultivation of truffles is of interest to farmers all over the world. And this is no wonder: the mushroom is considered "royal", grows in very small volumes in natural conditions, is practically not cultivated, has a high price. The comfortable habitat and development of these mushrooms is an open flat area, where mixed forests grow, with a temperate continental climate.

It is very important to observe all the conditions necessary for the mushroom: the truffle is very “capricious” and “demanding”. Nevertheless, the level of development of technology and technology allows you to get a good harvest of mushrooms in areas where the climate does not correspond to the desired. There, mushrooms are planted in basements, greenhouses, hotbeds and other enclosed spaces. At the same time, winter temperatures should not fall below zero, and summer temperatures should not rise above 22 degrees.

For growing in a greenhouse, in addition to all greenhouse equipment, you will need:

1. Pre-purchased mushroom mycelium.
2. Wood or sawdust.
3. Soil with remnants of leaves.
4. Nutrient solution.

First of all, you need to prepare the soil for planting in a special way. First, it needs to be well loosened. It is even recommended to sift the soil to avoid mechanical damage and "oxygen starvation" of the mushrooms. Secondly, check with indicators or instruments if the alkali level is sufficient. Third, to increase the content of calcium and humus. Fourth, the soil is covered with sawdust and soil with leaf remnants. Fifth, the soil is saturated with nutrients.

Algorithm for growing truffles in a greenhouse

1. Soil preparation.
2. Application of a nutrient solution of water and NPK fertilizers containing calcium, boron, bromine, potassium, magnesium, etc.
3. The mycelium is mixed with a little soil.
4. A layer of previously purchased sawdust or chopped wood is covered with the resulting substance.
5. The resulting product is left in sterile conditions for a month.
6. Stable room temperature and humidity, soil moisture are maintained.
7. Watering as it dries in moderation.
8. Avoid the emergence of any weeds or pests.
9. Use herbicides as a means of getting rid of unnecessary organisms.

Truffles bear fruit underground, so their harvest is deep in the soil. The first crop can be harvested a month after planting, but this value is minimal, since it may take a year for the mycelium to fully take root. Experts note that the truffle harvest is small in the first 2-3 years. The highest volumes are achieved in the third, fourth, and even fifth year of their cultivation.