How to start growing champignon mushrooms at home?

Champignons are considered the most common types of mushrooms, so there is no need to advertise them further. The product is widely used in cooking, on its basis first and second courses, canned snacks, salads are prepared. Due to their high protein content, mushrooms are an excellent source of protein. Experienced gardeners prefer to grow mushrooms on their own, but the procedure has a number of features. To fully comply with the technology, you must adhere to the step-by-step instructions.

What determines the yield

1. The main factor affecting yield is considered to be the implementation of the correct microclimate, in which the ears will begin to bear fruit. Also of great importance is timely watering, proper compost (correctly selected soil composition), resistance to external factors, diseases, pests.
2. If you create optimal conditions, you can easily grow mushrooms all year round. First you need to choose a room that has a temperature regime of 14-24 degrees. It is not necessary to take the starting place, the main thing is the ability to maintain the temperature (the presence of a heater or, on the contrary, a split system). At the same time, the air humidity should not exceed 90% (the ideal option is considered to be 80-85% humidity).
3. An equally important factor in ensuring the proper yield is the circulation of the air flow. Make sure that the selected area is thoroughly ventilated, it is important to provide a supply of fresh air. Otherwise, the excess carbon dioxide released during the cultivation of mushrooms will result in a disproportionate stem (it will stretch unevenly).
4. A positive feature of growing mushrooms at home is the complete lack of lighting. It does not matter, so the procedure can be carried out in a cellar, basement or in a covered shed, where the sun's rays do not penetrate. If you wish, you can use the darkened free corners located in the garage or greenhouse. As mentioned earlier, the main thing is to provide humidity and the required temperature in the absence of light.
5. Since mushrooms are grown in a humid environment, it is important to immediately prepare for the possible spread of bacteria. Treat the selected room in advance with a composition of copper sulfate and lime, as well as formalin. Disinfection will kill existing microorganisms, so the likelihood of spreading diseases will decrease to a minimum.
6. If you plan to grow champignons in the summer or autumn, consider the option of carrying out the procedure at your summer cottage. Pick up a dark place in your backyard field, select a separate bed, and cover the soil. Cover the mycelium with roofing material (can be replaced with polyethylene) to exclude the possibility of drying out or, on the contrary, excessive moisture. Such a simple move will provide the proper microclimate.

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Stage 1. Making compost for mushrooms

1. Compost refers to the special soil that must be prepared in order to obtain a full harvest of mushrooms. It is worth remembering that the soil is filled with organic compounds that play a major role in the cultivation of mushrooms, so you cannot save on fertilizer.
2. Composting is rightfully considered the most time-consuming process, the final result depends on it. Mushrooms, in particular champignons, are highly dependent on the composition of the soil, for this reason, proportions must be observed. Correctly compiled soil consists of one part of moistened straw and 4 parts of horse manure (the proportion of straw to manure is 1: 4).
3. Spread the compost in layers, alternating between the two. For maximum effect, line small amounts of urea or superphosphate between the rows. Champignons will grow faster if you use horse manure specifically. However, in its absence, it is allowed to alternate straw with chicken droppings or processed waste products of other animals.
4. The lined compost for mushroom ripening should receive air from all sides, for this reason it is not recommended to lay it on the ground. Make sure that the ground is covered with a canopy, do not allow direct ultraviolet radiation or heavy rainfall. Of course, the compost must be moist, but excess water will interfere with fermentation.
5. To get high quality compost at the output, prepare a maturing heap. Its dimensions are approximately equal to 1.5 m. In width, 1.5 m. In length and 1.5 m. In height. It is this ratio that will ensure proper combustion. Do not compost in small amounts, as you need large amounts to complete fermentation.
6. If we talk about the place where the compost is made, try to carry out manipulations in the open air. As a result of the fermentation of the substrate, ammonia and carbon dioxide are released. Provide good air flow and ventilation when composting indoors.
7. The maturation time of the compost varies from 18 to 20 days. Stir and moisten the contents of the pile every 5-6 days to ensure proper combustion. During the first mixing process, add crushed lime to the compost. During the second procedure - superphosphate, then crushed gypsum or alabaster is poured.
8. Compost is prepared by fermentation, so its temperature sometimes reaches 53-70 degrees. At the end of the combustion process, the indicator drops to a level of 21-25 degrees. The readiness of the compost can be judged by the smell, the ammonia stench disappears. The finished soil has a brownish tint, an elastic structure (when squeezed, it returns to its original position). The composition should not stick to the hands, while the straw breaks easily and has a soft structure.

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Stage 2. Composting and caring for mycelium

1. Once the compost has been prepared, you can start laying it. Choose containers for growing mushrooms, spread the mass so that its height does not exceed 22 cm. Wooden boxes, bags, racks or plastic containers can be used as containers.
2. If we talk about seed, it is called mycelium. The composition is grown in a laboratory way, so it will not work to produce it yourself. You have to buy the product. The mycelium can be compost and grain.
3. The first type has a long shelf life (about 10-12 months at a temperature of 0 degrees). You will need about 500 gr. compost mycelium per 1 sq. m. soil. The grain composition is more efficient and yields better. For 1 sq. m. of soil must be added 330-350 gr. mycelium. At the same time, the product retains its properties for six months, you can keep it in the refrigerator.
4. To sow, put the required amount of mycelium in the compost (lift it up with a layer), deepen the seed by 5 cm. The location of the holes is a checkerboard, each depression should be made at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other.
5. If all the conditions are met (the temperature of the compost is about 20 degrees, the air humidity is about 80%), the mycelium will develop in 15-20 days. During the ascent of the sowing composition, it is necessary to constantly moisten the soil and monitor the temperature regime of the substrate (the indicator should not rise above 40 degrees). Otherwise, the mycelium will die. To maintain moisture, cover with burlap or plastic.
6. If you grow mushrooms in your summer cottage, there is no possibility to regulate temperature and humidity. When the indicators decrease, cover the beds tightly with roofing material or film.

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Stage 3. Ripening of the crop

1. As mentioned earlier, mycelium grows in about 3 weeks. You will learn about the completion of the process by the emerging spider web with a silvery tint, it will come out to the surface of the soil. At this point, it is necessary to reduce the temperature to 13-16 degrees and sprinkle the cobweb with 5 cm of casing layer. The mixture consists of lime powder and peat, it causes an alkaline reaction.
2. To ensure productive ripening of the crop, throughout the entire process, maintain the temperature within the range of 13-16 degrees, the humidity should be about 85%, and do not forget about good ventilation. Watering the soil is carried out by drip with the help of scattering devices that ensure uniform spraying. Such a move will not compact the substrate, but it will fully moisturize it.
3. If champignons grow in a summer cottage, protect the soil from direct ultraviolet radiation, and also avoid waterlogging. The sun will dry out the compost or get very hot. At the same time, torrential rains will compress the soil, as a result of which there will be a large load on the mycelium (its development will slow down or stop altogether).

Stage 4. Harvesting

1. The first crop of mushrooms can be harvested after 3-4 weeks. The peel will tell you about the readiness of the composition, it will begin to burst in the lower section of the mushroom cap. Champignons have a tendency to ripen in stages, the first harvest is the largest, then the wave subsides.
2. To collect mushrooms, twist them counterclockwise, then carefully remove from the soil. Sprinkle the resulting hole with moist soil after removing the fungus. Rotate gently, otherwise you will damage the mycelium layer and young mushroom cobs.
3. Collect all specimens, even those that are sick or small in size. Such a move will save the subsequent harvest from pests, as a result of which the fruit bodies will begin to develop many times faster.
4. Throughout the entire fruiting stage, spray the room with potassium permanganate, diluted until a raspberry hue appears. You can also use lime at your convenience. Such a move will prevent pathogens from developing in humid conditions.
5. In terms of quantity, from 1 sq. m. you will collect about 6-13 kg. champignons. For 2-3 months, the mycelium will bear fruit about 7 times, after which the yield will drop sharply. It is forbidden to reuse the compost, it can be used to fertilize the vegetable garden and orchard.

Prepare compost for growing mushrooms, purchase mycelium. Maintain the required temperature and moisture content of the soil, harvest in stages. Do not use the used compound a second time. After harvesting, disinfect the mushroom containers and the room in which they were grown.

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Video: growing mushrooms at home

Champignons today have become the kind of mushroom that is available for growing at home.The time between planting the mycelium in the substrate and obtaining the first fruits is minimal. No special conditions are required for mushroom cultivation. It is enough just to provide a cool room with high air humidity. A basement or cellar is fine.

Champignons can be grown both for personal use and for sale. But it is important to know that the substrate for their growth when wet exudes a rather strong odor. It is not advisable to keep it in a residential area.

Where and on what do mushrooms grow?

The very first and foremost step in the successful cultivation of mushrooms is the correct preparation of the substrate. It must be prepared with high quality in compliance with all stages.

The mushroom substrate consists of:

• 25% compost (wheat and rye straw)
• 75% horse manure

There is experience in growing champignons based on chicken manure or cow dung, but you should not expect a high yield in this case.

The substrate is prepared in an open space on the street or in a well-ventilated room, since ammonia, carbon dioxide and moisture will be released during its fermentation. Additional additives per 100 kg of substrate are:

• 2 kg of urea
• 2 kg superphosphate
• 5 kg of chalk
• 8 kg of plaster

As a result, we get almost 300 kg of the finished substrate. With such a mass, you can fill a mycelium with an area of ​​3 square meters. m.

If a decision is made to prepare compost based on chicken manure, then the proportions will be as follows:

• 100 kg of straw
• 100 kg of litter
• 300 l of water
• Gypsum
• Alabaster

The procedure for preparing the substrate is as follows.

1. Straw is soaked in a large, spacious container.
2. The straw is laid in alternating layers with manure. There should be 3 layers of straw and 3 layers of manure.
3. Straw in the process of laying in layers is moistened with water. Three layers of straw (100 kg) will take about 300 liters.
4. During the laying of the layers, urea (2 kg) and superphosphate (0.5 kg) are gradually added in small portions.
5. Mix thoroughly.
6. Add chalk and the remainder of superphosphate, gypsum.

The resulting substrate is left to undergo the decay process. In this case, the temperature in the mixture will rise to 70 degrees. After 21 days, the compost will be completely ready for further use.

Planting material

When purchasing planting material, you should not save. Therefore, they acquire only the highest quality mycelium (mycelium). It must be grown under special laboratory conditions. Today mycelium producers present two types of planting material:

• Compost mycelium
• Grain mycelium

Grain mycelium is produced in plastic bags. Store it for about 6 months at a temperature of 0 to 4 degrees. Grain mycelium is used at the rate of 0.4 kg per 100 kg of substrate (mycelium area is 1 sq. M).

Compost mycelium is sold in glass containers. Its shelf life depends on the temperature. At zero degrees, it can last for about a year, but if the temperature is at 20 degrees, then the mycelium must be used within 3 weeks. Compost mycelium is used at the rate of 0.5 kg per 1 square meter of substrate. Its yield is much lower than that of grain.

A properly prepared substrate will surely spring when pressed. Before placing the mycelium into it, it must undergo a pasteurization (heat treatment) process. After heating, the substrate cools down to 25 degrees. A mycelium of 1 square meter is laid with about 100 kg of substrate with a layer of about 30 cm.

Planting mycelium and caring for mycelium

They take a piece of mycelium the size of a chicken egg and burrow it into the substrate by about 5 cm. Each portion of mycelium is placed at a distance of 20 cm from each other. A staggered arrangement is used for landing.

Another method involves uniform distribution (dusting) of the entire surface of the substrate with mycelium. You also need to deepen by no more than 5 cm.

Further actions are to provide the necessary conditions for the engraftment and germination of the mycelium.Air humidity should be kept at around 90%. The substrate must also be kept moist at all times. To prevent it from drying out, the myceliums can be covered with sheets of paper. Watering the substrate is carried out through the paper. An important condition for mycelium engraftment is a constantly maintained substrate temperature at a level of 22 to 27 degrees. Any temperature deviations from the norm must be adjusted immediately.

The germination time of the mycelium is approximately 7 to 14 days. After this period, the substrate needs to be sprinkled with a casing layer of soil about 3 cm. It is prepared independently from one part of sand and nine parts of peat. About 50 kg of casing layer will be consumed per square meter of mycelium.

The covering layer is kept on the substrate for three days, then the air temperature in the basement or cellar is reduced to 15-17 degrees. The cover soil is moistened with a spray bottle, and the room is constantly ventilated. Drafts are not allowed.

Harvesting

The process of self-cultivation of champignons in a cellar or basement is not too complicated and time-consuming. The period from planting until the first harvest is 120 days. Only those mushrooms in which the plates under the cap are not yet visible are suitable for eating. Those mushrooms that are large are overripe, and dark brown plastics are forbidden to be used for food. They can cause poisoning.

The mushroom must not be cut, but carefully plucked with a twisting motion. The resulting depression is sprinkled with a covering substrate and moistened.

The mycelium will bear fruit for about 2 weeks. The number of crops harvested during this period is 7. Up to 14 kg of crop is harvested from one square of the area.

Growing mushrooms in bags

For growing champignons in large volumes for sale through retail chains I use polymer bags. This method has received its recognition in many countries. With its help, a large harvest is obtained.

1. For the manufacture of the bag, a polymer film is used. The capacity of each bag varies from 25 to 35 kg.
2. The bags should be of just such a volume that it is convenient to work with them. In addition, the correct arrangement of the bags affects the number of mushrooms grown. They are usually staggered or parallel.
3. So when installing bags with a diameter of about 0.4 m in a staggered arrangement, only 10% of the usable area will be lost, while their arbitrary installation gives losses of up to 20%.
4. The height and width of the bags may vary. You need to proceed from their conditions and convenience of work, as well as the physical capabilities of the basement (cellar).

The method of growing mushrooms in bags is less costly, since they do not require specially mounted shelves or containers to place them. If it becomes necessary to use the area of ​​the room as efficiently as possible, then a multi-tiered system can be created for the location of the bags. The advantage of this method also lies in the speed of dealing with emerging diseases or pests. The infected bag can be easily removed from healthy neighbors and destroyed, while if the mycelium is infected, it will have to remove its entire area entirely.

It is important to remember that growing mushrooms is a rather laborious process. If champignons are grown for sale, then it is impossible to do without the use of agricultural equipment to facilitate the work of the workers.

Experienced mushroom pickers can list a large number of methods they have tested for growing mushrooms on their own in a basement (cellar). Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main thing is adherence to the cultivation technology, strict adherence to all instructions and requirements. The result is the achievement of the desired result and obtaining a rich harvest of mushrooms.

How to grow champignons at home (at home)

Landing on a regular horizontal ridge

As expected, let's start with the cheapest, simplest method that will satisfy the needs of many farmers. An ordinary bed is a layer of soil with fertilizers, which is located in the basement, the greenhouse. An old vegetable store, a shallow mine, an indoor poultry house, and the like is ideal for growing. The main thing is that there is high humidity in the room, and the temperature is a secondary indicator, it can be adjusted using heaters. Consider the step-by-step instructions for growing mushrooms on the ridge.

> Step 1:Laying compost.

First, the floor is leveled, then a plastic wrap is laid on it, which will retain moisture. Compost up to 30-40 centimeters thick is applied to it.

> Step 2:Sowing with mycelium.

The purchased seed can be sown immediately into the furrows previously made in the compost, it can be scattered on top, and then covered with another layer of compost of 4-5 centimeters.

> Step 3:Watering and maintaining the temperature.

It is necessary to fill the crops abundantly so that they are constantly saturated with moisture, only then the mycelium will grow well, and new fruiting bodies will appear within 10-12 weeks after sowing.

Today, more than 80% of all farmers use this method, since it is really profitable. There are many advantages of this method, let's take a closer look at them.

1. There is no need to purchase expensive trays, so you can save 600-700 rubles for one.
2. Quick bed equipment. It can be done in almost 1 day, you just need to pour the ready-made compost. With trays, bags, there is much more red tape.
3. Rational use of the usable area.

There are, of course, more disadvantages. First of all, we pay attention to infections. If they occur, they spread throughout the garden, and this can be a very serious loss. You also need to take into account that it is impossible to clean the room, therefore, sooner or later, infections brought by shoes from the street or simply on a person's clothes will start... Another disadvantage is the inability to raise the bed to a comfortable height, so manual labor will be much more difficult than with Dutch technology.

Growing mushrooms at home on shelves

This is a more modern way, which provides for convenient placement in drawers. This is the so-called Dutch growing method, which provides for the rational use of indoor space, as well as the highest quality care. The shelf system provides for the use of special mechanized equipment, therefore it is considered more expensive. Many farmers abandoned this method precisely because of its relative high cost. The minimum start-up capital for a 50 square meter facility is $ 8,000.

The profitability of production starts from only 6 kg / 1 m2, so it will be profitable to grow only good hybrids that will produce a lot and often. But, with good yields, the method is very practical, since labor costs are reduced by 2-3 times compared to horizontal ridges. As a container for the substrate, plastic forms are used, from which rows are made, they go one above the other. Drip irrigation is necessary, since with conventional sprayers, infections that enter the upper row will quickly spread to the lower containers.

How to grow champignons in a basement in regular bags

This is the most popular method for oyster mushrooms, but in recent years, mushrooms have also begun to gradually move to polyethylene, as this is one of the most practical methods to get a good harvest with little labor and low material investment. Let's take a closer look at how to make the mushroom grow out of the bag.

> Step 1:We prepare the substrate.

To do this, we need 15 kg of horse manure, 3 kg of straw, 2 kg of sunflower husk, 5-6 kg of black soil, 2 kg of mullein.We mix all of the above ingredients and get an excellent mixture for planting mycelium.

> Step 2:We are waiting for it to burn out.

Fill with plenty of water and wait for a temperature of +80 degrees. After 20 days, spread the soil mixture with a thin layer, dry it.

> Step 3:We throw everything into a bag.

Everything is simple here. We fill the bag to the top, make it very dense, pour water into it so that the moisture content of our mixture is as high as possible.

> Step 4:We sow the mycelium, put the bags.

Holes are made in the bag, about 10 centimeters in diameter, in a checkerboard pattern so that the bag does not burst. You get a polyethylene surface in a mesh, where you will need to place mycelium in each cell.

The technology allows you to save on the purchase of containers, but, at the same time, gives all the advantages of shelf cultivation. If an infection gets into one bag, you simply throw it away or disinfect it, bacteria do not spread to neighboring blocks. Of the shortcomings, the most significant is manual labor at the first stage, which will take a lot when filling each bag, stirring, moistening, planting mycelium.

Container way

Americans are the most knowledgeable about how to grow mushrooms at home. It was they who came up with the aerated (ventilated) growing containers. This method allows you to get fresh fruit bodies even on the balcony in the apartment, not to mention the basements. To do this, you need a special container with a lid and a pallet, into which all the moisture will drain. The compost is prepared as for growing in bags, after which it is placed in wooden containers, previously disinfected at a temperature of +200 degrees in an oven.

Then the mycelium is sown to a depth of 4-5 centimeters, the soil is moistened, placed in a warm place (a temperature of up to +28 degrees is needed). The method is very effective and convenient, especially when an infection enters the soil. You can easily localize the epidemic, since it will not go further than one container. The biggest disadvantage of this method is the high cost for an industrial scale, so farmers very rarely use it in Russia. If you have not yet figured out how to grow mushrooms at home without unnecessary "dust and noise", then this one will suit you. Compact containers fit in any basement or room.

How to grow champignon mushrooms in blocks and what is it

Blocks (or as they are also called - briquettes) are presses specially prepared for production from manure, husk of seeds, sawdust, peat. The ideal ratio of all components, as well as high-quality mixing on the production equipment, will benefit the future harvest.

The advantages of this growing method are many. You do not waste time, effort, money on the construction of beds, you get ready-made material. Typically, compost is sold in cylindrical or rectangular polyethylene blocks. You can hang it on a rope, or just put it in a prepared metal container. It is very easy to change it, so growing mushrooms at home does not require much effort: we collect 3-4 waves of mushrooms and discard the "filling" of the metal box. We buy a new briquette, put it in, add mycelium. The main disadvantage of this method is the same as in the previous one - the cost. However, since the first 3 waves give about 80% of the crop, such a frequent change of the substrate will be to some extent even beneficial if you want to get stable and large champignon yields.

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Growing champignons at home for beginners, as well as for experienced mushroom pickers, is a modern, fashionable, exciting activity.This is both a kind of hobby and a source of additional income, if you approach business rationally and competently.

Champignons are a fairly popular, always in demand, tasty and healthy food product. They do not stale on store shelves, despite the fact that they do not have the lowest cost. Growing them yourself, you will always be sure of their "pure" origin. They are useful: they contain glucose, carbohydrates, vitamins, 18 amino acids, easily digestible fats. They are also harmoniously combined with any products, they can be boiled, fried, baked, pickled, canned.

This mushroom is incredibly tasty, low in calories, and is an excellent alternative to meat (which undoubtedly attracts the attention of vegetarians).

Knowing how to grow mushrooms at home, you can provide yourself, as well as your friends and relatives with a quality product.

Champignons, photo:

Before starting to practice mushroom growing, you should sensibly assess your desires and capabilities. In addition to time and money (purchase of materials), you must have appropriate premises. Some skills, a detailed study of information on the relevant Internet forums, the presence of a competent advisor will never hurt you. If we compare the process of growing mushrooms and oyster mushrooms, then our case, of course, is more time consuming. But if you compare it with the worries and nuances of growing porcini mushrooms, then it will be much easier, shorter in terms.

↑ back to content ↑ Where do mushrooms grow in nature?

If we consider natural conditions, then they are found almost everywhere. Forests, steppes, meadows, forest edges, lowlands, open spaces with moist soil and even semi-deserts, mountain forests are common habitats.

As for the "home" conditions, they can grow in a garden or vegetable garden, cellar, basement, specially equipped garage, greenhouse.

How to grow mushrooms? Many years of experience of mushroom pickers have proven that they grow best where the basement is equipped with good ventilation.

In this case, the air temperature should be relatively cool (not higher than +20 ° C), and if this process is set to flow, then the indicator of the mercury column on the thermometer should vary between +12 .. + 18 ° C all year round. The percentage of humidity should be approximately 70..85%, lighting does not play a special role.

It is not recommended to grow mushrooms in an apartment due to the lack of all the required standards: temperature, the presence of compost (odors from it), lack of space.

↑ to content ↑ Cultivation of champignons at home - technology

The necessary factors for a successful process are:

1. The right choice of location.
2. Disinfection of the premises.
3. Microclimate organization.
4. Competent preparation of the substrate.
5. Composting.
6. Mycelium selection.
7. Planting mycelium.
8. Appropriate care.

As mentioned above, under properly organized conditions, mushrooms can be grown throughout the year. The technology itself is not very complex, as it might initially seem. From the very beginning, you need to correctly arrange everything, and then the process will go along the knurled path. This work can even be called creative, something like a hobby. To date, breeders have bred approximately 50 varieties of this mushroom, which have minor differences in appearance. The color of the cap, its structure, and the duration of storage may vary, but all cultivated varieties are “children” of the common white champignon.

An example of a light brown variety in the photo:

Let's consider basement growing as a basic example, since this method is considered the most common. For so-called “cellar” breeding, it is best to choose high-yielding varieties such as Sylvan 130, Hauser A15 or Somycel 512.They are quite unpretentious, it is not difficult to take care of them, and also very "prolific".

Remember - the most important factor for the successful result of your efforts is the presence of well-established ventilation in the room where the mushrooms will grow!

A constant supply of fresh air is very important, since during growth they emit carbon dioxide, and its excessive concentration in the room leads to stretching, lengthening of the mushroom leg.

↑ back to content ↑ Growing mushrooms in the basement

The selected room must be decontaminated. This factor does not depend on whether it is a basement, a garage or a separate shed. As mentioned above, in addition to high-quality ventilation, there must be a high level of humidity. This is necessary for the qualitative growth of mushrooms, but high humidity is a direct path to the appearance of mold and various fungi on the walls and shelves. In addition, the champignons themselves are extremely sensitive to all kinds of parasites and diseases. Therefore, the processing of the premises is an indispensable item for the mushroom grower.

How to grow champignons at home - disinfection of the premises:

1. Of the most common, often used, it is whitewashing of the ceiling, walls, all surfaces with limestone with copper sulfate (copper sulfate) added to it. The so-called "recipe": 2 or 3 kg of slaked lime + 100 g of copper sulfate per bucket of water (10 liters). When working with disinfectants, be sure to wear a face shield!
2. The second method is more dangerous for the human respiratory tract and also requires protection. 350 g of bleach is taken, diluted with 10 liters of water, applied by irrigating the walls of the room.
3. Irrigation of walls and other surfaces with 4% formalin, using a construction spray gun is the most convenient.
4. You can fumigate a room with a sulfuric checker - it also gives a very effective preventive effect.
5. Chlorophos is a radical, destructive method, but too poisonous in its composition. It works not only on mold, but also on harmful insects.

After any treatment, the room must be properly ventilated - this is also a prerequisite.

Let's go back to ventilation, or rather - let's clarify one nuance: the air should be fresh, but drafts should be excluded. It is better to close ventilation pipes ("strangleholds") with nets with a fine mesh - this will create an obstacle to the penetration of insects, as well as a small barrier for air masses. If you have a serious room of large size, and the cultivation is on stream, then the ventilation system should be more global, with additional fans located above each large box. If opportunities allow, then the installation of air purifiers with replaceable filters will not be superfluous for this business.

It is clear that a thermometer with a hygrometer is essential for a room where mushrooms are grown. So you can always control the level of humidity in the air: if there is a lack - to irrigate with water from a spray bottle, if there is an excess - to ventilate. With the onset of the summer heat, fans solve this problem, but if the cultivation of this type of mushroom occurs throughout the year, then in addition to all the aforementioned benefits of civilization, you will also need additional heating of the basement or cellar.

Large cellar room, photo:

It is best if your cellar, in addition to all the requirements for growing, will have an earthen floor (not concrete). By and large, the more purposeful the room will be adapted specifically for mushroom growing, the better. Any unnecessary additional factors in the basement, cellar, garage or shed that are not related to the cultivation of mushrooms will only interfere and disrupt the "microclimate" of the room.

To the "pluses" of mushroom science can be added the fact that they are able to perfectly bear fruit even in complete darkness. This sets them apart from all other green dwellers.The weakest light bulb is enough - they will feel comfortable, but the light, rather, will be more useful to you in order to comfortably navigate in place.

If growing champignons at home initially has far-reaching plans, the owner has a large room, then dividing it into 2 zones will be a reasonable, convenient solution. Simply put - mushrooms must originate somewhere, and a specially prepared substrate is designed for this process (more on that later). So, in one zone there will be a substrate through which the mycelium will spread (this is called incubation). In the second compartment, boxes with mushrooms will be placed directly, where they will be distilled.

The temperature regime of these two compartments should also be different: mycelium usually grows at a temperature of +23 .. + 24 C °, and the growth of mushrooms occurs at a temperature column of +16 .. + 18 C °. If you get used to it, work out your own "schedule" of moving boxes from one zone to another, you will be able to grow these delicious, beloved mushrooms all year round.

↑ to content ↑ Compost for growing mushrooms

Composting (substrate) preparation is one of the most critical aspects of mushroom growing. The quality of the mushrooms will directly depend on the properly prepared substrate. Usually, when you buy mushroom mycelium, the packaging with the contents indicates the appropriate substrate for this variety, as well as the nuances of its preparation. The varieties are different, and the composition of the compost, its collection technology may vary. However, most often these parameters do not differ significantly.

Mycelium, photo:

The substrate should be prepared either in a specially designated room for this purpose, or in the open air (outdoors), under a well-equipped canopy. It is important that no precipitation (rain) or sun rays fall on the compost. It is also highly discouraged to pour compost on the “bare” ground - spread a sheet of thick plastic wrap. Thus, unwanted insects or any other pests will not penetrate into the substrate. It should not touch the ground, but blowing air over it from all sides is a must!

The mushroom compost should be moderately moist, as excess moisture can disrupt proper fermentation processes.

Be that as it may, the street is the best place for the maturation of the substrate, the active release of ammonia, carbon dioxide will not be useful to anyone. The average time of "readiness" of the substrate, its fermentation, is approximately 25-30 days. During this period, it is recommended to stir it at least three times (to ensure even fermentation). You will know that the process has come to an end by the absence of a specific smell of ammonia. By this time, its color acquires a brownish tint. While the substrate is fermenting, the temperature inside it can be about +50 .. + 65 C °, and the compost already ready for use has a temperature of no more than +24 .. + 25 C °.

By the way, to enrich the contents of the compost when you first stir it, you can add crushed lime to the general composition. During the second mixing - superphosphate fertilizer, during the third - ground gypsum or its construction analogue (alabaster). Already "ready" substrate, in addition to the above-described features, does not stick to hands, springy with tactile contact, the straw is extremely softened, easily divided into fragments.

As an alternative to the independent process of compiling the substrate, you can advise the purchase of ready-made compost, which is sold in the garden departments of supermarkets or flower shops. Of course, such a substrate will be of lower quality than one prepared with one's own hand, although it will be written on the package that it has all the required characteristics.

It is up to you to decide what is more convenient for you, whether you have the time to carry out all the points of preparation for growing these mushrooms. While looking at the common attributes of good compost, let's highlight the main ingredients.

The composition of the compost for growing mushrooms:

1. For these purposes, it is considered to be the best horse waste products. In addition, it is important to consider that the horses ate hay, and not green grass. The moisture content of horse manure for composing the substrate should be approximately 45%. Horse waste can be replaced with cow or bird waste, but, according to the experience of seasoned mushroom pickers, the harvest on such a "basis" will be much worse. So, you need about 100 kg of horse manure.
2. Straw - choose a dry, rye or wheat variety. You will also need about 100 kg of it.
3. Alabaster (gypsum) - about 6 kg.
4. In other cases, alabaster is replaced with urea (2.5-3 kg) or the same amount of nitrate (per 100 kg of straw and 1000 kg of manure). As we remember, these fertilizer additives are applied while mixing the compost.
5. Again, using 100 kg of horse waste, 100 kg of well-dried rye straw, 3 kg of urea, 5 kg of chalk, 2 kg of superphosphate, 8.5 kg of gypsum, when mixed, will create an optimal ratio of ingredients.

How to grow mushrooms at home? Use fresh animal waste while still providing maximum nutrient content. Make sure that there are no coniferous shavings or sawdust in the introduced components - they release resin, and these mushrooms feel it, react painfully to its presence. Phosphate fertilizers, as well as urea, are actually highly recommended, useful - they are sources of phosphorus and nitrogen, which are so necessary for mushrooms. But chalk normalizes the acidity of the substrate, maintains the optimal pH level.

Champignons: growing at home - the easiest way to create layers:

1. We take a convenient wide container, fill it with hot water, soak the straw for about 24 hours.
2. After that, we lay it in layers together with manure. You will have about 5-6 layers. Do not forget to moisten each layer with not very hot water, lightly, but do not moisten abundantly.
3. After 3 days have passed, we take a pitchfork and thoroughly mix the compost-straw "cake", but at the same time we add fertilizers - superphosphate with urea (urea). At this stage, the substrate begins to smell strongly of ammonia. After 4 days, we shovel the substrate again, additionally adding those dressings that are required by the standard for this variety.
4. In general, the mixing of the compost should be done about 4 or 5 times at a time. Spare no effort on this - useful elements will be evenly distributed throughout the composition, and the mass will acquire a relatively uniform consistency.

The so-called "care" of compost has already been described above, but I would like to add, repeat about the warning about excessive moisture. Too much moisture in the substrate will slow down its maturation, but even worse, it will wash out all the useful ingredients required for development and growth from the mixture.

Compost components (dry hay, horse manure, fertilizers), photo:

↑ back to content ↑ Champignon mycelium - planting

The substrate, of course, should be purchased from a reliable representative (best of all - special laboratories). When the compost is already ripe, we transfer it to the agreed place, put it in boxes or special forms, where further actions will take place:

1. To get a good harvest of mushrooms, about 500 g of mycelium or 400 g of these varietal spores are needed per 1 m² of compost.
2. If mycelium is used, then small dimples, 4 or 5 cm deep, should be made over the entire surface of the container with compost, at a distance of 20 cm from each other.An appropriate amount of mycelium is laid in these pits, but if fungal spores are used for sowing, then they are simply scattered evenly over the surface of the substrate.
3. After a while, you will notice cobweb strings covering the surface of the compost containers. By this time, the temperature of the air humidity in the room should be at the level of 75-95%. To prevent the substrate from drying out, it can be sprinkled from time to time with clean, settled water from a spray bottle, and additionally covered with a clean damp cloth or paper.
4. The mushroom mushroom begins to grow at a temperature of +20 .. + 28 C °, the active phase of the spread of the mushroom "spider web" occurs after about 10 or 12 days, then the top layer of compost will need to be sprinkled with the appropriate soil mixture (about 4-5 cm), wait another 3 days, after which move the containers with future mushrooms to a colder room with a temperature of +12 .. + 16 ° C. Or, forcibly lower the temperature in the room to a given indicator of the mercury column.
5. Please note that ordinary garden soil for "sprinkling" will not work for you. Prepare in advance a mixture of 1 part limestone, 5 parts peat, 4 parts clean soil. After 3 - 3.5 months, expect the first well-deserved results of your labors.

A harvest from one mycelium can give from 5 to 8 ripening periods for new mushrooms. This is called a "wave", the most generous collection of mushrooms falls on the first three "waves". Here it is important to catch the moment of ripening - when the cap is still covered from below with a thin white skin (film), and brown plates are not yet visible. Mushrooms need to be twisted, as it were, from the place of their growth, but not cut off (so that harmful bacteria do not penetrate into the mycelium through the cut site).

After the crop is harvested, gently sprinkle the substrate with the above-described soil mixture again. During the next two weeks, they will grow especially actively.

A mushroom correctly extracted from the soil, photo:

Hat in optimal ripening state, photo:

↑ to the content ↑ How to grow mushrooms in the country in the open field?

In addition to the most commonly used "basement" method of growing mushrooms described above, there are other alternatives. For example, how to grow mushrooms at home, namely, at their summer cottage. Sometimes, for some reason (lack of a basement, garage or other suitable premises), the desire to grow these mushrooms seems impossible. But if you are the happy owner of a summer cottage, everything is feasible!

The most successful period for this is summer and autumn, here it is also important to choose a comfortable place. Champignons - where do they grow? In shaded places, on specially prepared soil, the place for the mycelium should be moderately moist, the earth should not dry out, the sun's rays should not illuminate the chosen place too much. To protect against drought on hot days, the beds are often covered with plastic wrap or special covering material to create a certain microclimate. It is important to bring mushrooms as close as possible to conditions similar to their natural growth environment. Since we cannot influence the weather conditions, we must try to give the mushrooms moisture - when they need it, as well as the availability of fresh air.

In the garden under the trees, photo:

After sowing the mycelium in the beds, in the open field, growing champignons - their technology, practically does not differ from the rules for growing in a cellar. After a couple of weeks, the "cobwebs" of mycelium grow over the soil surface, at this point the temperature is lowered by sprinkling the soil surface with a thin (up to 5 cm) layer of moist earth. The temperature, similarly, should vary within +12 .. + 15 С °, but in no case should it reach above +20 С °. As in the above method, it will be much more productive if this land contains peat and limestone.Regular watering (or rather, delicate irrigation) is best done after sunset - this will optimally moisturize the soil and prevent a dense earth crust from forming. With the right approach to business, in about 3-4 weeks you can expect a harvest of your own mushrooms.

Mycelium sprouts cobwebs, photo:

Let's summarize how to grow mushrooms in the country:

1. It is better to plant mycelium or spores on soil specially prepared for this. This can be soil brought from the forest zone.
2. The soil should be optimally saturated with fertilizing, be well moistened, not have stones, brick fragments or remnants of old roots.
3. It is best to plant mushrooms outdoors at a neutral air temperature - +21 .. + 22 ° C.
4. If a greenhouse is chosen for planting, you should carefully monitor the level of humidity and air temperature in it. The conditions are not very different from the basement or garage cultivation of mushrooms. It should be remembered that heat and drought are destructive for them.
5. As already mentioned, the planting technique does not differ from the "basement" analogue (20 cm from each other, shallow pits, dusting with earth mixture after the appearance of the "cobweb").
6. With the receipt of the first mushrooms, the abundance of watering can be reduced (so that the roots do not rot), irrigation is our everything in this matter.

After all the waves of the mushroom harvest come to naught, the spent substrate can be simply disposed of, or it can be quite successfully used as an organic fertilizer or mulch for some trees or even flower beds. Of course, for re-growing mushrooms, it is no longer suitable, but as an excellent top dressing for your green inhabitants, it will quite serve. As for all kinds of containers, boxes after harvesting and composting, they will require mandatory disinfection treatment, as well as the room where the mushrooms were grown.

↑ back to content ↑ Reviews of those who grew champignons

Champignon is such a mushroom, the demand for which is much higher than for oyster mushroom. For example, we buy them for every holiday, but oyster mushrooms, perhaps once or twice a year. If oyster mushroom can be grown in the garage without any preparation, then, for the champignon, you need to specially equip the room with ventilation, irrigation, and an automatic system for maintaining the set temperature.

Goshek

A friend of mine grew mushrooms in the basement of a wooden house. As a result, the logs were infected with a fungus. It is better to grow them in a specially designed room.

Nadia

Hi, I don't know if my experience will come in handy, I really just collect them, I work on the farm where they are grown. 1) they do not need light at all. They grow in our dark hangars. When we work, we turn on the light, of course. When not, then no. 2) When they germinate, you do not need to water them. It is necessary to water before such small fungi come out, otherwise if water gets on them, they get dirty and get sick 3). We have sawdust (more precisely, compost with straw) in a layer of about 15 cm, and sprinkled with earth on top. The ground layer is about 5 cm. The total height of the beds, respectively, is 15 + 5 cm. 4) Temperature + 15-20, the lower (up to 15), the supposedly better they grow. 5) I don’t know about humidity, I haven’t seen the sensors even once, but it’s quite possible - since we have them in 5 rows (racks) 6) Harvesting: Tear off carefully, as if unscrewing it from the ground, it is enough to make half a turn. Collect gradually as it grows. As soon as the caps begin to open (they become such a brownish color and soft to the touch, but have not yet opened), collect everything that has come out with the exception of the smallest ones the size of a fingernail. Water again, as it should, and wait a week for the second harvest. Then you can wait for the third. We have the third - the last one, then everything is thrown away (composted) and everything is laid again anew.

Nadya

Yes, they grow on their own 😉 We put cow dung in a pile, and the cows graze in the meadow, where mushrooms and hats are found and eat.Here we grew up on last year's manure, and when they sprinkled the garden with manure, they still grew there for 3 years, not much, but there was enough for pizza.

Gopher

Growing champignons at home for beginners cannot be called an entirely easy process, but, as in any new business, observing the rules, as well as taking into account the advice from already experienced mushroom pickers, will undoubtedly help you in this interesting, exciting activity. And the crop grown with your own hands will delight you, your loved ones and, quite possibly, will bring material income!