Straw & Wood Pellet Mushroom Substrate Recipe For Oyster & Lions Mane
Creating a substrate for growing oyster mushrooms involves a mix of organic materials that provide nutrients and support for mushroom growth. Here's a basic recipe for making a straw and oak pellet mushroom substrate for oyster and Lions Mane mushrooms:
Ingredients:
- Straw Pellets:
- 3 parts Shroomability Straw Pellets
- Oak Pellets:
- 3 parts oak pellets (usually used for pellet stoves, available at pet stores or online, make sure they are 100% wood with no additives)
- Water:
- Use 1..5 lb of boiling water for every 1 lb of pellets in a bucket, large plastic cooler or large pot, cover tightly and let pasteurize for 1-2 hours.
- Gypsum (optional):
- 1/2 cup gypsum (helps with water retention and provides additional nutrients) Add it to water.
- Pressure Cooker (optional): cook at 15 PSI for 15 minutes and let cool to guarantee pasteurization.
4. Cooling:
- Allow the substrate to cool to room temperature.
5. Gypsum Addition (Optional):
- If using gypsum, mix it into the water.
6. Filling Bags or Containers:
- Once the substrate is cool, fill mushroom bags or containers with the substrate. Leave some room at the top for the mycelium to colonize.
7. Inoculation:
- Inoculate the substrate with mushroom spawn. Distribute the spawn evenly throughout the substrate.
8. Incubation:
- Place the inoculated bags or containers in a warm and dark environment for the mycelium to colonize the substrate. This incubation period typically takes a few weeks to a few months.
9. Fruiting:
- Once the substrate is fully colonized with mycelium, introduce fresh air and light to initiate the fruiting stage.
Note: This is a basic recipe, and mushroom cultivation can be nuanced. Sterilization may be necessary in some cases, and specific oyster mushroom species may have slightly different requirements. Always follow best practices for cleanliness and consider consulting more detailed guides or experts in mushroom cultivation for specific varieties.
