How to choose the substrate for growing mushrooms

The choice of substrate is a crucial step for achieving successful mushroom cultivation. Substrates not only provide the necessary nutrients for the mycelium but also influence the growth rate, yield, and quality of the mushrooms produced.

Types of substrate for mushroom cultivation

1. Natural substrates

Natural substrates include raw materials such as:

• Straw: ideal for mushrooms like Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom). It is economical and easily available but requires pasteurization to avoid contamination.
• Wood sawdust: used for lignicolous mushrooms like Shiitake. It must come from untreated wood.
• Composted manure: Perfect for champignon, but requires careful management to ensure nutrient balance and a proper composting process.

Preliminary operations to avoid contamination

To avoid substrate contamination and damage to the entire process, special attention must be paid to the preliminary phases. Let's see which ones...

1. Substrate sterilization

Sterilization is essential to eliminate mold spores and bacteria. It can be done through:

• Autoclave: professional method to ensure sterility and pasteurize products.
• Boiling: suitable for small quantities of substrate, but less effective than autoclaving.

2. Environment preparation

It is necessary to work in a sterile environment. Here are some measures to adopt:

• Wear gloves, masks, and sterile clothing.
• Use laminar flow cabinets or sterile rooms.

Strategies for optimal fruiting

Achieving the best fruiting requires time, patience, and control. Doing it independently implies intense and constant dedication...

Control of environmental conditions

Environmental conditions directly influence fruiting. The key parameters are:

• Humidity: must be maintained between 75% and 95%, depending on the species during the phase when the mycelium needs to expand.
• Temperature: each species has an optimal growth range.
• Light: some species require indirect light to initiate fruiting.

The choice of the right substrate, combined with accurate preparation and management, is essential for achieving high-quality mushroom cultivation. Whether natural or artificial substrates, attention to detail and investment in adequate equipment will make the difference in the final yield.

But if this process of constant control and parameter verification is too complex for you as a beginner, you can opt for the automatic box by NaturNext: don't give up, start growing your mushrooms now!