Taryn HubbardEnvironmental Research
Spring 2010Jason Hamilton
Food and Medicine production• Non-timber forest product• Exciting biological process• Nutrition—Protein, Vitamin B• Medicinal—Benefits to immune
system• Business opportunity
Beneficial decomposition• Mycoremediation: “Use of fungi
to degrade or remove toxins from the environment.” 1
• Mycoforestry: Restoration, mycorrhizal relationships
• Natural composters, pesticides, and fungicides
How does it work?
Location• Outdoors• Indoors
Substrate• Straw, log, sawdust
Spawn• Mushroom starter
culture—mycelia & grain/sawdust
Ideal growing conditions• Warm, humid,
moderately lit
Oyster Shiitake Maitake (Hen of the Woods) Wine Cap/King Stropharia Reishi Portabello, Button, Crimini Morel Lion’s Mane Chicken of the Woods Turkey Tail Straw mushroom
Shiitakes: freshly cut logs, 3-8” in diamater
Ideal bark: in between thin & thick, developing ridges
Hardwood—Oak is best! 70-77˚F, 80-85% Humidity Natural shade & canopy cover
—mix of deciduous & evergreen forest
Clean forest floor, little to no slope
Spring or fall• Will fruit faster if spring
Drilling pattern Plug or sawdust spawn Cover with wax
• Prevents infiltration• Holds water
Stacking formation: “Crib” “Forcing” logs
• Soak in water to “awaken” mycelia
Different varieties different time frames• Reishi & Maitake: 2+ years!
Must replicate ideal conditions in an indoor setting
Oysters: •Temperature = 60-70˚F•Humidity
• 80% inoculation• 90% spreading• 100% fruiting
•Light•Air flow
Species dependent
Sterilize substrate•Boil chopped straw(170º for 1-2
hours)•Carbon to Nitrogen ratio = 20:1
Layer sterile bag – substrate & spawn•Spawn: Grain or sawdust
Seal bag•10-20 quarter-sized holes for
fruiting Hang bag to maximize fruiting
area
Difficult to replicate an ideal environment•Humidity & air flow
Infestations•Fungus gnats•Green mold•Outdoor insects & animals
King stropharia bed Time and Size
Benefits•Supply of healthy mushrooms•Safety•Delicious!•Learn to build, create, and manage a space•Business potential
Forest fertility•Growth & Decomposition
Community connections•Teachers, local cultivators
Future Fungi Goals•Mushroom marketing & business•Collaboration with EcoVillage, New Roots Charter
School, and other community connections•Spawn production•Fungi in the forest•Fungi in the community garden•Mycoremediation•Mycology course•Wild mushrooms
Thank you!
1Paul Stamets Mycelium Running Penn State University Cultivation of Oyster Mushrooms
Mary Ellen Kozak & Joe Krawczyk Growing Shiitake Mushrooms in a Continental Climate