Lab 10

Introduction

In this lab, my partners Lorna and Danny started growing their own mushrooms. No, not those kinds of mushrooms: Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms, silly! Lauren and I could not be present for this lab, as we were attending the Entomological Society of America meeting in Knoxville, TN. Lorna and Danny, however, got our mushrooms set up and we will continue growing them until the final day of lab (November 28th).

Mushroom kits

In order to properly grow edible mushrooms that won't eventually lead to a horribly violent death, one must first consult the FUNGI PERFECTI grower's manual that comes with a mushroom kit (purchased from none other than FUNGI PERFECTI) (Figures 1, 2). The mushroom kit itself is basically comprised of a rearing substrate (sterilized, enriched sawdust and woodchips or pasteurized straw) inoculated with either Shiitake (Lentunula edodes)  or Oyster (Pleurotus sp.) spores. 

Fig. 1
Grower's manual for the Oyster mushroom patch kit.

Fig. 2
Grower's manual for the Shiitake mushroom patch kit. 

Oyster Mushroom Kit

The growth substrate (Figure 3) was kept inside of the bag and placed inside of a tin tray (Figure 4). Three rods were placed vertically inside the tin and plastic was wrapped around these rods, making a tent-like structure around the substrate. These mushrooms were misted everyday with spring water. 

Fig. 3
Oyster mushroom kit

Fig. 4
Danny misting the Oyster mushroom kit.

Fig. 5
Danny elegantly wrapping the apparatus in plastic to form a humidity tent. 

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Once the Shiitake mushroom kit was obtained, the first step was to inspect it for any injuries and to make sure it is the right age (Figure 6). After inspection of the kit, it seems as though everything looked  fine. The next step taken by Danny and Lorna was to pour mineral water into the plastic bag containing the inoculated rearing substrate until it was completely covered (Figure 7). After a 2-3 hour period, the water was decanted and the inoculated growing substrate was placed inside of a small tin tray. Plastic was placed around the entire apparatus in order to provide a humid environment conducive for mushroom growth. These mushrooms were also misted everyday with spring water in order to keep the humidity constant.

Fig. 6
The Shiitake mushroom kit

Fig. 7
Danny pouring spring water into the Shiitake mushroom kit.

Conclusion

It looks like mushrooms are very easy to grow... :)

All for now,

C