Button mushrooms are one of the most popular mushrooms worldwide, prized for their versatility in the kitchen and mild, savory flavor. Though they may seem exotic, button mushrooms are surprisingly easy to grow at home with just a few simple steps. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know as a beginner to start cultivating delicious, homegrown button mushrooms.
An Overview of Button Mushroom Cultivation
Button mushrooms, scientifically known as Agaricus bisporus, are the mushrooms you commonly find sliced up in stores. They earned the name “button mushrooms” for their characteristic small, rounded caps when harvested at an immature stage.
Button mushrooms are the most widely grown mushroom variety, accounting for about 40% of cultivated mushrooms globally. Part of their popularity comes from how readily they can be grown in a controlled, indoor environment.
While specialized equipment can be used, a basic home setup is all you need to grow button mushrooms. The process involves:
- Preparing a substrate (growing medium).
- Inoculating it with mushroom spores.
- Maintaining ideal growing conditions.
- Harvesting the mature mushrooms.
With the right care, you can produce flushes of mushrooms about every 1-2 months from a single substrate block Let’s look at how to succeed as a first-time button mushroom grower.
Choosing a Mushroom Variety
Many strains or varieties of button mushrooms exist. When starting out go with a beginner-friendly strain that has a reputation for robust growth and resisting disease.
Popular options include:
- Sylvan A15
- Sonora
- Hybrid PS
Whichever you choose, look for mushroom spawn and growing kits from reputable suppliers to ensure high-quality spores.
Setting Up the Growing Area
Button mushrooms thrive in cool, stable environments between 55-60°F. Creating these conditions is crucial. Options for your growing area include:
- An air-conditioned room
- Basement
- Converted refrigerator/freezer
- Insulated shed or garage
Make sure to control light and humidity as well:
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Lighting: Button mushrooms prefer indirect sunlight or darkness. Avoid bright light.
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Humidity: Maintain humidity around 90-95% to prevent drying out. Use a humidifier if needed.
Good air circulation from a small fan will also benefit your mushrooms.
Preparing the Substrate
In nature, mushrooms grow on decaying organic matter like rotting logs. To replicate this, you need to prepare a substrate. While manure compost can be used, beginners may want to purchase a pre-made mushroom substrate to simplify the process.
Look for substrates made from:
- Straw
- Composted manure
- Gypsum
Avoid soil, which can introduce contaminants. Substrate comes compressed into blocks or bags that expand when hydrated.
Inoculating the Substrate
Mushroom spawn contains mycelium, which is the root-like structure that will colonize the substrate. Beginners can use an all-in-one mushroom kit that comes pre-inoculated.
If starting from scratch, inoculate the substrate by inserting mushroom spawn into holes or mixing it throughout the block. Use sterilized tools to prevent contamination.
Cover the inoculated substrate with a thin casing layer (mix of peat and limestone). This protects the mycelium and helps produce the right surface conditions later for mushrooms to fruit.
Maintaining Proper Growing Conditions
Keep your inoculated blocks in a cool, dark room with steady humidity and airflow for the next 2-4 weeks. Mist the blocks occasionally to prevent drying out.
During this time, the mycelium will spread through the substrate, first appearing like white threads. When the blocks are fully colonized with mycelium, it’s time to trigger fruiting.
Initiating Fruiting Conditions
To produce mushrooms, you need to adjust the environment. Lower temperatures slightly to around 60-65°F. Increase airflow and light levels by removing any covering on the blocks.
The change in conditions will encourage pins (baby mushrooms) to form after about a week. Mist the blocks daily at this point to provide moisture.
Harvesting
Once mushroom caps reach 2-4 inches diameter and flatten out, they are ready for harvest. Gently twist to remove mushrooms from the block. Use scissors for a clean cut if needed.
Aim to pick mushrooms before the gills underneath are exposed as this preserves shelf life. Store harvested mushrooms in the fridge in a paper bag.
Maintaining Your Mushroom Crop
To stimulate further flushes, soak blocks in cool water for a few hours after harvesting. Colonized blocks can continue fruiting for around 3 months with proper hydration and care between cycles.
Supplement blocks with additional casing layer to replenish nutrients. Discard blocks if they become contaminated with mold or pests.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Pinning but no mushrooms forming? Or does your block have unwanted guests? Here are some common issues and solutions:
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No pinning: Increase humidity, reduce temperatures, and improve airflow.
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Small/aborted mushrooms: Can occur from low humidity or overwatering.
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Mold: Improve air circulation and reduce humidity slightly.
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Pests: Remove and isolate affected blocks, dispose if severe.
Storing Your Harvest
Fresh button mushrooms will last 5-7 days refrigerated in a paper bag. Don’t wash mushrooms until ready to use as excess moisture speeds up spoilage.
You can also preserve mushrooms by drying, freezing, or pickling. Proper post-harvest handling optimizes shelf life.
Expanding Your Mushroom Operation
Once you have the basics down, there are ways to increase your mushroom yield. Options include:
- Growing multiple substrate blocks and staggering harvests.
- Experimenting with different substrate recipes.
- Controlling carbon dioxide levels during fruiting.
- Using a lime casing layer.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor
Now that you know button mushrooms are an easy-to-grow crop suitable for beginners, it’s time to start your own cultivation. In a matter of weeks, you’ll have homegrown mushrooms to add rich flavor and nutrients to your cooking. Plus, you can expand your skills and grow different exotic mushroom varieties.
StepsPart
- 1. If this is your first time growing mushrooms, you might want to buy a kit. Mushroom kits usually come with everything you need to plant and grow mushrooms. They are great for people who are just starting out. They usually have substrate, manure, trays, and a spray bottle for watering the mushrooms. [1] Growing kits usually come with clear instructions that are different from the usual ways of growing mushrooms. Make sure you read the package carefully and do what it says. Some kits come with the spores you need to grow a certain kind of mushroom, while others only include the growing trays and the right substrate.
- 2 Buy large trays for growing the mushrooms. Pick trays that are at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep and about 14 by 16 inches (36 by 41 cm). To begin, only plant in one tray. This will keep the mushrooms coming for three to six months. You can use plastic, metal, or wood to make trays, depending on what you have on hand. Advertisement: As you get better at growing mushrooms, you can do more than one tray at once and have a steady supply!
- 3 Make a mixture of equal parts compost and manure. For button mushrooms to grow, they need a lot of nitrogen in the air. You can use your own compost or buy horse or cow manure at the store. If you don’t have a compost pile, you can buy both. Make this mixture in a big bucket and cover it when you’re done using some of it. This will help you grow a lot of mushrooms. If not, only mix enough for one tray. The mixture of manure and compost will smell bad, so make it somewhere with good air flow.
- 4. Put 6 inches (15 cm) of the growing mix in each tray. Carefully pour the mix into the trays, leaving at least 1 inch (2 5 cm) of space at the top of the tray. Make sure the soil on the tray is level and spread out evenly. 3. White button mushrooms like it when the compost is warm, so don’t worry if it’s still hot when you put it in the tray.
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Things You’ll Need
- Growing kit
- Mushroom spores
- 14 by 16 in (36 by 41 cm) tray
- Compost
- Manure
- Heating pad
- Thermometer
- Spray bottle
- Potting soil
- Cloth or newspaper
- Don’t rush when you’re growing mushrooms. It takes time, but once they start to grow, you can pick them for months. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 1 .
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How to grow your own Mushrooms at home.
FAQ
How long do button mushrooms take to grow?
What are the easiest mushrooms to grow?
Where is the best place to plant button mushrooms?
Can you grow button mushrooms in a bucket?
Are button mushrooms easy to grow?
Button mushrooms, or Agaricus bisporus, are popular among growers. These white, rounded mushrooms are a culinary favorite. They thrive in cool temperatures. Button mushrooms need rich, fertile soil. You’ll find them easy to grow indoors. Easy to Grow: Beginner-friendly cultivation.
Can you grow white button mushrooms indoors?
Growing white button mushrooms is a great project for a beginning gardener because their spores grow quickly and easily. Since they can be grown indoors, you can plant them at any time of the year. To grow button mushrooms, all you need is the proper equipment and some patience! Consider buying a kit if it’s your first time growing mushrooms.
Can button mushrooms be cultivated at home?
Button mushrooms can be cultivated at home using organic farming practices. This process involves various steps, including spawn preparation, substrate composition, composting, sterilization techniques, inoculation, and environmental control.
Where do button mushrooms grow?
Button mushrooms, scientifically known as Agaricus bisporus, thrive in various environments, especially in temperate climates. They can be found in grasslands and areas rich in manured soil or compost piles. While their specific preferences remain largely unknown, button mushrooms are renowned for their adaptability and ease of cultivation.
How do you grow button mushrooms?
Button mushrooms are very common and available through online retailers, and can even be found in local nurseries. Whenever possible, purchase spawn from an experienced mushroom cultivator. These spawn will be more likely to produce mushrooms. Spread the spores on top of the compost and mist with water.
What are button mushrooms?
Button mushrooms, also known as Agaricus bisporus, are one of the most commonly cultivated species of mushrooms. They are favored for their mild flavor and versatile culinary uses. In order to grow button mushrooms successfully, it is important to properly inoculate the mushroom spawn into the substrate.