Controlling temperature levels when growing mushrooms is essential for a successful harvest. You can give your mushrooms the best conditions for growth by using a thermometer or temperature sensor, a heating pad, a cooling fan, or a greenhouse. To make sure the mushrooms are healthy and growing well, you should check the temperature levels often and make any necessary changes.
Mushroom growing is a fascinating hobby and can even be a profitable business venture. However, it requires a bit of know-how to ensure successful growth. One of the most important factors that determine the growth and yield of mushrooms is temperature control. Mushrooms can only grow in a small temperature range, and it’s important to keep them at the right temperature to avoid stunted growth or contamination.
By creating the perfect environment with the right temperature, humidity, and ventilation, you can ensure optimal mushroom growth. This guide will talk about some of the best ways to keep your mushroom growing area at the right temperature. It will cover heating and cooling options, as well as how to keep an eye on and change temperature levels. This guide will give you the information and tools you need to grow mushrooms successfully, whether you’re new to the hobby or want to get better at it.
Growing mushrooms requires careful attention to temperature, as they are quite sensitive to fluctuations. But what exactly is the ideal temperature range for mushroom cultivation? While specific needs vary slightly by species, most mushrooms thrive best within a range of 60-75°F during key growth phases. Monitoring and controlling temperatures is crucial for maximizing yields and preventing contamination.
In this article, we’ll explore optimal mushroom growing temperatures, how heat impacts growth, and tips for regulating temperature in your setup. With this knowledge, you can hone the perfect climate for mushroom production. Let’s delve into the science of mushroom temperature control!
Why Temperature Matters for Mushroom Growth
Temperature is arguably the most important environmental factor for successful mushroom cultivation. Fungi are remarkably sensitive to heat changes, even more so than plants. Fluctuations of just a few degrees can significantly impact:
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Mycelium growth rate – The vegetative part of the mushroom which colonizes substrate.
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Primordia formation – The initial budding of mushroom fruiting bodies.
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Overall yield – Total mushroom production per flush
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Risk of contamination – Heat extremes encourage pathogen growth.
Maintaining temperatures in the “goldilocks” zone for each species prevents issues and optimizes production. Getting this right takes diligence, but the effort pays off in bountiful, unblemished mushrooms!
The Optimal Temperature Range for Mushrooms
Most gourmet and medicinal mushroom varieties thrive in the range of 60-75°F (15-24°C) However, ideal growing temperatures depend on the specific stage of growth
Mycelium Colonization Stage
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Incubation: 65-75°F – Warmer temperatures speed up mycelium growth through the substrate.
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Post-Incubation: 60-68°F – Slightly cooler temps signal the mycelium to start fruiting.
Fruiting / Pinning Stage
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Initial pinning: 60-65°F – Low temps trigger mushrooms to start budding.
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Fruit maturation: 65-70°F – Warmer range helps mushrooms grow to full size.
These ranges apply for the majority of common indoor cultivated mushrooms like oyster, shiitake, lion’s mane, and reishi varieties. Always verify the ideal temperatures for your specific gourmet or medicinal species.
How Temperature Impacts the Mushroom Growth Cycle
To understand optimal temp ranges, it helps to look how heat impacts key stages of the mushroom life cycle:
1. Mycelium Colonization
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Mycelium grows best at 65-75°F. Warmer temperatures within this range dramatically speed up substrate colonization.
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Temps below 60°F slow down mycelium and make contamination more likely.
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Temps above 80°F inhibit mycelium and can kill it entirely if prolonged.
2. Primordia Formation
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Once mycelium fully colonizes, lower temps of 60-65°F signal it to start fruiting.
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Pinning and primordia are inhibited above 70°F and stimulated between 50-60°F.
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Fluctuating temps in this phase can lead to mutated fruits.
3. Fruit Maturation
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Mature fruits thrive at 65-70°F. This encourages full expansion of caps and stems.
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Temps too far below this range result in smaller, stunted mushrooms.
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Warm air above 75°F causes spindly, elongated stems and caps.
4. Mushroom Harvesting
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Optimal harvest temps are 60-70°F. Cooler air prevents sweating and extends shelf life.
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Above 70°F, rapid water loss causes shriveling and premature spoilage.
Tips for Controlling Mushroom Growing Temperature
Here are some key tips for regulating temperatures throughout the mushroom cultivation process:
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Place incubation containers on electric heating mats or pads to maintain mycelium at 65-75°F.
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Use a thermometer or sensor to monitor internal substrate and ambient air temperature.
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Position containers away from direct heat sources like appliances or heating vents.
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Transfer containers to a cooler area around 60°F to trigger pinning once fully colonized.
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Use small fans, cool mist humidifiers, and air conditioning to lower fruiting temps as needed.
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Warm rooms up slightly to 65-70°F during mushroom maturation when caps expand.
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Install insulating materials like rigid foam boards to help maintain stable temps.
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Grow in a basement or garage if struggling to keep upstairs rooms cool enough.
With attentive temperature control and monitoring at each phase, you can maximize mushroom yields. Exploring additional methods like using a greenhouse, grow tent, or climate control system can also help fine-tune the microclimate. Dialing in the ideal temperature range will reward you with plentiful, picture-perfect mushrooms.
What Happens When The Temperature Is Too Low When Growing Mushrooms?
The mushroom’s mycelium, which is its plant part, will grow more slowly or not at all when the temperature is too low. This can lead to stunted growth and a lower yield of mushrooms overall.
Also, if the temperature drops below a certain threshold, the mycelium can even die off completely. This is because the mycelium is part of the mushroom’s living body and needs a certain amount of warmth to stay alive and grow. If it gets too cold, the mycelium will stop growing and shut down, which means the crop will fail.
Keep in mind that different kinds of mushrooms need different temperatures to grow. If you want to make sure you are giving your mushrooms the best conditions to grow, you should do some research on the type of mushrooms you are growing.
If you are new to the hobby, here are some common indoor mushrooms and their optimal temperatures.
- Oyster Mushrooms: 70–85 °F.
- Reishi Mushrooms: 70–80 °F
- Antler Reishi Mushrooms: 60–80 °F
- Shiitake Mushrooms: 50–80 °F
- King Stropharia Mushrooms: 60–80 °F
What Happens When The Temperature Is Too High When Growing Mushrooms?
When the temperature is too high, the mycelium or the vegetative part of the mushroom can be damaged. This can lead to impeded growth or cause the mushroom to die. High temperatures can also cause intense dehydration in the mushroom’s body, which can affect the texture and flavor of the final product. The heat can also encourage the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, which can spoil the mushrooms.
In addition, high temperatures can also affect the quality of the substrate or the growing medium. The heat can cause the substrate to dry out quickly, which can lead to poor mushroom yield. It can also encourage the growth of unwanted microorganisms, which can compete with mycelium for nutrients.
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What temperature & humidity should a mushroom grow?
The optimal temperature and humidity for successful mushroom cultivation are crucial for ensuring a thriving crop. Maintaining a temperature range of 18-22°c (64-72°f) and humidity levels between 80-90% creates an ideal environment for mushroom growth.
How do mushrooms grow?
Temperature: Different mushroom species have specific temperature ranges within which they thrive. For instance, oyster mushrooms flourish in temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Humidity: High humidity levels are indispensable for mushroom development. Maintaining a humidity level of around 80-90% creates an ideal environment for their growth.
How do you control temperature when growing mushrooms?
Controlling temperature levels when growing mushrooms is essential for a successful harvest. By using a thermometer/temperature sensor, heating pad, cooling fan, or greenhouse, you can achieve the ideal growing conditions for your mushrooms.
Why do mushrooms need a high temperature range?
Maintaining the ideal temperature range prevents extreme cold or heat from hindering growth. ✅ Moisture is a critical factor for mushroom cultivation. Since mushrooms lack any outer protective layer, they require sufficient moisture from their environment to prevent dehydration. Humidity allows mushrooms to thrive.
