Not all mushroom lovers have the opportunity to go into the forest for a "silent hunt." But this does not mean that there is no way to taste your favorite treat. It turns out that mushrooms can not only be collected in the forest, but also grown independently. Especially promising is the cultivation of oyster mushrooms on stumps. And many are doing this not only for themselves, but also for sale, building a small, not too expensive business.
What is oyster mushroom?
Oyster mushroom belongs to the edible mushrooms of the numerous family oyster mushrooms. The mushroom cannot be called small, since the hat for a young specimen is about five centimeters, and for a mature one, up to 30 cm. Initially, the shape of the cap is convex, and its edge is wrapped. As it ripens, it becomes flatter, acquiring a funnel shape, and the edge becomes wavy. While the mushroom is young, its hat is brownish-gray in color, with time it becomes ashen-gray, sometimes even a violet hue is visible. But the overripe mushroom fades, becomes whitish, in some cases slightly gray or yellowish.
A bit of history
Growing oyster mushrooms on stumps began more than two hundred years ago. We came up with this method in Germany. Artificial plantations of unpretentious mushrooms were very successful. Today, "domesticated" oyster mushrooms grow on all continents of the planet. Experts offer two ways to get a high yield:
- An open plantation or an extensive method in which cultivation occurs in the open air using tree blocks (stumps).
- Indoors, the so-called intensive method, using special nutrient mixtures composed of corn waste, sawdust, bran and straw.
Since cultivation attempts are increasingly being undertaken by amateur gardeners who want to get oyster mushrooms in their area, open stump cultivation can be considered the best option. In this case, you will not have to spend additional funds on the construction or rental of premises, the creation of the necessary microclimate.
What is needed to grow mushrooms?
For the equipment of a small plantation, it is necessary to select the right amount of wood blocks. It is best to cut them from hardwood. The length of each segment should be from 25 to 30 cm. Growing oyster mushrooms on stumps requires that wood trimmings are at least 15 cm in diameter. Plantation productivity depends on this.
And you also need mycelium, which can be bought or made from pieces of mushroom tissue. This process is not complicated, but requires certain knowledge and skills.
Technology for growing oyster mushrooms on stumps
If you took up the cultivation of oyster mushrooms on stumps in the country, then select a shaded area. It is good when high-growing crops are planted nearby or there is a small outbuilding. Oyster mushrooms do not like open areas, drafts and bright suns. At the site, prepare the holes in which the stumps will be installed.
Pour boiled wheat into the hole (about 200 g for each stump). At the bottom of each well, 400 g of mycelium is placed, a stump is placed on top, and the entire structure is slightly rammed.
Before using dry stumps, they are soaked for several days so that the wood becomes wet. Soaking time, depending on the diameter of the stump, can vary from 3 days to 2 weeks. From one end on each log block deep cuts are made or holes are drilled. Mycelium is also poured into these holes.
Oyster mushroom cultivation on stumps begins in mid-spring or late summer. In the first case, fruiting will begin in the summer, and in the second in the fall.
The need for watering
In the open air the area planted with oyster mushrooms is moistened by rain and dew. But this is not always enough. If there is little rainfall, it is necessary to moisten the soil around the stumps additionally. Do not allow the soil to dry out.
Harvesting oyster mushrooms
Sprouted mycelium covers the stumps with a white coating. In the first year, each mycelium gives about 1 kg of the crop. In the second year, the yield is higher, mycelium can give 2-2.5 kg of oyster mushroom.
This type of mushroom grows in small families. Harvest by carefully cutting the whole bunch. At the same time, the mycelium cannot be damaged, otherwise there will be no more mushrooms at this place. Cut a part of the family is not worth it, otherwise the remaining mushrooms may dry. The fruiting of the mycelium continues for several years until the stump on which it grows is completely dry.
The optimum temperature for ripening oyster mushrooms is 15-20 ° C. If it gets colder, then stumps can be covered with a thick layer of dry leaves or hay. If necessary, stumps with mycelium are wrapped in agrofibre and transferred to the basement or to the greenhouse. Thus, amateurs can optimize the process of obtaining oyster mushrooms. Growing a house on stumps, for example, in basements, extends the harvest.
Using the recommendations above, you can grow oyster mushrooms at home and get a crop all year round.