Growing mushrooms can seem like a daunting task. There is a lot of jargon and things to keep track of. Luckily, we’re here to simplify the process and help you grow your mushrooms at home in substrate jars. We’ll be using a technique called the PF Method. Read on to find out more!
What To Look For When Buying Your Mushrooms
You should make sure the company you’re looking at is reputable. Always check reviews on their site and elsewhere to determine the quality of their wares. While most mushroom grow kits can store for up to two to three months, they become stale after that time, so be sure to check the expiration date; the freshness of the batch will be determined by the date it was created.
Find the Right Chamber
You’ll want to find the right fruiting chamber for you. Fruiting chambers offer an enclosed space that imitates a mushroom’s natural growth condition. Shotgun fruiting chambers are perfect for beginners, although you can also use a hydroponic tent or an entire room for your fruiting needs. You can determine which fruiting chamber is ideal by considering how many mushrooms you want to grow. You may need a whole room or just one tub. The choice is entirely up to you.
The Process
- Prepare the jars. You want to use a mason jar that is tapered to ensure you can remove it without damaging the colonized mycelium. You want to ensure you sterilize the jars at this juncture, or your harvest will become contaminated.
- Prepare the BRF Cake Mix. Use brown rice flour and vermiculite, then add water.
- Pack your jars. Use a spoon to fill it with the cake mixture you just made. They should only be a half or three-quarters full. Don’t apply pressure as you don’t want it to compress.
- Place the jars in the pressure cooker for sterilization for 90 minutes. Let it depressurize and cool before opening.
The Harvest
Inoculate the mushroom jars. The substrate is nutritious and can be easily contaminated. Prepare the workspace and syringe, sterilize the need, and inject a liquid culture. Birth the cakes and then put them in the fruiting container. Submerge them in cold, clean water if they’re dehydrated. Store them in a place that optimizes the fruiting process. A mini greenhouse is your best bet, but you can also use a shotgun fruiting chamber. Harvest your mushrooms and enjoy! Using these tips for growing your mushrooms at home, you should be able to grow your mushrooms safely and efficiently.
In short, growing your mushrooms using this method is simple enough. It takes some time, but it’s an enriching experience. We wish you the best and hope you have a great harvest!