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Mushroom Growing Terminology

Whether you’re finally ready to start your mycological adventure and start growing or just here to learn the lingo we have you covered. There are a ton of terms involved with growing mushrooms that you may not be familiar with. Below is some terminology you may need to help you understand some of the basics. If you still need any help, you can always send us a message directly.    

Cultivation

Colonization

Colonization

The process of growing your mushrooms. Cultivation has four key phases: Inoculation, Colonization, Fruiting, Harvesting.

Colonization

Colonization

Colonization

When mycelium is growing through a substrate, but no fruiting bodies are present.

Culture

Colonization

Culture

Mushroom mycelium of a particular species or strain, usually kept on a petri dish or slant.

Flush

Fruiting chamber

Culture

One crop of mushrooms. Mushrooms tend to produce fruits in groups, followed by a brief resting period. Typically you can get 2-4 flushes per block or monotub.

Fruiting

Fruiting chamber

Fruiting chamber

The phase of growth in which visible mushrooms begin to appear on the substrate.

Fruiting chamber

Fruiting chamber

Fruiting chamber

An enclosed container or space used to create an optimal growing environment. Mushrooms need the right temperature, humidity, and O2 levels to grow and thrive.

Grain Spawn

Grain Spawn

Grain Spawn

A fully colonized grain that holds a specific strain of mushroom. Generally, rye grain, birdseed, or popcorn. 

Inoculation

Grain Spawn

Grain Spawn

The process of introducing spores or liquid culture into a substrate.

Mycelium

Grain Spawn

Pins or Pinning

The vegetative part of fungi that grows underground, consisting of fine white filaments.

Pins or Pinning

Pins or Pinning

Pins or Pinning

When tiny fruiting bodies (baby mushrooms) first begin to appear.

Spores

Pins or Pinning

Substrate

What mushrooms release into the air to reproduce. In the lab, you can use them to isolate specific mushroom genes and create a mycelium.

Substrate

Pins or Pinning

Substrate

Any material on which mushrooms can grow. Typically hardwood sawdust, straw, or coconut husk.

How Do Mushrooms Grow

While all flowering plants grow from seeds, mushrooms grow differently. Mushrooms come from either spores, liquid culture, or tissue culture. Every mushroom releases thousands of spores into its environment, each carrying genetics unique to that spore. So, growing from spores is akin to planting a bunch of seeds. It can be unpredictable, and none will be identical to its parent. 


When one of these spores lands in the right environment, it will germinate and send out hyphae. The hyphae quickly begin branching out, forming a network known as mycelium. The mycelium grows, gathering nutrients and water from its environment until it runs out of food, space, or there's another signal like heavy rainfall or a change in temperature to start fruiting.  


Once the conditions are right the mycelium condenses into a tiny ball forming a cluster. The tiny clusters are called primordia. The primordia form pins and eventually become fully formed mushrooms. At the end of their growth cycle the fully formed mushrooms will drop spores and the process starts all over.    

Mushroom Mycelium made from liquid culture

Mycelium

How Can I Grow Mushrooms At Home

Black Pearl King Mushroom Liquid Culture

There are so many different ways to cultivate edible, medicinal, or even psychedelic (if it's legal in your area) mushrooms. Where you choose to start may depend on your space, time, and resources. 


If you're just dipping your toes into growing mushrooms and want to get a feel for the process before diving into a more intensive grow, or looking to grow some mushrooms quickly, try our counter grow kit. You'll have mushrooms fruiting on your kitchen counter in no time! These kits are so interesting to watch grow and the best part is you get to eat them when they are done.  


Are you looking for something a bit more hands-on? Try growing in a monotube or grow bag. Both options are basically micro environments to grow one type of mushrooms, generally producing 2-4 flushes of mushrooms. 


Growing outside can be incredibly fruitful, too. If you have any wooded land, lots of perennial plant cover, evergreen, shrubs or trees, you most likely have a suitable environment for outdoor mushroom beds or logs. Grab some of our plug spawn and inoculate the logs around your home. 


Mushrooms can also be easily incorporated into your garden, benefitting the soil and surrounding plants. You can tuck them into mulch in vegetable beds or paths, inoculate containers, bales, or even bury grow bags. Any way you choose to grow, you want to make sure the fungi stay moist. 90% of the mushroom is water. Definitely avoid areas where there is drought or excessive sunlight. 


There are several mushroom cultures that are very easy to grow like oyster mushrooms and lions mane, but we offer everything from beginner to advanced. Check out our shop to get everything you need. 


As you learn more, feel free to experiment, and don't hesitate to reach out if you've got questions or to share your mycological journey.

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