Taryn HubbardEnvironmental Research

Spring 2010Jason Hamilton

Food and Medicine production• Non-timber forest product• Exciting biological process• Nutrition—Protein, Vitamin B• Medicinal—Benefits to immune

system• Business opportunity

Beneficial decomposition• Mycoremediation: “Use of fungi

to degrade or remove toxins from the environment.” 1

• Mycoforestry: Restoration, mycorrhizal relationships

• Natural composters, pesticides, and fungicides

How does it work?

Location• Outdoors• Indoors

Substrate• Straw, log, sawdust

Spawn• Mushroom starter

culture—mycelia & grain/sawdust

Ideal growing conditions• Warm, humid,

moderately lit

Oyster Shiitake Maitake (Hen of the Woods) Wine Cap/King Stropharia Reishi Portabello, Button, Crimini Morel Lion’s Mane Chicken of the Woods Turkey Tail Straw mushroom

Shiitakes: freshly cut logs, 3-8” in diamater

Ideal bark: in between thin & thick, developing ridges

Hardwood—Oak is best! 70-77˚F, 80-85% Humidity Natural shade & canopy cover

—mix of deciduous & evergreen forest

Clean forest floor, little to no slope

Spring or fall• Will fruit faster if spring

Drilling pattern Plug or sawdust spawn Cover with wax

• Prevents infiltration• Holds water

Stacking formation: “Crib” “Forcing” logs

• Soak in water to “awaken” mycelia

Different varieties different time frames• Reishi & Maitake: 2+ years!

Must replicate ideal conditions in an indoor setting

Oysters: •Temperature = 60-70˚F•Humidity

• 80% inoculation• 90% spreading• 100% fruiting

•Light•Air flow

Species dependent

Sterilize substrate•Boil chopped straw(170º for 1-2

hours)•Carbon to Nitrogen ratio = 20:1

Layer sterile bag – substrate & spawn•Spawn: Grain or sawdust

Seal bag•10-20 quarter-sized holes for

fruiting Hang bag to maximize fruiting

area

Difficult to replicate an ideal environment•Humidity & air flow

Infestations•Fungus gnats•Green mold•Outdoor insects & animals

King stropharia bed Time and Size

Benefits•Supply of healthy mushrooms•Safety•Delicious!•Learn to build, create, and manage a space•Business potential

Forest fertility•Growth & Decomposition

Community connections•Teachers, local cultivators

Future Fungi Goals•Mushroom marketing & business•Collaboration with EcoVillage, New Roots Charter

School, and other community connections•Spawn production•Fungi in the forest•Fungi in the community garden•Mycoremediation•Mycology course•Wild mushrooms

Thank you!

1Paul Stamets Mycelium Running Penn State University Cultivation of Oyster Mushrooms

Mary Ellen Kozak & Joe Krawczyk Growing Shiitake Mushrooms in a Continental Climate