How to grow mushrooms at home using store-bought mushrooms

Growing mushrooms at home from store-bought mushrooms is a fun and rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Materials Needed:

1. Store-bought oyster mushrooms (or another variety)
2. A sterile jar with a lid (for growing mycelium)
3. Grains (e.g., corn or wheat berries) for mycelium expansion
4. Straw or sawdust (substrate for mushrooms to grow)
5. A plastic bottle or bag for the fruiting process
6. Water and a misting bottle
7. Cotton or filter for jar lid (to allow airflow while preventing contamination)
8. Rubber bands or string (for securing bags or bottles)

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Step 1: Create a Mycelium Starter

1. Take a few pieces of store-bought oyster mushrooms and cut the stems into small pieces.
2. Prepare a sterilized jar with boiled grains (like corn or wheat berries).
3. Insert the mushroom pieces into the grains inside the jar.
4. Cover the jar with a lid that has a small cotton plug or filter to allow air exchange.
5. Store the jar in a dark place at around 20-25°C (68-77°F) for 7-14 days until white mycelium spreads throughout the grains.

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Step 2: Prepare the Growing Substrate

1. Soak and sterilize straw or sawdust:
   • Soak the straw in water overnight.
   • Boil or steam it for 1 hour to kill bacteria and competing fungi.
   • Drain and let it cool completely before use.
2. Mix the fully colonized grain spawn (from Step 1) with the substrate inside a clean plastic bottle or bag.
3. Pack the mixture firmly and poke small holes in the plastic for airflow.

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Step 3: Incubation Phase

1. Store the packed bottle/bag in a warm, dark place for 2-3 weeks.
2. Check periodically until you see white mycelium completely colonizing the substrate.

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Step 4: Fruiting the Mushrooms

1. Once the substrate is fully colonized, move it to a humid, well-ventilated area with indirect light.
2. Cut small slits in the plastic bottle/bag to allow mushrooms to grow.
3. Mist with water 2-3 times daily to maintain humidity.
4. In 5-10 days, oyster mushrooms will start sprouting.

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Step 5: Harvesting

1. Once the mushrooms fully open, gently twist and pull them off.
2. Continue misting to encourage multiple flushes of mushrooms.

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This method allows you to recycle store-bought mushrooms to create a sustainable supply at home. Enjoy your homegrown mushrooms!