How To Grow Chestnut Mushroom at Home

Agar Cultivation

1. Prepare the agar medium by mixing agar powder with water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Autoclave the agar medium to sterilize it and let it cool to around 50°C.
3. Pour the agar medium into sterile petri dishes, filling them about halfway full.
4. Allow the agar to solidify in the petri dishes in a sterile environment, such as a laminar flow hood.
5. Inoculate the agar plates with a small piece of chestnut mushroom tissue or spores using sterile techniques.
6. Seal the petri dishes with parafilm or tape and incubate them at the appropriate temperature for chestnut mushroom growth, typically around 25°C.
7. Check the agar plates regularly for signs of contamination or growth of the chestnut mushroom mycelium.
8. Once the chestnut mushroom mycelium has fully colonized the agar plates, you can use them to inoculate your substrate for fruiting.

Liquid Culture Cultivation

1. Prepare the liquid culture medium by combining water, malt extract, and agar in a sterilized container.
2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and sterilize the medium using a pressure cooker or autoclave.
3. Allow the medium to cool to room temperature before inoculating it with a small piece of chestnut mushroom mycelium.
4. Seal the container with a breathable lid or cover to allow for gas exchange.
5. Incubate the liquid culture at the optimal temperature for chestnut mushrooms to promote mycelium growth.
6. Monitor the culture for signs of contamination and discard if any mold or bacteria growth is observed.
7. Once the mycelium has fully colonized the liquid culture medium, it is ready to be used for inoculating substrate for mushroom cultivation.

Substrate Prep and Innoculation

1. Prepare the substrate by mixing hardwood sawdust and wheat bran in a large container at a ratio of 5:1.
2. Add water to the substrate mixture until it reaches a moisture content of around 65-70%.
3. Sterilize the substrate mixture by placing it in a large pressure cooker or autoclave at 15 psi for 2 hours.
4. Allow the substrate mixture to cool to room temperature before proceeding to the next step.
5. Inoculate the cooled substrate mixture with chestnut mushroom spawn. Mix the spawn thoroughly into the substrate to ensure even distribution.
6. Transfer the inoculated substrate mixture into grow bags or containers, leaving some room for the mushrooms to grow.
7. Seal the grow bags or containers with a breathable filter patch to allow for gas exchange.
8. Incubate the inoculated substrate mixture in a dark, warm (75-80°F) environment for 2-3 weeks, or until fully colonized by the mycelium.
9. Once fully colonized, move the substrate to a fruiting chamber with high humidity (90-95%) and good air circulation.
10. Maintain the fruiting chamber at a temperature of 60-70°F and mist the substrate regularly to keep it moist.
11. Harvest the chestnut mushrooms when they reach the desired size, typically within 1-2 weeks of initiating fruiting conditions.

Fruiting Preparation and Conditions

1. Prepare a fruiting chamber by cleaning and sanitizing it thoroughly to prevent contamination.
2. Fill the fruiting chamber with a substrate such as pasteurized straw or sawdust that has been inoculated with chestnut mushroom spawn.
3. Maintain the fruiting chamber at a temperature of around 65-75°F with high humidity levels (around 90%).
4. Provide fresh air exchange by fanning or using an air pump to ensure proper oxygen levels for mushroom growth.
5. Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged by misting regularly with clean water.
6. Monitor the growth of the chestnut mushrooms, they should start to appear within 1-2 weeks after initiating the fruiting conditions.
7. Harvest the chestnut mushrooms when they reach the desired size by twisting them gently to detach from the substrate.
8. Repeat the fruiting process with new substrate and spawn to continue growing chestnut mushrooms.