Welcome to the ultimate resource for growing nameko mushrooms! Are you ready to embark on a journey into the fascinating world of fungi cultivation? Our Nameko Mushroom Growing page is your one-stop destination for all things related to growing, harvesting, and enjoying these versatile mushrooms. Dive into our expert tips and techniques, learn about the health benefits of nameko mushrooms, and discover how incorporating them into your diet can enhance your well-being. Whether you're a novice mushroom enthusiast or a seasoned grower, our comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to cultivate a thriving crop of nameko mushrooms in your own home. Get ready to experience the joy of growing your own nutritious and delicious fungi with ShroomSpy!
![Nameko Nature](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshroomspy.com%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2FNamekoNature-1-1280x853.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Natural Habitat
Deciduous trees, especially beech and poplar
Japan, China, Korea
Summer to Fall
Temperate
Wood
Growing Params
Moderate
75 - 85 Days
5.5 - 6.5
Yield Performance
% Weight of Substrate
10
20
30
40
Culture Instructions
Agar Cultivation
Supplies Needed
- • Agar Powder: Cellular medium for agar plates.
- • Petri Dishes: Containers for pouring agar medium.
- • Agar Jar: Narrow Mouth Jar with Sealing Lid is optimal.
- • Parafilm: For Sealing the agar after innoculation. Grafting Tape is also sufficient.
- • Scissors: Tool for cutting sealing tape to length.
- • Stir Plate: Optional: Thorough mixing with sagenetic stirrir improves results by distributing nutrients evenly
- • Nutrient Medium: Nutrition can be Light Malt Extract, Honey, Karo ext. For Mycelial Expansion.
- • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the liquid culture medium to increase growth rates.
- • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
- • Pressure Cooker: Equipment for sterilizing agar mixture and Petri dishes.
- • Scalpel or Innoculation Loop: Tool for transferring mycelium to agar plates.
- • Alcohol Lamp or Burner: Sterilization tool for flame sterilizing instruments.
Growing Params
Recipe: MEA
Temperature Range:75 - 85 °F
CO2 Range:5000 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:38 - 51 Days
Cultivation Notes: Keep in a dark, humid environment for optimal growth.
Liquid Culture
Supplies Needed
- • Sterile Jar: Clean container for liquid culture inoculation.
- • Modified Lid: Lid should have a filter port for gas exchange. Syringe Port Optional.
- • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
- • Nutrient Medium: Nutrition can be Light Malt Extract, Honey, Karo ext. For Mycelial Expansion.
- • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the liquid culture medium to increase growth rates.
- • Pressure Cooker: Equipment for sterilizing liquid culture medium.
- • Scalpel or Syringe: Tool for transferring mycelial mass to growth medium.
- • Alcohol Lamp or Burner: Sterilization tool for flame sterilizing instruments.
Growing Params
Recipe: MHLC
Temperature Range:75 - 85 °F
CO2 Range:5000 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:12 - 16 Days
Cultivation Notes: Shake the jars once every 2 days to distribute the mycelium evenly.Stir Daily
Agar Cultivation
- Prepare the agar medium by mixing agar powder with water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Autoclave the agar medium to sterilize it and let it cool to around 50°C.
- In a sterile environment, pour the agar medium into petri dishes or containers, leaving some space at the top.
- Using a sterile technique, inoculate the agar medium with a small piece of nameko mushroom tissue or spores.
- Seal the petri dishes or containers with parafilm or tape to prevent contamination.
- Incubate the agar plates at the optimal temperature for nameko mushroom growth, usually around 25-28°C.
- Check the agar plates regularly for signs of contamination or growth of the nameko mycelium.
- Once the mycelium has fully colonized the agar plates, you can use them to inoculate your substrate for fruiting.
Liquid Culture Cultivation
- Prepare a sterile work area by cleaning all surfaces with a disinfectant and using a laminar flow hood if available, or alternatively a still air box.
- Gather all necessary supplies, including a sterile glass jar with a lid, a sterile syringe, malt extract or honey, distilled water, Nameko mushroom spores or culture, a pressure cooker, alcohol wipes, a flame source (such as an alcohol lamp or lighter), Parafilm or micropore tape, and optionally, a magnetic stir bar.
- Prepare the liquid culture medium by measuring 500 ml of distilled water and pouring it into the sterile glass jar. Add 10 grams of malt extract or honey to the water and stir until it is completely dissolved.
- Sterilize the medium by placing the jar with a loosely fitted lid into a pressure cooker, then sterilize the mixture at 15 PSI for 20-30 minutes. Allow the pressure cooker to cool naturally before removing the jar, tightening the lid, and letting the medium cool to room temperature.
- Inoculate the cooled medium by first cleaning your work area with alcohol wipes to ensure sterility. Flame sterilize the needle of the sterile syringe until red hot and let it cool briefly. Wipe the lid of the jar with an alcohol wipe, then use the syringe to draw up the Nameko mushroom spores or culture. Inject the spores or culture into the liquid medium through the lid; if the lid is solid, make a small hole and cover it with micropore tape after inoculation.
- Secure the lid tightly and cover the injection site with Parafilm or micropore tape to prevent contamination.
- Place the jar in a dark, warm area with a temperature of around 70-75°F (21-24°C) for incubation. Shake the jar gently once a day to distribute the spores or culture evenly; optionally, use a magnetic stir bar and stir plate to agitate the culture regularly.
- Over the next few days to weeks, mycelium (white, thread-like growth) should start to form in the liquid. Continue shaking or stirring daily to encourage even growth.
- Regularly inspect the liquid culture for any signs of contamination, such as unusual colors or odors; if contamination is detected, discard the culture and start over.
- Once the mycelium is well-developed and the culture is free from contamination, it is ready to be used to inoculate substrates for growing Nameko mushrooms.
Spawn Instructions
Supplies Needed
- • Mason Jars or Bags: Containers for sterilizing and inoculating grains.
- • Modified Lid: Lid should have a filter port for gas exchange. Syringe Port Optional.
- • Grains: Substrate material for spawn inoculation. (e.g. Rye, Millet)
- • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
- • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the grain medium to increase growth rates.
- • Pressure Cooker: Equipment for sterilizing grain substrate.
- • Inoculation Tool : Tool for transferring colonized spawn to substrate. (e.g. Scalpel, Syringe)
- • Alcohol Lamp or Burner: Sterilization tool for flame sterilizing instruments.
Growing Params
Spawn Material: Whole Oats
Temperature Range:75 - 85 °F
Moisture Content:49 - 55 %
Fresh Air Exchange:0 - 1 / Hour
CO2 Range:5000 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:14 - 18 Days
Grain Spawn Prep and Innoculation
- Prepare your grain substrate by soaking it in water for 24 hours.
- After soaking, drain the water from the grain substrate and fill your jars or bags with the substrate, leaving some space at the top.
- Sterilize the grain substrate by pressure cooking it at 15 psi for 90 minutes.
- Allow the grain substrate to cool down to room temperature before inoculating.
- Inoculate the grain substrate with your nameko mushroom culture using a sterile syringe or agar wedge.
- Seal the jars or bags with a breathable filter, such as micropore tape, to allow for gas exchange.
- Incubate the inoculated grain substrate in a dark, warm place (around 75-80°F) for 2-4 weeks, or until fully colonized by the mycelium.
- Check the jars or bags regularly for contamination and discard any contaminated ones.
- Once fully colonized, your nameko grain spawn is ready to be used for inoculating your fruiting substrate.
Substrate Instructions
Supplies Needed
- • Substrate Mix: Substrate material for mushroom growth. (e.g., Sawdust, Wood Chips, Fast Fruiting Mix, Brown Rice)
- • Suppliments: Suppliments not required, but can sometimes be added to the grain medium to increase growth rates.
- • Substrate Container: Polypropylene Bags or Plastic Containers for sterilizing and inoculating substrate.
- • Mycelial Mass: Typically Colonized Grain Jars or Liquid Culture for inoculation.
- • Clean Environment: Flow Hood is optimal, but a still air box can be used.
- • Pressure Cooker or Steam Sterilizer: Equipment for sterilizing substrate.
Growing Params
Substrate: Hardwood Sawdust
Sub to Spawn Ratio: 3:1
Sub to LC Ratio: 4ml/qt
Temperature Range:75 - 85 °F
Humidity Range:95 - 100 RH
Fresh Air Exchange:0 - 1 / Hour
CO2 Range:5000 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:10 - 14 Days
Substrate Prep and Innoculation
- Prepare the substrate by mixing hardwood sawdust with wheat bran in a ratio of 5:1.
- Moisten the substrate mixture until it reaches a field capacity moisture level.
- Fill sterilized bags or containers with the substrate mixture, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
- Inoculate the substrate with nameko mushroom spawn by evenly distributing it throughout the substrate.
- Mix the spawn into the substrate using a clean utensil to ensure even distribution.
- Seal the bags or containers with a breathable filter patch to allow for gas exchange.
- Incubate the inoculated substrate at a temperature of around 75-80°F in a dark, humid environment.
- Monitor the substrate for signs of mycelium growth, which should start to appear within 1-2 weeks.
- Once the substrate is fully colonized with mycelium, introduce fresh air and lower the temperature to around 55-60°F to induce fruiting.
- Maintain humidity levels around 90% and provide indirect light to promote mushroom formation.
- Harvest the nameko mushrooms when they reach the desired size, typically within 2-3 weeks of initiating fruiting conditions.
Primordia Instructions
Supplies Needed
- • Fruiting Chamber: Controlled environment chamber for pinning and fruiting.
- • Control Automation: Optional. Controller and sensors for maintaining temperature, humidity, lighting ext.
- • Casing Layer: Optional. Species Dependant. Humidification material for maintaining humidity in the fruiting chamber.
- • Hygrometer: Instrument for measuring humidity levels.
- • Humidifier: Optional. Could be spray bottle or humidifer. Tool for misting and humidifying the fruiting chamber.
Growing Params
Casing Layer: None
Temperature Range:50 - 60 °F
Humidity Range:98 - 100 RH
Light Wave Length:395 - 480 nm
Light Intensity:500 - 1000 Lux
Light Duration: 12 Hours/Day
Fresh Air Exchange:3 - 4 / Hour
CO2 Range:800 - 1200 ppm
Growth Duration:7 - 10 Days
Cultivation Notes: This is a critical phase. Mist regularly and provide adequate light and fresh air.
Primordia Initiation
- Prepare a clean and sanitized growing area with proper humidity and temperature control.
- Inoculate the substrate with nameko mushroom spawn, ensuring even distribution.
- Cover the substrate with a layer of casing material, such as peat moss or vermiculite, to promote primordia formation.
- Maintain high humidity levels (around 90%) and temperatures between 75-80°F to encourage primordia initiation.
- Monitor the substrate for signs of primordia formation, which will appear as small pin-like structures.
- Continue to mist the growing area regularly to keep humidity levels high and promote primordia development.
- Once primordia have formed, reduce misting to prevent excessive moisture and allow the mushrooms to grow and mature.
- Harvest the nameko mushrooms when they reach the desired size, typically within 1-2 weeks of primordia initiation.
Fruiting Instructions
Supplies Needed
- • Fruiting Chamber: Controlled environment chamber for fruiting.
- • Temperature Control System: Equipment for maintaining optimal fruiting temperatures.
- • Fresh Air Exchange System: System to provide adequate fresh air exchange in the fruiting chamber.
- • Light Source: Light source to provide required illumination for fruiting. (e.g., LED Grow Light)
- • Harvesting Tools: Tools for harvesting mushrooms without damaging the mycelium. (e.g., Knife, Scissors)
Growing Params
Temperature Range:55 - 65 °F
Humidity Range:90 - 95 RH
Light Wave Length:395 - 480 nm
Light Intensity:500 - 1000 lux
Light Duration: 12 Hours/Day
Fresh Air Exchange:3 - 4 / Hour
CO2 Range:800 - 1200 ppm
Growth Duration:5 - 8 Days
Flushes:1 - 2
Flushing Schedule:10 - 14 Days
Cultivation Notes: Ensure adequate light, fresh air, and humidity for fruiting.
Fruiting Preparation and Conditions
- Prepare a fruiting chamber by thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing it to prevent contamination.
- Fill the fruiting chamber with a substrate suitable for nameko mushrooms, such as a mixture of hardwood sawdust and bran.
- Moisten the substrate to achieve the proper moisture content, which should be around 65-75%.
- Inoculate the substrate with nameko mushroom spawn, ensuring even distribution throughout the substrate.
- Cover the substrate with a layer of damp newspaper or plastic to maintain high humidity levels.
- Maintain the fruiting chamber at a temperature of around 55-65°F with high humidity levels of 85-95%.
- Provide indirect light to simulate natural daylight conditions, but avoid direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
- Monitor the substrate for signs of mycelium growth and adjust conditions as needed to promote healthy fruiting.
- Harvest the nameko mushrooms when they reach the desired size and appearance, typically within 2-3 weeks after inoculation.