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Background

How To Grow Portobello at Home

Cultivation Supplies
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey into the world of mushroom cultivation? Dive into the fascinating realm of Portobello mushrooms and learn how to grow these flavorful fungi right in your own home. With our expert guidance and practical tips, you'll soon be harvesting your own bountiful crop of nutrient-rich mushrooms. Join us on this exciting adventure and unlock the secrets of successful mushroom cultivation today!
Portobello

Natural Habitat

• Ecosystem:

Cultivated, found in fields and grassy areas

• Locations:

Worldwide

• Seasons:

Year-round in cultivation

• Climate:

Temperate

• Substrate:

Compost

Growing Params

• Difficulty:

Moderate

• Total Time:

35 - 50 Days

• PH Range:

7 - 7.5

• Pref Suppl's:

Wheat Bran

Yield Performance

• Units:

% Weight of Substrate

• Poor:

15

• Average:

25

• Good:

35

• Excellent:

45

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:76 - 78 °F

CO2 Range:5000 - 10000 ppm

Growth Duration:4 - 10 Days

Cultivation Notes: Standard agar conditions

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:76 - 78 °F

CO2 Range:5000 - 10000 ppm

Growth Duration:14 - 21 Days

Cultivation Notes: Standard LC conditionsStir Daily

Agar Cultivation
  1. Prepare the agar medium by mixing agar powder with water in a flask or beaker.
  2. Autoclave the agar medium to sterilize it and ensure no contaminants are present.
  3. Pour the sterilized agar medium into petri dishes or culture tubes.
  4. Allow the agar medium to solidify and cool down in a sterile environment such as a laminar flow hood.
  5. Inoculate the agar plates with a small piece of tissue culture or spores from a mature portobello mushroom.
  6. Seal the plates with parafilm or tape to prevent contamination.
  7. Incubate the inoculated plates at the appropriate temperature and humidity for mycelium growth.
  8. Monitor the plates regularly for contamination and mycelium growth, transferring healthy mycelium to fresh agar plates as needed.
  9. Once the mycelium has fully colonized the agar plates, it is ready for transfer to a substrate for fruiting.
Liquid Culture Cultivation
  1. Prepare a sterile work area by cleaning all surfaces with a disinfectant and using a laminar flow hood if available.
  2. Gather all necessary materials including a pressure cooker, malt extract agar, petri dishes, and a spore syringe.
  3. Prepare the malt extract agar according to the manufacturer's instructions and pour it into the petri dishes to create a solid medium for the spores to germinate.
  4. Using a flame-sterilized inoculation loop, transfer a small amount of spores from the syringe onto the agar in the petri dishes.
  5. Seal the petri dishes with parafilm or tape to prevent contamination and incubate them at the appropriate temperature for spore germination.
  6. Monitor the petri dishes for signs of mycelial growth, which will appear as white, thread-like strands spreading across the agar.
  7. Once the mycelium has fully colonized the agar, use a sterile technique to transfer a small piece of the mycelium to a liquid culture medium.
  8. Prepare the liquid culture medium by combining water, malt extract, and other nutrients in a sterile container such as a mason jar.
  9. Inoculate the liquid culture medium with the mycelium from the agar using a flame-sterilized syringe or inoculation loop.
  10. Incubate the liquid culture at the appropriate temperature and shake it periodically to distribute the mycelium and nutrients evenly.
  11. Monitor the liquid culture for signs of healthy mycelial growth, which will appear as a cloudy or web-like substance in the liquid.
  12. Once the liquid culture is fully colonized with mycelium, it can be used to inoculate substrate for mushroom fruiting.

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:76 - 78 °F

Moisture Content:49 - 55 %

Fresh Air Exchange:0 - 10 / Hour

CO2 Range:5000 - 10000 ppm

Growth Duration:7 - 14 Days

Grain Spawn Prep and Innoculation
  1. Prepare your grain spawn by soaking it in water for 12-24 hours to hydrate the grains.
  2. Drain the soaked grains and fill your jars or bags with the grains, leaving some space at the top for shaking.
  3. Sterilize the jars or bags with the grains in a pressure cooker at 15 PSI for 90 minutes.
  4. Allow the jars or bags to cool down to room temperature in a clean environment.
  5. In a sterile environment, inoculate the cooled grain spawn with your desired mushroom culture using a syringe or agar wedge.
  6. Seal the jars or bags with a breathable filter, such as micropore tape, to allow for gas exchange.
  7. Incubate the inoculated grain spawn in a dark, warm (75-80°F) environment for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally to distribute the mycelium.
  8. Check for full colonization of the grain spawn by the mycelium, which will appear as white, fluffy growth throughout the grains.
  9. Your fully colonized grain spawn is now ready to be used to inoculate your substrate for growing portobello mushrooms.

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:76 - 78 °F

Humidity Range:90 - 100 RH

Fresh Air Exchange:0 - 1 / Hour

CO2 Range:5000 - 10000 ppm

Growth Duration:7 - 14 Days

Substrate Prep and Innoculation
  1. Prepare the substrate by mixing together pasteurized compost, gypsum, and water in a large container. The compost should be at the right moisture level, similar to a damp sponge.
  2. Fill the growing containers with the prepared substrate, leaving some space at the top for the mushrooms to grow.
  3. Inoculate the substrate by evenly spreading the portobello mushroom spawn on top of the substrate. Use a clean and sterile environment to prevent contamination.
  4. Gently mix the spawn into the top layer of the substrate using a clean tool, such as a fork or spoon. This will help distribute the spawn evenly throughout the substrate.
  5. Cover the containers with a breathable lid or plastic wrap to create a humid environment for the mushrooms to grow. Place the containers in a dark and warm location, around 70-75°F (21-24°C).
  6. Check the containers regularly for any signs of contamination, such as mold growth or unusual odors. Remove any contaminated areas immediately to prevent it from spreading.
  7. Monitor the moisture levels of the substrate by misting it with water if it starts to dry out. The substrate should be kept moist but not waterlogged.
  8. After about 2-3 weeks, you should start to see white mycelium growth spreading throughout the substrate. This is a sign that the mushrooms are starting to colonize the substrate.
  9. Continue to maintain the humidity and temperature levels in the growing environment to support the growth of the mushrooms. Be patient, as it can take several weeks for the mushrooms to fully mature and be ready for harvest.

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:60 - 65 °F

Humidity Range:90 - 100 RH

Light Wave Length:0 - 0 nm

Light Intensity:0 - 0 Lux

Light Duration: n/a Hours/Day

Fresh Air Exchange:4 - 5 / Hour

CO2 Range:0 - 1000 ppm

Growth Duration:3 - 5 Days

Cultivation Notes: Initial pinning phase

Primordia Initiation
  1. Ensure the substrate has been fully colonized by the mycelium.
  2. Lower the temperature to around 60-65°F (15-18°C) to initiate primordia formation.
  3. Maintain high humidity levels of around 90-95% to promote primordia initiation.
  4. Provide indirect light to simulate natural conditions for primordia formation.
  5. Monitor the substrate for any signs of contamination and address them promptly.
  6. Continue to mist the growing area regularly to keep humidity levels high.
  7. Be patient and allow the primordia to develop fully before moving on to the next phase of mushroom growth.

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:60 - 65 °F

Humidity Range:85 - 90 RH

Light Wave Length:0 - 0 nm

Light Intensity:0 - 0 lux

Light Duration: n/a Hours/Day

Fresh Air Exchange:4 - 5 / Hour

CO2 Range:0 - 1000 ppm

Growth Duration:3 - 5 Days

Flushes:4 - 5

Flushing Schedule:7 - 10 Days

Cultivation Notes: Standard 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 casing layer, such as a mixture of peat moss and vermiculite, to provide a moist environment for the mushrooms to grow.
  3. Place the colonized substrate blocks in the fruiting chamber, making sure they are evenly spaced and not touching each other.
  4. Maintain the fruiting chamber at a temperature of around 70-75°F (21-24°C) with high humidity levels of 85-95%.
  5. Provide fresh air exchange by fanning the fruiting chamber several times a day to ensure proper oxygen levels for mushroom growth.
  6. Monitor the moisture levels in the fruiting chamber and mist the casing layer if it starts to dry out, being careful not to oversaturate.
  7. Keep the fruiting chamber in a well-lit area but avoid direct sunlight, as mushrooms prefer indirect light for optimal growth.
  8. Continue to monitor the growth of the mushrooms, harvesting them when the caps have fully opened but before the gills start to darken.