How To Grow Portobello at Home

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.

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.

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.