Welcome to the fascinating world of wine-cap mushroom cultivation! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, our step-by-step guide will empower you to grow your own delicious and nutritious fungi right at home. From preparing the perfect growing environment to caring for your mushroom patch, we provide expert tips and tricks to ensure a successful harvest. Dive into the rich history and health benefits of wine-cap mushrooms, and embark on a rewarding journey of self-sufficiency and culinary delight. Join us in celebrating the wonders of nature and the incredible potential of these versatile fungi. Let's grow together!
Natural Habitat
• Ecosystem:
Not specified
• Locations:
Europe, North America
• Seasons:
Summer to Fall
• Climate:
Not specified
• Substrate:
Not specified
Growing Params
• Difficulty:
Easy
• Total Time:
51 - 90 Days
• PH Range:
6 - 7.5
Yield Performance
• Units:
% Weight of Substrate
• Poor:
15
• Average:
30
• Good:
45
• Excellent:
60
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:70 - 80 °F
CO2 Range:0 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:5 - 10 Days
Cultivation Notes: Maintain sterile conditions and adequate moisture levels for optimum 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: KDLC
Temperature Range:70 - 80 °F
CO2 Range:0 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:10 - 14 Days
Cultivation Notes: Use sterile technique to avoid contamination.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.
- Pour the agar medium into sterile petri dishes, filling them about halfway full.
- Allow the agar to solidify in the petri dishes in a sterile environment, such as a laminar flow hood.
- Inoculate the agar plates with a small piece of mycelium from a pure culture of wine-cap mushrooms using a sterile inoculation loop.
- Seal the petri dishes with parafilm or tape to prevent contamination.
- Incubate the agar plates at the optimal temperature for wine-cap mushroom mycelium growth, typically around 25-30°C.
- Monitor the agar plates for signs of contamination or growth of the wine-cap mushroom mycelium.
- Once the mycelium has fully colonized the agar plates, you can use them to inoculate your substrate for fruiting.
Liquid Culture Cultivation
- Prepare the liquid culture medium by mixing 1 liter of water with 20 grams of malt extract and 10 grams of dextrose in a sterilized container.
- Add a small amount of gypsum to the mixture to provide essential nutrients for the mycelium.
- Sterilize the liquid culture medium by autoclaving it at 15 psi for 30 minutes.
- Allow the medium to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
- In a sterile environment, transfer a small piece of mycelium from a fully colonized agar plate into the liquid culture medium using a sterile syringe.
- Seal the container with a breathable lid or cover to allow for gas exchange.
- Incubate the liquid culture at around 75-80°F (24-27°C) in a dark place for 7-14 days, or until the mycelium has fully colonized the liquid medium.
- Once the liquid culture is fully colonized, it is ready to be used to inoculate substrate for mushroom cultivation.
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:70 - 80 °F
Moisture Content:49 - 55 %
Fresh Air Exchange:2 - 3 / Hour
CO2 Range:0 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:10 - 14 Days
Grain Spawn Prep and Innoculation
- Prepare your grain spawn by soaking your grains (such as rye, wheat, or millet) in water for 12-24 hours.
- After soaking, drain the grains and fill your jars or bags with the grains, leaving some space at the top for shaking.
- Sterilize the jars or bags with the grains in a pressure cooker at 15 PSI for 90 minutes.
- Allow the jars or bags to cool completely before inoculating them with your wine-cap mushroom culture.
- Using a sterile technique, inoculate the cooled grain spawn with your mushroom culture. This can be done by injecting spores or using a liquid culture.
- Seal the jars or bags with a breathable filter, such as micropore tape, to allow for gas exchange.
- Incubate the inoculated grain spawn at the appropriate temperature (around 75-80°F) in a dark, humid environment for 2-4 weeks, or until fully colonized by the mycelium.
- Once fully colonized, your grain spawn is ready to be used to inoculate your substrate for fruiting your wine-cap 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:70 - 80 °F
Humidity Range:95 - 100 RH
Fresh Air Exchange:0 - 1 / Hour
CO2 Range:0 - 20000 ppm
Growth Duration:14 - 21 Days
Substrate Prep and Innoculation
- Prepare a substrate mixture using hardwood chips, sawdust, and wheat bran in a ratio of 5:3:2 respectively.
- Mix the substrate ingredients thoroughly in a large container, ensuring even distribution.
- Moisten the substrate mixture with water until it reaches a field capacity moisture level.
- Fill grow bags or containers with the moistened substrate mixture, leaving some room at the top for expansion.
- Sterilize the filled grow bags or containers in a pressure cooker or steam sterilizer to kill any competing organisms.
- Allow the sterilized substrate to cool to room temperature before proceeding to inoculation.
- Obtain wine-cap mushroom spawn from a reputable supplier or prepare your own using a sterile technique.
- Inoculate the cooled substrate by evenly distributing the mushroom spawn throughout the substrate.
- Mix the spawn into the substrate using a sterile utensil to ensure even colonization.
- Seal the grow bags or containers with a breathable filter patch or lid to allow for gas exchange.
- Incubate the inoculated substrate in a dark, warm environment (around 70-75°F) for 2-3 weeks to allow the mycelium to colonize the substrate.
- Monitor the substrate for signs of colonization, such as white mycelium growth spreading throughout the substrate.
- Once the substrate is fully colonized, introduce fresh air and light to initiate fruiting and continue to maintain proper humidity levels for optimal mushroom growth.
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:95 - 98 RH
Light Wave Length:395 - 480 nm
Light Intensity:100 - 500 Lux
Light Duration: 12 Hours/Day
Fresh Air Exchange:4 - 8 / Hour
CO2 Range:0 - 1500 ppm
Growth Duration:14 - 21 Days
Cultivation Notes: none
Primordia Initiation
- Prepare a substrate mixture of hardwood chips, sawdust, and wheat bran in a ratio of 5:3:2 respectively.
- Moisten the substrate mixture until it reaches a moisture content of around 60-70%.
- Fill a plastic bag or container with the moistened substrate mixture, leaving some space at the top for air circulation.
- Inoculate the substrate with wine-cap mushroom spawn, distributing it evenly throughout the substrate.
- Mix the spawn into the substrate gently to ensure even distribution.
- Seal the bag or container and place it in a dark, warm location with temperatures around 75-80°F (24-27°C) to initiate primordia formation.
- Monitor the substrate for signs of primordia formation, which will appear as small pin-like structures on the surface.
- Once primordia have formed, introduce fresh air and light to stimulate further growth and development of the mushrooms.
- Continue to maintain proper humidity levels and temperatures to support healthy mushroom growth during the primordia initiation phase.
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 - 70 °F
Humidity Range:90 - 95 RH
Light Wave Length:395 - 480 nm
Light Intensity:100 - 500 lux
Light Duration: 12 Hours/Day
Fresh Air Exchange:4 - 8 / Hour
CO2 Range:0 - 1500 ppm
Growth Duration:7 - 14 Days
Flushes:1 - 2
Flushing Schedule:21 - 28 Days
Cultivation Notes: none
Fruiting Preparation and Conditions
- Prepare a fruiting chamber by cleaning and sanitizing it thoroughly to prevent contamination.
- Fill the fruiting chamber with a substrate such as sawdust or straw that has been pasteurized to kill off any competing organisms.
- Inoculate the substrate with wine-cap mushroom spawn, ensuring even distribution throughout the substrate.
- Cover the substrate with a layer of casing material such as peat moss or vermiculite to help maintain moisture levels.
- Place the fruiting chamber in a well-ventilated area with indirect light and maintain a temperature of around 70-75°F.
- Mist the substrate regularly to keep it moist, but be careful not to oversaturate it.
- Monitor the humidity levels in the fruiting chamber and adjust as needed to keep it around 90-95%.
- After a few weeks, small mushroom pins should start to form. Continue to mist and maintain humidity levels until the mushrooms are ready to harvest.