Tabletop Mushroom Cultivation

Alson Sears, D.V.M.
Christopher Keller
AWSEARS@HOTMAIL.COM

1. Containers that will hold 5 quarts of hot water.
2. Large spoon that has been sterilized by boiling in water for 20 minutes.
3. Large (33 gallon) trash bag.
4. Large strainer or 13 gallon trash bag.
5. 40 ounces of wood pellets (used for wood burning stoves). These pellets can be found in most hardware stores.
6. 1 quart grain jar that has full growth of mycelium.
7. Knife.
8. 5 quarts of water heated to 180 degrees.
9. Aluminum foil.
10. One gallon Ziploc Bags.

Procedure

 


 
 

1. Into the container add the 40 ounces of wood pellets.
   
   
    
    
    
2. To the wood pellets, add the 5 quarts of hot water. Cover the container with aluminum foil and let set for one hour.
   
   

   
    
    

3. The wood pellets will break down into sawdust. The excess water needs to be removed from the sawdust. This can be accomplished by straining the contents of the container or by dumping the contents into a 13-gallon trash bag, hanging the bag above a sink and cutting small holes in it to allow for water draining. (Using the trash bag makes for easier clean up as they are disposable). Allow the sawdust to drain for about 30 minutes. 
   
   

   
      

4. Cover a working surface with a 33-gallon trash bag. This surface needs to be, as always, in a low traffic area. 
5. Place the now strained sawdust on the 33-gallon trashbag and spread the material out. If it is not already cool, allow cooling until the material is room temperature. 
   
   

   
    
      

6. Open the jar with the mycelium-covered grain. Using the sterilized spoon, scoop out the grain and add it to the cooled sawdust. 
   
   

   
    
   

7.   Break up any large pieces of grain and mix the grain in with the sawdust. 



 
   

8. Pack the grain/sawdust mixture into a one-gallon Ziploc bag and seal the bag. 
   
   
    
      
9. Puncture four small holes on each side of the bag with the knife. 
   
   
    
    
10. Label the Zipoc bag with the date, and the type of mushroom.
    
11. Place the Ziploc bag in a dark, warm, low traffic area. (NOTE: The sawdust may continue to drain off excess water, so place the bag someplace where water drainage will not cause a problem, and/or place a towel underneath it to catch any water drainage.)
    
12. The 33-gallon trashbag can now be disposed of and should have made for easy clean up of the work area. The jar and other materials may be cleaned and reused for other cultures.

Home

Agar
plates

Spore print

Preparing grain

Inoculating grain

Preparing sawdust

Fruiting mushrooms