Learn To Grow Champignon Mushrooms At Home

Growing champignon mushrooms at home is very easy. The best part is that you can eat them once, and they will always grow back. However, it is worth reviewing some preliminary aspects.

First of all, remember that champignon mushrooms ( Agaricus bisporus ) are a type of fungus used in cooking. In fact, both the stalk and the hat can be used.

The fungus is an organism that differs from plants in that it has no roots, stems or leaves. It does not contain chlorophyll, and they feed on organic matter from the environment. In the case of champignon mushrooms, this is an edible fungus.

Because they have no seeds, champignon mushrooms grow from the spores . The spores, when they find the right moisture conditions, germinate and produce hyphae, which branch out and form a mass called mycelium.

Advantages of Growing Champignon Mushrooms at Home

• You have the satisfaction of producing your own food at home.
• It is an excellent educational opportunity, as it offers little ones the experience of watching these mushrooms grow, something that is not possible to see in an uncontrolled environment.
• It is a very efficient production, since from a single bulb you can get an entire crop.
• Harvesting champignon mushrooms is very easy, so their value increases when compared to those bought in supermarkets or stores.
• Security of knowing that what you consume has not been processed, and is genuinely natural.

How to grow mushrooms at home?

To grow mushrooms at home it is necessary to have a space for this. If we have a yard with land, we can have a section for cultivation.

On the other hand, if we live in an apartment, it is better to opt for an elongated pot, and place it in a dark place. At this point, remember that champignon mushrooms, due to their fungal condition, do not need sunlight.

Growing champignon mushrooms is now easier than it sounds, and their production can continue until the soil no longer finds substrate.

Materials

• Straw
• Water
• Compost
• Grain mycelium (you can also buy the pre-grown champignon mushroom bulbs).
• 1 box (preferably made of polystyrene, as it does not rot or decay, and helps contain moisture and temperature). This box will need a lid, so be sure to get one.

Procedure

Before starting, we recommend boiling the straw. This should be done to prevent it from germinating, and to eliminate any traces of fungus it already contains.

• Mix the compost with the straw evenly while dampening a little. If you prefer, you can add coffee, as this can nourish the compost, and favor the growth and development of mushrooms.
• Put this mixture in the box. Keep in mind that the more substrate there is, the higher your mushroom yield, so add as much as you can.
• Spread the mycelium on the grains evenly, and cover it with a damp finger. Drizzle with water.
• Cover the box with a lid to keep out light. You should leave it covered for a period of 5 to 8 days. It is important to keep the box moist during this time, until you see a whitish blanket on the substrate. This means that the mycelia have colonized the substrate.
• Now, prepare another topping for the box, which gives room for the mushrooms to grow. Punch a central hole in this lid to let in some light, but always indirectly. Cover this lid with a clear film to prevent moisture or heat loss.

To remember during the procedure

• It is important that you keep the humidity at 80% but not exceed it. If you prefer, you can water the inside of the lid instead of pouring the water directly onto the mushrooms. When this water has evaporated, you’ll know it’s time to water again.
• You will receive your first crop in 20 days (approximately) when the hats are between 5 and 8 cm in diameter.
• Separate them from the substrate when the layers under the hat are pink. Twist the body slightly until the hat separates from the substrate.

Some recommendations for growing champignon mushrooms

As you can see, growing champignon mushrooms is easy, but it requires a little patience and dedication. Keep in mind the following tips when preparing yours:

• Make sure the space where you place your harvest has good ventilation. In this way, you will avoid bad smells and other discomforts.
• Also, use a nutritious compost as this is where champignon mushrooms get their nutrients to grow.
• The ideal temperature should be between 22 and 27 °C. A temperature higher than these can be a disadvantage. If the temperature exceeds 35 °C, the mushrooms stop growing.
• Use a diffuser to irrigate the crop.
• Wash your tools before and after using them to avoid contamination of the environment.

• Certainly, an ideal place to grow champignon mushrooms is a dark room, or even a garage.