Mushroom Growing: Part One, for starters

Flashback: We have discussed mushroom farming before in one of our previous articles on the basics of growing the “crop.” I also promised to shed more light later on other aspects of the business.

So, today I honor the promise. We will explore the process of mushroom farming- in depth.

Commercial Mushroom farming is not a hard task! Finding MARKET, however, should be well thought out for.

This is the first part of a THREE-PART article. In this section, you will LEARN how to grow mushrooms with a focus on housing and maintaining the appropriate environment. In the next issue, I will describe the inoculation and incubation process. Lastly, I will explore how to market your products…

That way, you will have to be informed on how you can benefit from your produce.. Welcome! 

First of all, did you know that in some Asian countries, there are projects where people living with disabilities are trained to do mushroom farming? Those guys do not have to be dependent on anyone! This inspires each and every one of us that nothing should hinder us from achieving our dreams.

Our ambition is to become Affluent Commercial Farmers!

The Process of Mushroom Farming- Housing

If you are keen about growing EDIBLE fungi, you must have come across a book, article, or handout explaining all the requirements of venture. If not, kindly check from our page for the article “What You Need for Mushroom Farming.”

Even so, I will briefly list the requirements here for the purpose of learning. Note, however, that in this article I want to touch on the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS of housing that make the venture a do or die!

What You Require for Your Mushroom Growing Business:

• Growing house/structure.
• Substrate.
• Pasteurizing Materials- metal drum, source of heating (jiko, fire-place, and firewood), and water. 
• Spawn (seeds).
• Timber/wood- for shelves construction.
• Polythene bags/ gunny bags- for inoculating/ mixing spawn with substrate.
• Source of lighting (bulbs). 
• A table/ or structure with flat surface- to place your bags when inoculating.
• 70% Alcohol/ Surgical spirit.
• Thermohygrometer.

House Preparation.

Your house should be well ventilated, allowing good circulation of air- this will help control carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in the room which might negatively affect growth.

Start preparation of your growing house by CLEANING the room. After washing, allow to dry and spray the entire house with methylated spirit/ alcohol to kill the germs on the walls or the floor. 

Seal of all openings that would allow the entry of pests like rats and insects like housefly. You can use mosquito nets to seal of windows and other openings.

Next, install shelves adjacent to the walls. No much expertise required. If you have enough capital, you can consult an expert or attend a mushroom growing seminar.

After fixing the shelves, you may want to spray the room (including the racks) with methylated spirit..

FOLLOW KEENLY because your house may require more modifications depending on the construction materials to make the internal environment conducive or good for optimum mushroom performance.

Maintaining the OPTIMUM CONDITIONS for Mushroom Growth.

• Temperature- ideal temperatures is 18-20 degrees. At most, the temperatures should not go beyond 25 degrees.

• Humidity- should be above 75%. Ideal is 80-90%.

• Lighting- You will alternate dark and light conditions in the course of your mushroom production. First, during incubation- maintain complete darkness. When working, you can light a red light bulb and switch off after you are done. After full colonization (formation of white substance called mycelium) light up the room. Include natural lighting if possible.

IMPORTANT: How to maintain the Ideal TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY.

Sprinkling water in the floor regularly, like 2 or more times during the day, helps lower the temperatures and keep the room humid.

You may also place clay pots filled with water on the floor to lower the temperatures.

If you are planning a LARGE SCALE mushroom business, then you may have to install air conditioners, heaters, and foggers such as the ultrasonic floating disc pond fogger and other humidifiers.

If you are working in a structure with IRON SHEETS roof, you bring cool temperatures by placing papyrus mats under the rooftop. You can then line the ceiling with a polythene paper which also minimizes the heat.

….NB: The growing room environment is VERY IMPORTANT for a bountiful crop. Maintaining, cleanliness, optimum temperature and humidity, and pest-free house play a crucial role for the best mushroom performance.

House Location- you should ensure your structure is sited away from dumping sites or livestock pens. This minimizes the risk of the mushrooms becoming infected by insects and germs.

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Any #Questions?? Let us know.

What will you learn on the next article? How to prepare substrate, inoculate, and Harvest.

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Thank you Guys!