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For Thriving Mushroom Plants, Avoid These Mistakes
By GWEN SWANSON
Beginner Kits
Learning about spawn bags, substrates, and inoculation can be a lot for beginners. To simplify the process, several fungi companies make starter kits.
The kits inform amateurs of how much natural light they need, give temperature and humidity guidance, and most don't require anything more than watering, waiting, and harvesting.
Different Mushrooms
Different mushrooms present different needs for proper and healthy growth. It's best to start with Oyster, Shiitake, Wine Cap, Pioppino, or Lion's Mane.
Oysters have multiple options for substrates like wood-based products, coffee grounds, and paper, and they are resistant to mold, making them a great option for newbies.
Wrong Climate
Knowing basic science is a prerequisite before you start growing mushrooms. You must understand how indoor and outdoor climates affect fungi.
Carbon dioxide, humidity, and temperature levels majorly affect the health and yield of mushrooms, so you need to know the right combination for your chosen species.
Not Sterilizing
One of the biggest risks of growing your own mushrooms is accidental exposure to bacteria and mold spores that spoil the fungi.
Sterilization is already done with beginner's kits, but for homemade substrates, it’s a necessary step to prevent mold formation that could ruin your mushrooms.
Combinations
There isn't one best substrate that fits all, and certain mushroom species prefer different types of bases, but logs and hardwood are commonly used.
Choosing the right substrate and preparing it correctly is crucial. Make sure you only put one type of species on each substrate. If intermixed, they'll compete for growth.