WHAT ARE MUSHROOMS? 

If you’re interested in growing your own mushrooms at home, a grow kit is a great place to start. However, before choosing one, it is important to understand what it is you’re trying to cultivate. This is because the more you know, the more you grow! 

So, what exactly are these mysterious mushrooms? Well, mushrooms are only the tip of the fungal iceberg. This is because when we refer to a mushroom, what we’re actually talking about is the final phase in the life cycle of a fungus. 

The fleshy, spore-producing mushrooms, or ‘fruiting bodies,’ usually occur for just a few days. While mushrooms sprout above ground or on their chosen food source, hidden away from sight is the fungal, mycelial mass that produces and feeds them. The majority of the fungal life cycle takes place hidden underground. 

As a cultivator of mushrooms, it is critical to understand this life cycle. What we really aim to cultivate and nurture is fungal mycelium. If you can learn to do that effectively, then rest assured you will grow plenty of mushrooms. 

FANTASTIC FUNGI 

So, what exactly can our fungal friends do for us? Well, edible gourmet mushrooms provide a nutrient dense, low-calorie source of fibre, protein, and antioxidants. Mushrooms can support wellness, they’re delicious to eat, as well as being fun to grow! You may have heard of species such as Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris), Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus). These are all species that can be readily grown at home.  

Lots of research is currently being done on the benefits mushrooms may have on us humans. Lion’s Mane is being studied for its potential to influence cognition by stimulating the release of nerve growth factor, a protein involved in the growth and proliferation of neurons in the brain. Other species, such as Turkey Tail, are currently being studied as a potential support for immunity, whilst mushrooms like Reishi are being researched for their impact on sleep.  

In short, mushrooms may have real potential to support our body, mind and spirit. It is no wonder then that they are experiencing a renaissance of interest and research in the 21st century. Do you any more convincing to start growing your own mushrooms? Didn’t think so! 

The future may just be fungi. 

MUSHROOM GROWING KITS 

The idea of cultivating homegrown mushrooms is off-putting to a lot of people. It is actually not that difficult to do, particularly if you start with a grow kit. This makes the process both fun and super easy. A great introduction to a wonderful, new (and hopefully lifelong!) hobby. 

There are many different types of mushroom grow kit, which can make choosing one tricky. 

The most basic is a ‘spray and grow’ type kit. This is essentially a bag of pre-colonised substrate, usually wood or straw, with the mycelium grown to full maturity and ready to fruit. This means that 90% of the hard work has been done for you. Once you receive the kit, all you will need to do is follow some basic instructions. They’re called ‘spray and grow’ kits because you simply spray them with water to start the fruiting process, as well as give them some light. Their primary appeal is that they are very easy to use and offer a high chance of success.  

So, if you’re looking for something that requires minimal effort, they might be an option. The caveat to that is that you won’t learn a great deal about the process of cultivating mycelium, which, as we mentioned before, is the most critical part of mushroom growing. 

CHOOSING THE BEST MUSHROOM GROWING KIT 

In our humble opinion, a better option for the complete novice is to purchase an ‘all-in-one’ style of mushroom grow kit. These are mushroom bags filled with pre-sterilised substrate, with a mixture of grain and either a wood or coir-based substrate being most common. In recent years these have become incredibly popular, as they’re both affordable and offer larger yields than most other kits on the market. 

With these bags, you will need to inoculate them yourself with a mushroom spore or liquid culture of your choosing. Now, this is a bit more work and requires a lot more patience than a basic spray and grow kit, but it will teach you some invaluable lessons in mycology. Firstly, you will need to practice sterile techniques when inoculating the bags. If there’s one word of advice we can give you, it's that you can never be too sterile! Seriously. The sooner you learn good sterile practice, the better, as it will save you countless hours further down the line, when you inevitably get bitten by the mushroom bug.  

Which you will, make no mistake about it. The second lesson you’ll learn is to be patient. Cultivating mycelium, especially from spores, takes time. But do you know what they say about patience? It’s always rewarded. You will also learn more about conditions for colonisation and fruiting, as well as techniques for fruiting the mushrooms once they’re ready. A real winner in our books. 

ADVANCED OPTIONS FOR THE SERIOUS GROWER 

The next step up from an all-in-one style grow bag would be to purchase your sterile grain and substrate separately. This is a popular choice for those with a few grows under their belts but perhaps aren’t willing or have the time to prepare their own substrates. Sterile grain and substrate are often sold together as a monotub kit. For those that don’t know, monotubs are one of the most popular ways to produce bulk quantities of mushrooms at home. Monotubs can be used to grow a wide variety of mushrooms; most commonly dung-loving and exotic mushrooms, but also Reishi and King Oysters. 

To run a monotub, the grain bag is first colonised fully with mycelium. This is then mixed with a manure or coco coir-based substrate and spawned to a clear plastic tub, usually with filter holes for fresh air exchange. A good monotub should be ‘set and forget.’ Meaning once the grain and substrate have been spawned, very little needs doing on your part until the harvest. Perfect for the busy grower who wants maximum yield for minimal effort. 

GROWING ON THE SMALL SCALE 

Large monotubs can be somewhat cumbersome and take up space. For those who want a smaller scale grow, tucked away, grow bag kits are also popular. An all-in-one grow bag is a mixture of substrate and grain. This provides the 'food' the mushroom mycelium needs to grow. Using this style of grow kit is as simple as inoculating the substrate and waiting for it to fully colonise with mycelium. When it comes to fruiting, you have a few options. If you’re feeling lazy, you can simply cut a small hole in the bag to allow some extra airflow into the bag, and very soon the mushrooms will begin to grow right inside. Easy peasy!  

HOW TO GROW MUSHROOMS 

Now that you’ve chosen your grow kit, how do you grow your mushrooms at home? This largely depends on the style of kit you’re using, but most follow the same basic principles. First, you inject the sterile substrate with your gourmet spore or culture syringe. The substrate will colonise over a period of several weeks, but be patient! It can sometimes take longer. Once fully colonised, you will want to place the substrate into fruiting conditions. High humidity and lots of fresh air are the name of the game here. Very soon you will start to see your first mushrooms. Remember, patience will be rewarded. Growing mushrooms is not always easy, but those with perseverance will succeed in this wonderful hobby. 

When purchasing a kit for the first time, it is always a good idea to read through the guide thoroughly to avoid mistakes and ensure the highest chance of success. With our range of kits, we provide full and comprehensive guides. 

GET IN TOUCH 

If you’re interested in starting your growing journey, shop now at Martian Mushrooms! We’re proud to be one of the number one mushroom supply stores in the UK. We like to take care of our customers, so if you have any questions about our products or need advice, reach out to us at support@martian-mushrooms.com. If you are looking to make a bulk order, please visit our wholesale page. 

We look forward to hearing from you. Happy growing!