mushrooms,

I think you have to use compost. I'd also like to grow mushrooms.
I purchased some Agaricus dry spawn a while ago, I now have some compost.
Unfortunately the instructions on the mushroom packet are very vague.

From what I gather on the net, growing mushrooms is very complicated. So help would be welcome.

A search within this forum reveals some other discussions about mushroom cultivation. e.g: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead.php?t=2221

Looks like using regular compost has side effects and a pro-growing kit is the way to go. I've yet to come across a straightforward concise guide to growing mushrooms at home with nothing more than compost and a pot! Maybe there isn't one.

I used to grow them under my greenhouse staging many moons ago! I used a mixture of well rotted horse muck, peat and I added lime I think! I remember they were the huge horse mushrooms and tasted divine!
They need a constant temperature, thats why they are proffessionaly grown in caves where the temp doesn't fluctuate!

I've been reading up and I know it sounds stupid but the first thing to remember is mushrooms are fungus, normal plant growing rules don't apply.

No experience to offer as of yet I'm afraid but if you search the web for mushroom growing you may find some helpful tidbits.

I was looking at growing truffles, can be done, just takes a hell of a lot of luck and about 10 years

If you want a short cut there are kits other than the old button mushroom. I like chestnut mushrooms (tastier):

http://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/Pr...roductID=10803

and you can grow oyster mushrooms on straw the same people have kits too. Apparently you can grow oyster mushrooms on toilet rolls (not ones that have already been planted with parsnips inside BTW

Angie

Don't forget to posess certain types of mushroom is against the law. Why? when they grow wild here I don't know. If you could get a "high" on dandelions they would "ban" them too.

I have a pack of dry spawn to try out - instructions say use manure or straw and suggest keeping it in the shed.

If I remember right Liberty caps are not illegal to posess- the offence is to prepare them...ie drying or tea....and trespass of course.

Field mushooms can be collected and layed out on paper or just direct on the lawn to spawn. if you are lucky they will take after a few years. It is possible on undisturbed/chemical free grassland. or you can use a space where an old muck heap was and push comercial spawn into the ground-it might work.

Growing chestnut mush etc. in a shed is not difficult- but easier in a cooler season as they will only grow at around 15 C. and consistency is v. desirable. You need to start with fresh strawey horse muck, You damp it and turn it over a period of weeks to get it ready. I think commercial growers do add lime-forget how much. You need a reasonable sized covered heap to get it to ferment. Then, when its calmed down, box it, push in the lumps of spawn you then need to cap it with couple of inches of peat and lime mix. I grew loads in an old cellar(best) at the pub 15 years ago. Great- as we had a use for them- but, in honesty, a lot of hastle and really needs to be on a worthwhile scale. I do still have accurate information somewhere if really needed.

Those ready to go boxes are the best suggestion. If you don't overwater them(use a mister) and keep them constant, they produce quite a few. I had good success once and practically none another time. (down to me -no doubt) all instructions with box!

I had little success with mushroom logs- but a friend is always doing them-chucks them in the pond to shock them into fruiting! He also was planting truffle spore with oaks and beech-not seen a truffle yet! If you want to find them, traditionally, you first need to find a dog or pig that has just had pups and rub truffle oil on its teats- pups/piglets will be great truffle hunters.

I have a pond and a log...

Thought I'd resurrect this as there is some good info already and it seems silly to start another!

I bought an Oyster Mushroom kit from T&M when they had their half-price sale - me a tight wad? - you bet!

For various reasons I did not start it immediately and kept the spawn pack in the fridge for some weeks - perhaps the shock tactic needed to encourage growth? I started this project some 5-6 weeks ago and within a week of coming out of the fridge after the 4-week development period I have attractive trumpets which are now 2-3 inches high and up to 2 inches across in just the first week - around 6 good ones in number. I'm quite pleased as some peeps on here have said they've only got 4 or so off an entire kit. There are many new colonies appearing over the surface of the straw - conveniently at different stages of growth. Its almost like 'magic' how well they're growing - NOOOOO not that kind!

I'm trying the Button Mushrooms the same way and there is a good spread of myceleum in the first week. I may have to split the straw bale in half, lay it flat and spread a little compost on top?

Anyway - would anyone have an opinion when is the best time to pick and eat the oysters for best taste and volume - I don't want huge great monsters at the expense of good flavour and tenderness. Also is it best to twist them off or cut them as there are several juveniles around the bases of their larger brothers and sisters!

Thanks in advance

I used spent mushroom compost in greenhouses years ago and had a super FREE crop of mushrooms, enought to pay for the compost. Put it on in the spring and wait for the ground to erupt

Am an enthusiastic amature mycophile
(have a few truffle infused hazel plants growing and look out for shrooms on my local park)

Magic ones are now VERY illegal to possess even fresh (as of 2005) class A! Do not pick!

Suspect that chances of being caught - practically zero!

Feel free to pick poisonous ones though... getting dead is still legal!

I thought suicide was technically illegal too?...bit late to ask if it was your intention I guess.

Thank god I'm too old for all this!.... but I remember that the sight of palid students stooping around in fields with a plastic bag in their hands (and probably on their feet too) rather stuck out in the countryside. I don't think it would take Inspector Morse to spot the hippy.