Unlike plants which can grow in basically any type of soil, mushrooms need a lot more care and maintenance if you want a bountiful harvest. The type of substrate you choose can have a massive effect on the success of your culture, as each strain requires very specific nutrients and conditions to grow properly.
If you're not sure where to begin, we've prepared an introductory guide into all things mushroom substrate, from popular types to the best methods of sterilization and pasteurization. Read all about this fascinating topic below:
What Is Mushroom Substrate?
Mushroom substrate is the environment in which you grow your mushroom culture. You can think of it as the "soil" of the mushrooms, as it is the main source of nutrients, moisture, and energy that your mushrooms need to grow and fruit.
Inside the substrate, the mushroom will grow a mass of branching threads called hyphae, which together make up the mycelium, or the 'plant' part of the mushroom.
Most Popular Types Of Mushroom Substrates
Wood Chips
Woodchips or hardwood sawdust are a common type of substrate, simply because it's very easy to prepare. Simply mix 80% wood chips and 20% bran, moistening it until it is damp but not overloaded with water. When squeezed, it should only produce a few drops of water.
Sawdust is also very rich in nitrogen which your mushrooms will love. The type of wood does influence the quality of your mushroom growth, but generally any hardwood (e.g. oak or maple) will do the job just fine.
Best Mushrooms To Grow On Wood-Based Substrates:
-
King Oyster
-
Lion's Mane
-
Shiitake mushrooms
-
Maitake
-
Reishi
Straw and Hay
Another fairly cheap and effective substrate, this one only requires dried stalks of grains like wheat and barley mixed with a little bit of gypsum and moisturised within the limit. Straw-based substrates are easy to find at any farm shop or pet store.
Best Mushrooms To Grow On Straw-Based Substrates:
-
Oyster mushrooms
-
Paddy Straw mushrooms
-
Enokitake
-
Shaggy mane
Organic Waste
Growing mushrooms in organic waste such as coffee grounds, fruit peels, and vegetable scraps is very easy and accessible. This is a great way to recycle as well, as most of the organic matter would have gone to waste otherwise.
As long as take the proper hygiene measures to handle your waste, you also won't need to go through the hassle of pasteurization or sterilization.
Best mushrooms to grow on organic substrates:
-
Reishi
-
Oyster mushrooms
-
Shiitake
Compost
Compost is usually made from a mix of food scraps, straw, poultry litter, and gypsum, creating a balanced, nutrient-rich environment for mycelium to form and thrive.
Best Mushrooms To Grow On Compost:
-
Agaricus Bisporus (White Button)
-
Portobello
Grain
Grain such as wheat, rye berries, or even brown rice can be used to create grain spawn, which is then mixed into bulk substrate.
Best Mushrooms To Grow Using Grain Spawn:
-
Oyster mushrooms
-
Lion's mane
-
Pioppini
Coco Coir And Vermiculite
Coco Coir is considered one of the most effective types of substrate for high-yield harvests. Made from coconut husks, this substrate will retain water within the optimal levels for mushrooms to grow properly. Vermiculite, on the other hand, is a yellow-brown mineral that further helps with moisture retention. Both can be easily found in most garden centers, and can be mixed together to create the ideal substrate.
For a successful mix, you will need to add one part Coco Coir and one part vermiculite.
Best Mushrooms To Grow Using Coco Coir And Vermiculite:
-
Button mushrooms
-
Portobello
-
Psilocybe Cubensis
Manure
Manure is not the easiest substrate to work with, mostly for safety and hygiene reasons. Rather than creating your own, we recommend buying pre-sterilized manure-based substrates to make your life easier and avoid any risks.
Best Mushrooms To Grow Using Manure-Based Substrates:
-
Button mushrooms
-
Portobello
-
Psilocybe Cubensis
How To Sterilize Mushroom Substrate
When it comes to mushroom substrates, sterilization is more than a simple recommendation - it is a requirement to make sure your chosen substrate is completely free of any contaminants that can ruin your culture. There are two main methods you can use to prepare your substrate:
Sterilization
Substrate sterilization is an intense process that will basically eliminate any microbes and contaminants in your substrate so that they don't cause any trouble during the mushroom growing process. You can sterilize your mushroom substrate using any one of the two methods:
-
Pressure cooking - the most effective method of sterilization is cooking your substrate in a pressure cooker at 15 psi and 250°F for 90 minutes.
-
Chemical sterilization - you can use chemicals like hydrogen peroxide to sterilize substrates that are heat-sensitive.
Sterilization is most commonly used for grain substrates.
Pasteurization
Unlike sterilization, this method will remove most microbes in your substrate but not all. This way, you can still leave some beneficial microbes inside - useful especially in substrates based on straw or wood. You can pasteurize your substrate using:
-
Hot water bath - keep your substrate submerged in water heated at 160-180°F for 1-2 hours.
-
Steam - you can also simply steam your substrate for about 2 hours, especially if you only need to work with a small batch.
How To Sterilize Mushroom Substrate Using DIY Methods
If you're a beginner just getting started in the world of mycology, then you likely don't have all the specialised equipment for sterilization. While the following DIY methods are not the most reliable, they can be quite convenient. You can try:
-
The oven method - bake your substrate at 300°F for about an hour
-
Boiling the substrate - the easiest method in terms of time spent and equipment. Simply boil your substrate in water for about 30 minutes.
Both methods will have an increased risk of contamination compared to all others. For extra peace of mind and to ensure your first time ends in a success, consider buying pre-sterilized mushroom substrate instead.
How To Choose The Best Substrate For Mushroom Cultivation
The substrate you choose for your next mushroom-growing project can make or break your culture. To make sure you select the right substrate, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Is My Substrate Rich In Nutrients?
Different mushrooms will require differing nutrient compositions to grow and fruit properly. However, the best mushroom substrates will always contain:
-
lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose - woody, fibrous components that are high in carbon, your mushroom mycelium's main source of food.
-
1 to 2% nitrogen content
-
small amounts of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and phosphorus - you will find these in most raw substrates, however, you might still need to supplement with more minerals.
Always make sure to research the nutrients and substrate type best suited for your chosen mushroom species.
2. Is My Substrate Properly Sterilized?
As mentioned before, sterilizing your substrate is essential in making sure no other microorganisms compete with your mushroom spores for nutrients. When buying substrate online, make sure it has been properly sterilized to avoid ruining your culture.
3. Does My Substrate Contain The Right Moisture Levels?
Your substrate should be kept at an optimal level of 50-70% moisture content at all times. Your substrate will need very good airflow to ensure it both retains water but also doesn't exceed the moisture levels.
[H3] What Is The Best Mushroom Substrate For Beginner Mushroom Growers?
Generally, straw and wood-based substrates are easier to manage, making them perfect for those just getting started on their mushroom-growing journey.
What Is The Best Substrate For Psychedelic Mushrooms?
The most common substrate for growing popular strains of psychedelic mushrooms such as Psilocybe Cubensis is a mix of coco coir and vermiculite. This type of mushroom can also grow in manure-based substrates (in fact, it might prefer this one), or even straw.
Always make sure to check your local regulations regarding psychedelic mushrooms before attempting to grow your own.
Should I Choose Single or Blended Substrate?
Mixing different substrates can be quite beneficial if you want to improve your nutrient contents and create a better environment for your mushrooms. However, a single type of substrate will be easier to manage, especially for beginners, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing this option.
Should You Reuse Spent Substrate?
Once your mushrooms are fully grown and you harvest your well-earned fruit, you don’t need to throw out your used substrate! In fact, you should make sure to keep it, as you can use it for compost and mulch, and even as a component in new substrate blends.
Best Substrates For High-Yield Harvests With Mushroom Spawnstore
At Mushroom Spawnstore, we want to make the wonderful world of mushroom growing accessible to all. We provide All-in-one Mushroom Grow Kits which contain all the ingredients you need (including a helpful step-by-step instructions guide) to grow your first culture with as little hassle and risk as possible. Get yours today and embark on the magical journey of mushroom farming!
