Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Oyster Cultivation Update

Checked on the “Oysters growing on cornstalks” project and was excited to see life! The project had survived being outside during this cold weather.The last time I posted pictures, the oysters were starting to grow(see other posts on oyster cultivation). Then in a couple weeks the fungus gnats found the fungus and it had to go outside. At the time the weather was pretty good and I wasn’t worried too much. Well the weather turned so it lived under the deck covered with a couple small blankets. Even though I wanted to check on it, I knew it could kill or at least slow the project. This weekend it was finally warm enough I felt safe in checking on it, and took some shots of progress.

CornstalksOysters on Cornstalks

As you can see the mushrooms are coming along fine and will be producing food when the weather warms a little. Since the last shots of this project it has been below zero a few nights and has been too cold for most mushrooms. I think since the tub was covered and the fungus provided some heat of its own, it survived. Oysters are amazing!

Oysters on CornstalksOysters on Cornstalks

Oysters on CornstalksOysters on Cornstalks

As you can see they are itching to get outside.We will keep close track of this project all the way to the pan!

Mushroom Growing Kits

Mushroom kits are a great way to get started growing mushrooms.

Mushroom growing kits can be purchased online. They come in quite a variety of mushrooms. They produce fairly well and don’t take up much space. The different types usually involve sawdust and grain of some sort. The bag is complete with the growing substrate and spawn. The only thing left to do is to water them and put them in the right place to incubate. The directions vary but are usually detailed and clear.

Shiitakes take from 2 to 4 weeks to start flushing, and might flush for up to 16 weeks after. They need a temperature between 50 and 80 degrees.The kits are similar to how production mushrooms are grown. Most of them are grown on blocks kind of  like the kits, for fast production.

Lions Mane

The selection has become incredible in the last few years.You can find just about anything from Lions mane to Reishi. These kits would be a good start for beginners, and when done flushing, can be put to use in a mulch pile or outdoor experiments.

Reishi

Mushroom growing kits can be found online at Garden City Fungi and Fungi Perfecti, links on the homepage. Some stores carry the kits so watch for them.

Shiitakes for Food and Medicine

Shiitakes are a great way to eat your medicine.

ShiitakeShiitake mushrooms have proven to be an all around healthy food. The medicinal properties are almost as good as the Reishi, which is tasty but difficult to eat in volume.Western society has finally realized what eastern society has known for centuries. Mushrooms are good for you and have incredible healing properties for our ailing society.

Shiitake

It only stands to reason that you would want the shiitake to be organic. There is only a few places in the country to purchase them. Garden City Fungi, outside of Missoula, grows and sells organic mushrooms. The owners are serious about organics and I trust them for a safe local product. Stamets, of Fungi Perfecti,  is a champion of the organic mushroom movement, and I trust them for mailorder.

Lincs to both websites are on the Home Page. They are both certified organic. Support responsible growers and get to know your farmers.

Mushroom Music

A true mycophile like myself listens to mushroom music.

Larry Evans has done it again! Music about mushrooms that is mycologically correct and fun to listen to.

Fungal BoogieI have purchased Fungal Boogie and found it interesting and I learn something new each time I listen to it

The cd covers songs about Boletes, Morels and others. There is a song about the Fly Agaric that is funny and thought provoking.The songs describe different identification tips, and the Latin names are taxonomically correct.

 

The newest cd out is the Fungal Boogieman.

Fungal Boogieman

 

I have not purchased this one yet, but will be soon. In listening to the sample tracks, it sounds like another fun one to have and listen to. The setup and context seems similar to the last one.

The link on the homepage will get you to the Fungal Jungal, with some samples of the cds as well as the lyrics to the songs. 10% of the purchase price goes to the WMMA, a worthy cause indeed!The WMMA and Larry maintain the Fungal Jungal website that is loaded with mushroom information and links.

 

So get yourself some mushroom music and learn more about mycology while you are at it!

Organic Mushroom Cultivation

Organic Mushroom Cultivation is critical for health and safety.

Most mushrooms concentrate, whether it is nutrients, minerals or toxins. They will grow on varied substrates so it becomes very important how and where your mushrooms grow. When using them for food it is important, but when using them for medicine, it seems crazy to put poison in your body when trying to heal! Organic is a good start, but it can be cheated, and I like to know exactly what my mushrooms have been exposed to.

Growing on trees and stumps seems organic and in most cases can be called organic, but it is necessary to know where these trees grow. Trees growing by busy roadways absorb toxins from exhaust as well as tires and brakes. Mushrooms then concentrate these toxins, and release them to the consumer. Substrates whether from farms or forest need to be scrutinized for contaminates.

Organic is a buzz word right now and I am glad people have been awaken to this worthy cause. Large agriculture and big business is in it for the money. They will grow on whatever is economically feasible, within our weak, and vague organic rules, to turn a buck. This should not be confused with what you or I consider to be organic, and safe.

The only safe way to know what you are eating, is to grow or pick it yourself. The only other way is to know your farmer, support them, and pay them well!