Mushroom bag grow kits have made it easier than ever for people to cultivate mushrooms right in their own homes. This mushroom bag grow kit is ideal for beginners with an intention to delve into the world of mushroom growing or experienced growers looking for something relatively low-maintenance. One can say that an all-in-one kit has made mushroom farming easy, taking all the guesswork out of it because they are simple, efficient, and accessible. So, in this blog post, let’s find out what a mushroom bag grow kit really is, how it works, and why it’s the best choice for home cultivation.
What is Mushroom Bag Grow Kit?
A mushroom bag grow kit is a pre-packaged system designed to allow you to grow mushrooms at home with minimal effort and expertise. Such kits will generally include a plastic bag (or something similar), filled with some substrate, pre-inoculated with mushroom spawn, ready for culture. This bag is the perfect medium that allows for complete mushroom life cycles. It allows the right amount of moisture and air to be exchanged while sealing contaminants away from your spawn.
The best thing? Usually, they come with easy-to-follow instructions and everything you’ll need so even first-timers can succeed.
What is inside a mushroom bag grow kit?
Most mushroom bag grow kits contain all that one needs to successfully grow mushrooms. Here’s what is typically in the bag:
1. Pre-Inoculated Substrate
The medium within the bag to grow on is already inoculated with mushroom spawn. The medium can vary by mushroom variety but could be materials such as straw, sawdust, wood chips, or coir. This medium will provide nutrition to the mushroom as it grows.
- Straw: Often used for oyster mushrooms.
- Sawdust or Wood Chips: Generally used for shiitake mushrooms and other wood-rotting species.
- Coco Coir: It is often used for oyster mushrooms, which require high-water retention.
The substrate must, in most instances, undergo sterilization or pasteurization to avoid contamination. In such cases, the spawn is spread all over the substrate to start the growing process.
2. Mushroom Spawn (Mycelium)
The main ingredient in the kit is the mushroom spawn. Mycelium is the term referring to the fungal network that spreads all over the substrate to eventually produce mushrooms. With pre-inoculated spawn, you don’t have to bother with inoculation.
Spawn is available in various types, but most kits will be containing grain spawn (rye or millet) or sawdust spawn, depending upon the type of mushroom being farmed.
3. Plastic Growing Bag (or Container)
The substrate and spawn are almost exclusively packed into a clear plastic growing bag; however, some kits use other types of containers, like plastic tubs or wooden boxes. Those plastic bags are actually intended to provide the right growing environment for the mushroom, including humidity, air exchange, and some light exposure.
Most mushroom grow bags have a filter patch which lets in air while keeping the inside environment regulated. It minimizes the excess moisture buildup, temperature, and humidity.
4. Instructional Guide
Most mushroom bag grow kits come with a clear, step-by-step instruction manual showing you from start to finish how to grow your mushrooms. This will be about setting up your kit, monitoring environmental conditions, and the harvesting process. The instructions are easy to follow, making them a great option for new growers.
How Does it Work?
The Mushroom Bag Grow Kits are designed to facilitate easy mushroom cultivating. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how it usually goes:
Step 1: Setting Up of the Kit
After ordering your mushroom bag grow kit, find a location for it. Usually, it’s best situated in a dark, warm location where it will be colonized.
- Temperature: Most species of mushroom prefer a temperature range of 65°F to 75°F for colonization.
- Light: During colonization, the mushroom doesn’t require too much light so a dark space like a cupboard or closet is perfect.
- Humidity: High humidity is very crucial for the growth of mushrooms. This is what the bag will do – maintain the moisture level for the mushrooms. Some kits will include a humidity dome that will enhance the moist environment.
Step 2: Waiting for Mycelium to Colonize Substrate
Once you have assembled all of the kit, it is now time for the mycelium to colonize the substrate. This may take from two weeks up to a month, depending on the species you are cultivating and the conditions in which you are keeping the spawns.
You are likely to see the substrate turn white due to the mycelium colonization process. Wait for this period and avoid opening the bag as it can easily cause contamination when the environment is disturbed.
Step 3: Fruit Formation Initiation
After the mycelium has thoroughly infested the substrate, now comes the turn to supply the right climate for the mushrooms to grow or fruit. Fruiting is induced by an environmental difference in temperature, humidity and light.
- Light: Although mushrooms do not require direct sunlight, the indirect light from a few hours of natural or minimal wattage artificial light will induce the fruiting process.
- Fresh Air: You will want to poke small holes in the plastic bag or let it open for aerobic respiration, which reduces CO2 concentration and favors mushroom growth.
- Humidity: At least 80-90% of humidity is essential. Spraying of the bag several times is very helpful especially if you have a kit with a humidity dome.
Step 4: Harvest your Mushrooms
Usually, within a few days to a week, you will begin to see mushrooms starting to form. Once the mushroom caps have opened, it’s ready for harvest.
- Harvesting: Simply cut off or twist at the base of the mushrooms using a clean knife or scissors for maintaining the need for preventing contamination. Make sure not to leave the remaining mycelium in the substrate as it will continue producing more mushrooms.
- Several Flushes: Many mushroom bag grow kits produce a few flushes. You should not discard the substrate after your first harvest. As long as you keep the bag moist, you are going to be able to harvest many more mushrooms in several weeks if you are going to pay very close attention to the instructions on your mushroom kit.
Advantages of Mushroom Bag Grow Kits
There are many reasons why mushroom bag grow kit is good for growing at home. Here are the top ones:
1. Convenience and Ease of Use
Your mushroom bag grow kits are the easiest and most user-friendly out there. Everything is pre-inoculated so you don’t have to make a substratum mix, or inoculate your spawn. Just put everything together in the bag, follow the instructions, and you’re well on your way to growing fresh mushrooms.
2. Minimal Maintenance
Assemble your kit, and maintenance is minimal. You must check temperature and humidity and mist the bag if needed. Everything else in the environment is taken care of by the bag. It is suitable for individuals who wish to grow mushrooms but do not want much work. Mushroom bags require minimal space; they are ideal for an apartment dweller, or for that matter, anyone who has limited growing space. You can put them on your counter, in your cupboard, or even place them on your balcony (provided you don’t mind the cooler areas and depending on the type of mushroom you’re working with).
3. Quick and Satisfying Outcomes
Mushrooms grow rapidly, and most mushroom bag kits can produce edible mushrooms within 2-4 weeks. This rapid life cycle makes mushroom cultivation a rewarding and satisfying hobby.
4. Ideal for Amateur Cultivation
If you have not grown mushrooms before, a bag grow kit is a perfect place to start. It is very easy, even for a person who has zero experience because all that’s necessary is the pre-inoculated substrate and instructions on how to do it. The process is simplified, and the chances of success are much higher than trying to grow from scratch.
5. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
Most mushroom bag grow kits are also made from readily available organic substrate and recycled packaging. Cultivating your own mushrooms saves you carbon footprint since you reduce the need to consume store-bought mushrooms, which are meant for consumption after transportation and packaging.
Most Popular Mushrooms for Bag Kits
There are many species of mushrooms that mushroom bag grow kits can be used on. Some of the most common ones include:
- Oyster Mushrooms: This is arguably the easiest mushroom to grow and they offer several varieties available (white, pink, yellow, blue). What’s more, they grow pretty fast, and they are great for beginners.
- Shiitake Mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms are of extremely high flavor, almost smoky, making it very well-suited to the wood-loving species.
- Lion’s Mane: This mushroom is of high medicinal value and thus quite cherished by its very unique and fluffy appearance.
- Button Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus): This is the most common edible mushroom cultivated in the market, and it can be purchased in kits for home use. It has a mild taste.
Mushroom bag grow kits are just a great home-produced means of mushroom cultivation whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener. They are extremely easy to use, convenient, and produce quick results, so ideal for anybody looking to harvest their own fresh, freshly grown mushrooms.
