If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding gardening project, growing mushrooms in plastic bags is a great option. Not only is it easy to do, but it also allows you to harvest mushrooms every day. With a few simple steps, you can have your very own mushroom garden in no time.
Preparation of Lime Water Mixture
Before you begin the growing process, it’s important to prepare a lime water mixture. To do this, combine 200 grams of lime powder with 30 liters of water. This mixture will help create the ideal environment for your mushrooms to thrive.
Substrate Preparation and Incubation
Once you have your lime water mixture ready, it’s time to prepare the growing medium. Start by immersing straw or hay in the lime water mixture. Let it soak for about 30 minutes, then drain the excess liquid. This soaked straw or hay will serve as the substrate for your mushrooms to grow.
Next, cover the drained substrate with plastic and let it incubate for approximately 4 days. It’s important to maintain a temperature of 65-70°C during this time. This will provide the perfect conditions for the mushrooms to develop.
Mushroom Cultivation Phase
After the incubation process is complete, it’s time to move on to the mushroom cultivation phase. Here’s how you can do it using plastic bags:
- Choose normal plastic bags, preferably polyethylene (PE), with dimensions around 30 x 40 cm.
- Make sure the bags have a folded square bottom. This will make it easier to layer the substrate.
- Start by adding a 3-4 cm bottom layer of the substrate to the bags.
- Along the walls of the bag, transplant mushroom seeds evenly.
- Layer the bags with 6-7 cm layers of substrate until you have a total of four layers.
- Sprinkle the seeds evenly on the top layer.
- Seal the bags with clean cotton and secure the mouth for proper closure.
- Transfer the bags to a fiber nursery, keeping them at a distance from each other. Cover the bag mouths with newspaper to retain moisture.
Mushroom Growth and Harvesting
Now it’s time to watch your mushrooms grow and enjoy the bountiful harvest. Here are the key steps:
- Make sure the growing area remains closed to maintain the necessary moisture and warmth for mushroom growth.
- Keep an eye on the bags and wait until the mycelium covers them uniformly with a white color.
- Cut and hang the bags, making staggered incisions to allow the mushrooms to sprout.
- Water the bags 2-3 times daily to maintain even moisture. When it’s time to harvest, simply twist the mushrooms counterclockwise to remove them.
- Pause watering after harvesting to allow for further sprouting. Taking care of subsequent generations is essential for continuous harvests.
Adaptation
One of the great things about growing mushrooms in plastic bags is its adaptability. You can tailor the process to suit your specific needs using readily available materials. Just remember to maintain consistent environmental conditions and monitor your mushrooms closely for successful cultivation.
So why not give it a try? With a little time and effort, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown mushrooms every day. Happy gardening!
