Oyster mushrooms are great for beginners and grow really well with low-tech cultivation methods. Oysters can be grown in buckets, poly-bags, totes, baskets, straw beds and more. In this blog, we will discuss very simple low-tech methods along with heat and lime pasteurization.
Substrates
Oyster mushrooms grow great on wheat straw and so we will focus on this method, however, they can be grown on many other substrates such as aspen wood chips, hardwood pellets, cardboard and other materials.
Low-Tech Method
The low-tech method means that we will be using a substrate that has not been pasteurized or sterilized. This usually works really well when growing oyster mushrooms outdoors, however, this would be a real disaster in an indoor environment.
Instructions
You will need to source a bail of wheat straw. Other straws or hay will not work.
Find a method to chop up the straw into a finer material. You can use a weed trimmer or lawnmower. I use my lawnmower and collect the chopped straw in the bag.
Place the chopped straw in a garbage bag and soak with water.
After soaking for a couple of hours, poke holes in the bottom of the bag and let the water drain out.
Pick a container such as a basket or a bed of some sort that will get plenty of airflow. NOTE: If you choose to use a 5 gallon bucket or poly-bag, I recommend either lime or heat pasteurization. Do not use with low-tech.
Drill holes in bottom of container so that water can drain. Do not use large holes because worms will go into the container and eat the substrate.
Break up a 5 lb bag of sawdust spawn. Keep bag sealed while breaking apart. You want to use a fine sawdust and not large chunks when inoculating to increase the surface area.
Start with a base layer of straw in your container about 2-3" thick. Then layer a thin layer of sawdust spawn.
Continue with layering like lasagna until the container is full. Be sure to pack down material tightly on each layer. You do not want air gaps. Finish the layering with a layer of straw on top.
Water in the cotainter just like planting a plant in the soil.
Cover with a fresh garbage bag and move to a cool dark place such as a barn or garage.
Wait 3-4 weeks and move the container to a very shady outside area that has low wind exposure but is exposed to humidity and rain.
Now wait and check on your container often. Always check during and after a rain storm.
The oyster mushrooms will fruit when the ideal conditions are met and the container can produce for many months to come. This method is a slow process so be patient.
Pasteurization
Lime Pasteurization
Be safe and take precautions
Wear gloves
Wear eye protection
Wear jeans and long sleeves
Use “Hi-Yield” Horticultural Hydrated Lime
Heat and Pressure Treated
Not the same as Garden Lime
Lower magnesium
Get from Ace Hardware
Increases pH to around 12-13
Test with pH strip if you have it but it should be fine
Put straw in pillowcase and submerge in water
Soak 16-24 hours
6 grams per gallon of water
Estimated 24-30 grams per 5 gallon bucket
Drain for 20-30 minutes
Lower pH before draining water out of vessel with an acid such as vinegar or pH down using pH strips
Drain to 65% moisture - field capacity
Squeeze test – no more than a few drops
Inoculate with the lasagna method in preferrred container
Heat Pasteurization
Heat water to 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Place straw in a pillow case and submerge in water
Do not exceed 180 degrees
Cover and cook for 1 hour
Cool down in pot at least 4-6 hours and check internal temp
Drain to 65% moisture - field capacity
Squeeze test – no more than a few drops
Inoculate with the lasagna method in preferred conatiner
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