Industrial cultivation of white mushrooms

Growing porcini mushrooms on an industrial scale is a good idea to start your own business. Mushrooms are obtained from spores or mycelium, which are obtained independently or purchased ready-made. Be sure to provide conditions conducive to the active growth of these fungi.

Features of white mushrooms

Porcini mushrooms have excellent taste qualities, therefore they are used for making soups, main courses and snacks.

The calorie content of mushrooms is 22 kcal, but they contain proteins, vitamins and various useful substances.

These fungi prefer dry soils and are rarely found in young plantations less than 50 years old. Under natural conditions, even an experienced mushroom picker cannot always detect them.

Therefore, the cost per 1 kg of mushrooms reaches 1 thousand rubles, which makes them an attractive investment. When the necessary conditions are provided, porcini mushrooms can be grown for sale.

Previously, it was believed that on an industrial scale it is difficult to get a good crop of mushrooms. This was explained by the fact that these fungi form a symbiosis of mycelium with tree roots. However, studies by Dutch scientists have refuted this assertion.

Growing conditions

Active growth of porcini mushrooms begins when certain conditions are provided.

After planting, the mycelium is in the incubation stage, for which the following indicators are required:

• temperature within 23-25°C;
• lack of drafts or ventilation;
• humidity no more than 90%;
• complete absence of light.

When mushroom caps appear, the conditions change:

• the temperature is reduced to 10°C;
• provide good ventilation of the room;
• watering twice a day;
• Every day at 5 o’clock turn on the light.

The first harvest is taken after 20 days. Grown mushrooms are carefully cut with a knife at the root.

Raw materials

Mushrooms are grown from spores or mycelium. In industrial conditions, mycelium is most often used. Another way to get mushrooms is to use mycelium, which is taken from the forest.

Receipt of dispute

To grow mushroom spores, you need to follow a certain algorithm:

1. Collect about 15 mushrooms with cap sizes of 15 cm or more.
2. Hats are separated from the mushrooms, which are placed in water (200 g per liter). For 10 liters of water add 3 tbsp. l. sugar or alcohol.
3. A container with mushrooms is kept warm for a day at high humidity.
4. After the specified time, the caps are crushed to form a homogeneous mass.

Mycelium use

Mycelium is the vegetative body of fungi, which may vary depending on its internal structure. The implementation of mycelium is carried out by various enterprises that grow mushrooms on an industrial scale. They receive the necessary material in the laboratory.

Mycelium is packed by weight in plastic containers or plastic bags. When storing and transporting it, it is important that a low temperature is ensured.

You can get mycelium at home. For this, the fruiting body of the fungus is taken, which is placed in a sterilized test tube. For two weeks, the test tube is placed in a warm room with a temperature of 24 degrees. Ready mycelium is planted in the substrate.

Acquired mycelium is checked for several indicators:

• appearance (white color, absence of yellow or green areas, pronounced mushroom smell);
• homogeneous grain structure of mycelium (determined by cutting one or more grains);
• landing of the prototype.

Planting mycelium is carried out in a certain order:

1. Place the mycelium in the cold for several hours.
2. Grinding mycelium directly in the bag.
3. Mixing mycelium and soil and placing at the breeding site. The top layer of soil should be up to 7 cm.

Choice of growing method

Mushrooms are grown in natural conditions in the open air. In industrial conditions, a greenhouse or a special room is prepared, which is equipped with the necessary equipment.

Outdoor cultivation

You can plant porcini mushrooms outdoors if trees grow on the territory. The landing procedure includes several stages:

1. In the area where pines, oaks, spruces, oaks or birches grow, a layer of soil (10 cm) is removed. The procedure is performed around each tree within a radius of 0,5 m.

   

2. The roots of the trees are covered with mycelium or fungal spores, then the removed soil is returned to its place.
3. Irrigate every few days of planting. The area around one tree will require about 20 liters of water.
4. To maintain the required level of humidity, the mycelium is covered with straw (up to 0,5 m).
5. For the winter, the site can be covered with moss or straw.

Fruiting begins in the second year. The disadvantage of this method is that the harvest is only during the mushroom season. For year-round cultivation, the preparation of a greenhouse or a special room is required.

Growing in the greenhouse

For the propagation of porcini mushrooms, special varieties are bred in greenhouses. For these purposes, a glass or film greenhouse is suitable.

The main condition here is to ensure minimal lighting. Direct sunlight should not penetrate the greenhouse.

To grow mushrooms in a greenhouse, the following algorithm should be followed:

1. Acquisition of soil.
2. Adding sawdust of any kind, manure, compost or organic fertilizers to the soil.
3. The mixture is left to infuse for a week.
4. The earth is moved to the greenhouse and mycelium of mushrooms is planted.

Cultivation at home

When the necessary conditions are provided, mushrooms can be grown in the cellar, basement, and even in apartments. It is most convenient to use plastic bags for growing mushrooms, which can be hung from the ceiling or placed on racks.

In the basement, it is better to fill the floor with concrete. Hardwood flooring or earthen floors promote the spread of harmful microorganisms.

Ventilation holes are made in the bags through which porcini mushrooms will germinate. To do this, cross-shaped incisions are made in the bags every 10 cm.

The procedure for harvesting porcini mushrooms is as follows:

1. Obtaining mycelium in any suitable way.
2. A substrate is being prepared, consisting of hay, sunflower husks, sawdust, crushed corn cobs.
3. The substrate is poured with water and put on fire. It must be boiled for an hour, then cooled.
4. Mycelium and substrate are mixed, and the content of mycelium in the mixture is 5%.
5. The resulting mass is rammed into bags in which cuts are made.

Equipment purchase

Special equipment helps to maintain the conditions that allow the mycelium to germinate. Additionally, measuring instruments are purchased that will allow you to track the necessary indicators.

Maintaining temperature and humidity

If the room is cold, heaters or heat guns are installed. After the mushrooms germinate, you can turn them off or lower the temperature.

Split systems help to provide the required temperature in a short time. If cultivation is planned all year round, then heating is recommended.

To maintain the required humidity, you need to install sprayers in the room. Every 2 m place containers filled with water. An effective way to retain moisture is to use sawdust.

Lighting installation

The only type of mushroom that does not require access to light is champignon. White fungus is more demanding on the presence of lighting.

If the growth of porcini mushrooms takes place indoors, you need to install lighting fixtures. In this case, fluorescent lamps with a power of 100 to 180 lux / h are selected. The lamps should be marked RDL or DRLF, which indicates the study of the red-blue spectrum, as close as possible to the natural one. It is allowed to use lamps marked LDC or LTBC.

Room ventilation

Natural ventilation is not enough to ensure the growth of fungi. As they mature, they require more air flow.

Therefore, a ventilation system is installed in the room. An extractor hood is installed at the bottom of the walls or on the floor. This is necessary to eliminate fungal spores, which in large quantities are harmful to the body.

Watering mushrooms

During the period of active growth, mushrooms need intensive watering. You can ensure the supply of moisture manually using a spray gun.

On an industrial scale, irrigation systems are installed that provide drip water supply. Its temperature should be 18°C. When cold water enters, the mycelium may die.

Conclusion

Porcini mushrooms are valued for their rich composition and high palatability. On an industrial scale, they are grown in a greenhouse, basement or other prepared room. To get a good harvest, you need to purchase the necessary equipment, soil, substrate and mycelium.