Some gourmet mushrooms are highly valued for their umami-rich flavors and nutritional value; others for their adaptogenic properties’ health and wellness potential. As awareness of the many benefits of home cultivation continues to rise, so has the number of people looking for reliable, relatable information from reputable sources committed to consumer education and process simplification.
Whether you’re exploring the topic for the first time or nearly ready to commit, you’ve likely found multiple sources using mycology-specific terminology as if their audience has been cultivating home-grown harvests for years – an approach not all that helpful for people trying to understand the process. Most people gain significant insight from Monster Mushroom after learning the differences between mushroom spores and mushroom spawn – two crucial components of successful cultivation.
What are Mushroom Spores?
Mushroom spores are the reproductive cells released by mature fruiting bodies – the edible part of harvested crops. Some species disburse spores from the gills or pores beneath their caps; others from sac-like structures called asci. Since spores contain the genetics needed to grow new colonies, they’re a lot like the seeds produced by plants. Germinated spores grow into hyphae – thread-like structures that elongate, intertwine and collectively form the vegetative part of the fungi, its mycelium network.
What is Mushroom Spawn?
Mushroom spawn is a substrate inoculated with mycelium. Cultivators create mushroom spawn by germinating harvested spores in a substrate of grain, compost, straw, or sawdust. Once the mycelium has colonized a spawning substrate, the spawn is introduced into a second substrate selected for optimal growth – a mushroom fruiting substrate. Cultivating spawn instead of directly inoculating a mushroom fruiting substrate ensures the even distribution of the fungi’s mycelium network.
Spores vs Spawn: Understanding Their Key Differences
With relatively little effort, you could germinate spores, grow spawn, and harvest an ample supply of some of nature’s most sought-after superfoods within a relatively short time. But with so many sources suggesting propagating mushrooms from spawn is the best route for beginners, many would-be growers are understandably hesitant to germinate spores. In actuality, the processes involved in growing spawn and growing fruiting bodies from spawn are similar – provided you have the right supplies – despite the following differences between them.
Mushroom Spores Mushroom Spawn
Definition reproductive cells colonized substrate
Growth Stage similar to seed similar to roots or seedlings
Viability longer viability shorter viability
Risk Assessment Higher contamination risk lower contamination risk
Ease of Use challenging to simplified simplified
Success Rate typically lower typically higher
Growth Stages
Depending on the species, spores can take several hours to several weeks to germinate. It also takes time for hyphae to branch, form a mycelium network, and colonize a spawning substrate. After that initial growth stage, however, hyphae introduced into a fruiting substrate expand quickly because the environment is optimized for mycelium growth.
Overall Viability
Stored in a cool, dark, dry location, spores in their natural state can remain viable for years. Spores suspended in fluid-filled syringes are considered easier to work with and remain viable when refrigerated for up to a year. By comparison, spawn has a less generous shelf life than spores because it’s already growing. It must be utilized within a reasonable amount of time to remain viable.
Contamination Risk
Spores are susceptible to mold, bacteria, and other microbes, so they need to germinate in a sterilized substrate. Although creating a sterile workspace can be challenging, experienced growers minimize the risk of contamination by purchasing pre-sterilized spawn bags. There’s less risk involved in transferring spawn to a fruiting substrate because established mycelium is less vulnerable to microorganisms.
Ease of Use
Germinating spores requires a basic understanding of how to optimize your workspace. Home-growers inoculating sterilized substrates with spores can minimize the risk of accidental contamination by using spawn bags with self-healing injection ports. It’s easy to grow mushrooms from spawn using sterilized grow bags prefilled with a fruiting substrate. With the right supplies, both stages are easy.
Success Rate
Spores syringes and prints generally cost less to purchase than pre-populated spawns, but there are several issues behind their lower success rates, including improper sterilization techniques and failure to recognize the early signs of contamination. Once your spores have spawned and grown in the appropriate fruiting substrate, the odds of enjoying a bountiful harvest increase significantly.
Variety of species
The color of mushroom spores varies across species and can range from white and cream to brown, black, or even vibrant shades like purple and pink. The spore color is an essential identification feature for mycologists and mushroom enthusiasts. In addition, a “spore print” can be utilized to help identify the species. A spore print is obtained by placing a mature mushroom cap, gills facing downward, on a piece of paper. As the spores are released, they form a distinct pattern on the paper, helping identify the mushroom species. Different species’ mushroom spores are equipped with unique adaptations to enhance their chances of survival. Some species have spore casings that protect them from harsh conditions, while others have evolved mechanisms to withstand extreme temperatures. Mushroom cultivators use spores or spore prints to inoculate substrates and kickstart the cultivation process. Spores are introduced to a suitable environment, initiating the growth of mycelium and eventually leading to the formation of fruiting bodies.
Conclusion
Mushroom spores contribute significantly to biodiversity by facilitating the spread and establishment of fungi in various ecosystems. Fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships with plants. Though minuscule in size, spores hold the key to the perpetuation of fungi and the vibrant ecosystems they inhabit. Understanding the life cycle and characteristics of spores not only enriches our appreciation for mushrooms but also opens the door to the captivating realm of mycology. As we marvel at the intricate dance of spores in nature, we gain a deeper understanding of the essential role fungi play in the interconnected web of life.
Learn to Grow Good Monster Mushrooms!
Mushroom spores are microscopic reproductive cells released by mature fruiting bodies. Mushroom spawn is a substrate with thriving mycelium. Although growing mushrooms from a pre-populated substrate reduces wait times, it costs more to get started. Instead, consider how the mycology experts at Monster Mushroom make spore germination and mushroom cultivation accessible to everyone.
Mushroom enthusiasts nationwide are germinating spores and propagating mycelium in Monster Mushroom grain-filled spawn bags – sterilized polypropylene bags with a self-healing injection port. They’re introducing their mycelium-propagated grain into our fruiting substrate bags and reaping the rewards of their abundant harvests.
To learn more about growing your monstrously good mushrooms, download your free copy of The Fungi Crash Course – our complete beginner’s guide to mushroom cultivation. Then, check out our collection of instructional videos. If you want information about mushroom spores or mushroom spawn we haven’t covered, submit a contact form.