Growing mushrooms is a unique yet simple approach to gardening. You can grow entire blocks of mushrooms and enjoy a steady cycle of harvests with just a few basic tricks and the right growing environment. Cultivate nutrient-rich containers, nurture your baby pins, and then watch your mushrooms grow at a surprising and delicious rate.
Because mushroom growing is not like normal gardening, it helps to get the hang of the lingo before you begin. Let’s dive into the essential mushroom-growing terms so you can begin growing and share tips with others growing at home.
Basic Terms
Basic mushroom growing terms will help you understand the different parts of the mushroom and what your fellow growers are talking about when they refer to mushroom crops.
Mycelium
The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments.
Spawn
Mycelium grown on a substrate (like grain or sawdust) used to inoculate a new growing medium. Spawn is typically administered through syringes of liquid mycelium for easier injection throughout the medium.
Substrate
The material on which mushrooms grow, such as wood, compost, or grain. Various substrates are ideal for different types of mushrooms based on their density, moisture capacity, and nutrient balance.
Fruiting body
The visible part of the fungus, commonly known as a mushroom.
Cap
The top part of a mushroom, which protects the interior spore-producing gills. Caps give your mushrooms a distinct appearance.
Stem
The stalk of a mushroom, which determines it’s height and integrity.
Gills
The spore-producing structures under the cap of many mushrooms. Sometimes known as pores or teeth, depending on the mushroom type.
Cultivation Terms
Cultivating mushrooms involves several specific stages and processes you’ll want to be familiar with. Knowing your cultivation terms can help you hone your growing materials, process, and environment to get the best mushroom harvests.
Inoculation
The process of introducing spawn into a substrate. This is usually done with syringes of mycelium liquid injected to start a new mushroom colony.
Colonization
The process where mycelium grows and spreads through the substrate. Mycelium must colonize a block of substrate before fruiting begins.
Fruiting
This is the stage when mushrooms start to form. You will first see “pins” which grow into full caps.
Flushing
Harvesting a crop of mushrooms. A crop of mushrooms may also be called a “flush,” and you can usually get multiple flushes from a single colonized block.
Pasteurization
The process of heating a substrate to kill harmful microorganisms. This prevents bacteria and other fungus spores from contaminating your blocks and competing for nutrients.
Sterilization
The process of completely eliminating all microorganisms from a substrate. It is more intense than pasteurization.
Humidity
The amount of moisture in the air is crucial for mushroom growth. You can use humidifiers and tents to help optimize the humidity around your cultivating mushrooms.
Ventilation
The circulation of fresh air to prevent mold and maintain CO2 levels. Fans and vents are essential for good ventilation.
Other Terms
You may also run into a few other terms that will be useful to know involving mushrooms in general.
Spore
A reproductive unit of a fungus. Spores are released by the gills below the cap when mushrooms are mature.
Culture
A pure sample of a specific mushroom strain. Cultures can be turned into spawn syringes to innoculate new blocks.
Strain
A specific variety of a mushroom species.
Mycology
Mycology is the study of fungi. It can help you learn more about each strain of mushroom and the best growing conditions for your ideal flush or harvest.
Compost
Organic matter that has been decomposed and used as a substrate. What you compost can influence the nutrients in your substrate.
Casing
A layer of material is placed on top of the substrate to induce fruiting. This helps trap moisture and protect the pins as they grow into mushrooms.
Master the Lingo for Monstrously Good Mushrooms!
Now that you’ve studied the vocab, you’re ready to dive into mushroom cultivation for yourself. You can begin growing psilocybin mushrooms at home with a starter kit of substrates and inoculation syringes from Monster Mushrooms. Explore the shop or contact us for more mushroom growing tips and resources.