Recently growing Oyster mushrooms have become a popular trend worldwide.
As per one report of the Business Research Company, the market size of oyster mushrooms grew from $2.69 billion in 2022 to $2.85 billion in 2023 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. It is expected to grow to $3.55 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 5.6%.
There are several reasons behind the rise in oyster mushroom cultivation. Oyster mushrooms are known for their delicious taste. Plus, they are packed with micronutrients and vitamins. The cultivation process is simple and straightforward as well.
In fact, growing oyster mushrooms is so easy that you can even do it indoors or incorporate them into your small kitchen garden. You don’t need a lot of space or expertise to get started.
To help you out, here’s a handy guidebook that outlines some simple steps for growing oyster mushrooms at home. Let’s dive in and learn all the details about cultivating these delightful mushrooms in the comfort of your own space.
Varieties of Oyster Mushrooms
There are several edible varieties of oyster mushrooms. You can easily distinguish them by their shape and color. Each variety of Oyster mushrooms have their unique looks, taste and nutritional value.
It’s worth noting that there are some mushrooms that resemble oyster mushrooms but do not belong to the oyster group. Some of them are even poisonous.
If you’re interested in distinguishing characteristics of each oyster mushroom variety, I invite you to check out the article on “Oyster Mushroom Variety.” It will provide you with valuable insights.
What do you need to growing Oyster Mushrooms at home?
To successfully grow oyster mushrooms, it’s essential to have the right equipment and materials. Here’s a list of items that you’ll need:
Mushroom Spawn
Mushroom spawn serves as the carrier of a specific mushroom mycelium strain, which remains inactive until it is placed into a substrate to cultivate mushrooms. High-quality oyster mushroom spawns are readily available in the market, and you can also get them directly from mushroom cultivators.
Substrate
The substrate is the medium where the mushroom spawn is placed to foster mycelium growth and eventually produce mushrooms. There are various options for substrates when it comes to growing oyster mushrooms, such as rice or wheat straw, coffee grounds, coco coir, sawdust, cotton waste, or wood chips.
I recommend using straw as a substrate due to its availability, affordability, and biodegradability as an agricultural waste product.
Growing Pot
You’ll need suitable pots for the growth of oyster mushrooms. Plastic bags are commonly used as growing pots, allowing the mycelium to spawn and develop mushrooms. Alternatively, buckets are also a great option for cultivating oyster mushrooms.
Regardless of the choice of growing pots, ensure that they have sufficient holes for proper ventilation and air circulation for the mushrooms.
Personally, I prefer using buckets over plastic bags because they can be reused multiple times, making them a more sustainable option.
Process of Growing Oyster Mushrooms
The cultivation process of oyster mushrooms is not only simple but also highly appealing to many enthusiasts. Its delectable taste, low fat and calorie content, and abundance of fiber, potassium, and selenium make it a favorite among both non-vegetarians and vegetarians alike.
Maintaining Hygiene: A Crucial Factor
When venturing into oyster mushroom cultivation, it is crucial to prioritize hygiene. Since you’ll be cultivating edible fungus, maintaining cleanliness is of utmost importance. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before starting and use gloves during the plantation process to ensure hygiene is maintained. Pasteurizing and sterilizing the cultivation materials is also vital to prevent any potential bacterial contamination that could ruin your efforts.
Time Requirements: Patience is Key
Growing oyster mushrooms involves several steps, each with its own timeframe. On average, mushrooms will begin to emerge within 4 to 6 weeks after spawning.
Temperature Control: A Key Player
Maintaining a controlled temperature is essential at every stage of oyster mushroom cultivation. Opting for indoor cultivation provides the best conditions for successful and healthy mushroom growth. Oyster mushrooms prefer partial shade, so it’s best to place them in an area where direct sunlight is limited.
Water Management: Balancing Moisture
While water is necessary for growing oyster mushrooms, it should be used judiciously. Throughout the process, make sure to keep the container moist but avoid excessive watering that could lead to waterlogging. Striking the right balance is crucial for optimal mushroom growth.
By following these guidelines, you can embark on an exciting journey of cultivating your own oyster mushrooms. Enjoy the simplicity of the process, relish their delightful taste, and savor the rewards of your efforts. Happy mushroom growing!
Step By Step Guide to Grow Oyster Mushrooms:
| STEP 1 | > First thing is the pasteurization of the straw. Heat up the straw in water at around 70-75 degrees Celsius temperature and keep it in the hot water for 45-60 minutes to kill all the bacteria. > After that drain the water, put the straw in a pot and cut into pieces small pieces approx 1-3 cm in length. > Do not put the mushroom spawn into the hot straw. Let it cool down to room temperature first. Otherwise, the high temperature will kill the spawn. > Straw should not be wet but must be damp. |
| STEP 2 | > After cooling down, pack the straw in the growing pot (plastic bags/ buckets) tightly and distribute some of the oyster mushroom spawn (3 or 4 pieces) in the straw. > Make small holes in the growing pot (3 inches apart) with a skewer to promote airflow. Before using the skewer, make assured that the skewer is properly sterilized. The bag should be tightly closed with a rubber band or thread. >The bags should be kept inside a room to avoid direct sunlight. The spawn requires indirect sunlight only. Temperature should remain around 15-20 degree Celsius. |
| STEP 3 | > To keep your pot moist, spray some water if required. Do not add excess water. |
| STEP 4 | > The mycelium(looks like white furry cobwebs) will start to come out within the first couple of weeks. > Latest by 4 weeks, mushroom starts forming. > Mushrooms exhibit impressive growth rates, doubling in size each day. It only takes about a week for them to reach a good size. > Keep the mushrooms moist by spraying water 2-3 times a day. Be cautious about not using excess water. |
| STEP 5 | > Mushrooms should be harvested while their rims are still curled over a little and pointing downwards. > When it comes to harvesting mushrooms, it’s important to leave the bottom portion of the stem to remain in the bag. Cut the top portion. It will ensure the continued growth. > From that very bottom, subsequent flushes will be formed. Under suitable conditions, you can get 3-4 flushes of mushrooms. |
| STEP 6 | > After the production of 3 or 4 flushes of mushrooms, it will stop growing. > Then you can use the straw as mulch for your kitchen garden. > You can add some of your old straw with the new one as the substrate of the new batch of production. |
Challenges in Cultivating Oyster Mushrooms: Potential Threats to Consider
While oyster mushrooms can be successfully cultivated worldwide, it’s important to be aware of potential threats that may arise during the process. These challenges can jeopardize the success of your oyster mushroom cultivation.
Growing oyster mushrooms requires controlled weather:
Each step of growing oyster mushrooms needs specific temperature and water limitations.
Warm temperatures and excess water can hamper the growth of oyster mushrooms.
Risk of parasitic and bacterial attacks:
One of the significant threats faced in oyster mushroom cultivation is the risk of parasitic and bacterial attacks. To safeguard your mushrooms from these harmful intruders, it is vital to prioritize hygiene and cleanliness.
Maintaining a clean environment and taking preventive measures can help prevent attacks and minimize the risk of viral contamination. By focusing on hygiene, you increase the chances of achieving a bountiful harvest.
Here are a few diseases, reasons and Solutions:
| Name of the disease | Reasons | Identification mark | Results | Solution |
| Brown Plaster Mould | parasitic attack due to the dampness of the bag | Whitish development on the sides of the bags. Change the tone to earthy or rusty. | lost yield | a) maintaining hygiene b) pasteurization & sterilization of the things used in cultivation c) spray neem water |
| Green Mould | pathogen attack | Whitish development on the mycelium. Change the tone to green and subsequently earthy | Mushrooms break and mutilate | a) maintaining hygiene b) pasteurization & sterilization of the things used in cultivation c) spray neem water |
Be cautious about the attacks of flies and beetles too. It may hamper the production of your mushrooms as well.
| Attacks | Results | Solution |
| Attack of flies | overall degradation of cultivation of mushrooms | Alcohol (80%) |
| Attack of Beetles | lay their eggs inside the mushrooms and suck nutrients from the mushrooms | Pepper mask |
These are some of the precautions and organic solutions to manage the threats to growing oyster mushrooms.
I always recommend everyone to use organic methods only as they are safe and cost-effective.
You can use mild chlorine water as a disinfectant. Though it is an inorganic option, it is not that harmful.
What’s Next
Keep your plants happy, and they’ll reward you with vibrant blooms and delicious veggies!
I hope I have cleared all the doubts on this topic – the growing oyster mushrooms. If you are interested in other agricultural methods or types of vegetables and herbs suitable for your home garden then go through my other articles from the related post section(below) or recent post section(top-right).
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<Source: United Nations Development Programme>
<Source: International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences>
Misty S is the founder and lead writer at GrowOrganicGreens.com, a comprehensive gardening resource dedicated to helping people cultivate beautiful and sustainable gardens. She has a Master’s degree in Economics and specialized studies in agricultural economics, horticulture, and soil science. Drawing from her extensive knowledge and experience, Misty shares practical gardening tips on soil preparation, organic manure composting, fertilizers, plant care, and indoor gardening, making her advice accessible and helpful to gardeners of all levels.
Despite having an high-demanding 9-5 job, Misty dedicates her personal time to researching and exploring various gardening topics. Her keen interest in gardening has grown into a passion, driving her to help new gardeners and anyone interested in starting their gardening journey.
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