.webp?updatedAt=1746268154747 "How to Grow Gourmet Mushrooms in Jars at Home – No Garden Needed") |
| How to Grow Gourmet Mushrooms in Jars at Home |
We will specifically talk about mushrooms like Gyrgolas (oyster mushrooms) and Freckled Chestnut, which you can grow using DIY mushroom growing methods on corn cobs, straw, or aspen bedding. So, let’s get started without delay, like planning a new home oyster mushroom cultivation project while having coffee with friends!
| Essentials | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corn kernels (for grain spawn) |
| 2 | Clean jar (mason jar or with holes in the lid) |
| 3 | Straw or aspen bedding (for substrate) |
| 4 | Cotton scraps |
| 5 | 70% alcohol |
| 6 | Clean spoon and funnel |
| 7 | Mushrooms (from the market, round and fresh) |
| 8 | A clean pot |
| 9 | Knife and tongs |
| 10 | Cardboard (to keep the jars separate) |
| 11 | Dishwasher or cleaning supplies |
| 12 | Plastic sheet (for humidity) |
How to grow mushrooms in a jar at home: a step-by-step guide
Getting Started Growing Mushrooms in Mason Jars: Prepare the Grain Spawn
The first step in how to grow mushrooms in a jar at home is to make the grain spawn. Grain spawn is the root-like part (mycelium) of the mushroom, which later spreads into the substrate.
- How to do it: Wash the corn kernels thoroughly to remove dust and other fungal spores. Change the water until it runs clear.
- Boil: Put the washed kernels in a pot and place on the stove. Boil for 10-15 minutes after boiling.
- Drain: Drain the excess water and let the kernels dry.
- Rest for 12 hours: Cover the pot and leave it at room temperature for 12 hours or until the next day. This will germinate any remaining spores, which will be removed later.
- Mix with liquid culture: Mix the corn kernels with the liquid culture in a sterile box. Close the jar and wait until 100% colonization, when the entire jar is filled with white mycelium.
- Note: Don’t worry if brown or orange spots appear in the jar, like in the case of freckled chestnut—this is normal. But if the mycelium does not spread in some areas, the jar may be contaminated. Don't use it.
Tip: King oyster mushrooms are great for growing in jars because they can start pinning right in the jar. But if there is already fruit forming in the jar, don't choose it for grain spawn.
Related: Grow Spinach at Home in Just 6 Weeks
The next step in DIY mushroom growing: prepare the substrate
The substrate is the base in which the mushrooms grow. If you are wondering how to grow mushrooms in a jar at home, choosing the right substrate is very important. Aspen bedding or straw are best. Avoid hardwood pellets or sawdust as they will harden in the jar and make it difficult to clean.
- Hydrate: Soak the straw in water until it is completely wet.
- Drain: Squeeze out any excess water. The bottom may be particularly wet, so squeeze it harder.
- Pasteurize: Pasteurize the straw for 60 minutes. This will kill bacteria and other fungi. Clean the container with alcohol before pasteurizing.
Tip: It's okay to have some moisture on the surface after pasteurization, but excessive wetness can inhibit mycelium growth.
Sterilize the jars
Cleanliness is the heart of this process. A small mistake can ruin your hard work. This step of how to grow mushrooms in a jar at home is the most important.
- Wash in the dishwasher: Wash the jar on a short cycle in the dishwasher.
- Clean with alcohol: Take the jar out and wipe it with 70% alcohol. Sterilize your hands and work surface as well.
- Perforated lids: Jar lids should have small holes in them so the fungus can breathe. Place a piece of loose cotton over the hole to allow air in but keep outside spores out.
- Add alcohol: Pour a little alcohol into the jar, shake it, and turn it upside down to drain off any excess alcohol.
Tip: Jars with lids, like mason jars, are best because they allow for easier air exchange.
Prepare mycelium (from market mushrooms)
If you don't have grain spawn, you can harvest mycelium from mushrooms you buy from the market. This is the most exciting part!
- Choose the right mushrooms: Look for oyster mushrooms that are round, fresh, and have thick stems. Avoid mushrooms with open or thin stems.
- Cleaning: Sterilize the work surface, knife, and tongs with alcohol. Work near a cooking gas stove, as the heat kills bacteria.
- Remove the mycelium: Carefully cut the stem of the mushroom. Remove the outer layer and extract the white inner part (mycelium). Clean it lightly with a little alcohol.
Tip: Choosing fresh mushrooms is important for the quality of the mycelium. This step gives your mushrooms life in the jar!
Mix the Grain Spawn and Substrate
Now the fun part of growing mushrooms in mason jars begins!
- Break up the grain spawn: Lightly tap the grain spawn jar on a soft surface (like a pillow) to separate the grains.
- Add the mycelium: If you harvested mycelium from market mushrooms, place a small piece of mycelium between the corn kernels in the chilled jar.
- Layering: Put some straw in the jar first, then a handful of grain spawn, then straw, and so on. Fill the jar a little more than halfway, so there is room for air.
- Height of substrate: Fill the straw up to the top of the jar's rim or grooves. If the straw is at the bottom, the mushrooms may grow on the sides, which is not good.
- Important tip: Use one grain spawn jar for only one substrate jar. Do not transfer leftover spawn to another jar, or contamination may spread.
- Finishing: Wipe excess straw from the rim of the jar and close the lid.
Tip: The grains or straw must be dry and well prepared, not moist, so that the mycelium can spread easily.
Related: How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots at Home
Sterilize a second time
Some spores may survive even after the first boiling. To kill them:
- Prepare the water: Add water to the pot halfway up the jars. Place a cloth underneath to prevent the jars from breaking from the heat.
- Use cardboard: Place cardboard between the jars to prevent them from colliding.
- Boil: Bring to a boil and boil for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Turn off the heat and allow the jars to cool to room temperature.
Tip: This step is important to prevent contamination. Be patient, as cleanliness determines the success of your crop.
Incubate the Jar
This step of how to grow mushrooms in a jar at home is a test of patience. Place the jar in a dark place with a temperature of 20-24 degrees Celsius, such as a wooden shelf or cardboard box.
- Wait 14 days: In about 14 days the mycelium will spread throughout the jar. If it's not dark, cover with a black cloth.
- Check: In a few days the mycelium will look cottony and slowly turn the jar white. If the mycelium has not spread to a corner, the jar may be contaminated—throw it away.
- Normal: It's normal to see brown or orange stains (metabolites) in mushrooms like the Freckled Chestnut. This is a sign of fruiting.
Tip: Patience is your best friend in this step. The mycelium takes time to grow.
Let the mushrooms flourish
When the jar is completely white, move it to fruiting conditions.
- Choose a location: Place near a window with a mild breeze and a temperature of 15-18 degrees Celsius.
- Create humidity: Place a loose plastic sheet over the jar to maintain humidity.
- Waiting for pinning: In a few days, tiny mushrooms (pins) will appear. If water droplets appear on the surface, the humidity is right.
- Don't spray water: There is no need to spray water until the surface looks dry.
- Remove plastic: Once the pins have formed, remove the plastic and allow the mushrooms to grow upwards.
Tip: Proper temperature and humidity are essential for mushroom growth. Avoid excess water, otherwise the mycelium may be damaged.
Next Step: Store or Grow in a Bottle
When the jar is completely white, you have two choices:
- Store in the refrigerator: The jar can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.
- Grow in a bottle: Transfer the mycelium to sawdust or wheat husk and grow mushrooms in plastic bottles. To do this:
- Hydrate and pasteurize the sawdust.
- Mix the mycelium into the sawdust and layer it in a bottle.
- Incubate the bottle and then place it in fruiting conditions.
Tip: Bottle growing can give higher yields, especially if you want to cultivate mushrooms at home on a large scale.
Important Tips
- Cleanliness: Maintain sterility at every step. A small mistake can spoil the entire crop.
- Air exchange: Leave enough air space in the jars so that the fungus can breathe.
- One jar, one spawn: Use one grain spawn jar for one substrate jar to avoid contamination.
- Substrate height: Place straw above the grooves of the jar so that the mushrooms grow in the right direction.
- Patience: It takes time for the mycelium to grow and the mushrooms to bear fruit. Do not rush.
- Fresh mushrooms: Buy round, fresh oyster mushrooms from the market so that the quality of the mycelium is good.
Conclusion
How to grow mushrooms in jars at home is not just a process but a beautiful way to connect with nature. Nothing can give you the feeling of joy and pride when you see the mushrooms grown by your own hands. The process requires a little effort, but there is fun and learning in every step. Whether you grow mushrooms in mason jars in your kitchen or plan a larger harvest in bottles, this DIY mushroom growing experience can become a new hobby for you. So start today and involve your friends in this fun project too! Let us know how your experience was. Lots of love and happiness!