How to Germinate Mushrooms in Bags
- 1). Place the container over a wood fire oven or propane burner. Fill the container halfway with water. Allow this water to heat to a minimum of 160 F and a maximum of 170 F, gauging temperatures with a long thermometer to protect your hands as you measure.
- 2). Fill the wire basket with straw, submerging the basket into the hot water. Allow the straw to "cook" in the water for 1 hour to pasteurize it and make it safe for mushroom growth.
- 3). Remove the straw from the water after the hour is up, placing the straw onto a tarp or clean table to dry and drain. Allow the straw to cool to 100 F.
- 4). Break up the mushroom spawn, mixing it into the cooled and drained straw using gloved hands. Mix the spawn into the straw as evenly as possible.
- 5). Fill plastic bags to the top with straw and spawn mixture. Do not compress the bags tightly -- simply fill them and secure the top with a twist tie. Punch holes into the sides of the bag with a pencil or other instrument, creating one hole for every square inch of bag.
- 6). Place the bags into a cool, dark place with consistent temperatures of 65 F to 75 F. Allow the bags to remain undisturbed for two to eight weeks, only applying a light mist of water if the straw seems to be drying out.
- 7). Move the mushrooms into an area of indirect light once they sprout. A room with a little natural light or lamp is appropriate, but never place the mushrooms into direct sunlight as you would risk killing the fungus.
- 8). Harvest the mushrooms once they have grown large enough to eat.
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