If you want to learn how to grow enoki mushrooms, you have come to the right place! This blog post will teach you everything you need to know to start. Enoki mushrooms are a type of mushroom popular in Asia and can be used in various dishes. In addition, they are easy to grow, and you can enjoy their taste all year round. So, if you’re interested in learning how to cultivate your enoki mushrooms, keep reading!
Things You Should Know Before You Begin Growing Enoki Mushrooms
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start growing enoki mushrooms:
- Enoki mushrooms thrive in humid environments.
- They require little maintenance, and growing enoki mushrooms indoors is a good idea.
- Enoki mushrooms prefer a temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- They will grow well in various substrates, including straw, wood chips, and coffee grounds.
- These mushrooms are ready to harvest in as little as two weeks!
- Now that you know a little bit more about enoki mushrooms let’s get into how to grow them.
The Best Substrate For Enoki Mushrooms
The best substrate for enoki mushrooms is a combination of brown rice flour, vermiculite, and gypsum. The ratio of ingredients should be 1:1:1 by weight. First, mix the brown rice flour and vermiculite. Then, add the gypsum and mix thoroughly.
The substrate should be moist but not wet. If your substrate is too dry, your edible mushrooms will not fruit. If it is too wet, your enoki mushrooms will rot. The best way to ensure that your substrate is at the correct moisture level is to put it in a container with a lid and punch holes in the lid. The holes should be big enough for air to circulate but small enough that the substrate does not dry out.
Can You Use Supplements on Enoki Mushrooms?
Yes, you can. You will need to purchase a supplement and follow the directions on the package. The most common supplements are oyster shell flour and dolomite lime. Oyster shell flour is high in calcium and helps to promote strong mushroom growth. Dolomite lime is rich in magnesium and helps improve your own enoki mushrooms’ flavor.
How To Get Started Growing Enoki Mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal, and they’re easy to grow at home with just a little effort. Here’s everything you need to know to get started:
Purchase Your Enoki Mushroom Spawn
You can find this at your local gardening store or online. The spawn is the “seed” you will use to grow your mushrooms. Like any plant, you must start with a quality seed to get a healthy crop.
Choose Your Growing Method
You can grow enoki mushrooms indoors or outdoors. To grow them outdoors, you must find a shady garden spot with good drainage, and to grow them indoors, you must purchase an artificial light source and a humidifier.
If you want to go the DIY route, you can grow your enoki mushrooms on logs or stumps. To do this, you will need to find some logs or stumps cut within the last six months. The best species of tree to use are maple, oak, or beech.
Prepare Your Substrate
Enoki mushrooms can be grown in various substrates, such as straw, sawdust, cardboard, or coffee grounds. If you are using a straw, soak it in water overnight before using it. This will help the mushrooms get the moisture they need to grow. You will need to sterilize your substrate to kill any potential contaminants that could harm your mushrooms.
Inoculate Your Substrate With the Mushroom Spawn
Inoculating your substrate means adding the spawn to the material that the mushroom will eventually grow in, such as straw or compost. This is a crucial step, and it should be done with caution. To do this, mix the spawn into your substrate until it is evenly distributed.
Place Your Growing Containers in a Warm, Dark Place
Enoki mushrooms prefer temperatures between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. You can place your container on top of a heated mat if you grow them indoors. Place the container in an area where it won’t be disturbed and won’t get too much light. Enoki mushroom spores like to stay in the dark!
Monitor Your Progress
The ideal temperature for fruiting enoki mushrooms is between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may need to move your container to a cooler location if it’s too warm where you’re keeping it. To encourage fruiting, mist the surface of your substrate regularly and provide plenty of airflow. With proper care, you should see clusters of delicate white mushrooms start to appear within a few weeks. You can regrow enoki mushrooms; suppose you’re pleased with the first trial.
Harvest Your Mushrooms When They Are Big Enough To Eat!
Harvesting your mushrooms is a significant step in growing enoki mushrooms. You want to ensure you harvest them when they are big enough to eat! If you wait too long, they will begin to rot and not be edible.
The best time to harvest them is when they are about 4 inches tall. Then, you can use a knife or your hands to remove them from the ground carefully. Once you have harvested your mushrooms, you can then begin the process of cooking them. Remember eating enoki mushrooms comes with several health benefits.
Tips For Growing Healthy Enoki Mushrooms
If you want to get the best out of your mushrooms, here are some tips to follow:
- First, enoki mushrooms love humidity. Therefore, you will need to create a space with high humidity levels for your mushrooms to thrive. One way to do this is to use a terrarium or grow tent. You can also line the inside of your grow room with plastic sheeting to create extra humidity.
- Second, enoki mushrooms need lots of air circulation. Mushrooms grown in stagnant air will not develop properly and are more susceptible to disease. So be sure to have a fan blowing in your grow room.
- Third, enoki mushrooms need a steady supply of moisture. Therefore, you must water your mushroom crop daily, ensuring the substrate stays evenly moistened but not soggy. If the substrate dries out, the mushrooms will stop growing.
- Fourth, enoki mushrooms prefer cooler temperatures. The ideal temperature range for enoki mushrooms is between 59-68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Finally, enoki mushrooms need darkness to fruit. They will not fruit if they are exposed to light. So be sure to keep your grow room dark or cover your mushroom crop with a cloth during the fruiting cycle. Healthy enoki gives a lot of healthy benefits to the user.
By following these simple tips, you can successfully grow your enoki mushrooms at home!
Conclusion
Enoki mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal. They are also easy to grow at home, as long as you follow the proper steps. By following the tips in this article, you can be on your way to harvesting your crop of enoki mushrooms in no time!
