SPAWN & SUBSTRATE

We produce our spawn in sterile laboratory conditions to ensure clean, strong and rapid growing spawn. QUALITY is VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

Great spawn is made from fresh well-maintained cultures. Store fresh spawn in your refrigerator. We take GREAT CARE to MAKE GREAT PRODUCTS

Spawn is a fresh product and we deliver overnight or by air. Try to use your spawn within 2 weeks. Remember, FRESH is BEST!

SPAWN IS THE FOUNDATION OF MUSHROOM GROWING. MAKE SURE YOU START WITH THE BEST.

 CULTURE

A culture is the mycelium grown one either agar or in a nutrient liquid. The are normally grown from mushroom tissue, in a sterile laboratory. Cultures are used to produce spawn. 

SPAWN

Spawn is the living mycelium, grown onto a substrate. At Mushrush, our mushroom spawn is grown on sorghum grain and wood dowels. Spawn is critical for all mushroom growing operations. They are the seeds that form the foundation for farming mushrooms.

SUBSTRATE

Substrate is a material that mycelium can grow and establish itself on. The nutrients, moisture and energy mushrooms need to grow and produce fruit are found in the substrate. It is essential for mushroom growing.

WHITE OYSTER mushrooms are ideal for first-time mushroom growing. They grow well on straw, grass and coffee waste. Sterilize using the Lime Soak method.  Fruiting temperatures between 18-25°C. All year round,

PEARL OYSTER mushrooms are also a good mushroom for beginners. They grow well on straw, grass and coffee waste. Sterilize using the Lime Soak method. Fruiting temperatures between 18-25°C. All year round.

KING OYSTER mushrooms are slightly more technical but still easy to grow and not difficult.  They grow well on straw, grass and coffee waste. Heat sterilizing works well. Fruiting temperatures between 16-20°C. Autumn, winter and spring.

SHIITAKE mushrooms are slightly more technical but still easy grow but not too difficult.  They grow well on sawdust. Heat sterilizing works well. Fruiting temperatures between 16-25°C. All year round.

Once you have decided on what mushrooms you want to grow and done a little research, you’ll have an idea of what spawn and substrate (mushroom seed and mushroom food) you’d like to buy. You’ll find a great commercial range of popular exotic gourmet mushrooms in our on-line shop, under Spawn + Culture.  If you’re looking for the magic mushroom kind, you’re not going to find it here at Mushrush.

We believe in a ‘self-sustaining’ way of farming mushrooms. Find out what substrates you have easily and/or cheaply available to you in your area.

Some examples of uncomposted substrates are: straw, sawdust, mielie cobs, paper, cotton waste, coffee grinds or a combination of any of these.

Composted substrate would be straw composted with chicken manure.

How much spawn to buy?

We make our spawn fresh in 2 kilogram bags. This is recommended for first time mushroom growers.

As a very basic guideline and depending on your substrate, here is an idea of spawn : substrate : yield ratios.

  • For a lime soak method – (making grow logs) – 2kg spawn : 20kg substrate : 10-20kg yield.

The lime soak method is simple and very effective and does not require electricity, making it ideal as a sustainable growing practice. With our kits you will learn this cost effective method

  •  For a steam pasteurisation method (making grow logs) – 2kg spawn : 200kg substrate : 100-200kg yield.

Steam pasteurisation is a more expensive way of sterilizing substrate.

These are very rough guidelines because other conditions also contribute positively or negatively to your yield.

Experimenting in growing mushrooms is inevitable.