Mushroom Kits

jonbem · #1 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 11:12 PM

i was given a "white mushroom" kit by a family member as a "pre-xmas" gift (I think it was about £4). So I'm going through the process and will report details. Pack is a plastic tub with a straw based substrate and a plastic pouch of earth/compost. Instructions to moisten earth/compost for 24 hrs with 250ml water then put over sub strate, cover, keep approx 15-20 degrees C. Did so on 5th December. Pic as shown.

. The box lid sits above the tub due to "ingenious" infolded flaps that sit on the tub edge, with holes for air flow.
Moisten with spray or light drip every couple of days. Today 12 December the mycelium are showing from straw substrate into the earth/compost. Pic as shown.

I will update as it progresses weekly, hopefully. The instructions say that after 2 weeks (AKA 19th Dec in this case) the first mushrooms appear then I should "crop" them on reaching 3-5cm caps. We will see...........
Will there be enough to make homegrown Mushroom Soup for Christmas Day?

as this is a "family traditional Christmas day lunch starter"

fairplay · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 11:44 PM

Trouble Jon with these things, is the horse gets very nervous when you stand behind it holding this plastic tub trying to encourage it to 'perform' that you're likely to come to a bit of harm.

Neil.

jonbem · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 12:48 AM

I expect that the £4 could be spent on a greater volume of mushrooms at a local supermarket, but i hope that this will, with a "successful" crop (I hope for at least enough for 1 Omelette!), educate and inform members and viewers of this forum, that the beauty and diversity of fungi in nature is a glorious thing for viewing, and if you want to consume them, regularly, then buy the usual from previously mentioned local emporia. They may be a great educational tool for schools but......
So other than being prepared to embark upon a long term impregnation of logs, (as may have been seen recently on HFW - River Cottage on TV) I am undertaking purely for the passing on of the experience for guidance in case more people wish to undertake a relatively futile project that doesn't yeild greater than the outlay.
The "E" word has, as we know, been addressed in a "sticky".

SheffieldLass · #4 (**permalink**) 13-12-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbem

The "E" word has, as we know, been addressed in a "sticky".

Well I hope yours are edible and you don't need an id confirmation here

. Oh, and keep your tray away from your fungi identication room, otherwise you might get more variety than you are expecting.

Melanie

jonbem · #5 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 05:57 PM

First ones starting to emerge, towards the bottom left of pic, approx 10mm across - 15th Dec 2009

Stewy · #6 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 06:36 PM

This was my last effort, got a few but nothing like the masses pictured on the box.........

My mushrooms are growing!!!!

jonbem · #7 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 09:13 PM

Thanks for that. How often and how lightly/heavily did you add moisture?

Jon

jonbem · #8 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 11:13 PM

they are getting bigger,

one reached 4cm so I picked and had with an egg.

Others are emerging......

jonbem · #9 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 11:18 PM

on toast - needed something!

jonbem · #10 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 10:06 PM

After the major first crop, another blossomed.

this was despatched with some bacon

But the kit is progressing

- note the one far side and the small mycelia buds elsewhere. I'm wondering why the initial flush is at the edges? Why not nearer the middle. Any of you more experienced and scientific able to proffer a theory? Or is it just random?
These will need to flourish well to reach a level that equates to the £4 that the kit cost.
Crop so far approx 2-3oz - 60+ grammes