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Are you a fan of mushrooms? I sure am; they make a fantastic addition to salads, soups, and stir-fries. Plus, they have a lot of health benefits.
In this blog post, I'll explain the easiest way to grow Enoki mushrooms at home.
Why Grow Your Own Enoki Mushrooms?
Enoki mushrooms aren't just delicious; they're a nutritional powerhouse with significant health benefits. Here's why you should consider adding them to your diet:
Digestive Health: Enoki mushrooms are fiber-rich, aiding digestion and helping regulate blood sugar levels.
Nutrient-rich: Packed with essential vitamins like niacin and minerals like iron, calcium, and selenium.
Antioxidant Properties: These mushrooms offer protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to overall wellness.
Potential Health Benefits: Research suggests enoki mushrooms may have anti-cancer and immune-boosting effects.
It's understandable why people turn to enoki mushrooms for their health benefits. People often consume enoki mushroom tincture, which is easily absorbed by the body and can provide powerful antioxidants and minerals to support one's well-being.
How to Grow Enoki Mushrooms at Home
Follow these four steps to growing enoki mushrooms at home.
Step One: Obtain Spawn
Step Two: Obtain Substrate
Step Three: Add Spawn to Substrate
Step Four: Harvest Your Mushrooms
Step One: Obtain Spawn
Enoki mushroom spawn works like seeds. They are grown on grain, so when it arrives, you'll have a grain bag with white specs that are the enoki mushrooms growing on it.
Grain spawn is excellent for growing enoki mushrooms at home because it usually lasts up to 6 months before opening the bag.
Grain spawn is readily available on Amazon, but for a high-quality, organic option, consider LiquidFungi. They specialize in strictly organic mushroom spawn, which can be purchased directly from their website. Don’t forget to use the discount code PERMACULTUREAPART at checkout to receive 10% off your order!
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Step Two: Obtain Substrate
To grow enoki mushrooms at home, you need substrate-like soil. The mushrooms use it to grow, extracting nutrients to produce beautiful enoki mushrooms.
The simplest approach is to purchase pre-made substrates directly from Amazon. I recently discovered this and wanted to share it with you, as it makes the entire process so much easier.
Step Three: Add Spawn to Substrate
Spawn:
If you are using spawn, sprinkle the spawn on the bag's outer edges, as I've done in the picture below.
Step Four: Harvest Your Mushrooms
When the bag turns white, usually after about 8-14 days, it's time to take action! Poke holes where you see mushrooms growing. Spray those areas twice daily until the mushrooms are the size you want.
When they reach the size you like, it's time to harvest. Use a sharp knife to cut them at the base, leaving some for more growth.
After harvesting, get creative - cook them in various dishes or enjoy their freshness as is.
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Tips for Successfully Growing Enoki Mushrooms
Temperature Mastery: Use a digital thermostat controller to precisely manage the temperature conditions during the incubation (growing stage where the bag turns white) and fruiting phases. During incubation, maintain a steady 70°F —80°F. For fruiting, adjust the environment to cooler temperatures between 55°F and 65°F. If you're lucky enough to have a room with an AC, you can set the perfect environment and have your mushroom-growing operation there.
Maintain Optimal Humidity: A small ultrasonic humidifier can help you keep the humidity levels within the ideal range of 85%- 93%. Placing your setup under a humidity dome or inside a grow tent can effectively retain moisture. This tabletop humidity dome is perfect for this operation. Use the humidity dome with a digital hygrometer to ensure it stays within the required range.
CO2 Levels Are Key: For the high CO2 environment essential for Enoki fruiting, consider the passive use of CO2 bags to increase carbon dioxide levels around your growing area. If you're looking for more control a Still Air Box (SAB) can create an ideal microenvironment with higher CO2 concentration, which is beneficial during the early fruiting stages.
Monitoring and Adjustment: Equip yourself with a hygrometer/thermometer combo to continuously monitor environmental conditions. Based on readings, adjustments may be needed to ensure optimal growth conditions.
Spray Bottle for Manual Control: While automated humidifiers are effective, having a fine mist spray bottle on hand allows you to increase humidity manually without soaking the substrate.
Creating a Growth Chamber: If possible, use a mushroom grow tent with added temperature and humidity controls to create a specialized environment that caters to the needs of Enoki mushrooms.
Patience and Observation: Seeing the first signs of mushrooms growing from the white mycelium-covered substrate is thrilling. To ensure the best possible growth, the growing area should be set up in a peaceful location that mimics the natural environment of mushrooms. A dark cupboard can be the perfect place to let the mushrooms grow undisturbed.
Cleanliness is Crucial: Before handling your mushroom spawn or substrate, ensure that all surfaces and your hands are washed. This minimizes the risk of contamination, which could hinder mushroom growth.
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FAQ'S
Can you grow enoki mushrooms from cuttings?
Yes, you can grow enoki mushrooms by cutting them. Cut a small piece of the mushroom off at the base and place it in a moistened coffee grounds or hay container. Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and put it in a warm, dark place. The mushrooms should begin to sprout within a few days. When they are about an inch tall, they are ready to harvest. Enjoy!
What are Enoki mushroom growing conditions?
Enoki mushrooms prefer warm, dark conditions. The ideal temperature for growing them is 70°F —80°F during the incubation stage. For fruiting, temperatures between 55°F and 65°F work best. They also require high humidity, so keep the substrate moist. With these conditions met you should see small mushrooms beginning to sprout within a few days. When they are about a few inches tall, they are ready to harvest.
What is the easiest way to grow mushrooms?
The easiest way to grow mushrooms is to purchase a mushroom grow kit. It's so simple: you cut the bag containing mushrooms and mist it twice a day for 7-10 days. Some mushroom boxes must be soaked in water for 24 hours after opening.
Enoki mushrooms are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal, and growing them at home is easy and inexpensive. With just a few simple supplies, you can have a steady supply of fresh enoki mushrooms to add to your favorite dishes. Give it a try today!
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