The calculations amount of mycelium (2024)

Any mushroom mycelium is usually measured in liters or kilograms. One kilogram of mycelium usually takes up a volume of 1,6 liters, and conversely, 1 liter of mycelium weighs 0,6 kilograms. The calculations are performed in kilograms or in liters. It’s important not to use these two systems at one time to escape confusion in the calculations.

What is the spawning standard? The spawning standard is the amount of mycelium spawned per ton of compost. The common standard of spawning is 8-10 liters, or 5-6 kilograms of mycelium per ton of phase 2 compost. Why exactly that much, not more not less? In order to get an answer to this question, let’s think about the affect that the amount of mycelium per ton of compost has.

The calculations amount of mycelium (1)

Graph 1. A diagram of dependence of yield on the spawning standard
First, it’s the mushroom yield. For example, if we don’t spawn the mycelium at all, we wouldn’t grow any mushrooms, this is confirmed by a case in practice, when mushroom growers, for unknown reasons, forgot to spawn the mycelium into the compost and waited for the crop with no result. On the other hand a question occurs of how much mycelium is needed per ton of compost, in order to obtain a maximal yield? As practice shows, much less than the recommended standard of spawning, about 5 liters per ton of compost. Further increase in the spawning standard practically doesn’t affect the yield. Nevertheless, we spawn 8-10 liters. What for?

The second factor that matters in the technological process and that depends on the spawning standard, is the spawn growth speed. Yes, when spawning a minor amount of mycelium in a ton of compost (solving the problem of nonuniform mycelium spreading on the compost), we can obtain a maximal yield. But mycelium growth will be much slower, and the slightest problems with sanitation and hygiene will allow the mushroom competitors to occupy the compost before mushroom mycelium.

This can lead to a total loss of yield. At the same time, when spawning a big amount of mycelium, it will grow more intensely and it will be hard to keep the compost temperature at specified ranges, which leads to mycelium death from extremely high temperature.

The recommended spawning standard is the practical result of many generations of mushrooms growers’ work. This amount of mycelium per ton of compost provides an opportunity to get a maximal mushroom yield and an optimal speed of mycelium growth in the compost.

The calculations amount of mycelium (2024)

FAQs

How much mycelium is enough? ›

The common standard of spawning is 8-10 liters, or 5-6 kilograms of mycelium per ton of phase 2 compost.

How to measure mycelium? ›

The propor- tion of mycelium can be calculated through the raster count of mycelium divided by the sum of the raster count of mycelium and substrate. By monitoring the develop- ment of the proportion of mycelium in unit times, the development rate of hyphae can be expressed.

How much of the soil is mycelium? ›

Plants appear to communicate within an ecosystem using mycelium, the fungal network produced by mycorrhiza fungi. Mycelial networks constitute 20-30% of soil biomass, though traditional biomass measures fail to detect them.

How much mushroom spawn do I need? ›

The amount of spawn you should add to your substrate to maximize yield is known as the spawn rate, and a single, 5-pound bag of grain or sawdust spawn for each 5-gallon bucket chopped straw is more than sufficient. You can get away with 2.5 pounds of spawn for each bucket if you wish.

What makes mycelium grow faster? ›

The higher the inoculation rate or amount of spawn added to the substrate, the faster the mycelium will grow through the substrate. The substrate likely will not produce a larger amount of mushrooms, so a high inoculation rate means more money spent on spawn per pound of mushrooms.

Why is my mycelium not growing? ›

Mycelium is taking a long time to colonise substrate

There are a few different factors that can influence the speed of colonisation. These include temperature, spawn rate, substrate hydration, substrate aeration, mushroom species, and substrate sterility.

How do you calculate CFU of fungi? ›

To calculate cfu of fungus /gm , you must obtain many dilutions for fungi , for example you want to calculate the dilution 1/ 10000 , you must multiply the number of colonies by dilution reverse which was 10000. Then cfu/gm= the colonies number * 10000= the number of colonies per one gram.

What should my mycelium look like? ›

In home cultivation, it's the white-ish growth we see on substrate blocks, plates, and jars. Mycelium can appear transparent or opaque, bumpy, fluffy, crystalline, webby, hairy, wispy, filamentous or clumpy and will often excrete an odorless, yellow liquid called exudate.

How many days does it take for mycelium to grow? ›

It takes anywhere from two weeks to two months to grow mushroom mycelium. At Host Defense®, we grow 17 different species. It's important to know the specific incubation timeline for each mushroom species in order to reach peak efficacy.

What to feed mycelium? ›

First, we need to get the mycelium to feed on what it wants the most—wood chips, which can be acquired at a local sawmill or from an arborist. Each mushroom is different, so before starting a project ask your spawn supplier what medium is suitable for the wood type, such as hardwoods or conifer.

Can mycelium grow in potting soil? ›

If conditions remain good, the spores spread as mycelium throughout the entire substrate for planting. In a bag of potting soil, the mycelium can be easily identified as a white web, especially between the soil and the foil.

How much mycelium is in a square inch of soil? ›

Though usually invisible to the human eye, mycelium is virtually omnipresent. It permeates nearly all land masses on Earth: a single cubic inch of soil can contain more than 8 miles of mycelial cells.

What is the ratio of substrate to mycelium? ›

Recommended spawn ratios are usually no less than 20% (1 part spawn to 4 parts substrate).

What temperature kills the mushroom spawn? ›

Mushroom cultivars differ in their response to spawn growth temperatures. However, as a general rule, most cultivars have an optimal growth temperature range of 23° to 26°C. Temperatures higher than 27°C may inhibit mycelial growth and cause injury and/or damage to the fruiting capacity of hyphae.

What is the best substrate for mycelium growth? ›

Hardwood sawdust contains a rich blend of nutrients that provide essential support for the development of healthy mycelium, crucial for successful mushroom growth. The porous nature of sawdust creates an ideal structure for mycelium colonization, allowing for efficient nutrient absorption and moisture retention.

Can you over colonize mycelium? ›

If your mycelium has over colonized this could be for a few reasons, the most common being the lid has been left on for longer than required. It could also be a sign of the temperature being to warm so this should also be evaluate.

Is mycelium as good as fruiting body? ›

Although, it should be pointed out, the mycelium does contain similar nutritional value to the fruiting body—in fact, some food products like tempeh are made only from mushroom mycelium—but the important thing to remember is that the mycelium is not concentrated like it is when in fruit body form.

How often should you mist mycelium? ›

How often do I water my mushrooms? Using a spray bottle of clean tap-water, mist the exposed mycelium from your cut twice each day. Continue this process daily as you see your baby mushrooms begin to grow. Mushrooms like wet conditions, if you are running your AC or things look dry don't be afraid to add more water!

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