7 Hacks to Speed Up Mushroom Growth Dramatically

Mushrooms are an incredibly versatile ingredient in cooking, but their slow rate of growth can be a frustrating impediment to those who are looking for a quick and easy solution. Fortunately, there are a few hacks that can dramatically speed up the process of growing mushrooms, allowing you to reap the delicious rewards of your efforts much sooner than usual.

To speed up mushroom growth, you can establish an optimal, sterile, and humid growing environment for them. Using a high-quality mushroom substrate and inoculating it with appropriate mushroom spawn, along with using shallow trays and misting the mushrooms daily, can also promote faster growth.

In this article, you'll find seven hacks that will help you speed up your mushroom growth, as well as some helpful tips to ensure that your mushrooms are growing as quickly and efficiently as possible.

7 Hacks to Dramatically Accelerate Mushroom Growth

Growing mushrooms can be a long and tedious process, but with the right hacks, you can dramatically speed up the process. With these hacks, anyone can grow mushrooms quickly and efficiently, regardless of experience.

1. Establish an optimal growing environment to accelerate mushroom growth

Establishing and maintaining an optimal growing environment is essential for producing a successful crop and accelerating mushroom growth. An optimal growing environment should be consistent in temperature, humidity, and light levels.

For most mushrooms, temperatures between 65 and 75°F (18 and 24°C) will provide the best environment for growth. High humidity levels between 75 and 90 percent are also necessary to prevent the mushrooms from drying out. If there is insufficient humidity, the mushrooms can become dehydrated and die.

Light is also critical for mushroom growth. Most mushrooms prefer indirect light and will grow better under a light source that emits in the blue and red spectrums. Too much light can cause bleaching and damage the mushrooms, while too little light can inhibit growth.

In an optimal growing environment, a mushroom can grow to a size of up to 8 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height. The mature mushrooms can weigh up to one pound each.

2. Use a high-quality mushroom substrate that is rich in nutrients and moisture

A high-quality mushroom substrate is essential to achieving optimal mushroom growth. Substrates that are rich in nutrients and moisture can dramatically accelerate mushroom growth. Nutrients can come from sources such as compost, manure, or other organic materials.
Using a high-quality mushroom substrate, you can:

• Provide an environment that is conducive to mushroom growth
• Be able to hold water and provide an ideal pH level and temperature range
• Have the correct balance of macro- and micronutrients needed for the mushroom’s growth.
• Be able to retain moisture
• Be aerated properly

A high-quality mushroom substrate can grow up to 20 pounds of mushrooms per square foot of substrate in a single flush. The first flush typically produces 4–8 pounds of mushrooms, while subsequent flushes can yield up to 10 pounds of mushrooms per square foot. It can take up to 4 weeks for the mushrooms to fully mature and be ready for harvest.

3. Use a sterile growing environment to reduce the risk of contamination

Contamination can come from a variety of sources, including the air, soil, water, and materials used to grow the mushrooms. By eliminating these sources of contamination, mushroom growth can be accelerated significantly.

A sterile environment can be achieved by:

• Using proper hygiene and safety practices, such as wearing gloves and a face mask when handling the mushrooms, and regularly sterilizing the growing environment.
• Using clean water, as well as avoiding cross-contamination between batches.
• Using a sterile substrate, such as sterilized sawdust, vermiculite, or a combination of both, can help to further reduce the risk of contamination.

In a sterile growing environment, mushrooms can grow to a significant size depending on the variety. For example, some mushrooms like shiitake, can grow up to 4–6 inches in diameter. Other mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms, can grow up to 8 inches in diameter. In addition, certain mushrooms, such as maitake mushrooms, can grow up to a foot in diameter.

4. Inoculate the substrate with the appropriate mushroom spawn

Mushroom spawn is the mycelium, or vegetative parts of the mushroom, that is used to initiate new colonies of mushrooms. This can be done by mixing the spawn into a grain, sawdust, or woodchip-based substrate. The mycelium will then spread throughout the substrate, gradually colonizing it and providing the necessary nutrients for the mushroom to grow.

If the substrate is properly inoculated with the appropriate mushroom spawn, the mushroom can grow even larger and reach up to 12–18 inches in length. Additionally, the mushroom caps can grow larger and become more robust in size.

5. Use shallow trays to ensure the substrate receives enough air circulation

By using shallow trays, the mushroom substrate is exposed to more air, resulting in higher levels of oxygen and nutrient uptake. Mushrooms grown in shallow trays can reach heights of 4-6 inches in some cases, depending on the type of mushroom.

• This helps the fungi grow faster and produce larger yields.
• This helps reduce the risk of fungal contamination, as the extra air helps prevent the growth of mold and other contaminants.
• They are an easy and inexpensive way to increase the rate of mushroom growth.
• They are readily available in many sizes and can be used to ensure that the substrate is receiving enough air circulation.
• They can be used in combination with other growing techniques such as misting and fans to maximize oxygen and nutrient uptake.

6. Mist the mushrooms daily with a spray bottle to provide additional moisture

Misting mushrooms with a spray bottle is a simple and effective way to dramatically accelerate mushroom growth. The additional moisture provided by misting helps mushrooms grow faster and more abundantly, leading to a larger and more successful harvest. Misting should be done daily, as mushrooms require a consistent supply of moisture to thrive.

Depending on the type of mushroom, they can double in size or increase even more. For example, white button mushrooms can grow up to four times their size after one week of misting, while shiitake mushrooms can grow up to five times their size in a similar period of time.

• When misting, it is important to avoid over-saturating the mushrooms, as this can lead to rot or mold.
• A light mist is all that is needed to provide the necessary moisture. It is also important to mist at the right time of day.
• For example, misting during the middle of the day can cause droplets of water to evaporate quickly, so it is best to mist either early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is lower.

7. Keep the mushrooms in a dark, humid environment to promote faster growth

Mushroom growth can be dramatically accelerated by keeping them in a dark, humid environment. The dark environment helps the mushrooms retain their moisture and promotes the development of mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus. The humidity helps to keep the mushrooms hydrated and prevents them from drying out.

If you keep the mushrooms in a dark, humid environment, they will typically double in size within two to four days. With optimal growing conditions, mushrooms can grow up to 2 inches in diameter in a single day.

• Use a terrarium or an enclosed container to house your mushrooms. This will help keep the environment dark and humid.
• If you cannot find a cool, dark location for the terrarium, use a grow light to keep the area warm and dark.
• Place a tray of water in the terrarium. This will help to increase the humidity levels in the terrarium and promote faster mushroom growth.