Culture - Key Parameters

• Temperature Management

• Humidity

• Brightness

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Management

Our Worldwide offer :

• Our organic substrate blocks

• Our conventional substrate blocks

• Our mushroom strain

Temperature Management: Importance and Control Methods

To ensure optimal mushroom growth, it is crucial to maintain appropriate temperatures during the preparation and management of substrate blocks. Mushrooms are sensitive organisms to temperature variations, and inappropriate conditions can compromise development, even leading to substrate contamination.

Ideally, the substrate temperature should be maintained within a specific range for each stage of mushroom growth. During the colonization phase, where spores germinate and begin to form a mycelial network, a temperature between 21°C and 24°C is generally recommended for many mushroom species. This temperature promotes rapid mycelium growth while minimizing the risk of contamination by competing pathogens.

Once the substrate is fully colonized by mycelium, it is time to induce fruiting, i.e., mushroom formation. At this stage, the temperature should be lowered to stimulate primordia formation and mushroom growth. Most edible mushroom species prefer cooler temperatures, typically between 15°C and 18°C, although this may vary depending on the specific species.

During fruiting, temperature fluctuations can disrupt the process and lead to poor yields or inferior quality of harvested mushrooms. Additionally, temperatures that are too high can promote the growth of undesirable contaminants, while temperatures that are too low can slow mushroom growth.

It is also important to monitor and regulate the temperature of the entire growing environment, as ambient temperatures can impact substrate blocks. Temperature fluctuations in the growing room can disrupt the mushroom growth cycle and compromise yields.

In conclusion, adhering to appropriate temperatures for mushroom substrate blocks is essential to ensure healthy and productive mushroom growth. By maintaining optimal temperature conditions throughout the cultivation process, growers can maximize yields and the quality of harvested mushrooms while minimizing the risks of contamination and growth issues.

How to ensure proper temperature control?

1. Thermometer Usage: Install reliable thermometers in your growing environment to continuously monitor temperatures. Opt for accurate digital or analog thermometers.

2. Insulation and Thermal Isolation: Ensure that the area where you cultivate your mushrooms is well-insulated and benefits from adequate thermal isolation to minimize temperature fluctuations due to external conditions.

3. Ventilation Control: Implement an appropriate ventilation system to prevent excessive heat buildup. Good air circulation helps maintain stable temperatures.

4. Heating and Cooling: Depending on the requirements, use heating or cooling devices to adjust temperatures according to the specific recommendations for each mushroom species.

5. Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitor temperatures and take corrective actions in case of significant variations. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure optimal growth conditions.

Culture - Key Parameters

• Temperature Management

• Humidity

• Brightness

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Management

Our Worldwide offer :

• Our organic substrate blocks

• Our conventional substrate blocks

• Our mushroom strain

Humidity Management

Maintaining appropriate levels of humidity for mushroom substrate blocks is essential to promote healthy and productive growth. Mushrooms are organisms that heavily rely on moisture for their development, and inadequate levels can hinder their growth and compromise yields.

Proper humidity in the growing environment is necessary to prevent the drying out of both the substrate and the mushrooms themselves. Too-low humidity levels can result in excessive substrate drying, inhibiting mycelium growth and leading to reduced yields or poor quality of harvested mushrooms.

Conversely, excess humidity can promote the growth of molds and unwanted contaminants, compromising the health of the mushrooms and potentially causing significant losses in the crop. Environments that are too humid can also foster the growth of bacteria and other pathogens, increasing the risks of diseases and quality issues.

Research conducted by mycology experts like Paul Stamets and Peter McCoy emphasizes the crucial importance of maintaining optimal moisture balance to maximize yields and quality of cultivated mushrooms. Works such as "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms" underscore the importance of closely monitoring environmental humidity to avoid contamination and fungal diseases.

Studies have also shown that appropriate humidity levels promote the formation of mushroom fruiting bodies, essential for abundant and high-quality harvests. Specialized guides like "The Mushroom Cultivator" provide detailed advice on how to maintain optimal humidity levels throughout the cultivation process to achieve the best results.

How to manage humidity control?

To maintain appropriate levels of humidity for mushroom substrate blocks, growers can employ several methods:

1. Environmental humidification: Using humidification systems such as misters, humidifiers, or spraying systems to increase air humidity in the growing room.

2. Ventilation control: Adjusting ventilation systems to maintain adequate airflow while avoiding excessive moisture loss. Well-designed ventilation systems can help control humidity levels effectively

3. Use of tarps or covers: Installing transparent tarps or covers over substrate blocks can help retain moisture and create a microclimate conducive to mushroom growth.

4. Monitoring humidity levels: Using hygrometers to monitor real-time humidity levels in the growing environment. This allows growers to adjust ventilation and humidification parameters as needed.

5. Watering management: Regular and controlled watering of substrate blocks to maintain uniform humidity without causing saturation. Overwatering can lead to substrate saturation and rotting issues..

Culture - Key Parameters

• Temperature Management

• Humidity

• Brightness

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Management

Our Worldwide offer :

• Our organic substrate blocks

• Our conventional substrate blocks

• Our mushroom strain

Light Management

Maintaining the proper light intensity (lux) for mushroom substrate blocks is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, light plays an essential role in the growth process of mushrooms. Mushrooms are phototrophic organisms, meaning they use light as an energy source for their growth and development. Providing an adequate amount of light promotes healthy and vigorous mushroom growth, resulting in optimal yields.

Furthermore, light also influences other aspects of mushroom cultivation, such as the formation of fruiting bodies (the visible parts of mushrooms) and the production of bioactive compounds. Adequate light exposure can encourage the formation of high-quality fruiting bodies, rich in nutrients and beneficial bioactive substances.

Additionally, controlling light intensity is important for maintaining a stable and predictable growing environment. Mushrooms need a regular day-night cycle to regulate their growth and development. Inadequate light exposure can disrupt this cycle and lead to abnormalities in mushroom growth.

Finally, adhering to the recommended light intensity for mushroom substrate blocks minimizes the risk of undesirable fungal contamination. Proper lighting can help maintain a clean growing environment by limiting the proliferation of molds and other unwanted organisms that could compromise the health of the cultivated mushrooms.

How to manage light exposure levels?

Here are some common ways to control brightness levels in a mushroom farm:

1. Artificial Lighting: In addition to natural light, artificial lighting may be necessary to maintain optimal brightness levels, especially during seasons when natural light is insufficient. Lamps specifically designed for mushroom cultivation, such as LED or fluorescent lamps, can be installed and programmed to provide additional lighting as needed.

2. Light Intensity Control: Dimmer switches can be installed to regulate the brightness of artificial lamps. This allows for easy adjustment of the amount of light emitted according to the specific needs of the mushrooms being cultivated.

3. Protective Films: Special protective films can be applied to the windows of the mushroom farm to filter sunlight. These films can be transparent or tinted to block part of the light, depending on the requirements.

4. Control of Light Exposure Duration: By adjusting the duration of light exposure, the day-night cycle of the mushrooms can be influenced to promote their growth. Using timers to schedule the turning on and off of artificial lamps can be useful for this purpose.

Culture - Key Parameters

• Temperature Management

• Humidity

• Brightness

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Management

Our Worldwide offer :

• Our organic substrate blocks

• Our conventional substrate blocks

• Our mushroom strain

The Importance of CO2 Levels and Control Methods

CO2 plays an important role in various metabolic and physiological processes of fungi, and inappropriate levels of CO2 can have detrimental effects on their growth and yield.

First of all, high levels of CO2 can lead to heat accumulation in the substrate, which can promote the growth of undesirable microorganisms such as bacteria and molds. These competing organisms can vie with the fungi for nutrients and space, potentially compromising the overall yield of the mushroom crop.

On the other hand, excessively low levels of CO2 can also negatively affect mushroom growth. CO2 is essential for the photosynthesis of mushrooms, a process by which they convert light into usable energy. A decrease in CO2 levels can therefore lead to a reduction in energy production, which can slow down mushroom growth and reduce their yield.

Furthermore, adequate CO2 levels are essential for maintaining pH balance in the substrate. Mushrooms have specific pH requirements for optimal growth, and significant pH fluctuations can disrupt their metabolism and growth.

Finally, controlling CO2 levels in mushroom substrates can also impact the quality and nutritional value of the produced mushrooms. Optimal growth conditions, including adequate CO2 levels, can promote the accumulation of beneficial bioactive compounds in mushrooms, such as antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds.

How to regulate CO2 levels?

1. Aeration and Ventilation: Adequate aeration of the substrate helps regulate CO2 levels by promoting gas exchange with the environment. Ventilation systems can be used to remove excess CO2 and introduce fresh air into the cultivation environment.

2. Monitoring and Adjusting Environmental Conditions: It is important to regularly monitor CO2 levels in the cultivation environment using appropriate sensors. Based on the readings, adjustments can be made to the ventilation systems, substrate density, or other parameters to maintain optimal CO2 levels.

3. Use of Automated Control Systems: Automated control systems can be used to monitor and adjust environmental conditions, including CO2 levels, in real-time. These systems can be programmed to maintain optimal growth conditions based on the specific needs of the cultivated mushrooms.

Culture - Key Parameters

• Temperature Management

• Humidity

• Brightness

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Management

Our Worldwide offer :

• Our organic substrate blocks

• Our conventional substrate blocks

• Our mushroom strain