Food Living Outside Play Technology Workshop

How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms (Low Tech)

by rocketsurgery on November 27, 2010

Table of Contents

How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms (Low Tech) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms (Low Tech) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 2: Soak Straw, Drain and Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 3: Pasteurise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 4: Prepare Growing Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 5: Inoculate Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 6: Encourage Colonisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Step 7: Monitor Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Step 8: Encourage Pinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Step 9: Harvesting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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 Author:rocketsurgery
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Intro: How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms (Low Tech)

We have been introducing mushroom cultivation as a nutritional supplement and cash crop for the landless poor. Oyster mushrooms are a high yield, fast growing crop.
They are known to help lower cholesterol levels and are a great source of potassium, iron and protein.

This instructable gives a low tech, step by step guide to growing both pleurotus ostreatus (winter strain) and pleurotus pulmonarius (summer strain). Oyster mushrooms
are highly tolerant of variations in temperature, humidity, light levels and carbon dioxide levels, making it a great choice for first time growers.

See related instructable - How to Grow Oyster Mushroom Spawn (Low Tech)

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes
1. Initial stages of fruiting (pinning)

Image Notes
1. My fantastic kids helping with our second harvest...

Step 1: Materials
You will need...

Straw (the medium for growing the mushrooms in)

Containers (for soaking straw)
Plastic bags (or reuseable containers for holding straw)
Elastic bands or string (to constrict bag opening)
Cotton wool (to filter out contaminants)
Barrel or drum (for pasteurising the straw)
Material liner (for holding bags within barrel)
Gas burner (for heating barrel)
Bleach spray (to clean growing room)
Spoon, gloves, clean clothes, face mask (to look the part when inoculating straw)
A growing area that can retain moisture in the air, shaded with some light
Possibly plastic sheeting (to help retain humidity & to reduce other unwanted moulds)
Mushroom spawn (see How to Grow Mushroom Spawn )
A water or weed sprayer (to increase humidity within growing room)
A thermometer and hygrometer (to keep an eye on temperature and relative humidity)

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Straw - cut to approximately 2-4 inch lengths 1. Containers are required to soak the straw for around 24 hours

Image Notes
1. Material bag to contain the heat and bags of straw

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Jars of mushroom spawn - you can buy bags/jars of spawn or grow it yourself 1. Bleach Spray (5%-10%) - 1 part bleach to 10 to 20 parts water
from live mushrooms (see the How to Grow Mushroom Spawn instructable)

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
Step 2: Soak Straw, Drain and Bag
The mushrooms require a medium to grow in, in this case we will be using straw. The straw length should be approximately 5-10 cm (2-4 inches). Placing the straw in
water tight containers, submerge the straw in water for 24 hours. Wash, rinse and drain thoroughly, then bag in 5 litre plastic bags ready for pasteurising.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Containers are required to soak the straw for around 24 hours 1. Straw - cut to approximately 2-4 inch lengths

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
Step 3: Pasteurise
Position your drum onto the heat source (we used a gas burner), pouring around 40 litres of water into the drum. Place a suitable platform at the bottom of the drum, one
that will keep the bags above the water yet allow steam to rise. Insert a material bin liner and fill with the prepared bags of straw. Close off the bags with the liner and
cover the drum with a lid. Heat the drum, steaming the bags for approximately 60 minutes. It should take around 30 minutes for the steam to make its way to the top bags
(the temperature should near 95ºC ~200ºF). Leave to cool, removing the bags and transferring them to the growing area.

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes
1. Plastic Bags - for containing the straw to grow mushrooms in (reusable bags
can be used if they can be sterilised - a good choice for the environment)
2. Gas burner to heat barrel to steam bags of straw for an hour

Image Notes
1. Material bag to contain the heat and bags of straw

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http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
Step 4: Prepare Growing Room
The growing room should be clean and dimly lit (shaded with indirect sunlight), able to retain moisture in the air yet also provide an airflow when ventilation is needed.
Plastic sheeting can be used to seal off an area to help retain humidity and to reduce other unwanted moulds and insects.

To prepare the room for the inoculations, spray a 1:20 (5%) solution of bleach along walls and corners (any area where mould might like to grow).

Temperatures of 10ºC to 24ºC (50ºF to 75ºF) for pleurotus ostreatus (winter) and 10ºC to 30ºC (50ºF to 85ºC) for pleurotus pulmonarius (summer) should be available
depending on stage of growth (initial spawn run, colonisation, pinning and fruiting).

Image Notes
1. Bleach Spray (5%-10%) - 1 part bleach to 10 to 20 parts water

Step 5: Inoculate Bags

Before inoculating the bags of straw, make sure you have showered and are wearing clean clothes. Clean your hands with antibacterial soap or wear sterile gloves. A
face mask and hair cap will also help reduce contamination (we are very dirty creatures).

Open the bags of straw and the mushroom spawn. Taking a sterile spoon, place a few spoonfuls into the straw, breaking it up and mixing lightly. As a general rule, the
more spawn you add, the faster the substrate will be colonised (with 1 litre of spawn, we inoculated about 10 bags - you could inoculate more).

Restrict the opening of the bag by placing a rubber band (or chord) around the bag's neck. Taking a small piece of cotton wool, plug the bag's opening to reduce the
chances of contamination and insect infestation. Leave to incubate.

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes
1. Jars of mushroom spawn - you can buy bags/jars of spawn or grow it yourself
from live mushrooms (see the How to Grow Mushroom Spawn instructable)

Image Notes
1. Elastic band to constrict opening - allowing a hole to breath
2. Cotton wool - to plug bag opening acting as a filter

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Step 6: Encourage Colonisation
Once inoculated, the bags should be left to incubate. During this time the spawn "runs" (mycelium spreads) throughout the straw. The spawn run will be complete when
the mycelium has spread entirely throughout the bag (the straw is then fully colonised).

Depending on the mushroom variety, humidity and temperature, this process should take between 1 to 3 weeks.

Pleurotus ostreatus (winter), 24°C (75°F) 2 to 3 weeks

Pleurotus pulmonarius (summer), 24°C to 30°C (75 to 85°F) 1 to 2 weeks

During incubation, light is not required, however, make sure the bags have plenty of fresh air.

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
Step 7: Monitor Bags
It is important to monitor the bags for any sign of unwanted moulds and pests. While the straw is still in the bags, you shouldn't have a problem with insects or mice.
However, the best policy for fighting both contamination and infestation, is prevention. You may want to spray some surfaces to deter flies and other insects from setting
up home, mesh any windows and keep doors closed.

Regularly check bags for any mould contamination and remove any infected bags from the growing area. Black mould found within the straw may indicate ineffective
sterilisation. You may also notice sprouting straw and the appearance of unwanted mushrooms such as the ink cap (see pictures). Green moulds are common and can
be caused by contaminated spawn (ineffective grain sterilisation), high moisture / low spawn levels and ineffective straw sterilisation. At this early stage, it is better to
simply remove infected bags, as you want to prevent its spread. Up to a 10% loss due to contamination is generally regarded as acceptable.

Finally, as the bags become fully colonised, the initial stages of fruiting (or pinning) may be seen.

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Initial stages of fruiting (pinning) 1. Pinning - you can see the early stages of fruiting

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Sprouting straw and ink cap mushrooms indicate ineffective substrate 1. Ink caps will appear and mature within a night
sterilisation

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 Image Notes
1. Ink caps will develop if the straw has not been sterilised effectively... they
quickly become slimy and dark in colour (inky)

Step 8: Encourage Pinning

Once pinning has started, it is time to remove the substrate from the bags. Pinning naturally occurs as humidity increases, low levels of light appear and temperature
levels fall. Increase the growing room humidity by regularly spraying with a water sprayer (avoid spraying directly on the mushrooms). You can also wet the floor and
leave open containers of water in the room (95-100% humidity is recommended). As our climate is very dry, we only managed 60% at best, dropping down to 40%, by
spraying 5 litres of water 2 - 3 times a day (even at these humidity levels a good result can be achieved). To prevent excessive CO2 levels, allow the growing area to
flush with clean air before spraying. If you can, regulate the temperature accordingly.

Pleurotus ostreatus (winter), 10-15°C (50-60°F)

Pleurotus pulmonarius (summer), 10-24°C to 30°C (50-75°F)

You may notice an initial drying out of early stage pinning, as you remove the plastic. As you maintain the humidity levels this will generate. Keep a close eye on flies and
spray when needed. If any mould is found, either remove the infected straw or the entire mound from the growing area.

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Image Notes
1. Initial stages of fruiting (pinning)

Step 9: Harvesting
As the mushrooms begin fruiting, it is important to keep the humidity high (85-90% is recommended). As before, allow air to flush through the growing area prior to
spraying (oyster mushrooms require a consistent source of fresh air). Temperatures can now be higher than for the initial pinning stage.

Pleurotus ostreatus (winter), 10°C to 20°C (~50°F to 70°F)

Pleurotus pulmonarius (summer), 16°C to 28°C (~60°F to 80°F)

Remember to constantly monitor for pests, such as flies and mice, as they can quickly ruin a crop. You should expect three or more crops, each taking around a week or
so to mature. You may harvest the mushrooms at any size, however, once a mushroom has reached its full size, you will notice it will begin to dry, turning a yellowish
colour (they taste great, even dry). When harvesting, remove the mushroom completely, by twisting firmly at its base. After harvesting a few crops, we found it helpful to
stack the mounds of straw, which seemed to help increase the yield. If you find your mushrooms with long stalks and small caps, they may not be getting enough light,
also high CO2 levels can also lead to small deformities (allow for more fresh air). After the straw ceases to produce mushrooms, it can be fed to livestock or composted.

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
Now, finally take your harvested mushrooms and create a delicious mushroom meal. Enjoy.

See related instructable - How to Grow Oyster Mushroom Spawn (Low Tech)

Image Notes
1. My fantastic kids helping with our second harvest...

Image Notes
1. Once full sized, the mushroom with begin to dry and start to turn yellowish (they
still taste great)

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http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
http://www.instructables.com/id/1-How-to-Grow-Oyster-Mushrooms-Low-Tech/
 Related Instructables

How to Grow
Oyster Making a
Mushroom Eating Wild Oyster How to start
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Spawn (Low Mushrooms by Mushrooms in a Overview
Tech) by Josehf Murchison Laundry Basket Garden Giant Gourmet
(Photos) by Mushroom mushrooms in
rocketsurgery by velacreations
kschweiglla Patch! by an old coffee
Brenpat cup by zzapatista

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Comments
34 comments Add Comment

Rich285 says: Oct 7, 2012. 5:24 PM REPLY

By material bin liner do you mean cloth or canvas?

rocketsurgery says: Jul 24, 2013. 6:01 AM REPLY

Sorry for the late reply (your post Oct 7 2012 on mushroom growing). I did mean a canvas type bag (something that breathes).

piks says: Jul 11, 2012. 10:45 AM REPLY

With regard to growing mushrooms on used coffee grounds, there is a commercial producer in the UK using nothing but coffee grounds sourced from his
local cafes. Good for him (they're free!) good for the cafe owners (less rubbish to be collected, as in the UK commercial waste collection is chargeable!)

build52 says: Jun 8, 2012. 5:15 PM REPLY

Hello I was just woundering where I could get plastic?

Great instructable!

rocketsurgery says: Jun 8, 2012. 7:41 PM REPLY

Thanks build52,

Perhaps you could find plastic sheeting at a gardening outlet (think plastic greenhouse).

build52 says: Jun 10, 2012. 6:49 PM REPLY

I'm sorry I ment to say where I could get plastic bags for growing mushrooms in.

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 rocketsurgery says: Jun 11, 2012. 1:15 AM REPLY
Oh the bags, sorry...

You can use any old bags, clean and reasonably thick to act as spawn bags, but if you want to, you can purchase actually spawn bags online.

I was reading of why some people like using spawn bags...

"Regardless of the type of mushroom that one wants to grow, spawn bags provide an excellent solution to handle many pounds of substrate in a
totally sterile environment with relative ease. Spawn bags can be used to colonize either spawn or the final fruiting substrate (which can then be
laid in a tray if desired). As a cultivation tool for the colonizing the fruiting substrate, spawn bags greatly simplify the process of bulk growing,
reducing the chance of failure and speeding the growing cycle by one or two weeks since the spawning process is bypassed entirely."

xallie says: Jun 3, 2012. 3:46 AM REPLY

Nice tutorial. What kind of medium did you use inside the glass jars? I have some Pleurotus eryngii plugs which I might try to inoculate a glass jar --> plastic
bag --> compost full of dried grass =D

rocketsurgery says: Jun 4, 2012. 7:50 AM REPLY

Thanks xallie!

Have a look at the How to Grow Oyster Mushroom Spawn instructable. We trailed millet, wheat, corn and arzan (birdseed). Millet and arzan was the
cheapest and most reliable, with higher contamination rates in the larger grains. There is no reason not to try to propagate your plugs, before inoculating
your final medium.

All the best!

xallie says: Jun 4, 2012. 9:19 AM REPLY

Well, I have colonized plugs, but no glass jar full with colonized medium 8)

sandresen says: Jul 26, 2011. 4:47 AM REPLY

Excellent. I will be trying some of your techniques in Canada. If i remember i will let you know how they grow. Most likely i will be growing indoors during the
winter so i have something to do :)

rocketsurgery says: Jul 27, 2011. 6:02 AM REPLY

Hey thanks! Hope your mushroom growing goes smoothly... one thing to watch in cold temps is oxygen levels (depending on what heating source you
are using)... if the pinning is slow or small and deformed... allow regular fresh air to flush to growing environment... all the best and thanks again.

bwarman14 says: Jun 16, 2011. 6:10 PM REPLY

Great instructable!

rocketsurgery says: Jun 16, 2011. 8:55 PM REPLY

Really? Thanks!

macnomad84 says: Mar 27, 2011. 10:44 AM REPLY

Are 'Ink Caps' a psilocybe variety? Do they go blue/purlish when handled?

Gizah says: May 12, 2011. 3:52 PM REPLY

Psilocybes are found all around the world, if they don't grow anywhere close to where you live, you should try http://fsre.nl/ you have to send an euro (or
2 dollars) to help keep the site up and they'll send you a spore print of the psilocybe strain you choose, and for people intersted in edible, non-
hallucinogenic mushrooms, try http://bemushroomed.com

rocketsurgery says: Mar 28, 2011. 6:05 AM REPLY

Ink caps are of the genus coprinopsis, as opposed to psilocybe... I believe psilocybe cubensis is commonly found in India (not sure if it is found this far
west)... The ink caps give off a dark brown/black spore print (not hallucinogenic blue or purple :)... as they mature over night the gills liquefy (or
deliquesce) and become an inky mess... I'm not an expert, so am only guessing that these are ink caps... have a look at the end pictures of step 7 and let
me know what you think...

NaturalCrafter says: Apr 22, 2011. 9:33 PM REPLY

Thanks for posting this article. I have grown oysters one time on a rack with a plastic cover to keep up moisture. but thank goodness I did not know they
would produce so many spores and the corner of my room was covered, so I removed it and immediately cleaned the area with bleach and harvested the
huge mushrooms. After that I was supposed to get a second flush but it started to yellow, so I composted it. I was hoping to keep it going some way, so
definitely going to read on to How to grow mushroom spawn. I think it would be great if I know how to effectively contain it.

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 rocketsurgery says: Apr 23, 2011. 8:11 PM REPLY
Hey NaturalCrafter... your oyster mushroom experience sounds really interesting... I haven't had an issue re: containing the spores, however, I did find
mushrooms growing on the wooden supports for the plastic sheeting... I found the flushes were healthier and more vigorous when the humidity and fresh
air levels were in a reasonable state... but I never got the humidity up to anywhere near the recommended 90%... If you do play with spawn production,
let me know how you get on... Thanks for your interest and all the best!

janesycamore says: Feb 15, 2011. 5:21 AM REPLY

All those possible bad bags would make great compost!

rocketsurgery says: Feb 15, 2011. 6:51 AM REPLY

Also... after the straw ceases to produce mushrooms, it can be fed to livestock or composted as well :)

darrenchittick says: Mar 26, 2011. 1:53 AM REPLY

Have you tried breaking apart the straw once it is spent and using that mycelium to inoculate fresh substrate? Seems it would just run into the new
food source. Might be worth a try.

I'm really grateful that you are doing this work. Thank you for bringing this option to the Afghan people. Options for survival are key to peace
anywhere in the world and especially in an environment so harsh. Brilliant of you!

rocketsurgery says: Mar 26, 2011. 9:10 PM REPLY

Hey thanks for your advice darrenchittick... we currently don't use the spent straw to inoculate fresh substrate (due to contamination concerns),
but as you say it's worth a try... we should look into it... and also thanks so much for your encouragement...

rubyintherough says: Feb 16, 2011. 8:07 AM REPLY

Composting - Yes!
Tilling into soil - Yes!
Mulching - Yes!
Feeding to Livestock - Probably Not

rocketsurgery says: Feb 16, 2011. 9:37 AM REPLY

Interestingly... some studies show that it is acceptable to include 15kg of spent mushroom substrate per 100kg of the diet for lambs... one book I
read also suggests that spent oyster mushroom straw contains enough digestible nutrition, primarily decomposed by mushrooms, to be fed to
livestock... the farmers that have learned to grow mushrooms here certainly fed it to their cows... and the cows seem to really love it...

rocketsurgery says: Mar 19, 2011. 11:52 PM REPLY

Here is a really interesting presentation from Paul Stamets (Mushroom guru and author of Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms) on how mushrooms
can save our world...

GsE-Lance says: Mar 15, 2011. 5:57 AM REPLY

Lets smoke :D

LittleRaisin says: Feb 16, 2011. 11:17 PM REPLY

side note, prolonged exposure to the spores from mature oysters can cause severe respiratory issues in some cases...

rocketsurgery says: Feb 17, 2011. 6:08 AM REPLY

Definitely... I myself react quite badly to oyster mushrooms while they are releasing spores... If anyone does react badly to spores, it is best to avoid the
growing room during this stage... if you can't avoid it... flushing with fresh air before harvesting and perhaps wearing a face mask may help... equally,
watering the mushrooms during this stage would be best done without actually being in the room... There are sporeless varieties of the oyster mushroom,
which would be a better choice for those that have mushroom related health issues..

Really, good point LittlleRaisin... thanks for making it!

thepelton says: Feb 15, 2011. 4:25 PM REPLY

I have grown Pleurotis before. I like it, as it is an easy shroom to grow. It does not have to grow on straw. I have seen it grown on coffee grounds, and have
personally grown it on sawdust that had been treated with boiling water to ensure it didn't have any surprise volunteer mushrooms in it that could mess up
the Pleurotis. Any clean cellulose source would work.

I like the taste. It reminds me of seafood. I have cooked it up with tuna, and I liked the result.

You said you were growing it in Afghanistan. I suppose that means it doesn't run counter to Arab dietary rules.

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 rocketsurgery says: Feb 15, 2011. 7:27 PM REPLY
When we were experimenting, we used many different substrates... in the end straw seemed the most available and reproducible method... I have to say
I wasn't really into mushrooms until we started growing them... I too like the taste... a fresh firm taste that really adds to any meal... Afghans traditionally
eat spring mushrooms found in the mountains... no problems there... not sure but I believe all types of plants and vegetation are lawful (halal) - except
anything poisonous or drug related... :)

thepelton says: Feb 16, 2011. 4:59 PM REPLY

As for the host material, it could be almost any source of cellulose, such as sawdust (tried it), straw (saw someone else do it), coffee grounds
(suggested in a Pleurotis kit). If one does use sawdust, make sure it's all hardwood or softwood that is compatible with the species of Pleurotis you
are using, but don't use walnut (Genus Juglans). It can be slightly toxic to all but specialized shrooms.

thepelton says: Feb 15, 2011. 4:18 PM REPLY

I was thinking that the played out straw could be plowed into the garden to turn heavy soil lighter.

rocketsurgery says: Feb 15, 2011. 7:15 PM REPLY

Really good idea... the standard way of irrigating (flood)... makes the soil rock hard... we had been running a nutritional garden demonstrating alternative
irrigation techniques... including the use of mulch etc... great tip, thanks!

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