[barney rubble]

I'm so enthused that I've invested in a packet of mushroom spawn. Thought I was looking at anemic mice droppings when I opened the packet, until I realised they were grains impregnated with the spawn.

I've just spead them on pure muck at the moment, but has anybody had any success with them and can share any tips?
Thanks

[Trillium]

Don't grow them myself but know that they need wheat straw to do well. Something in the wheat plant really gets them growing well.

[Riala]

I have been waiting 34 days for anything to happen with my 'spawn'.

Packet said I would have harvestable (new word) mushrooms after 20 days *sigh*

[barney rubble]

I have been waiting 34 days for anything to happen with my 'spawn'.

Packet said I would have harvestable (new word) mushrooms after 20 days *sigh*

Ummh my packet says harvesting can take 10 - 12 weeks and it can be grown on straw (guess thats where Trillium's comment is coming from too, alongside my little white mice droppings) or manure. I've gone for manure as I've got a few sacks of it in to bolster the rhubarb later.

I bought Carters spawn - it was about half the price of the others I've seen - perhaps I'll have to pay the price for that, but will have to wait my 10 weeks or so.

Let us know if anything happens, and post a pici  Don't give up yet!

[oldbean]

Many years ago I heard they grow on a rising water gradient. This is probably why they appear in the autumn, when the ground well below the surface is dryish, and the top is starting to get wetter from rains, dew,fog etc.

[barney rubble]

Many years ago I heard they grow on a rising water gradient. This is probably why they appear in the autumn, when the ground well below the surface is dryish, and the top is starting to get wetter from rains, dew,fog etc.

Yes I read that they like damper and colder conditions and don't grow well in the summer. Have you ever tried growing them oldbean? Its my first time, but I believe they are nortotoriously difficult to get going, but, like parsley if you succeed, you're away! Hope Riala and me are lucky this time round and then there's no looking back

[mickwood]

We've just bought some 'plugs'. We need to drill holes into deciduous (sp?) wood logs then hammer the plugs into them. The logs then need wrapping in plastic bags for 3 months, if I'm remembering rightly?, before being set outside to grow. I want a log pile to encourage wildlife (slowworm and hedgehogs for the slugs!) so I figured if I can also get mushrooms then brilliant!! I'll let ya know how they go 

[barney rubble]

We've just bought some 'plugs'. We need to drill holes into deciduous (sp?) wood logs then hammer the plugs into them. The logs then need wrapping in plastic bags for 3 months, if I'm remembering rightly?, before being set outside to grow. I want a log pile to encourage wildlife (slowworm and hedgehogs for the slugs!) so I figured if I can also get mushrooms then brilliant!! I'll let ya know how they go 

 - that sounds great and very eco friendly, but a lot harder work than a box of manure. Do hegehogs really like slugs? Had one under the bin one day (I'm city centre so thats a REAL privilage), but Rubble (the white one) managed to pick it up in his mouth (god knows how - but he dropped it quite quickly!),  and I've not seen it since - not surprised!

[oldbean]

I tried once, total failure.

Thinking about how they are grown commercially, they are grown in soil/horse manure/lime (least that was way back when...). Now the horse manure had to be composted, and I think this is the key. I have just read the Humanure book, and the (sorry to all those who know already) process is rising temperatures until the thermophilic stage has finished, then the compost cools, then the fungi move in. So maybe you need to have a horse manure compost pile, compost it until the temperature peaks and then drops, and then plant the spores.

Then again..........

[mickwood]

Think the heat rise may be the reason for bagging up the logs first?

I think hedgehogs do eat slugs? or am I wrong?? 

[willowman]

If my memory serves me correct (which can be variable at my time of life) I believe Gardening Which did trials on plugs and Grow Your Own Mushroom kits.
They found that the return was very poor, especially plugs, and not really worth the time and effort. They are so cheap in the supermarkets, and I don't imagine you would notice much difference in taste with home grown.

[barney rubble]

If my memory serves me correct (which can be variable at my time of life) I believe Gardening Which did trials on plugs and Grow Your Own Mushroom kits.
They found that the return was very poor, especially plugs, and not really worth the time and effort. They are so cheap in the supermarkets, and I don't imagine you would notice much difference in taste with home grown.

Oh but its the challenge tho Willowman

[barney rubble]

Think I've spied some of the fine white threads on top, and they've only been in a week Tried to take a pici for somebody elses opinion, but can't get it to focus so close.
Hopefully there'll be some little buttons soon....

[Mitsy]

I tried once and failed. I threw the lot on the compost heap and weeks later there they were 

[Babstreefern]

Mickwood, and others, who wish to grow mushrooms, don't hold your breath .  I bought the plugs to put in logs... I think it was 12 months or more? ... Still waiting.  My logs have now turned into little habitats for thingys that crawl :happy:, and they make nice garden features .

Also, the ones that you get from garden centres and other such places, you know what I mean, the ones that come packaged - useless