Growing Mysterious Mushrooms

Fungi have always fascinated me, along with bees, fungi are my passion. When everyone was looking at the flowers and pretty things, I was looking for hidden, less obvious wonders. Mushrooms. Mycelium. Slime molds. Lichens. For decades, they have been my happy place and my safety. 

In the pursuit of my goal to turn a hobby into a career, I have taken my first step and purchased some kits to experiment with. I tried, years ago now, the basic button mushroom, with no success. But growing different varietites, the conditions needed and the time to produce will provide priceless knowledge. Hopefully, after having had success, I will then be trying to put them to use. 

So.. Without further ado.. Introducing the mushrooms. 

. Cordyceps militaris .

. Reishi 

I purchased my kits from Rootlab.

My militaris kit contains: 

. 2x UV sterilised containers 

. Specialised substrate 

. A syringe containing cordyceps mycelium . Isopropyl alcohol 

Now, I don't know if you remember, but cordyceps parasitize insects, so how do we grow them at home? 

Rootlab provide a substrate that consists of: 

. Brown rice 

. Potatoes 

. Soy 

. Glucose Multivitamins 

. Kelp 

. Gypsum 

. Starch 

. Magnesium 

. Yeast 

. Distilled water 

It's vegan and gluten free, and a first of it's kind here in the land down under! I'm very excited to grow these without having more bugs around the house! To clarify, I keep spiders, and need crickets. 

My reishi kit however is very different, it contains a growing bag of media; a soil substance and grain beneath, in a ventilated bag. Along with a syringe containing the reishi mycelium. 

 

Reishi are polypore bracket fungus native to Asia. The fruit produced is a kidney-shaped cap thats reddy-brown with bands running through it. They usuallly have a varnished/ shiny appearance to the cap. Although there are currently five species of resishi, their caps ranging in colour from yellow, white, red, black and purple! They can be found growing on dead trees, fallen logs and occasionally on the ground. 

Reishi have been found to have been found to have a number of health benefits and have been used for: 

. Insomnia 

. Anxiety 

. Heart helath 

. Aid with inflammation 

. Aid lung health 

. Blood sugar management 

And so so much more! 

Soon I will be rotating my reishi substrate to ensure it grows evenly and is gently mixed through the soil to make the most of its nutrients, as currently it is only growing in the grain. Where as it will be several more weeks before I do anything with the cordyceps! 

So for now. To be continued... Happy shrooming...