Straw is particularly suitable for growing oyster mushrooms because the material is good at retaining moisture and is also particularly breathable. Wheat straw in particular has proven itself for this purpose.
Straw offers oyster mushrooms an optimal substrate
Buy mushroom spawn
First you need fungal spores or spawn with which to "inoculate" the straw. It is best to use mushroom spawn rather than spores, as the latter requires a significant amount of time, patience and experience. Inoculating the brood, on the other hand, is like planting seedlings that have already developed their roots - and leads to success much more quickly.
Prepare breeding ground
Of course, it is not enough to simply spread the mushroom spawn on the straw, the material must first be prepared accordingly. First cut the straws with kitchen scissors into pieces about three to five centimeters long. Pour this into a large saucepan and cover with plenty of water. Bring the water and straw to a boil, both should simmer over medium heat for about 45 minutes. Finally, let the straw sit for ten minutes before straining the water. Catch the water from the straw: it is very nutritious and is great for watering the mushrooms.
sowing and care
As soon as the pasteurized straw has cooled down to room temperature and is already slightly dry, place it in a suitable container and mix in some coffee grounds. Now crumble the brood into fine pieces and mix them into the enriched straw. Some suppliers already work the mushroom spawn into sawdust, so you just need to cover it with another, thicker layer of straw or sawdust. Finally, moisten the soil vigorously with a sprayer. Place the bowl or sack in a cool, dark place. Cellars or a garage, for example, are very suitable. The ideal ambient temperature for growing oyster mushrooms is around 10°C. Spray the culture regularly with water so that the culture medium never dries out completely.
tips
After some time, a whitish fuzz will appear on the surface. This is not mold because it is almost always black, pink, yellow, or bluish-green on mushrooms. By the way: oyster mushrooms can also be grown on a moistened bale of straw in a shady corner of the garden.