Many scientists and major agricultural companies have tried to grow chanterelles commercially without success. Nonetheless, with the right preconditions and a bit of luck, you can be quite successful.

An important edible mushroom

Especially in the autumn time, the chanterelle as an edible mushroom is an indispensable part of many restaurant menus and regional recipes. In the past it was more of a food for poor people, but today top chefs are constantly hatching new gourmet recipes with a share of chanterelles. The large amount of chanterelles on the market suggests cultivation on a large scale, but in reality the mushrooms, also known as chanterelles, all come from the baskets of hard-working mushroom pickers. Many mushrooms available in this country originally come from the forests of countries such as:

  • Hungary
  • Lithuania
  • Belarus

The difficulties of growing chanterelles

The chanterelle as a typical forest mushroom is so difficult to grow because it lives in a symbiosis with the root systems of different tree species according to the mycorrhiza system. While the fungus improves the root's ability to absorb water, the root system provides life energy that would otherwise be denied due to its lack of chlorophyll and enzymes. In order to grow chanterelles on your own property, it is therefore necessary to know these relevant factors for the growth of these fascinating mushrooms.

The hosts of the chanterelle

Chanterelles usually only occur on sparse forest soils without dense growth of shrubs and grasses. They are often found in mossy spots with naturally elevated soil moisture. The roots of:

  • Spruce
  • fir
  • jaw
  • European beech

Prepare the right ground

The boggy and slightly acidic soil is considered a basic requirement for the successful colonization of chanterelles. Since the growth of the fungi is inevitably linked to the root systems of trees, cultivation can only take place at the edge of the forest, directly in the forest or in a tree plantation. Since root suckers close to the ground are required for the mushroom cultures, you should select a sufficiently moist location with little incentive for deep root growth for your experiments.

The mycelium ensures survival

Experienced collectors of chanterelles not only remember promising locations for the next season. They also leave the mycelium as the root base of the mushrooms, because apart from spore flight, a new mushroom can only develop from them. If you find such mycelium of chanterelles while collecting them in the forest, you can try their gentle transplanting to your own plot. However, for preservation in nature, always leave mycelium at the actual location.

tips and tricks

In the case of cultivated fungi such as mushrooms, straw bales are inoculated with a certain amount of mycelium or spores in order to specifically settle the desired fungi on the respective cultivation substrate. Chanterelles don't make it that easy for their keepers. However, spores can be spread to spruce and pine roots with the irrigation water. If the right conditions are present, chanterelles may grow.

Category:

Vegetable garden