MUSHROOM CULTIVATION (ePub)

Through a complex underground structure called mycelium, mushrooms develop into sources of natural medicine and food. These sources are the fruiting bodies of certain species of fungi. Their development happens in several phases. -It starts with the spores decomposing the organic matter in their substrate and finishes with the production of the fruiting bodies, which carry the spores of the next generation. In the wild, mushrooms require a relatively cold and moist environment to grow and an optimal nutritional composition of the soil. Fortunately, these conditions can be reproduced at home. In fact, controlled conditions allow farmers to improve their final yield and the nutritional and pharmacological benefits of the mushrooms.

Naturally, not all species or strains can be cultivated under the same conditions. However, this is only one of the reasons why learning what each particular variety requires to thrive is crucial. The main strategy for farming mushrooms at home is to always introduce a species or strain with the desirable attributes onto the complementary growth medium. By letting the spores thrive and germinate, you can help them develop into fruiting bodies with the optimal profile. When inoculating the spores you harvested, this won't represent much of a problem. However, if you plan to get the spores through other means, you need to make sure that you choose wisely. This way, you can enjoy their full benefits- which means getting the effect you are looking for. This can be anything from a protein-induced satiating effect to alleviating a broad range of medical conditions and fighting off pathogens that would cause the appearance of those conditions.