How to Plant Mushroom Spores
- 1). Prepare the straw to be used as a substrate for mushroom growth. Use the machete to chop the straw into 3-inch to 6-inch pieces. Place the straw on a flat surface, such as a wooden deck or cutting board, and hack the lengths of straw to the specified lengths.
- 2). Pasteurize the straw. Straw should be pasteurized to limit or eliminate the growth of undesirable bacteria. Place the chopped straw into the 5-gallon bucket. Boil enough water to cover the straw in the bucket. Pour boiling water over the straw until covered. Allow to rest for 45 minutes.
- 3). Drain the water from the bucket and allow the straw to cool to room temperature. To accelerate the cooling process, lift and toss straw. Allow straw to rest and cool.
- 4). Mix mushroom spawn with cooled straw. Mushroom spawn should account for approximately 10 percent of the final mixture. Use a scale to weigh the straw. Calculate and add the proper amount of mushroom spawn to the straw. Mix and evenly distribute the mushroom spawn into the straw using a small garden fork. Turn and flip the straw and spawn as you mix.
- 5). Tightly pack the straw and spawn mixture into a clear plastic bag. Tie off the top of the bag using a wire tie. Use a 16d nail to poke holes through the bag. Space holes approximately every 6 inches across the entire surface of the bag.
- 6). Incubate the mushroom spawn. Incubation of mushroom spore spawn occurs in the dark. Place the bag in a dark spot where the temperature remains around 70 F.