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Which mushroom cultivation book should I buy?
Paul Stamets and J.S.Chilton: The Mushroom Cultivator
Paul Stamets and J.S.Chilton: The Mushroom Cultivator
Although published back in 1983 this book is still seen by many as the standard book on mushroom cultivation. It covers all fields of mushroom cultivation in great detail, including sterile technique, spawn and substrate formulas and preparation(including compost), detailed descriptions and growth parameters for 15 mushroom species, among them many Psilocybe species and a big contamination section and a troubleshooting guide.
Much information compiled in this FAQ comes directly from this great book.
Now, do I really need this book?
If your only goal is to grow a few PF-cakes, you definitely don't need this book. If your interests go beyond that, then this is a must have.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD by Dr. Andrew Weil xi
PREFACE xii
I.INTRODUCTION TO MUSHROOM CULTURE 1
An Overview of Techniques for Mushroom Cultivation 3
Mushrooms and Mushroom Culture 4
The Mushroom Life Cycle 6
II.STERILE TECHNIQUE AND AGAR CULTURE 15
Design and Construction of a Sterile Laboratory 16
Preparation of Agar Media 19
Starting A Culture from Spores 23
Taking a Spore Print 23
Techniques for Spore Germination 24
Characteristics of the Mushroom Mycelium 25
Ramifications of Multispore Culture 25
Sectoring: Strain Selection and Development 31
Stock Cultures: Methods For Preserving Mushroom Strains 37
III.GRAIN CULTURE 41
The Development of Grain Spawn 42
Preparation of Grain Spawn 45
Spawn Formulas 46
Inoculation of Sterilized Grain from Agar Media 48
Inoculation of Sterilized Grain from Grain Masters 49
Alternative Spawn Media 54
Liquid Inoculation Techniques 55
Incubation of Spawn 57
IV.THE MUSHROOM GROWING ROOM 61
Structure and Growing Systems 62
Structure 63
Shelves 64
Trays 65
Environmental Control Systems 66
Fresh Air 66
Fans 68
Air Ducting 70
Filters 70
Exhaust Vents 72
Heating 73
Cooling 73
Humidification 74
Thermostats and Humidistats 74
Lighting 74
Environmental Monitoring Equipment 76
V.COMPOST PREPARATION 77
Phase I Composting 78
Basic Raw Materials 78
Supplements 79
Formulas 81
Ammonia 82
Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio 83
WaterAir 83
Pre-Wetting 84
Building the Pile 85
Turning 87
Temperature 88
Long Composting 89
Short Composting 90
Synthetic Compost Procedure 91
Composting Tools 92
Characteristics of the Compost at Filling 93
Supplementation at Filling 95
Phase II Composting 96
Basic Air Requirements 97
Phase II Room Design 98
Filling Procedures 98
Depth of Fill 99
Phase II Procedures: Trays or Shelves 100
Phase II in Bulk 101
Bulk Room Design Features 102
Bulk Room Filling Procedures 104
Bulk Room Phase II Program 104
Testing for Ammonia 104
Aspect of the Finished Compost 105
Alternative Composts and Composting Procedures 106
Sugar Cane Bagasse Compost 106
The Five Day Express Composting Method 106
VI.NON-COMPOSTED SUBSTRATES 109
Natural Culture 110
Wood Based Substrates 114
Straw 117
VII.SPAWNING AND SPAWN RUNNING IN BULK SUBSTRATES 121
Moisture Content 122
Substrate Temperature 122
Dry Weight of Substrate 122
Duration of Spawn Run 124
Spawning Methods 124
Environmental Conditions 125
Super Spawning 126
Supplementation at Spawning 126
Supplementation at Casing 126
VIII.THE CASING LAYER 127
Function 128
Properties 129
Materials 130
Formulas and Preparation 132
Application 133
Casing Colonization 135
Casing Moisture and Mycelial Appearance 137
IX.STRATEGIES FOR MUSHROOM FORMATION (PINHEAD INITIATION) 139
Basic Pinning Strategy 140
Primordia Formation Procedures 141
The Relationship Between Primordia Formation and Yield 146
The Influence of Light on Pinhead Initiation 147
X.ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: SUSTAINING THE MUSHROOM CROP 149
Temperature 150
Flushing Pattern 150
Air Movement 152
Watering 154
Harvesting 155
Preserving Mushrooms 156
XI.GROWING PARAMETERS FOR VARIOUS MUSHROOM SPECIES 159
Agaricusbitorquis 161
Agaricus brunnescens 164
Coprinus comatus 168
Flammulina velutipes 172
Lentinus edodes 176
Lepista nuda 180
Panaeolus cyanescens 183
Panaeolussubbalteatus . 186
Pleurotus ostreatus (Type Variety) 189
Pleurotus ostreatus (Florida Variety) 193
Psilocybe cubensis 196
Psilocybe cyanescens 200
Psilocybe mexicana 204
Psilocybe tampanensis 207
Stropharia rugoso-annulata 210
Volvariella volvacea 214
XII.CULTIVATION PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS:
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE 217
Sterile Technique 219
Agar Culture 219
Grain Culture 220
Compost Preparation 223
Phase I 223
Phase II 224
Spawn Running 226
Case Running 227
Mushroom Formation and Development 229
Pinhead Initiation 229
Cropping 231
XIII.THE CONTAMINANTS OF MUSHROOM CULTURE:
IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL 233
A Key to the Common Contaminants of Mushroom Culture 238
Virus (Die-Back Disease) 244
Actinomyces (Firefang) 246
Bacillus (Wet Spot) 248
Pseudomonas (Bacterial Blotch & Pit) 252
Streptomyces {Firefang) 255
Alternaria (Black Mold) 257
Aspergillus (Green Mold) 259
Botrytis (Brown Mold) 262
Chaetomium (Olive Green Mold) 264
Chrysosporium (Yellow Mold) 266
Cladosporium (Dark Green Mold) 268
Coprinus (Inky Cap) 270
Cryptococcus (Cream Colored Yeast) 273
Dactylium (Cobweb Mold) 275
Doratormyces (Black Whisker Mold) 277
Epicoccum (Yellow Mold). 279
Fusarium (Pink Mold) 281
Geotrichum (Lipstick Mold) 284
Humicola (Gray Mold) 286
Monilia (White Flour Mold) 288
Mucor (Black Pin Mold) 290
Mycelia Sterilia (White Mold) 292
Mycogone (Wet Bubble) 294
INeurospora (Pink Mold 296
Papulospora (Brown Plaster Mold) 298
Penicillium (Bluish Green Mold) 300
Rhizopus (Black Pin Mold) 302
Scopulariopsis (White Plaster Mold) 304
Sepedonium (White or Yellow Mold) 306
Torula (Black Yeast) 308
Trichoderma (Forest Green Mold) 310
Trichothecium (Pink Mold) 313
Verticillium (Dry Bubble) 315
XIV.THE PESTS OF MUSHROOM CULTURE 319
Mushroom Flies 320
Fly Control Measures 320
Sciarid Fly 321
Phorid Fly 323
Cecid Fly 325
Mites 328
INematodes (Eelworrns) 331
XV.MUSHROOM GENETICS 333
Reproductive Strategies 336
Implications for Culture Work 338
APPENDICES 343
I.Medicinal Properties of Mushrooms 345
II.Laminar Flow Systems 347
III.The Effect of Bacteria and Other
Microorganisms on Fruiting 253
IV.The Use of Mushroom Extracts to Induce Fruiting 357
V.Data Collection and Environmental Monitoring Records 359
VI.Analyses of Basic Materials Used in Substrate Preparation 369
VII.Resources For Mushroom Growing Equipment and Supplies 384
VIII.English to Metric Conversion Tables 386
GLOSSARY 389
BIBLIOGRAPHY 397
INDEX 409
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATION CREDITS 414
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 415
Although published back in 1983 this book is still seen by many as the standard book on mushroom cultivation. It covers all fields of mushroom cultivation in great detail, including sterile technique, spawn and substrate formulas and preparation(including compost), detailed descriptions and growth parameters for 15 mushroom species, among them many Psilocybe species and a big contamination section and a troubleshooting guide.
Much information compiled in this FAQ comes directly from this great book.
Now, do I really need this book?
If your only goal is to grow a few PF-cakes, you definitely don't need this book. If your interests go beyond that, then this is a must have.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD by Dr. Andrew Weil xi
PREFACE xii
I.INTRODUCTION TO MUSHROOM CULTURE 1
An Overview of Techniques for Mushroom Cultivation 3
Mushrooms and Mushroom Culture 4
The Mushroom Life Cycle 6
II.STERILE TECHNIQUE AND AGAR CULTURE 15
Design and Construction of a Sterile Laboratory 16
Preparation of Agar Media 19
Starting A Culture from Spores 23
Taking a Spore Print 23
Techniques for Spore Germination 24
Characteristics of the Mushroom Mycelium 25
Ramifications of Multispore Culture 25
Sectoring: Strain Selection and Development 31
Stock Cultures: Methods For Preserving Mushroom Strains 37
III.GRAIN CULTURE 41
The Development of Grain Spawn 42
Preparation of Grain Spawn 45
Spawn Formulas 46
Inoculation of Sterilized Grain from Agar Media 48
Inoculation of Sterilized Grain from Grain Masters 49
Alternative Spawn Media 54
Liquid Inoculation Techniques 55
Incubation of Spawn 57
IV.THE MUSHROOM GROWING ROOM 61
Structure and Growing Systems 62
Structure 63
Shelves 64
Trays 65
Environmental Control Systems 66
Fresh Air 66
Fans 68
Air Ducting 70
Filters 70
Exhaust Vents 72
Heating 73
Cooling 73
Humidification 74
Thermostats and Humidistats 74
Lighting 74
Environmental Monitoring Equipment 76
V.COMPOST PREPARATION 77
Phase I Composting 78
Basic Raw Materials 78
Supplements 79
Formulas 81
Ammonia 82
Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio 83
WaterAir 83
Pre-Wetting 84
Building the Pile 85
Turning 87
Temperature 88
Long Composting 89
Short Composting 90
Synthetic Compost Procedure 91
Composting Tools 92
Characteristics of the Compost at Filling 93
Supplementation at Filling 95
Phase II Composting 96
Basic Air Requirements 97
Phase II Room Design 98
Filling Procedures 98
Depth of Fill 99
Phase II Procedures: Trays or Shelves 100
Phase II in Bulk 101
Bulk Room Design Features 102
Bulk Room Filling Procedures 104
Bulk Room Phase II Program 104
Testing for Ammonia 104
Aspect of the Finished Compost 105
Alternative Composts and Composting Procedures 106
Sugar Cane Bagasse Compost 106
The Five Day Express Composting Method 106
VI.NON-COMPOSTED SUBSTRATES 109
Natural Culture 110
Wood Based Substrates 114
Straw 117
VII.SPAWNING AND SPAWN RUNNING IN BULK SUBSTRATES 121
Moisture Content 122
Substrate Temperature 122
Dry Weight of Substrate 122
Duration of Spawn Run 124
Spawning Methods 124
Environmental Conditions 125
Super Spawning 126
Supplementation at Spawning 126
Supplementation at Casing 126
VIII.THE CASING LAYER 127
Function 128
Properties 129
Materials 130
Formulas and Preparation 132
Application 133
Casing Colonization 135
Casing Moisture and Mycelial Appearance 137
IX.STRATEGIES FOR MUSHROOM FORMATION (PINHEAD INITIATION) 139
Basic Pinning Strategy 140
Primordia Formation Procedures 141
The Relationship Between Primordia Formation and Yield 146
The Influence of Light on Pinhead Initiation 147
X.ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: SUSTAINING THE MUSHROOM CROP 149
Temperature 150
Flushing Pattern 150
Air Movement 152
Watering 154
Harvesting 155
Preserving Mushrooms 156
XI.GROWING PARAMETERS FOR VARIOUS MUSHROOM SPECIES 159
Agaricusbitorquis 161
Agaricus brunnescens 164
Coprinus comatus 168
Flammulina velutipes 172
Lentinus edodes 176
Lepista nuda 180
Panaeolus cyanescens 183
Panaeolussubbalteatus . 186
Pleurotus ostreatus (Type Variety) 189
Pleurotus ostreatus (Florida Variety) 193
Psilocybe cubensis 196
Psilocybe cyanescens 200
Psilocybe mexicana 204
Psilocybe tampanensis 207
Stropharia rugoso-annulata 210
Volvariella volvacea 214
XII.CULTIVATION PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS:
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE 217
Sterile Technique 219
Agar Culture 219
Grain Culture 220
Compost Preparation 223
Phase I 223
Phase II 224
Spawn Running 226
Case Running 227
Mushroom Formation and Development 229
Pinhead Initiation 229
Cropping 231
XIII.THE CONTAMINANTS OF MUSHROOM CULTURE:
IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL 233
A Key to the Common Contaminants of Mushroom Culture 238
Virus (Die-Back Disease) 244
Actinomyces (Firefang) 246
Bacillus (Wet Spot) 248
Pseudomonas (Bacterial Blotch & Pit) 252
Streptomyces {Firefang) 255
Alternaria (Black Mold) 257
Aspergillus (Green Mold) 259
Botrytis (Brown Mold) 262
Chaetomium (Olive Green Mold) 264
Chrysosporium (Yellow Mold) 266
Cladosporium (Dark Green Mold) 268
Coprinus (Inky Cap) 270
Cryptococcus (Cream Colored Yeast) 273
Dactylium (Cobweb Mold) 275
Doratormyces (Black Whisker Mold) 277
Epicoccum (Yellow Mold). 279
Fusarium (Pink Mold) 281
Geotrichum (Lipstick Mold) 284
Humicola (Gray Mold) 286
Monilia (White Flour Mold) 288
Mucor (Black Pin Mold) 290
Mycelia Sterilia (White Mold) 292
Mycogone (Wet Bubble) 294
INeurospora (Pink Mold 296
Papulospora (Brown Plaster Mold) 298
Penicillium (Bluish Green Mold) 300
Rhizopus (Black Pin Mold) 302
Scopulariopsis (White Plaster Mold) 304
Sepedonium (White or Yellow Mold) 306
Torula (Black Yeast) 308
Trichoderma (Forest Green Mold) 310
Trichothecium (Pink Mold) 313
Verticillium (Dry Bubble) 315
XIV.THE PESTS OF MUSHROOM CULTURE 319
Mushroom Flies 320
Fly Control Measures 320
Sciarid Fly 321
Phorid Fly 323
Cecid Fly 325
Mites 328
INematodes (Eelworrns) 331
XV.MUSHROOM GENETICS 333
Reproductive Strategies 336
Implications for Culture Work 338
APPENDICES 343
I.Medicinal Properties of Mushrooms 345
II.Laminar Flow Systems 347
III.The Effect of Bacteria and Other
Microorganisms on Fruiting 253
IV.The Use of Mushroom Extracts to Induce Fruiting 357
V.Data Collection and Environmental Monitoring Records 359
VI.Analyses of Basic Materials Used in Substrate Preparation 369
VII.Resources For Mushroom Growing Equipment and Supplies 384
VIII.English to Metric Conversion Tables 386
GLOSSARY 389
BIBLIOGRAPHY 397
INDEX 409
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATION CREDITS 414
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 415
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