Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-14-2009, 07:15 PM

Hello Banana Buddies:

Recently, someone sent me pink oyster mushroom mycellium, and told me I could grow the mushrooms in a pickle jar, using nothing but coffee grounds and filters!!!

: O

Here are shots of my pink oyster mushroom culture, and how I am beginning the whole process...

First I made a pot of coffee and let the grounds sit for a couple hours while I sterilized the wide-mouth jar you see below, in boiling water - the lid too. I sterilized a pin in a flame, so I could push the pellet of agar and living fungus out of the plastic shipping bubble and into the jar - onto the coffee and filter. Then I closed the jar lid loosely and placed it in my dark cupboard, because it doesn't need light until it's time to fruit.

As you can see in the 2nd pic below, the white fuzz is beginning to grow. This is what I was told would happen, and that I must wait until the fungus spreads over the entire layer of coffee and filter, before adding another fresh layer. You keep adding layers of fresh coffee grounds and filters, until you reach the top of the jar and the entire container is fully colonized with the culture.

Then you take off the lid, and place a flimsy baggy like the kind in the produce section, which keeps the humidity up and allows gas exchange. I am told I will be in mushrooms a week from this point!!!

: O

I will continue to show pics as this process continues, but I am very nervous and have never done anything like this before. The person who sent me the fungus is helping me though, so I feel somewhat confident.

We'll see...

In the end, here is how they'll look! This is the beautiful crop of the person who sent me the culture...

: )

sbl · 08-14-2009, 07:22 PM

I love oyster mushrooms, but I have never tasted the pink ones. Can you continue the process with fresh mushroom pieces for the next batch?

Bob · 08-14-2009, 07:28 PM

Too Cool!!!

Ohio'sBest · 08-14-2009, 07:47 PM

Rice cakes are fun.

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-14-2009, 08:30 PM

I was of the impression that the mushrooms will keep producing over a period of time, but I am not sure if you can grow them from the mushroom pieces.

These are very good questions and I will ask the guy who sent me the culture, because he is an expert. He even said that once I get my feet wet he'll send me other types as well!

I would love to hear an explanation of those rice cakes. I am new to all of this mushroom growing and haven't the foggiest idea of what I am even looking at in your pics, Ohio's Best...

A short time ago, I had purchased these home portabello mushroom grow kits for my mom and I. They were a complete failure - not to mention a stinking to high heaven fungus gnat disaster!

: O

I was so disappointed, and they refunded my money back because apparently all their customers had failed as well. Their instructions were ridiculous and unclear. I just gave up on growing mushrooms after that horrible experience and thought it couldn't be done...

until this kind mushroom farmer sent me the mycelium and told me how easy it is. I am so excited to see how it will turn out. He seems to think I will have mushrooms in no time.

: )

I will be asking him questions as I do this, and I will let you guys know what he says. Thanks for the support everyone. Yeah, I agree Bob, it is pretty cool.

Ohio'sBest · 08-14-2009, 09:18 PM

You can take a sample from a full grown cap. Don't cut it, rip it apart with with your hands under a flow hood or a glove box. I sterilize with iodine instead of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide kills and cleans too good..........LOL.

You are better off making a spore print from a cap that has just broken its vale.

To really do mushrooms right, you need a flow hood. You can use a sterile box with rubber gloves, but I like the manuverability of a flow hood.

I get about 4-5 flushes from cakes and pans.

Let's grow mushrooms is an excellent video. If you have an addy you can PM me, I'll send a copy of the video.

The Godfather of mushrooms though is Paul Stamets.

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-14-2009, 09:48 PM

No offense Ohio's Best, but your 2nd last post went completely over my head and I really didn't get most of what you were saying!

: O

Furthermore, I am so nervous about this whole process that to hear tons of different ways of growing mushrooms will only confuse and possibly discourage me.

I hope you don't think I am rude to say that I would rather just take my instructions from the person who sent me the culture and who grows this type all the time. I do appreciate your post though.

I am feeling like I might actually be able to pull this off, and the instructions are very clear and comprehensible to me.

I just hope mine turn out as nice as Jeff's. We'll see...

Ohio'sBest · 08-14-2009, 10:20 PM

None taken...........

Paul Stamets

Paul Stamets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The video is called 'Let's Grow Mushrooms'

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-14-2009, 10:28 PM

I think I would like to see that video. Can it be posted here in this thread for all of us to see?...

: )

Ohio'sBest · 08-14-2009, 11:03 PM

I don't know if that would infringed on copyright laws.

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-14-2009, 11:04 PM

I doubt it's anything to be too concerned about - people post videos on this site all the time.

: )

Ohio'sBest · 08-14-2009, 11:26 PM

Is there a host site I can download to?

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-15-2009, 12:47 AM

Um...

I have no idea! Sorry. I just know that people download videos on this forum all the time.

: )

Hope to see your video soon...

I just spoke with Jeff via email, after asking him a few questions. Here's was my email to him...

Quote:

Hi again, Jeff:

Hope I am not bothering you but I have some questions...

After these mushrooms produce the first crop, then what? Will they keep producing? How long does the mycelium last, or how do I keep it going? I hope these questions don't seem ridiculous to you, but I really am a dummy when it comes to mushroom growing - with no experience.

I don't know if you saw my pics in either of the two threads I posted them in, but the white fuzz is beginning to grow today!

: O

Here are the pics in case you didn't see them. Thanks for answering my questions...

Sherry

: )

Here was Jeff's response...

Quote:

You might keep the culture going by breaking a bit off before they fruit and starting another culture. This will work for a while, but everything gets old.

Eventually a new culture might be started from spores. These drop out of the underside of the mushrooms when the caps flatten out. Spores are the purpose of the mushroom. A mushroom will release about half it's weight in spores in it's lifetime. Putting a bit of coffee under a sporulating cap would be an easy way to start a fresh young culture.

Your original jar may fruit as many as four times, a week or two apart. The one of mine you have a picture of is fruiting again for me.

Glad you're having so much fun.

Jeff

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-26-2009, 10:30 AM

Very sad and quite unfortunate, but for now my pink oyster mushroom growing has come to a halt!!!

: O

This is why...

Quote:

Looks like somthing may have gone wrong.

In your "lid off" photo I see little spots of white growth that are not part of the inoculating site. Am I seeing right ?

If so, there may be a few explanations. When I saw it, it looked like quite a lot of filter and not much coffee. I wonder if it was a very small brew and had hot water running thru it for only a few minutes ?

I make twelve cup pots that have water running through for at least ten minutes. It is not important how much coffee or filter there is, just that it's thoroughly pasteurized.

Maybe run another pot, and start a new jar with some "rescued" mycelium.

You can keep the old one (in another cupboard) as the mycelium may possibly (or not ?) overcome the contamination, but you don't want spores landing in the new jar.

Good growing.

Unfortunately it was too late and the mycelium stopped spreading so I knew it was dead. Until further notice, I am afraid I will be buying my mushrooms at the super market from now on.

: (

sbl · 08-26-2009, 12:32 PM

Would additional sterilizing of the initial batch of coffee grounds by microwave help? Does moisture level matter much?

Jack Daw · 08-26-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hollyberry Lady

... Until further notice, I am afraid I will be buying my mushrooms at the super market from now on ...

Now wait a second, this is someone else talking, isn't it... Sherry I know would never give up that easily, not if it concerned growing something.

Don't give up.

The Hollyberry Lady · 08-26-2009, 04:33 PM

Well, sorry to say but I did give up!!!

: O

I think the person is willing to send me some fresh mycelium, so maybe I can start fresh. I just couldn't tinker around with stinky fungus - sorry folks. It looked like it was had.

I will return - you'll see...

: )

Jack Daw · 08-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Everybody has some mental illness. I for once feed and talk to 500-1000 earth worms and they are rapidly procreating every day.

Call me crazy.

My own animal farm.

Kim · 08-26-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio'sBest

I don't know if that would infringed on copyright laws.

Ohio'sBest
If it is a commercially manufactured video for sale, YES it will infringe on copyright laws. If you get permission by them to do so, go for it.

djmb74 · 08-26-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Everybody has some mental illness. I for once feed and talk to 500-1000 earth worms and they are rapidly procreating every day.

Call me crazy.

My own animal farm.

Hey do you have an update on your worm farm? Do you have any pics of the set up you built for them?

08-14-2009, 07:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,358,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O Hello Banana Buddies: Recently, someone sent me pink oyster mushroom mycellium, and told me I could grow the mushrooms in a pickle jar, using nothing but coffee grounds and filters!!! : O Here are shots of my pink oyster mushroom culture, and how I am beginning the whole process... First I made a pot of coffee and let the grounds sit for a couple hours while I sterilized the wide-mouth jar you see below, in boiling water - the lid too. I sterilized a pin in a flame, so I could push the pellet of agar and living fungus out of the plastic shipping bubble and into the jar - onto the coffee and filter. Then I closed the jar lid loosely and placed it in my dark cupboard, because it doesn't need light until it's time to fruit. As you can see in the 2nd pic below, the white fuzz is beginning to grow. This is what I was told would happen, and that I must wait until the fungus spreads over the entire layer of coffee and filter, before adding another fresh layer. You keep adding layers of fresh coffee grounds and filters, until you reach the top of the jar and the entire container is fully colonized with the culture. Then you take off the lid, and place a flimsy baggy like the kind in the produce section, which keeps the humidity up and allows gas exchange. I am told I will be in mushrooms a week from this point!!! : O I will continue to show pics as this process continues, but I am very nervous and have never done anything like this before. The person who sent me the fungus is helping me though, so I feel somewhat confident. We'll see... In the end, here is how they'll look! This is the beautiful crop of the person who sent me the culture... : )

08-14-2009, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 71,805 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O I love oyster mushrooms, but I have never tasted the pink ones. Can you continue the process with fresh mushroom pieces for the next batch?

08-14-2009, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 220,579 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O Too Cool!!! __________________

08-14-2009, 08:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,358,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O I was of the impression that the mushrooms will keep producing over a period of time, but I am not sure if you can grow them from the mushroom pieces. These are very good questions and I will ask the guy who sent me the culture, because he is an expert. He even said that once I get my feet wet he'll send me other types as well! I would love to hear an explanation of those rice cakes. I am new to all of this mushroom growing and haven't the foggiest idea of what I am even looking at in your pics, Ohio's Best... A short time ago, I had purchased these home portabello mushroom grow kits for my mom and I. They were a complete failure - not to mention a stinking to high heaven fungus gnat disaster! : O I was so disappointed, and they refunded my money back because apparently all their customers had failed as well. Their instructions were ridiculous and unclear. I just gave up on growing mushrooms after that horrible experience and thought it couldn't be done... until this kind mushroom farmer sent me the mycelium and told me how easy it is. I am so excited to see how it will turn out. He seems to think I will have mushrooms in no time. : ) I will be asking him questions as I do this, and I will let you guys know what he says. Thanks for the support everyone. Yeah, I agree Bob, it is pretty cool.

08-14-2009, 09:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ohio'sBest Ohio'sBest's Photo Gallery Name: Chris Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 175 BananaBucks : 78,137 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 57 Times Was Thanked 104 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	You can take a sample from a full grown cap. Don't cut it, rip it apart with with your hands under a flow hood or a glove box. I sterilize with iodine instead of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide kills and cleans too good..........LOL. You are better off making a spore print from a cap that has just broken its vale. To really do mushrooms right, you need a flow hood. You can use a sterile box with rubber gloves, but I like the manuverability of a flow hood. I get about 4-5 flushes from cakes and pans. Let's grow mushrooms is an excellent video. If you have an addy you can PM me, I'll send a copy of the video. The Godfather of mushrooms though is Paul Stamets. Last edited by Jack Daw : 08-15-2009 at 03:27 AM. Reason: 2 post from the same user in a row, Merged

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08-14-2009, 09:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,358,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O No offense Ohio's Best, but your 2nd last post went completely over my head and I really didn't get most of what you were saying! : O Furthermore, I am so nervous about this whole process that to hear tons of different ways of growing mushrooms will only confuse and possibly discourage me. I hope you don't think I am rude to say that I would rather just take my instructions from the person who sent me the culture and who grows this type all the time. I do appreciate your post though. I am feeling like I might actually be able to pull this off, and the instructions are very clear and comprehensible to me. I just hope mine turn out as nice as Jeff's. We'll see...

08-14-2009, 10:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ohio'sBest Ohio'sBest's Photo Gallery Name: Chris Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 175 BananaBucks : 78,137 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 57 Times Was Thanked 104 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O None taken........... Paul Stamets Paul Stamets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The video is called 'Let's Grow Mushrooms'

08-14-2009, 10:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,358,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O I think I would like to see that video. Can it be posted here in this thread for all of us to see?... : )

08-14-2009, 11:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ohio'sBest Ohio'sBest's Photo Gallery Name: Chris Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 175 BananaBucks : 78,137 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 57 Times Was Thanked 104 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O I don't know if that would infringed on copyright laws.

08-14-2009, 11:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,358,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O I doubt it's anything to be too concerned about - people post videos on this site all the time. : )

08-14-2009, 11:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ohio'sBest Ohio'sBest's Photo Gallery Name: Chris Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 175 BananaBucks : 78,137 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 57 Times Was Thanked 104 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O Is there a host site I can download to?

08-26-2009, 12:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 71,805 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O Would additional sterilizing of the initial batch of coffee grounds by microwave help? Does moisture level matter much?

08-26-2009, 04:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,358,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O Well, sorry to say but I did give up!!! : O I think the person is willing to send me some fresh mycelium, so maybe I can start fresh. I just couldn't tinker around with stinky fungus - sorry folks. It looked like it was had. I will return - you'll see... : )

08-26-2009, 06:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
Jack Daw I think with my banana ;) Jack Daw's Photo Gallery Location: BA, SK, CEU Find me on the map! Zone: Dfa (Köppen-geiger) <-> 7b/8a? (USDA) Name: Jack Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,525 BananaBucks : 220,914 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,771 Times Was Thanked 2,461 Times in 1,355 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 383 Times	Re: Growing Pink Oyster mushrooms in a pickle jar! : O Everybody has some mental illness. I for once feed and talk to 500-1000 earth worms and they are rapidly procreating every day. Call me crazy. My own animal farm. __________________ Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and *Francesco* for the plants I've received. Zeitgeist - Corporatocracy 101 (~2hrs) Zeitgeist - Moving Forward (~2.5hrs)

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