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Growing morel mushrooms can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for any mushroom enthusiast. Morels are highly sought after for their unique flavor and texture, making them a favorite among chefs and food lovers alike. If you're looking to grow morel mushrooms successfully, there are a few key factors to consider. In this guide, we will explore the most effective way to cultivate these prized but challenging fungi.
Choosing the Right Growing Medium
The first step in growing morel mushrooms is selecting the appropriate growing medium. Morels have a symbiotic relationship with certain tree species, such as oak, ash, and elm. Morels require a substrate made of a mixture of organic matter, such as wood chips, compost, and leaf litter. This provides the necessary nutrients and nitrate for morel mushrooms to thrive.
image from thedanishmorelproject.com
However, the most challenging aspect of growing them is that they require a botanical symbiotic organism to exchange chemicals with in order to reach a fruiting stage reliably and effectively. In nature this is generally a nearby tree root system. In the laboratory the same relationship and chemical exchange can be accomplished by growing specific grass species in the casing layer post-inoculation.
Creating Morel Grain Spawn
We sell liquid culture for morel mushrooms which can be expanded to grain and used for inoculation of the mixed bulk substrate blocks. I would suggest that when creating grain spawn bags for morels, adding 5% leeched compost and 1% hardwood ash, which will help it expand quicker. We do not carry pre-made grain spawn bags specifically for morels with this mix.
Preparing A Bulk Substrate For Morels
Morels require a delicate balance of carbon, wood, and compost. For our initial testing we made nine variations at the following mix percentages:
We found that "Simple" mix #8 and "Simple Soy" mix #9 colonized the best during incubation. After mixing these components, the substrate should be hydrated and brought to field capacity. It should then be bagged and pasteurized, then set to cool. Do not sterilize these bags, because sterilization will kill off beneficial microbes which will help this type of mycelium move quicker through the substrate.
Spawning and Inoculation
Once it has reached room temperature, it should be immediately inoculated in sterile conditions with morel spawn using 20% spawn weight of the target substrate. Once you have prepared the growing medium it's time to introduce the morel mushroom culture or spawn. It is crucial to maintain sterile conditions during this process to prevent contamination. Morel mushroom mycelium grows slow, and will not outpace competitive microbes.
Patience and Maintenance
Growing morel mushrooms requires patience and consistent maintenance. It can take several months for the mycelium to colonize the bulk growing medium. It incubates better at 65F-70F than at warmer temperatures, unlike some species. During this time, it is essential to monitor temperature and ensure proper ventilation. Verify C02 levels and regularly check for signs of contamination.
Cold Stratification (Cold Shock)
Your chances of successfully fruiting Morel mushrooms in an artificial environment will greatly increase if you simulate winter by exposing the fully incubated mycelium to at least 300+ uninterrupted hours (roughly two weeks) of near freezing temperatures. This is a process known as Cold Stratification, and has proven to be a significant trigger for morel mushroom fruiting. When doing this, the closer you can get the mycelium to freezing without actually freezing it, the better.
Morel Mushroom Symbiotic Introduction
Once the stratification process is complete, the real work begins. Especially on the bio-engineering side. Morels require a more robust weather simulation system including a rain/watering cycle and a substrate capable of draining the runoff in a controlled manner. This will be required for the grass on the casing layer to sustain as well. The cold shocked blocks should be moved into a water drainable tray system, and cased with an inch layer of sterilized topsoil made of leaf litter, compost, sand, and hardwood ash. Grass seed is then sprinkled/planted onto the top casing layer, it is watered, and the tray is moved into the grow room. It is lightly watered when needed, and maintained at 70F and 20% RH while the grass sprouts and begins to grow. Watering too much can be an issue, so only water if the grass is wilting of the topsoil is drying up. The mycelium will grow up through the casing layer while the grass roots grow down into it. They will meet, and if we have done everything correctly so far, they will attempt to form a symbiotic relationship which will allow us to maintain both of them for a few harvests.
Triggering Morel Mushrooms to Fruit
After 14-21 days the trays should have healthy grass and be ready to move into the fruiting chamber. Water the trays well 2 days before moving them into the fruiting chamber. Make sure your trays are draining water and properly maintaining field capacity. The mushroom fruiting chamber should be 55F at 90% RH. It also helps to drop the temperature to 45F at night (when the lights are off). To reach and maintain these temperatures can be difficult, depending where you live. It can also be expensive without a well insulated chamber. The key to succeeding in fruiting morel mushrooms reliably is perfecting all the prerequisite components needed to trigger the fruiting process. You should see fruit within 14 days. Don't be surprised if half of them don't fruit on your first try. It is hard to cover all the bases at first.
Harvesting and Enjoying
Once the morel mushrooms start to fruit, it's time to harvest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Harvest the mushrooms when they are fully mature but before the caps begin to flatten. Gently cut the mushrooms at the base to avoid damaging the mycelium. Morel mushrooms are best enjoyed fresh, so be sure to use them in your favorite recipes as soon as possible.
Remember, growing morel mushrooms can be a challenging and delicate process. It requires careful attention to detail and adherence to the proper growing techniques. However, with the right knowledge and dedication, you can successfully cultivate these prized mushrooms in an artificial environment. Happy growing!