Learn How to Grow Mushrooms
Mushrooms are unique organisms. Whilst many consider them to be plants because they grow in soil, they are not plants in the true sense of the word because they don't have any chlorophyll and so can't use sunlight to make food. Instead they must rely on other organisms for sustenance. Therefore, provided all they need to grow is in the compost, mushrooms can easily be grown if you know how.
This course teaches the students how to grow mushrooms. From making your own compost to sourcing spawn this course has it all. Discover the different stages of growth, how to set up trays in optimal growing conditions, how to manipulate light, moisture and temperature, and we'll even explain harvesting and storage and tips on how to market your mushrooms.
Course Content
There are eight lessons as follows:
Lesson 1. Introduction to Edible Mushrooms
- Introduction to Edible Fungi
- How Fungi are Named
- Review of Plant Identification Systems
- Characteristics of Fungi
- The Three Fungi Kingdoms
- Agaricus campestris and Agaricus bisporus
- Significant Edible Mushroom Species
- Synonymous Names
- Identifying Edible Mushrooms
- Mushroom Structure
- History of Mushroom Cultivation
Lesson 2. Commonly Cultivated Edible Mushrooms
- Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus bitorquis
- Coprinus fimetarius
- Flammulina velutipes
- Kuehneromyces mutabilis
- Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)
- Pholiota nameko
- Pleurotus (Oyster Mushrooms)
- Stropharia rugosa annulata
- Volvariella volvacea
- Auricularia Species
- Tremella fuciformis
- Tuber Species (Truffles)
- Tricholoma matsutake
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)
- Grifola frondosa (Maitake)
- Resources and Industry Contacts
Lesson 3. Mushroom Culture and Compost Preparation
- Obtaining Mushroom Spawn
- Growing Media for Different Species
- Growing Agaricus Species
- Understanding Soil and Compost
- Acidity and Alkalinity
- Making Compost
- Mushroom Compost Formulations
- Managing Compost Moisture
- Cultivation of Agaricus bitorquis
- Cultivation of Coprinus fimetarius
Lesson 4. Spawn Production and Spawning
- Spawn Production Methods
- Finding Spawn Suppliers
- The Spawning Process
- Obtaining Small Quantities of Spawn
- Rye Grain Spawn Production
- Using and Storing Spawn
- Troubleshooting Spawn Problems
- Temperature Requirements for Spawning and Fruiting
- Cultivation of Pleurotus
- Cultivation of Stropharia
Lesson 5. Growing Methods and Environmental Control
- Making and Casing Mushroom Beds
- Indoor and Outdoor Growing Systems
- Casing Materials and Techniques
- Spawned Casing, Ruffling and Scratching
- Cultivation of Auricularia and Volvariella
- Fungal Nutrition
- Casing Through to Harvest
- Growing Indoors
- Environmental Control Systems
- Siting and Managing a Growing House
- Review of Truffles and Tremella
Lesson 6. Pests, Diseases and Problem Management
- Pests, Diseases and Environmental Disorders
- Preventing Production Problems
- Bacterial and Fungal Diseases
- Insect Pests, Mites and Nematodes
- Weed Moulds
- Natural and Safe Spray Options
- Troubleshooting Common Mushroom Problems
- Cultivation of Flammulina velutipes
- Cultivation of Kuehneromyces mutabilis
Lesson 7. Harvesting, Storage and Processing
- Harvesting Agaricus Mushrooms
- Harvesting Buttons, Cups and Flats
- Fruiting Patterns
- Post-Harvest Handling
- Cool Storage
- Controlled Atmosphere Storage
- Freezing Mushrooms
- Dry Freezing
- Drying Mushrooms
- Canning Mushrooms
- Cultivation of Shiitake, Pholiota and Tricholoma
Lesson 8. Marketing Mushrooms
- Marketing Opportunities for Mushrooms
- Fresh Mushroom Sales
- Processed Mushroom Products
- Marketing Shiitake, Oyster and Straw Mushrooms
- Researching Local Markets
- Developing a Marketing Strategy
- Special Assignment
Workload & Assessment
Study when, where and however much you want. For most students, each lesson is estimated to take around 10 hours of study, research, reading and assessment.
Self Assessment Tests are part of every lesson. When you undertake a "SAT" or "Self Assessment Test", you will be able to see what you got correct, and what was incorrect; and in that way, you can identify your weaknesses.
Assignments are given at the end of each lesson. You should complete this assignment, paying careful attention to follow what is asked of you. It can be just as important to learn to work to specification, as it is to learn about the topic you are studying. Graduates who develop a habit of working to specification with vegetable growing, will impress others, and will be more efficient when self employed.
A final exam is optional. The exam may be sat under prearranged conditions anywhere in the world. This college will award you a formal transcript, upon successful completion of the exam, as proof of your results.
How This Course Could Help You
This course is geared towards people who may wish to grow mushrooms for the food or agriculture industries. This course may also help with running or improving an existing mushroom growing business. It will also be useful for people wishing to grow mushrooms on a small scale for home use.
Study this course by itself or along with other horticulture or crops subjects to create a certificate or higher level qualification to enhance your understanding of the industry and expand your skills.