Gypsum speeds up mushroom growth in sawdust mix (2024)

Gypsum speeds up mushroom growth in sawdust mix (1)

Gypsum is a mineral that helps speed up the mushroom growing process in small amounts.

A teaspoon of gypsum is added to the supplemented sawdust mix, which also includes hardwood sawdust pellets, wheat bran and water. We use this mix forfive types of mushrooms, including the Lion’s Mane, Chestnut and Shiitake mushrooms.

Gypsum has been found to shorten the time it takes for the mycelium to grow throughout the substrate, according to researchers at the University of Putra Malaysia. That means it’s quicker for the spores to grow throughout the growing block and start to grow mushrooms.

The researchers tested different alkaline materials, such as gypsum, agricultural lime and zeolite, another type of mineral. Only one percent of each mix included an alkaline material. They grew Italian Oyster mushrooms, which we choose to grow using hardwood sawdust and soybean hulls because of their protein content.

It took 30 days for the mycelium in the gypsum mix to spread throughout the block – 18 days quicker than the lime mix and 20 days faster than the zeolite mix. Primordia, or baby mushrooms, started growing the quickest on gypsum mix as well.

Gypsum speeds up mushroom growth in sawdust mix (2)

Gypsum is supposed to help the ingredients mix in the bag without clumping. That makes it better for the mycelium to get the nutrients it needs in the bag to continue spreading. Gypsum also adds calcium and sulphur, which are supposed to neutralize the pH levels of the block, according to researchers in Pakistan. Mushrooms prefer slightly acidic pH levels, but increasing the pH with the gypsum helps prevent bacterial growth.

If you’re interested in trying to grow mushrooms in a mix with gypsum, take a look at our JCB Gourmet Mushrooms Grow Kits on our website. Every mushroom except for the Oyster mushrooms uses the supplemented sawdust mix, which includes gypsum powder. Black King Oyster mushrooms also grow on the supplemented sawdust mix.

Gypsum speeds up mushroom growth in sawdust mix (2024)

FAQs

Gypsum speeds up mushroom growth in sawdust mix? ›

Gypsum is a mineral that helps speed up the mushroom growing process in small amounts. A teaspoon of gypsum is added to the supplemented sawdust mix, which also includes hardwood sawdust pellets, wheat bran and water.

Why add gypsum to mushroom substrate? ›

By maintaining a stable pH, gypsum ensures that the substrate remains within the optimal range for mushroom growth. It essentially creates a stable, healthy environment where mycelium can flourish without being disturbed by fluctuating pH levels. The importance of pH in mushroom cultivation cannot be overstated.

How to speed up mushroom growth? ›

To initiate fruiting, lowering temperatures and increasing oxygen levels generally encourages mushroom formation. Initiation can be in the form of cold shocking, water shocking or introducing more oxygen by cutting a hole in the bag. them with water as if in a strong rainstorm.

How much gypsum to add to CVG? ›

Add Magical Gypsum to your CVG, Manure or other substrate at a ratio of between 5-10% dry weight - we recommend 10%. For instance, in a 70/20/10 CVG substrate, you would have 700 grams of coco-coir, 200 grams of vermiculite, and 100 grams of Magical Gypsum per kilogram of dry substrate material.

How much gypsum to add to grain spawn? ›

For ten jars, I like to use about a tablespoon of gypsum and a cup of coffee. Let the grains soak for 12 -24 hours. This will allow the grains to absorb water, and will cause many contaminants to sprout, making them more susceptible to being killed through sterilization.

Which gypsum is best for mushroom cultivation? ›

Magical Gypsum is tailored for mushroom cultivation and includes additional inputs that provide a number of benefits for your mushroom grow, including decreased colonization time in grain spawn, higher yields, easier application & better solubility than garden gypsum, increased nutrient uptake, increased water holding ...

What is the purpose of adding gypsum? ›

Gypsum is added to control the “setting of cement”. If not added, the cement will set immediately after mixing of water leaving no time for concrete placing. Q. Why gypsum is added in the manufacturing process of cement?

What stimulates mycelium growth? ›

A good number of bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas or Bradyrhizobium appear to stimulate the mycelial growth of some cultivated species (A. bisporus, A.

How can I make mycelium spread faster? ›

Light: While mycelium doesn't require light to grow, a small amount can help stimulate growth. 5. Nutrition: Using a nutrient-rich substrate can also enhance growth. Remember, it's important to maintain sterile conditions to prevent contamination.

How do you trigger mushroom growth? ›

Fresh air, humidity, light, and temperature are the four main environmental variables that trigger fruiting from fully colonized substrates.

What happens if you use too much gypsum? ›

It is possible to use too much gypsum. Adding too much gypsum to your soil can damage it by removing necessary nutrients. An abundance of gypsum can remove elements such as iron, aluminum and manganese from your soil and cause them to contaminate other areas, harming plant growth.

What is the ratio for gypsum? ›

A mixture of 1kg of water to 1.5kg of gypsum plaster, for example, can be expressed as 2 parts water to 3 parts plaster, or a 2:3 ratio. Usually, the equation is expressed in terms of 100 parts of plaster. The 2:3 ratio would then become 67:100.

What rate do you apply gypsum? ›

A typical gypsum addition rate is 0.8 kg/1 000 L of irrigation water. This equates to 800 kg/ML, or 800 kg of gypsum in each 100 mm of irrigation water that is applied. Note. The maximum amount of gypsum that can be dissolved in water (to form a saturated solution) is 2.6 kg/1 000 L.

How long does gypsum take to set? ›

Pro-BASE® gypsum has an average initial setting time of 16 minutes and 17 seconds, with a final setting time of 24 minutes and 31 seconds.

What PH should mushroom substrate be? ›

Your substrate should be slightly acidic, with a PH between 5 and 6.5. (Some mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms, can withstand a PH of up to 8.) A minimum moisture content of 50-70% is essential for your substrate.

How to make mushroom liquid culture? ›

To make liquid culture, mix a sugar source (like light malt extract or honey) with water, sterilize the solution, and then introduce mushroom mycelium. Use a canning jar with an airport lid for the culture and a pressure cooker for sterilization.

What does adding gypsum do? ›

Gypsum helps soil better absorb water and reduces erosion. It also cuts down on phosphorus movement from soils to lakes and streams and improves the quality of various fruits and vegetables, among other benefits.”

What percentage of gypsum in mushroom substrate? ›

Powdered gypsum is used to increase the pH in mushroom growing substrates such as grain, sawdust, coffee grounds and straw. It is also a yield enhancer as it supplies minerals and trace elements to the mycelium. Gypsum should be mixed at a rate of 2-5% of the dry weight of the substrate.

What nutrients does gypsum add to soil? ›

Gypsum is one of the earliest forms of fertilizer used in the United States. It has been applied to agricultural soils for more than 250 years. Gypsum is a moderately soluble source of the essential plant nutrients, calcium and sulfur, and can improve overall plant growth.

How do you prevent Trichoderma in mushroom substrate? ›

Several measures can be implemented to prevent Trichoderma infestation before it appears, including increased air circulation and ventilation, maintaining a clean and sanitized growing environment, and regularly monitoring your operation for signs of contamination.

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