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? ›

By adding gypsum to the mix, the structure of your substrate is improved. The mushroom substrate is the nutritious material that mycelium grows in, similar to how plants grow in soil. Gypsum helps to prevent clumping and compacting, thus promoting aeration and enabling mycelium to colonize the substrate more easily.

Does gypsum help mushroom growth? ›

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.

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.

What is the best medium for growing mycelium? ›

Sawdust. Sawdust, especially from hardwood pellets, is a favored substrate for growing mycelium of various mushroom species, offering a nutrient-rich environment conducive to robust mushroom cultivation.

How much gypsum to add to coir? ›

If you want to add gypsum to your coco coir vermiculite substrate to create CVG, most growers recommend adding 1 cup. You'll also need to add more water.

What helps mycelium grow faster? ›

The higher the inoculation rate or amount of spawn added to the substrate, the faster the mycelium will grow through the substrate. The substrate likely will not produce a larger amount of mushrooms, so a high inoculation rate means more money spent on spawn per pound of mushrooms.

Is too much gypsum bad for plants? ›

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.

How often do you add gypsum? ›

Gypsum may be applied any time of year and, depending on the needs of your particular lawn, we may apply it two to three times a year.

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 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.

How to make bulk mushroom substrate? ›

The ratios for this recipe are not that important but we use 500g coco + 3l vermiculite + 15g gypsum. It is difficult to advise on exactly how much water to add as this may change with different types of coco coir but we use around 3l of water. Water needs to be add until it reaches “Field Capacity”.

Which media is best for mushroom production? ›

They include:
  • Sawdust - Sawdust is one of the most commonly used mediums for growing mushrooms. ...
  • Straw - Straw is another popular medium for growing mushrooms. ...
  • Compost - Compost, which is made from decomposing organic material, is an excellent medium for growing mushrooms.
Jan 5, 2023

Does music make mycelium grow faster? ›

The results showed that the sound increased the mycelium growth of all the six mushrooms by 10.2%~21%, accelerated their fruiting, advanced the body fruiting harvest time by 1-5 days and extended the picking period by about 3-8 days.

How much gypsum do I add to mushroom substrate? ›

How to Use in Substrates: Add Magical Gypsum to your CVG, Manure or other substrate at a ratio of between 5-10% dry weight - we recommend 10%.

How much gypsum should I use? ›

Add powdered gypsum at the rate of two to three handfuls per square metre, then dig the soil over and water it in. (It will take several months to get the full effect. However, for a quicker option, for example, in planting holes, use a liquid clay breaker with organic matter*.

What stimulates mushroom growth? ›

Compost provides nutrients needed for mushrooms to grow. Two types of material are generally used for mushroom compost, the most used and least expensive being wheat straw-bedded horse manure.

What plants benefit from gypsum? ›

Plants that can benefit from gypsum include:

Landscape plants – evergreens, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, pin oak, sweet gum and flowering dogwood. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi – increased colonization and growth rates of these beneficial fungi.

What additives are good for mushroom growth? ›

Supplementation with Nutrient-Rich Additives
AdditiveNutrient ProvidedBenefit to Mushroom Growth
Soybean MealNitrogen (Protein source)Supports cell growth and repair
GypsumCalcium, SulfurHelps in pH balance and structural integrity
Organic CompostsVaried NutrientsImproves nutrient diversity and microbial health
1 more row
Feb 15, 2024

What is gypsum fertilizer good for? ›

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.

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