How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms Indoors
It's easy to grow oyster mushrooms indoors. Use them to flavor soups, wild rice, or grill and serve them as a main dish.
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You Will Need
- 2 milk cartons
- Pencil
- 8 c. sawdust
- 2 c. coffee grounds
- Non-chlorinated water
- Oyster mushroom spawn
- Plastic wrap (optional)
- Cooking oil (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Wash and prep cartons
Cut the tops off the milk cartons evenly around all sides and wash them to remove milk residue. Then use a pencil to punch 4 to 5 holes through each side of both cartons.
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Step 2
Sterilize sawdust and coffee
Put the sawdust and coffee grounds into a microwave-safe bowl. Add water until the mixture has a spongy consistency and then microwave the mixture for 2 minutes, until the water is boiling, to kill any foreign organisms.
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You may need to microwave the sawdust and coffee mixture in batches.
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Step 3
Remove and let it cool
Remove the mixture from the microwave and allow it to return to room temperature.
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Step 4
Wet the sawdust and mix in spores
Dampen the sawdust mixture with non-chlorinated water and mix in the oyster mushroom spawn or starter culture.
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Step 5
Pack cartons and store
Pack the milk cartons tightly with the sawdust and spawn mixture and place them in a cool, dark place.
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Cover the mixture with loose-fitting plastic wrap or lay plastic wrap underneath the carton with a bit of cooking oil spread around the carton's base to keep bugs away.
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Step 6
Keep moist and wait
Keep the sawdust mixture moist with non-chlorinated water for the next few months, until your mushrooms are ready to be harvested.
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Some varieties of oyster mushrooms have been used to break down fossil fuel waste.
