Like most brothers and sisters, my brother, RMM, and I are very different, but we also have a lot in common. I have noticed over the years that we both have quite varied interests. If we become interested in something new, we jump right in and enjoy every minute of our new discovery. RMM became interested in growing mushrooms, and has now grown a variety of mushrooms. The mushrooms have grown amazingly well, and he reports that they seem to spring up overnight. He has grown his mushrooms in the ground, in wooden logs drilled with holes, and on stacked wood in his basement. Of course, I wanted to try it! So, last February, I received a surprise package in the mail. My brother had sent me the "Mushrooms of Many Colors Teepee Kit" from Field and Forest Products. It's a kit for growing mushrooms on rolls of toilet paper. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get started!
This kit required 15 rolls of plain, unscented, smooth, white toilet paper. (The cheap stuff!)
The kit arrived with spawn for three varieties of oyster mushrooms; Grey Dove, Italian, and Golden Oyster Mushrooms.
We dipped each roll of toilet paper in boiling water and placed it on a cooling rack .
The kit arrived with 15 sturdy plastic bags. These bags had a special air filter patch to allow air to flow into the bag, yet keeping the spawn in the bag. Once the rolls were cool, we placed each roll in a plastic bag.
Using a funnel, we filled the center of each toilet paper roll with the spawn of one type of mushroom. The kit suggested the need to be careful to keep the spawn in the bag. (No, we didn't want mushrooms to be growing in the corners of the kitchen, on the kitchen sponge, etc....yucch!)
We put a twist tie on each bag and placed all of the bags in a dark room for 6 weeks. Our daughter's bedroom became "The Mushroom Room." After about 3 weeks the rolls were covered with mycelium, a white lacy growth.
Mycelium covered toilet paper rolls.
After six weeks, we placed the mushroom rolls in the refrigerator for 48 hours to stimulate fruiting.
After 48 hours, we opened the bags and placed the mushroom rolls in the sun.
And, voila! Golden Oyster Mushrooms
Grey Dove Oyster Mushrooms
We harvested the mushrooms with scissors, or by twisting them off of the stems. They continued to produce for 1-2 weeks. Then we started the process all over again.
The mushrooms were wonderful sauteed in a little butter.
Delicious!
I think I'm ready to start a real outdoor mushroom garden! I better give my brother a call.Have a wonderful day!
