Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation
Simple to Advanced and Experimental Techniques for Indoor and Outdoor Cultivation
Explore the world of organic mushroom cultivation with in-depth practices, innovative research, and numerous ways to integrate mushrooms into your daily life.
“A clear, comprehensive guide that is a gift to amateur as well as professional mushroom growers. This book opens the doors wide to a diverse and fascinating fungal world.”–Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden.
Have you ever wondered what it would take to cultivate mushrooms in space? Or how mushroom farming could help control invasive species like kudzu and water hyacinth, reducing our reliance on herbicides? Is it feasible to create an affordable, easy-to-use mushroom-growing kit that offers high-quality protein and bioremediation after natural disasters? How can we improve our methods of cultivating morels to boost growers’ success rates?
For over two decades, mycology expert Tradd Cotter has been investigating these questions and experimenting to find the answers. In Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation, Cotter delves into the best organic mushroom cultivation practices and shares the findings of his pioneering research. He provides countless ways to apply your cultivation skills and incorporate mushrooms into your lifestyle.
Whether you aim to assist your community in cleaning up industrial pollution or simply relax with a Reishi-infused homebrew ale at the end of the day, this book has something for you.
Inside, you’ll discover:
- The fundamentals of mushroom cultivation
- Innovative applications and projects using fungi
- Basic laboratory construction, equipment, and procedures
- Starting cultures and spawn generation
- Detailed descriptions of over 25 different genera
The book begins with a thorough exploration of indoor and outdoor cultivation techniques. You’ll learn how to integrate wood-chip beds with king Stropharia into your garden, build a “trenched raft” of hardwood logs with shiitake spawn, or grow oysters indoors on spent coffee grounds in a 4×4 space or on pasteurized sawdust in vertical plastic columns. For those who seek self-sufficiency through generating and expanding their own spawn, Cotter offers detailed lab techniques, including cost-effective alternatives using existing infrastructure and materials.
Cotter also shares his groundbreaking research on cultivating morels both indoors and outdoors, training mycelium to target specific contaminants, and maintaining spawn on cardboard without electricity. You’ll find information on creating tinctures, powders, and mushroom-infused honey, making antibacterial mushroom cutting boards, and even growing mushrooms on old denim jeans.
Targeted at readers interested in pesticide-free mushroom cultivation, Cotter takes “organic” to a new level by presenting an innovative approach to growing mushrooms on virtually any substrate, in any location, by anyone.
“This comprehensive introduction to growing and utilizing fungi has something for all mushroom-inclined readers . . . . Both practical and passionate, Cotter offers extensive and detailed information.”–Publishers Weekly
Check out ourMycology Books to learn more about this Fantastic Fungi World.
