Mushrooms are healthy and nutritious, and they have great demand across the world. Since mushrooms’ natural production is insufficient to cater to the market demand, they are produced in mushroom fruiting chambers for domestic or commercial usage. These are enclosed spaces designed to mimic the natural environmental conditions required for optimum mushroom cultivation.
Growers buy and use these chambers mainly for the below-mentioned purposes:
To Provide Optimum Light Conditions:
Mushrooms use light differently from other plants. They take light as a signal that it’s time to start fruiting. In natural conditions, the fruiting process starts at the point where sunlight hits. However, in artificial chambers, light is distributed evenly across all parts of the substrate. The fruiting is not limited to a particular part only, making cultivation and harvesting easier than otherwise.
To Keep CO2 Levels Low
Mushrooms require high CO2 while spawning and low CO2 while fruiting. So, ideal CO2 conditions can be maintained using a fruiting chamber to ensure optimum growth and consistent mushroom development. Ideally, CO2 should be less than 800ppm in a chamber.
To Achieve FAE:
FAE or Fresh Air Exchange is essential, as it helps avoid the growth of bacteria and molds in the substrate. Low CO2 levels encourage the mushroom plant to start fruiting. The fresher air the chamber is exposed to, the better it is for its growth, as long as you maintain proper humidity levels in the space. Stale air also leads to thriving contaminants due to low CO2 levels required in the chambers.
To Maintain Required Humidity Levels in the Air:
In mushroom fruiting chambers, it is easy to maintain the high humidity levels required for optimum mushroom growth. High humidity is essential, as it encourages the growing mushroom plants to remain the maximum amount of water possible.
Once the mushroom plants are colonized and fruits start growing, they can themselves maintain their humidity level. However, you may use different techniques to aid humidity maintenance. Some of them are:
- Misting
- Perlite/Geolite
- Humidifiers
- Casing
Ideally, the humidity level in a fruiting chamber should be above 80%, which you can measure with a hygrometer.
To Keep the Plants at Right Temperature:
Mushroom plants require 75 to 85°F during incubation and 70 to 79°F while fruiting. A fruiting chamber can be used to maintain an ideal temperature for optimum mushroom growth.
To Maintain Cleanliness:
Even if your substrate has colonized and the fungus has received all its nutrients, it is still susceptible to contamination if you do not maintain cleanliness. Here are a few steps that you can take to maintain hygiene and cleanliness while using a fruiting chamber:
- Clean the chamber with water and soap before putting the substrate into it.
- If there is a mold infection, wipe it inside out with hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or both.
- Avoid opening the chamber in an unclean and dusty environment.
- Wear clean clothes and gloves while accessing the fruiting chamber.
If you are looking forward to cultivating mushrooms, get in touch with a provider known to design the best fruiting chambers with ideal growing conditions. Rest Assured, you can obtain a healthy and steady yield of mushrooms for personal or commercial needs.
Leave a Reply