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Morels are spring mushrooms that appear after snow melts. In forests, they are collected at the edges, clearings, places after a fire. Growing morels at home will ensure a stable harvest of these mushrooms. To do this, acquire mycelium or collect fruit bodies in the forest. Then create a microclimate as close to natural as possible.
Is it possible to grow morels
Morels are edible mushrooms that grow in temperate climates. They are found in early spring, from April to late May. On the territory of Russia, they are harvested until mid-June, sometimes even in autumn a second wave of fruiting is observed.
Morels are characterized by an unusual structure of the cap, covered with a layer of oblong cells. Its shape is ovoid or conical. The septa have a pronounced brown color, which gradually becomes darker. The height of the cap is up to 7 cm, in the girth it reaches 8 cm.The leg is cylindrical, hollow, no more than 9 cm long.
In nature, morels prefer fertile soil and lighted areas. They often grow in deciduous forests dominated by birch, willow, alder, oak, ash. Sometimes these mushrooms are found in gardens, front gardens, parks, lawns.
What morels look like in summer cottages and more interesting information about this variety - in the video:
Morels are suitable for growing at home. To get a harvest of mushrooms, it is important to provide a number of conditions:
- the presence of a substrate rich in lime and organic matter;
- high humidity;
- penumbra;
- prepared mycelium.
Morels are prized for their early ripening and good taste. In many countries, this species is regarded as a real delicacy. Mushrooms require minimal heat treatment. They are stored dried or frozen. At home, they get an environmentally friendly product, ready to use.
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Morels growing technologies
There are several technologies for growing morels. These methods allow for a regular and high yield on an industrial scale. Each method has its own nuances and advantages.
American technology
In America, the morel is a symbol of the local mushroom economy. It is his image that is placed on the emblems of many organizations that are engaged in mushroom farming. For mushroom pickers, morel is considered one of the most valuable mushrooms. The main crop is harvested in Oregon, where special beds are equipped.
It has been noticed that morels often appear in places where forest fires have taken place. According to American technology, growing at home requires a fireplace or wood ash. The mycelium is planted in a prepared substrate. It is obtained by mixing peat, gypsum and ash.
For 1 sq. m of beds requires 500 g of crushed caps. The use of ready-made mycelium is allowed. The mushroom mass is poured onto the beds, the substrate is poured on top and watered abundantly with warm water. During the season, moisture is regularly introduced so that the soil does not dry out.
A technology for growing morels has been patented in the USA. The mycelium is planted indoors. The work is carried out in a similar manner as in the cultivation of mushrooms.
Algorithm for planting morels at home:
- Prepare a cellar or basement: clear debris, concrete the floor, seal holes and cracks, treat surfaces with an antiseptic. It is imperative to provide ventilation.
- At home, maintain a temperature of about +16 ° C and a humidity of 70%.
- To obtain a substrate, peat, humus, wood ash are mixed. The mixture is poured into boxes or bags.
- The mycelium is placed in the substrate, which is poured abundantly with warm water.
- After 2 weeks, soil, peat and limestone are poured onto the mycelium. The temperature is lowered to +14 ° C and the first shoots are waited.
French technology
In France, morels have been observed to appear more often in apple orchards. Therefore, when growing them, a special substrate is prepared. Any waste from apples is added to it - peel, peeling, etc. Such a composition contributes to the active growth of fruit bodies.
A separate garden bed is allocated for growing mushrooms. Find a dry, shady spot that is not subject to flooding in the spring. It is good if begonias or phloxes grow nearby. For a sunny area, a sackcloth canopy is built, which will protect the beds from direct sunlight.
The procedure for growing morels using French technology:
- At the selected site, the soil layer is listened to.
- A substrate consisting of peat, wood ash and gypsum in a ratio of 10: 5: 1 is placed in the resulting pit. Additionally, apple waste is introduced.
- Before planting, the soil is watered abundantly. Pour mycelium on top.
- The beds are covered with fertile soil 5 cm thick.
German technology
The easiest way to grow mushrooms is offered by German technology. First, the mycelium is prepared at home: the morel caps are chopped and cut into slices. The resulting mass is placed in a bucket of water and 1 tsp is added. salt and 1 tbsp. l. Sahara. This composition stimulates the germination of spores. The mass is left for 4 hours, stirring it periodically.
Then the contents of the container are separated and kept in a cool place at a temperature of 10-15 ° C. Planting work begins in 2 days. The mycelium is poured into the ground under the roots of the trees, and covered with a layer of earth on top. The planting site is watered with water remaining when the morels are soaked. The first mushrooms appear in 2 - 3 weeks.
How to grow morels at home
Growing a morel mushroom at home is a simple and fun process. The mycelium is planted in boxes that are kept on the windowsill. The best results are obtained from cultivation in the open air.
How to grow morels at home on a windowsill
At home, a window sill or balcony is suitable for growing mushrooms. Windows should face the west or north side. Mycelium does not grow in direct sunlight. The mycelium is placed in jars, pots, or boxes.
The order of growing morels on the windowsill at home:
- The containers are half filled with a substrate of peat, gypsum and wood ash.
- Then the purchased mycelium or crushed caps are poured.
- On top, soil is poured from a deciduous forest.
- The soil is watered abundantly with warm water.
For two weeks, the mycelium is looked after by watering. Prevent exposure to direct sunlight and drying out of the soil. If all conditions are met, seedlings will appear in two weeks.
How to grow morels on the site
For growing morels, choose any suitable technology. The works are carried out from April to August. First, the mushroom mass is prepared: the caps containing the spores are crushed and soaked. If purchased mycelium is used, then the consumption is 10 g per 1 sq. m.
Regardless of the technology chosen, when growing morels, the following algorithm is followed:
- Purchase or procurement of mycelium.
- If necessary, mixing the substrate for the beds.
- Planting mycelium in the ground.
- Abundant watering.
- Shelter for the winter with dry leaves from a deciduous forest.
- Removing the shelter in the spring, watering in the absence of precipitation.
- Top dressing of mycelium after fruiting.
Tips & Tricks
To grow morels at home, adhere to the following recommendations:
- use a substrate containing peat, birch or oak sawdust, wood ash and gypsum;
- do not add fresh manure or other organic matter to the soil;
- during the growth of mushrooms, they are regularly watered, preventing the soil from drying out;
- do not use chlorinated moisture at home, it is best to take melt or rain water;
- in drought, water consumption is increased to 15 - 20 liters per 1 sq. m;
- mulch the beds with dry leaves and branches;
- for the winter, the landing site is covered with a layer of foliage or straw;
- annually make up to 1 liter of ash per 1 sq. m landings.
At home, morels develop actively in warmth and high humidity. The first crop is harvested the next year after sowing the mycelium. Mineral fertilizers are not suitable for feeding. The best option for the composition is wood ash, which is added to the water before watering. In addition, the mycelium is fertilized with squeeze from fresh apples.
Conclusion
Growing morels at home will help you harvest your mushrooms on a regular basis. First, they choose a suitable place - a windowsill or a garden plot. Then mycelium and substrate are acquired.
