How to get full colonization of shoebox / monotub? - Mushroom Cultivation (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take for a Monotub to fully colonize? ›

Tubs will take 2-3 weeks to fully colonize for most dung loving species. Wood loving species colonization rates will vary.

You can tell when mycelium is fully colonized when the entire substrate (such as a jar or a bag) is covered with a dense, white, and fuzzy network of mycelial threads. There should be no visible uncolonized areas or contaminants, and the mycelium should appear healthy and vigorous.

Keeping your bag at the higher end of the temperature range will encourage faster colonization. 2. After about 4-8 weeks, you should start to see mycelium growing on the substrate. You'll notice the white mycelium growing outward from the point of injection.

Colonization occurs after inoculation. This is when the mycelium will start to take over the grain that was inoculated with spores. This period usually lasts between 3 to 6 weeks depending on strain and environmental conditions. Ideal conditions for this phase are in a dark place and temperature between 72 F – 80 F.

Step 17: Put the monotub in a dark place that will maintain a temperature between 75-81°F. Disturb the tub as little as possible during this time period and do not open it until colonization is complete.

The optimal temperature for mycelium growth of both oyster mushroom species was obtained at 28℃.

Like humans, they consume oxygen and release CO2. During colonization, mushroom mycelium tolerates higher levels of CO2 as it's often underground, but it still needs enough fresh air exchange to breathe.

Spend time getting to know what your mycelium is supposed to look like so you can better identify unhealthy or contaminated patches. While mycelium is typically white and filamentous, contamination generally takes the form of green, blue, gray, or black patches or discolorations in your substrate.

A commonly held belief among growers is that mycelium will grow faster in total darkness. There is no data to support this premise; however, significant exposure to direct UV light from the sun can be detrimental. Light is a secondary trigger for initiating fruiting bodies.

Presence of a root or root exudates stimulates growth and branching of the mycelium and apparently converts it into an 'infection ready' state (see Chapter 3), but ongoing growth does not occur and no new spores are produced unless successful colonization of a root system occurs; if the spore becomes detached, growth ...

What causes mycelium to spread faster? ›

In an area rich in nutrients, the mycelium will branch often and grow slowly, so maximising the amount of nutrients it can extract. By contrast, in an area low in nutrients the hyphae grow more rapidly and with little branching.

7-10 days later your monotub should be well colonized with a layer of white mycelium and barely any soil visible. It is ready to fruit.

It will take approximately 5-10 days for the substrate to completely colonize with mycelium (you will be able to tell if it has completed colonization when the substrate has turned completely white).

During the colonization of each batch the containers are shaken every few days to further distribute the mycelium around. Temperatures are maintained where the mycelium is growing in a range of 75-76F.

It takes anywhere from two weeks to two months to grow mushroom mycelium. At Host Defense®, we grow 17 different species. It's important to know the specific incubation timeline for each mushroom species in order to reach peak efficacy.

Controlling all of these at the right time will cause the substrate to fruit. it usually takes about 2 weeks (10-16 days). Once the kit starts to fruit you will see tiny mushrooms or “pins” forming on the substrate.

If your mycelium has over colonized this could be for a few reasons, the most common being the lid has been left on for longer than required.