BOXED-IN MUSHROOM CO.
GUIDED BY SCIENCE, INSPIRED BY NATURE
R & D
{research and discovery}
Behind all of this mushroom business is a whole lot of research and a continual stream of discovery. Science that defines mycology is deeper than the ocean and more vast than the widest of distance. Each day as we enter the mushrooms' domain, we are completely and utterly mesmerized at the continual changes that occur, as well the incredible speed at which these fungal beings grow...but, above all, lessons that they teach us through their beauty.
THE "MUSHROOM SIDE" OF THE FARM
When most people think of mushrooms and how they grow, the image of a cool, damp and mossy forest floor comes to mind.
And, for many varieties that is the case.
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Although mushrooms are considered by most to be a vegetable,
technically they are part of the kingdom called fungi. [fun-jhi]
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But, for the gourmet side of mushrooms we have chosen a more sterile environment [a renovated shipping container] that ensures quality control and edible safety when it comes to consuming these mystical plants.
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The mushroom farm container is outfitted with a sterile laboratory - inoculation room, where all of the science of growing mushrooms takes place. This where we grow our culture known as mycelium.
Next, the incubation room, which is regulated between 70 and 78 degrees, where the mushrooms colonize in their growing medium. This medium can consist of sterilized grain or hardwood substate.
The final 20 feet of growing space is designed to replicate the "autumnal environment" known as the fruiting room, in which the mushrooms emerge for harvest. In this space, the humidity is amplified and the temperature can range anywhere from 45-65 degrees.
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HOW MUSHROOMS GROW
A biopsy of a mushroom strain/variety is grown out on agar, {a seaweed based substance mixed with malt barley and nutritional yeast,} that has been sterilized and poured into a petri plate. This will gelatinize and act as a growing environment for the "mushroom seed," known as "mycelium" to grow or colonize.
Another option for developing a mushroom strain or variety is to obtain a "spore print." This is achieved by taking a mushroom of the desired strain and allowing it to drop its spores from the underneath gill side of the cap. This must be done in a sterile environment. Glass or paper can be used as the palette for the print. Once the spore print or "fingerprint"of the mushroom has occurred, it may be stored for many years until the strain is ready to be developed into a mushroom This technique is the single best way to expand a "first generation" mushroom variety
Another way that a strain or variety can be developed is when the "mycelium" or liquid mushroom seed is grown out in a "sterilized" sugar or honey water base. After about 30 days, it is extracted into a syringe until ready for use in further expanding a mushroom variety or strain.
After each step in the process of growing mushrooms, a sterilization process is required. This procedure can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 22+ hours.
In order to grow mushrooms, the mycelium that has been grown out in the above methods, a medium or carrier is needed to expand the liquid or spore "fingerprint." In most cases that medium or carrier is a grain. {rye, hard winter wheat, sorghum or millet} Before introducing the mycelium, the grain must be soaked and simmered to eliminate any foreign matter, bacteria or mold spores.
The grain is then transferred to a polypropylene bag that can withstand high temperatures. The bag is designed with a micron filter patch that allows the buildup of any gasses to excape. It is also fitted with a self sealing injection port for introducing the "mycelium by syringe."
Once the grain is packed in the polypropylene bag, the bag must be sterilized to kill any unknown contaminates or mold spores. This sterilization procedure can require anywhere from 1-3 hours, at a pressure of 15 psi.
Once sterilized and allowed to cool in front of a laminar flow hood, the grain is now ready for inoculation. A syringe containing "liquid mycelium" is injected into the polypropylene bag or, a section of the agar plate where the mushroom biopsy was grown out is placed in the bag and allowed to colonize within the grain. This process can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks, depending on the strain or variety of mushroom.
The inoculated bag is now placed in a growing chamber, where the temperature, humidity and light levels are monitored to ensure that the ultimate conditions exist for the mycelium to have a fighting chance to work its way throughout the bag of grain.
If all the conditions are right, colonization within the bag of grain spawn will be noticeable, while the once earthy colored grain turns from brown to white.
Once colonization of the grain spawn has completed {approximately 4-6 weeks} a mixture of hardwood oak pellets and soy hull pellets are mixed, rehydrated with water and measured into a larger polypropylene bag. The bags are packed into a autoclave sterilzer and pressure sterilized for 22-24 hours.
After sterilization is complete, the grain spawn in divided between the bags of hardwood/soy hull substrate. This is done in front of the laminar flow hood to insure that the grain to substrate transfer is free from possible contamination.
Once completed, the substrate bags are placed in a grow chamber to allow for the grain to colonize throughout the bag. At this time, the bags are primarily kept in the dark. It take 4-6 weeks to fully colonize the bag of substrate, at which point it is transferred to the fruiting chamber to produce the mushrooms.
Now that full colonization has occurred, the bags are placed in the "Fruiting Chamber" where they will come to life. In order to "wake up" the colonizing mycelium, slits or punctures are made in the bag to allow fresh air to enter the bag. At the same time, this action allows the naturally occurring CO2 to escape. The atmosphere is highly controlled to bring about an "Autumnal" environment. Lighting is introduced to simulate day and night, while humidity is increased {based on the variety} to between 89% and 99%. The temperature also plays an important role in the fruiting stage...often controlled at 55+ degrees. For successful transformation from substrate to flush, an exchange of fresh air is required to allow the mushroom to emerge and develop.
MEET "TEAM ROBERT"
Laboratory Manager...Lead Inoculation Specialist...Harvest & Packaging...Market Sales
Be yourself and stay in touch...everyone else is already mushrooms!
CONTACT
US
Boxed-In Mushroom Company
@ Rising Kale Farms
2230 Weil Road
Marion Texas 78124
Tel. 210-843-1962
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VISIT
US
New Braunfels Farmers Market
186 South Castell Avenue
New Braunfels Tx
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Every Saturday / Year Round / Rain or Shine
9:00 am - 1:00 pm