A Beginner’s Guide to Mushroom Cultivation: From Spawn to Harvest

Mushroom farming is gaining popularity across India due to rising demand, nutritional awareness, and low investment requirements. If you’re curious about mushroom cultivation, here’s a simple guide to get started.

1. Choosing the Right Mushroom Type
Beginners often start with Oyster mushrooms as they are easy to grow, fast-yielding, and highly profitable. Milky and Button mushrooms are also popular but require slightly different conditions.

2. Getting Quality Spawn
Spawn is like the seed for mushrooms. Always source high-quality spawn from trusted suppliers like Primecap Mushroom for better yield and disease resistance.

3. Preparing the Substrate
The substrate acts as food for mushroom growth. Commonly used materials include straw, sawdust, and SMS substrates (spent mushroom substrate). Proper sterilization is essential to avoid contamination.

4. Inoculation Process
Mix the spawn into the substrate and pack it into bags or containers. Keep the mixture in a clean, dark, and humid environment for mycelium growth.

5. Fruiting Stage
Once the substrate is colonized, expose it to light, fresh air, and controlled humidity. Mushrooms will begin to sprout within days.

6. Harvesting
Oyster mushrooms can be harvested within 20–25 days, while Button and Milky mushrooms take slightly longer. Gentle handling ensures freshness and quality.

7. Marketing Your Mushrooms
Fresh produce can be sold to local markets, restaurants, or directly to consumers. Dry mushrooms and spawn offer additional income opportunities.

Conclusion
Mushroom cultivation is both rewarding and profitable when done correctly. At Primecap Mushroom, we supply high-quality spawn and substrates to help farmers succeed in their journey.