GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

162 GROWING GOURMET
Figure 130. Components for the fruiting formula:
sawdust, chips, and bran.
will further enhance yields for each strain. I
find this formula to be highly productive and
recommend it highly.
The base substrate is composed of fast-decomposing
hardwoods, such as alder, poplar,
and cottonwood in contrast to the slow-rotting
woods like oak and ironwood. If these types of
quick-rotting woods are unavailable, deferment
should first be made to the tree types upon
which the mushroom species natively inhabits.
Most of the photographs in this book are from
blocks made with this basic formula.
I have devised the following fruiting forinula
utilizing hardwood sawdust, hardwood
chips, and a nitrogen-rich supplement, in this
case rice bran. Water is added until 65-75%
moisture is achieved, a few percentage points
below saturation.
MUSHROOMS ON ENRICHED SAWDUST
Figure 131. Adding the supplement (bran) to hardwood
sawdust.
The Supplemented Sawdust
"Fruiting" Formula:
Creating the
Production Block
This formulation is designed for maximizing
yields of wood-decomPosers. Most
gourmet and medicinal mushrooms produce
prolifically on this substrate. If wood is a scarce
commodity and not available as a base component,
please refer to Chapter 18.
The Sawdust/Bran Fruiting
Formula
100 pounds sawdust
50 pounds wood chips (1/2-4 inches)
40 pounds oat, wheat, or rice bran
5-7 pounds gypsum (calcium sulfate)*
By dry weight, the fraction of bran is approximately
20% of the total mass. By volume
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