GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

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GROWTH PARAMETERS
Figure 189. A Magic Mushroom (Psilocybe cubensis) fruiting from cased grain.
important when aerial mycelium is first exposed
to the growing room environment.
Once primordia form, a gradual reduction of
humidity from 100% to 90-95% usually is
beneficial. Humidity should be measured in
at least three locations in the free air spaces
directly above the mycelium-permeated substrate.
Air Exchange: Air is exchanged to precipitously
lower carbon dioxide and to suddenly
provide oxygen. CO2 levels should be below
1000 ppm, ideally below 500 ppm for maximum
mushroom formation. Air exchange
should be adjusted specifically to lower CO2 to
the specified levels outlined for each species in
the following growth parameters.
Temperature: Many strains will not form
mushrooms unless temperature is dropped or
raised to a critical plateau. For most strains, a
temperature drop is required. Since mush-
room formation is primarily a surface phenomenon,
the atmosphere of the growing
room has to be altered to affect a temperature
change in the substrate. As a substrate is being
colonized with mycelium, heat is released
as a by-product. After colonization is complete,
heat generation abates, and internal
temperatures naturally decline to nearly
equal with air temperature. This is the ideal
time to synchronize the other factors favorable
to mushroom formation. Note that the
temperature thresholds listed for each species
are what cultivators call the bed, or substrate,
temperature. Air temperature is adjusted upwards
or downwards to affect the desired
change. When air temperature is changed, a
lag time follows, often for 24-72 hours, before
the substrate temperature adjusts to the
prerequisite level. In most cases, the critical
temperature plateau occurs within 2-4 inches
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