GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

420 SPECIES SEQUENCING
species, the mass of final substrate is a mere
fraction of the original fonnula. The end material
is reduced to a soft loam and is best used for
compost or soil enhancement.
After running several species through the
same substrate, Chang & Miles (1989, p.132)
found that the net available nitrogen in the
waste substrate actually increased, proportionately.
Using cotton waste, the total nitrogen of
the fresh compost waste was 0.63%. After the
Paddy Straw mushroom produced on it, the residual
nitrogen become 1.54%. After taking
this same waste substrate and inoculating it
with Oyster mycelium (P. ostreatus var.
florida), the nitrogen increased to 1. 99%. (The
effect that spawn had on the substrate was not
described. A 10% spawning rate with rye could
substantially affect these figures. If "substrate
spawn" was used, the net effect would be much
less.) The end result of species sequencing is
the production of a rich humus, ideal for gardening.
This concept is further incorporated
into the permaculture model described in
Chapter 5.
The sequence of species introduction, how-
ever, is most important. The Shiitake model is
the easiest to understand. After Shiitake mushrooms
stop producing on supplemented
sawdust/chips, the now-blackened blocks are
broken apart until they resemble sawdust in
texture. Calcium sulfate andlor carbonate enhance
particle separation, drainage, and adjusts
the pH to the 6.5 -7.5 range. (Try 1 cup of gypsum/chalk
for every twenty blocks and adjust
accordingly.) The type of wood initially used
becomes the overriding factor affecting proper
formulation. Water is slowly added until good
moisture is achieved. I prefer a moisture content
of 60-65%, less than the ideal 75%. Higher
moisture contents often result in a higher percentage
of bags spoiling due to fermentation
The now-moistened sawdust mixture is filled into
polypropylene bags or other suitable containers,
and sterilized. If water collects at the bottoms of
the bags, then the substrate is too moist.
After sterilizing, the bags are inoculated
according to the procedures in this book. I
have found that Oyster mushrooms grow profusely
on the waste Shiitake substrate with no
need for amendment. King Oyster and
Maitake also fruit, although 10% supplementation
with rice bran or corn substantially
improves yields. After the second species in
sequence has run its course, the waste substrate
is collected, re-mixed, sterilized, and
finally inoculated with King Stropharia
(Stropharia rugoso-annulata) or Shaggy
Mane (Coprinus comatus). However, if the
spent substrate is under-sterilized and/or too
much water is added at make-up, contamination
during incubation is likely. Keep in mind
that waste substrates host far more microorganisms
than fresh sawdust. Hence,
sterilization may have to be prolonged to insure
killing all the resident contaminants.
Each time one of the above species (except
Stropharia rugoso-annulata) is grown through
the sterilized, sawdust-based substrate approximately
10% of the dry mass (=25% wet
weight) yields fresh mushrooms. Depending
upon the species and many other variables, between
20-40% of the dry mass evolves into
gases, mostly carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and
ethylene. The first species, in this case
Shiitake, easily produces 1.5 lbs. of mushrooms
from the original 6 lb. substrate (75%
moisture). At least 1.5 lbs. is lost through carbon
dioxide evolution and evaporation. At the
end of the Shiitake fruiting cycles, a 3 lb. waste
substrate remains with a moisture content approaching
50%. After Oyster mushroom
mycelium has taken its turn, the substrate un-
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