Introduction
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Why incubation is a crucial step: it is the phase where the mycelium colonizes the substrate before fruiting.
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A good start at this stage determines the yield, health, and production speed of the mushrooms.
1. 🧬 What is incubation?
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Simple definition: vegetative development period of the mycelium in a sterile or pasteurized substrate.
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Goal: complete and uniform colonization without contamination.
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Average duration: from 10 days to 2 months depending on the species (e.g., fast oyster mushroom, slower shiitake).
2. 🌡️ Optimal incubation conditions
a. Temperature
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Generally between 22°C and 26°C (varies by species).
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Too cold: slow mycelium → contamination.
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Too hot: bacterial risk, stressed mycelium.
b. Humidity
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No need for direct humidification: the closed bag is sufficient.
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Beware of internal condensation: sign of a thermal differential to correct.
c. Darkness or diffuse light
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Most species prefer darkness or very low light (no light needed at this stage).
d. Gas exchange
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Micro-perforated bag, HEPA filter or opening with cotton: the mycelium breathes → beware of CO₂ buildup.
3. 🧼 Hygiene and protection against contamination
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Incubation ≠ total sterility, but a clean, dry, and stable environment.
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Regular visual monitoring (1–2 times/week).
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Avoid turbulent air movements and unnecessary handling.
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Identify common contaminants:
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Green (Trichoderma) → too much moisture or initial contamination
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Pink or orange → bacteria
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Black or blue → competing molds
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💡 Tip: note the conditions of contaminant appearance to refine the protocol.
4. ⏳ Colonization tracking
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Monitor mycelium progress by observing uniform whiteness.
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Note the rate of progress by substrate type (sawdust, straw, grains…).
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If stagnation after a few days: probable problem (contamination, substrate too dry, temperature…).
💡 Originality to add: include a printable tracking grid or a simple color code for colonization.
5. 🪵 Specifics according to the substrate
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Rye grains: fast, but sensitive to contamination.
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Enriched sawdust: slower colonization, but better nutrition for fruiting.
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Pasteurized straw: good compromise for oyster mushrooms, to be colonized quickly.
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Logs or raw wood: slow but stable colonization, sometimes incubated outdoors (depending on conditions).
6. 🧯 Common mistakes to avoid
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Bags stacked too high → overheating at the core.
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Uneven temperature in the room.
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Bag poorly closed or filter clogged.
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Poor substrate hydration rate at the start.
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Starting fruiting while colonization is not complete.
7. 🌿 When to move to fruiting?
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Mycelium visible over the entire surface.
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No inert or suspicious areas.
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Sometimes the beginning of primordia formation (especially in oyster mushrooms).
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For certain species (shiitake), a thermal or mechanical shock is required after incubation.
🧺 Conclusion
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Good incubation is 90% of the invisible but essential work.
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Take care of it, note your observations, and adjust your settings according to the cultivated species.
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You will gain in yield, quality, and peace of mind.
