The 4 cultivation parameters to master to cultivate mushrooms

To grow mushrooms successfully, it is essential to control several fundamental parameters: temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration, and light. These factors directly influence the quality and yield of your crops.

In this article:

• Temperature: a determining factor
• Humidity: essential for optimal growth
• CO₂ concentration: a balance to find
• Light: more than just lighting

1. Temperature: a determining factor

The temperature is an essential parameter for successful mushroom cultivation. It directly influences each stage of the mushroom life cycle, from colonization of the mycelium to fruiting. Poor control of this factor can lead to delays in growth or even crop failure. It is therefore crucial to understand and maintain optimal temperatures adapted to the species being cultivated.

The different cultivation phases and their temperature requirements

• Incubation phase: during this phase, the spores or mycelium develop in the substrate. The ideal temperature is generally between 20°C and 24°C. Too low a temperature will slow colonization, while too high a temperature risks encouraging the development of contaminants. Note that the substrates during incubation also produce a certain amount of heat, which must sometimes be evacuated to avoid excessive temperatures.
• Fruiting phase: a drop in temperature is often necessary to trigger the formation of fruiting bodies. For example, oyster mushrooms require a temperature range between 15°C and 21°C to fruit properly. Other species, such as shiitake, have slightly different requirements, around 13°C to 18°C.

Why precise temperature control is essential

Mushrooms are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Here are some reasons why precise control is essential:

• Regularity of growth: maintaining a constant temperature promotes homogeneous colonization of the substrate and uniform fruiting.
• Reduction of contamination risks: Too high temperatures encourage undesirable mold and bacteria. For this reason, it is preferable to stay at slightly lower temperatures at the risk of slowing down colonization a little than to risk a rise in temperature.
• Optimization of yield: respecting the thermal ranges specific to each species allows you to obtain abundant and superior harvests.

Recommended equipment for controlling temperature

To ensure precise temperature control, it is recommended to use suitable tools:

• Inkbird ITC-308 Temperature Controller : this device allows for precise regulation of heating or cooling in your growing environment.
• Thermometer/hygrometer with probe : ideal for continuously monitoring the climatic conditions of your grow room.

With this equipment, you can guarantee stable thermal conditions suitable for your mushrooms.

Explanatory video: understanding the importance of temperature

To go further, check out this video made by our partner Andreas from the blog Growing Mushrooms, which details the importance of temperature in growing mushrooms:

Practical tips for temperature control

• Insulation: If you grow indoors, make sure your space is well insulated to avoid heat loss.
• Ventilation: Good air circulation helps maintain even temperatures and avoids hot or cold areas.
• Use of dedicated zones: divide your spaces into zones to adapt the temperature to each cultivation phase (incubation and fruiting).

By following these recommendations, you will maximize your chances of successful mushroom cultivation while avoiding the main pitfalls related to temperature management.

2. Humidity: essential for optimal growth

humidity is one of the fundamental parameters for the success of mushroom cultivation. Mushrooms, made up of almost 90% water, require high humidity to ensure their growth and fruiting. Insufficient humidity can slow down their development, cause cracks in the fruiting bodies or even cause them to dry out prematurely.

Humidity requirements according to cultivation phases

• Incubation phase: during this phase, moderate humidity (around 70%) is sufficient to promote substrate colonization while limiting mold development. Generally, the substrates are found in closed bags (with microfilters).
• Fruiting phase: higher humidity, between 85% and 95%, is necessary to stimulate the formation of primordia and guarantee quality fruiting bodies.

The consequences of poor humidity management

Improper humidity control can cause various problems in your crops:

• Humidity too low: the fruiting bodies risk drying out, cracking or not forming properly. The risk is to reduce harvests or even prevent fruiting.
• Humidity too high: excess humidity promotes condensation, which can cause the appearance of mold or pathogenic bacteria on the substrate and fungi.

Equipment to measure and regulate humidity

For precise humidity management, it is essential to equip yourself with reliable tools:

• Inkbird IHC-200 Humidity Controller : this device automatically regulates the humidity level by activating or deactivating a humidifier.
• Hygrometer with probe : ideal for continuously monitoring humidity levels in your grow room.

Solutions to maintain optimal humidity

Here are some practical ways to effectively manage humidity:

• Brumisation: use an ultrasonic humidifier or a professional humidifier to create a fine mist of water that maintains high humidity without excessive condensation.
• Manual spraying: in small installations, a manual pressure sprayer is a simple and effective solution.
• Space insulation: insulate your cultivation room well to limit humidity loss.
• Ventilation control: Moderate ventilation helps limit excess condensation while maintaining sufficient humidity.

Mushroom Humidity and Wellness: Advanced Tips

To further optimize your crops:

• Create a “humidity bell”: In small crops, use a transparent container or plastic tent to maintain high humidity around the mushrooms.
• Avoid drafts: Place your installations in a space sheltered from air movements, which can reduce ambient humidity.
• Daily Observation: Visually monitor your mushrooms for signs of drying out or mold.

3. CO₂ concentration: a balance to find

The CO₂ concentration is a crucial parameter for the mushroom cultivation. Excess carbon dioxide can inhibit the formation of primordias (young mushrooms) and compromise their development. Conversely, too low a CO₂ level can slow down mycelium colonization. Finding the right balance between these two phases is therefore essential to succeed in your cultivation.

Understanding CO₂ levels according to cultivation phases

• Colonization phase: During this stage, fungi tolerate higher CO₂ levels (up to 5000 ppm or more, depending on the species). This concentration promotes rapid growth of the mycelium in the substrate.
• Fruiting phase: During the formation of fruiting bodies, a significant drop in CO₂ is necessary to stimulate the emergence of primordia. Optimal levels are generally between 400 and 1000 ppm, close to the normal concentration of ambient air.

The effects of poor CO₂ management

Insufficient control of carbon dioxide can have several consequences:

• CO₂ too high: Fungi can develop elongated stems and underdeveloped caps, a phenomenon known as “spinning.”
• CO₂ too low: slowing down colonization of the substrate, which can extend the duration of the cultivation cycle. If you need to heat or cool your growing space, you will want to renew the air in your room to the minimum level necessary.

How to measure and regulate CO₂?

For precise management, it is recommended to use suitable tools:

• CO₂ Controller Inkbird ICC-500T : this device allows for continuous monitoring of CO₂ levels and automatically activates ventilation when necessary.
• Ventilation system: use fans or extractors to renew the air and effectively reduce the CO₂ concentration during the fruiting phase.

Techniques for maintaining optimal balance

Here are some methods to ensure perfect balance:

• Natural ventilation: In small-scale installations, opening a window or using passive ventilation may be sufficient.
• Mechanical ventilation: For larger productions, air extractors controlled by a CO₂ controller allow for the automation of this process.
• Frequent measurements: Regular monitoring with a measuring device ensures real-time adjustments.

Tip: combine CO₂ and humidity

To avoid drying out the air during ventilation, make sure to couple this step with appropriate humidification. For example, use an ultrasonic mist maker to maintain ideal humidity while renewing the air.

Positive or negative pressure: what to choose for ventilation?

In a grow room, it is essential to properly manage air circulation. You have two main options for ventilating your space:

• Positive pressure ventilation: You inject fresh air inside your room, which creates excess pressure. This method can limit the entry of outside contaminants if your incoming air is filtered.
• Negative pressure ventilation: You extract air saturated with CO₂, humidity and spores to the outside, creating underpressure. This method is particularly recommended if your room is located in a house, garage or shared space, as it effectively evacuates spores and excess humidity.

Whatever method you choose, it is essential to provide a balanced air flow: air must be able to enter through one point and exit through another to avoid stagnation.

The challenges of air circulation

In certain configurations, notably fruiting rooms, simple air flow may be insufficient. Indeed, ventilation tends to take the shortest path, which can create problematic air pockets:

• CO₂ can accumulate in certain areas, preventing good fruiting.
• humidity may be unevenly distributed, making certain parts of the room too dry or too humid.

To avoid these imbalances, it may be useful to integrate an internal mixing system, such as a fan or an air agitator. This will allow the climatic conditions to be evenly distributed throughout the room, promoting uniform growth of the mushrooms.

Tips for optimal ventilation

• Adapt the air flow to the size of your room and the volume of air needed for your crops.
• Monitor climate conditions with sensors to quickly detect stagnant air pockets or problem areas.

4. Light: more than just lighting

Unlike plants, fungi do not carry out photosynthesis. However, light remains a crucial factor in mushroom cultivation, especially during the fruiting phase. It acts as a physiological trigger that directs their growth and influences their overall development.

There are some exceptions of mushrooms that do not need light to grow, such as button mushrooms or white enokis.

The role of light in mushroom cultivation

Light plays several roles in the life cycle of mushrooms:

• Fructification: Appropriate exposure triggers the appearance of primordia and promotes uniform fruiting.
• Orientation: The mushrooms naturally move towards the light source, guaranteeing vertical and aesthetic growth.
• Fruiting body quality: Adequate light can also influence the color and appearance of mushrooms.

Light requirements depending on species

Although specific light requirements vary slightly by species, here are general recommendations for most cultivated mushrooms:

• Exposure duration: 10 to 12 hours of light per day is sufficient in the majority of cases.
• Type of light: Choose diffuse, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can dry out the substrate and damage the fruiting bodies.
• Intensity: A moderate light intensity, comparable to that of a well-lit room (around 500 to 1000 lux), is generally ideal.

Recommended equipment for optimal lighting

To provide light adapted to your crops, here are some solutions:

• LED or fluorescent tubes: These light sources are economical and produce little heat, which is ideal for mushrooms.
• Automatic timer: To ensure a regular light cycle, consider using a timer that turns the lights on and off as needed by your mushrooms.

Practical tips for managing light

• Positioning: Place your light sources approximately 50 cm above the mushrooms for uniform diffusion.
• Avoid shadows: Make sure all crops receive even light. Shaded areas can slow growth.
• Complementarity with other parameters: Coupled with good humidity and suitable ventilation, optimal light management maximizes your yields.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too intense light: Too bright light can stress the mushrooms and affect their quality.
• Lack of light: Not providing light during the fruiting phase can prevent the appearance of primordia.

Conclusion

mushroom cultivation is an art which is based on perfect control of four essential parameters: temperature, humidity, concentration of mushroom strong>CO₂ and light. By controlling these elements precisely, you will create an optimal environment that will guarantee abundant and quality harvests.

Whether you're an enthusiastic beginner or an experienced grower, following these fundamentals is the key to success. Thanks to professional and adapted tools, you will be able to adjust each parameter according to the specific needs of your crops.

Equip yourself for success

To guarantee the success of your projects, discover our complete range of equipment designed for growing mushrooms:

• Inkbird ITC-308 Temperature Controller
• Inkbird IHC-200 Humidity Controller
• Inkbird ICC-500T CO₂ Controller
• Ultrasonic mist maker
• Manual pressure sprayer

Our products are specially selected to meet the needs of growers and guarantee ideal conditions at each stage of cultivation. Trust La Mycosphere for successful mushroom cultivation, whether oyster mushrooms, shiitakes or other varieties.

Ready to take action? Discover our complete selection of products for mushroom cultivation right now. Your mycological adventure starts here!

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Mushrooms