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Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to grow shaggy mane mushrooms at home? These fascinating fungi with their shaggy caps and delicate structures can be a delightful addition to your culinary adventures. If you’re interested in cultivating your own Shaggy Mane mushrooms, this comprehensive guide will take you through the step-by-step process. From preparing the substrate to harvesting your bountiful crop, let’s embark on a journey into the world of growing Shaggy Manes.
What Is a Shaggy Mane Mushroom?
Shaggy Mane belongs to the Coprinus genus and is commonly referred to as “inky caps.” These mushrooms typically have a white, rough appearance with gills and a tall, cylindrical fruiting body. The scientific name for Shaggy Mane is Coprinus comatus, which translates to “long-haired” and accurately describes its rough, shaggy appearance.
The name “inky caps” stems from the mushroom’s unique characteristic of transforming into thick black ink shortly after releasing its spores. The gills of Shaggy Mane are densely packed together. As the cap edges disintegrate, it allows room for the spores to disperse into the air. However, this process also contributes to the mushroom’s short lifespan after being harvested.
Where do Shaggy Mane Mushrooms Grow?
Shaggy Mane mushrooms thrive in diverse habitats, frequently appearing during the summer and fall seasons in suburban and urban parks, backyard lawns, and roadsides. Additionally, they can be found in rural pastures, open woodlands, trails, and rural roadsides.
These mushrooms have the ability to grow individually, but they often emerge in large clusters after a good rainfall. They can be spotted in disturbed soil, grassy areas, compost piles, wood chip heaps, and even compacted soil. Shaggy Manes are native to North America and Europe, and they can be found across the northern hemisphere.
These mushrooms exhibit rapid growth, typically sprouting soon after rainfall. Within a span of 24 hours, they reach maturity and initiate the process of self-digestion.
How To Grow Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)
The primary reason why it is not commonly cultivated is its remarkably brief shelf life. However, this concern can be overcome if you decide to grow it yourself. Another interesting aspect is that not many people know that this mushroom is actually edible. The key is to harvest them on time while they are not fully mature. Without further ado, let’s get to growing!
Creating the Spawn
To create a Shaggy Mane spawn, sterilized grain, specifically rye, can be used. The grain is inoculated with liquid culture, agar wedges, or master grain spawn. When cultivated at room temperature, Shaggy Mane exhibits vigorous growth, with thick, white, cottony mycelium spreading tenaciously. It typically takes about two weeks for grain jars to be fully colonized when inoculated with liquid culture or grain, while agar wedges may require closer to three weeks.
The Substrate
Shaggy Mane mushrooms thrive when grown on composts that are nitrogen-rich and primarily based on manure. Common substrates used include a balanced combination of pasteurized straw or sawdust mixed with a horse or cow manure in a 50-50 ratio.
For home growers, a highly effective substrate consists of a 50:50 blend of cow manure and coco-coir. While this substrate can be sterilized, it is not necessary as these low-nutrient substrates can be pasteurized with minimal risk of contamination. The substrate should be adequately hydrated to around 60% moisture content. It should be wet enough that no water drips off when a handful is grasped, but if squeezed firmly, a few drops of water will run.
Fruiting
Once the substrate of Shaggy Mane mushrooms is fully colonized, it can be cased and placed into fruiting conditions. The casing layer, which aids in maintaining humidity, is typically composed of pasteurized peat moss that has been hydrated to field capacity. If peat moss is unavailable, vermiculite can serve as an alternative casing layer. The main benefit of using vermiculite is that it does not require pasteurization and is highly resistant to contamination. The casing layer plays a crucial role in providing moisture to the fruiting surface of the block or tray. Shaggy Mane mycelium will gradually colonize the casing layer, and eventually, you will observe large pins emerging through the surface.
Shaggy Mane mushrooms have the ability to grow in various containers such as mushroom grow bags, trays, outdoor beds, or virtually any horizontal surface. Maintaining high humidity is essential for cultivating Shaggy Mane mushrooms. However, incorporating a casing layer can introduce some flexibility in the fruiting environment. Aiming for a relative humidity of approximately 80-90% throughout the growing area is generally recommended.
Harvesting
Shaggy Mane mushrooms should be harvested when the cap is on the verge of separating from the stem. To prolong the fruit’s lifespan, it can be beneficial to allow it to slightly dry out before harvesting. This can be achieved by reducing humidity for 8-12 hours prior to harvest.
To harvest, you can either cut the mushroom near the casing or twist it off gently using your hands. After harvesting, the blocks or trays can be left in fruiting conditions to potentially yield a second flush of mushrooms.
How to Store Shaggy Mane Mushrooms
As we already mentioned Shaggy Mane mushrooms have a short shelf life, and it is advisable to harvest them just before you intend to cook them. Once picked, Shaggy Manes undergo auto-digestion, and within 24 hours, they transform into inedible, thick black ink.
To make the most of their freshness, it is recommended to use Shaggy Manes within four to six hours after harvest. Fresh Shaggy Mane mushrooms can be stored in a jar of cold water in the refrigerator to increase their shelf life. The idea behind this technique is that the absence of oxygenated air slows down the deterioration process. Another way to prolong the shelf life of Shaggy Manes is to sauté them before refrigerating them. Sauteed Shaggy Manes can be kept in the fridge for three to five days.
Enjoy Your Home Grown Shaggy Manes
There is some discussion about the potential interaction between these mushrooms and alcoholic beverages. Some suggest that Shaggy Manes contain a chemical called coprine, which may negatively interact with alcohol, leading to sickness. The validity of this claim can vary depending on factors such as the individual, mushroom species, and preparation method. Whatever the case it’s best to refrain from consuming alcohol with Shaggy Mane mushrooms. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy them, remember not to let them sit for too long, as they have a limited shelf life.
