For self-cultivation of mushrooms from mycelium, you will need to acquire special equipment. When choosing suitable machines and installations, it is necessary to proceed from the capacity of the enterprise, which is determined by the volume of the substrate, the area of cultivation and adjacent premises, the amount of finished products for storage.
Organization of the cultivation chamber
To determine what equipment you need to purchase for growing mushrooms, you should initially prepare an appropriate room, the area of which will determine the volume of production.
Mushrooms can be grown in a basement, polycarbonate greenhouse, heated garage, or any other facility converted to a cultivation chamber. How to make a greenhouse for growing mushrooms, read this article.
Regardless of the type of room, it must have such equipment:
- separate climate system;
- rapid cooling chamber;
- refrigerator for storing finished products;
- racks for mushroom cultivation and means for their transportation;
- steam generator;
- climate control system;
- lighting system.
To simplify the mushroom growing process, you can use additional mechanisms such as a hoist with a winch, soil handling attachments, a conveyor and sprayers. Electricity and water supply will allow organizing standard household systems.
Regardless of the volume of production, the main area in the chamber will be occupied by multi-level racks, which are installed in rows. The shelves are filled with compost, in which the mushrooms grow. The rest of the room is equipped with a refrigerator and climate systems that allow maintaining the necessary conditions for the germination of mushrooms in the chamber.
Microclimate control automation
In order to obtain stable yields of mushrooms, it is important to create optimal conditions in the cultivation chamber. For this, it is necessary to pay special attention to such parameters as:
- humidity;
- ventilation;
- illumination;
- irrigation;
- temperature.
To recreate a suitable microclimate in large-scale industries, it is advisable to launch a special climate control unit. The components of the automation are presented in the table:
Installation components | Description |
Mixing chamber | This equipment is necessary to supply carbon dioxide into the room, which promotes the growth of fungi. The mixing chamber regulates the CO2 volume. The principle of its operation is as follows: air comes from the street, and then passes through special valves and begins to mix with air masses in the chamber where cultivation is carried out. The air ratio is controlled by sensors, so as much carbon dioxide is supplied as required for growing mushrooms. This camera is fixed to the wall after making special holes. |
Air cleaning system | To purify the air, special filters are used that carry out two types of cleaning - coarse and fine. The first filter cleans the air from dust particles, and the second - from microspores. |
Supply ventilation with dampers | A special air duct is installed to supply fresh air. In addition, there are dampers that control the air intake. |
Air heaters | These are devices that help maintain the optimal temperature for growing mushrooms. They heat the room in winter and dry the air in rainy summer weather. The number of such heaters depends on the volume of the chamber. For their work, various types of heating are used using electricity and gas. In addition, it is important to provide for the possibility of adjusting the temperature, since it must be adjusted as the mycelium develops. For example, when the incubation period for oyster mushrooms comes, they need a temperature of up to + 25 ° С, but as soon as they begin to grow, this indicator needs to be lowered to + 20 ° С. At the time of ripening, champignons need a temperature even lower - up to + 15 ° C. |
Heat exchangers | When the temperature rises in the mushroom cultivation chamber in summer, it becomes necessary to lower it. In addition, heat exchangers perform the function of getting rid of excess moisture. The resulting condensate is collected in a separate container. |
Air distribution system | It has several air ducts made of polypropylene. Nozzles are mounted to them. The air is directed through the air ducts into the chamber, and the built-in nozzles direct it down. The air seems to hit the floor and is evenly distributed throughout the room. This is an important point, because if the flow of air goes directly to the mushrooms, they can be delayed in development or get sick. |
Lighting system
Different types of mushrooms require different levels of lighting. If oyster mushrooms need light, then champignons can grow in the dark, however, in this case, a lighting system is required so that the farmer can perform the necessary types of work in the mycelium.
Thus, regardless of the type of mushroom grown, energy-saving lamps should be used to illuminate the camera. As a rule, they are installed in the aisle and also near refrigerators. If the area of the room is small - about 17 sq. m, then 2-3 lamps are enough. The duration of their work per day is from 8 to 12 hours.
Before laying the electrical wire, it must be borne in mind that high humidity is constantly maintained in the cultivation chamber. To avoid short circuits, fire safety regulations must be observed. To do this, you need to purchase a corrugation for protection and gaskets made of rubber and silicone.
For safety reasons and to ensure long-term operation of bulbs, it is necessary to prevent the accumulation of condensation in the places where they are mounted.
Irrigation system
An irrigation system must be installed for fungi to grow. It is important to take into account that the water must be heated to a temperature of at least 18 ° C. If the room is small, then you can water the mushrooms manually using a spray bottle.
For large rooms, it is more expedient to purchase foggers, which automatically, artificially, create fog. The automation is convenient in that it is easily adjustable and creates a suitable artificial environment depending on the stage of mushroom growth.
Another option for an irrigation system is a watering tree. As a rule, it has several tiers. One of the branches on a spinning spear approaches each shelf. This allows watering up to 1.5 m wide across the entire shelf. Many of them have a water meter installed.
Ventilation equipment
The cultivation chamber must be supplied with fresh air, especially during the ripening period of the mushrooms, therefore the installation of the ventilation system must be taken seriously. It includes:
- air filters of coarse and fine cleaning, which are installed in ventilation shafts;
- fans of radial and axial type to ensure the inflow of fresh air and its uniform distribution throughout the chamber (the optimal air flow per 1 ton of substrate is 200 m3 / h);
- air extraction system from the chamber, which is installed on the floor or at the lowest level of the walls to effectively remove the settled spores, otherwise they will begin to accumulate and cause great harm to the health of workers.
Steam supply system
It is impossible to get a large harvest of mushrooms without a steam supply system. The steam generator performs several functions at once:
- pasteurization of the substrate;
- air humidification.
The steam generator has two steam lines of a large and a smaller diameter: the first of them supplies air, and the second leaves steam.
The substrate should be sterilized only when you prepare it yourself. When purchasing packaged compost, there is no such need, since it is sold already processed.
It is imperative to humidify and disinfect the room.
How to make a humidifier with your own hands (without the possibility of disinfection) is described in the video below:
Growing chamber
Cultivation of mushrooms on an industrial scale takes place through the use of chambers-mycotrons. They are manufactured industrially on the basis of PVC profiles equipped with a climate system.
Convenience is that they come with all the necessary equipment. To grow mushrooms, you just need to load the substrate and turn on the operating mode. These chambers are safe for human health - spores cannot spread as they are hermetically sealed.
Refrigerators
So that the presentation of the grown mushrooms does not suffer, they must be stored in a cold place. For this, refrigerators must be installed in the room.
To increase the keeping quality of mushrooms, they must be placed in a special chamber, where the temperature is maintained from 0 to + 5 ° C. If you plan to store them for a long time, then the temperature can be lowered more. In addition, it is necessary to set the optimum air humidity - at least 80%. Thanks to this method, it is possible to save 15% of the harvest.
After such shock freezing, the mushrooms must be transferred to the chamber, where they are packed into containers. It must also be kept at a low temperature. Put the packed mushrooms back into the refrigerator.
If buyers buy bulk mushrooms, they are immediately placed in the refrigerator, resorting to the shock storage method. In this case, the mushrooms will remain fresh for up to 3 days.
A cold store for mushrooms can be constructed independently from two old refrigerators and fans:
Required inventory
In order to optimize mushroom growing as much as possible, special equipment is purchased:
- Autoclave. This equipment will be needed in cases where there is a need for self-breeding of the mycelium. For these purposes, an autoclave is purchased, used in medicine or in industry.
- "Hot table" for packing mushrooms in trays. Such a table is required for fast and high-quality packing of mushrooms into trays using stretch film. It is needed for accurate and quick work, because the applied film will protect the product from drying out and deterioration, and will also give the packaging a presentation. This table is equipped with a thermal knife made of stainless steel. It is safe and very easy to use.
- Thermometer. In the room where mushrooms grow, temperature adjustment is required. During the incubation period, the temperature should be higher, and when the mushrooms begin to ripen, it should be lowered by almost 5-10 ° C, depending on the types of mushrooms.
- Stove and metal barrel... The substrate must be boiled for sterilization purposes. For this you need a stove. Experienced farmers use metal drums to sterilize large amounts of compost at once.
- Shelves and shelves. It is convenient to grow mushrooms if there are shelves and racks. The most practical surface is metal, as it can be painted with antibacterial paint. A tree is also suitable if it is properly processed and painted, but still it is unsafe due to the fact that bacteria and fungi may be present.
- Plastic bags. Polyethylene bags are needed for growing mushrooms, so they are purchased in considerable quantities. Certain varieties of mushrooms prefer to grow in boxes, such as boletus.
- Clothing. You need to work in the mycelium in overalls with tight trousers. The sleeves should also not be wide and long so that they do not touch the mushrooms during assembly, otherwise there may be a possibility of damage to the mycelium. There should be a hat or kerchief on the head. Clothes should be changed daily to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Footwear. The sole of the shoe is of great importance. It should be made of rubber and should not slip on wet surfaces so that workers and mushroom pickers do not slip. The condition of the shoes is checked every month.
- Gloves. Thin surgical gloves are purchased for disinfection. They are changed when moving to new compartments or washed with disinfectants. After use, they are disposed of, in no case left in the premises where mushrooms are grown.
- Towel. You should always have a towel with you, because while cutting the mushrooms, your hands become sticky, the substrate sticks to them. So, in order not to stain the crop, hands and a mushroom picking knife should be regularly wiped with a towel.
- Libra. The grown products are weighed, so the scales are an irreplaceable part. Electronic devices are best suited.
- Knife. The mushrooms are cut with a special knife, which should have a curved blade on one side. It should always be sharpened so as not to damage the mushroom legs. On the second side, a brush is attached to the knife. It is necessary to remove peat from mushroom caps.
- Template rings. Mushrooms must be picked in the same size Template rings are needed to measure the hats. They are made from metal or plastic.
- Bucket. Waste must be put in plastic buckets.
- Mini rake. They are used for leveling the substrate.
- Stand for work on the upper tiers. A necessary device for growing mushrooms in tiers. It is needed so that it is convenient to water and pick mushrooms. The stand must be safe and regularly disinfected with bleach.
- Cleaning equipment... The cells need to be cleaned from time to time. To do this, you need to prepare a mop, broom and hoses for water supply.
Equipment for processing mushrooms
If mushrooms are grown for sale, then it will be necessary to prepare equipment for their processing into products with high commercial qualities. The following devices are required:
- Drum calibrators to sort the fruit bodies of mushrooms, chanterelles, honey agarics, etc. During their operation, the mushrooms are sifted through a sieve that has holes of the appropriate caliber.
- Washing machines, which can be brushed or with a bubbling-vortex cycle of work.
- Installations of the vacuum type to impregnate the mushroom mass with water or another solution, depending on the intended purpose.
- Blanchers, which are needed for processing whole and shredded mushrooms.
- Dryers and cutting devices of various types - for cutting dry and wet products with a thickness of 4-8 mm.
So that after cutting the stems of the champignons do not end up in waste, they can be cut again, crushed and dried, obtaining mushroom powder for preparing mushroom dishes.
Equipment for the production of substrate
To get a complete compost for growing mushrooms at home, you need to purchase:
- straw chopper;
- containers for mixing compost components (barrels and tubs).
However, this equipment is not required if you purchase a dedicated substrate machine.
It is especially useful when growing mushrooms on an industrial scale. Such a machine is capable of producing about 2.5-3 tons of compost in 8 hours. The raw material for it can be:
- sunflower husk;
- straw;
- chips.
Such a machine has a fan that supplies steam for processing the substrate, so it is humidified and cooled, and then discharged through special hatches.
The finished substrate must be compactly stacked in blocks. For this purpose, you can purchase a press machine, which is controlled by pressing the pedals and the handle. 175 blocks can be produced per hour.Some machines have scales for weighing blocks, as well as a conveyor for delivering blocks to mushroom growing areas.
Many press machines are equipped with a sequencing lock.
Self-cultivation of mushrooms from mycelium is becoming more and more popular. To harvest a good harvest and get good money for it, you should prepare all the necessary equipment in advance - from automation to devices for processing mushrooms for sale.