MUSHROOM IN A BOX

Plotted 2 cases, a 2 and 3 layered bed, expected to harvest 12-14 DAP (Days After Plotting)

12 DAP, straw mushroom starts to grow @ bed no. 1 (2 layered)

a view on growing mushroom @ bed no. 2 (3 layered)

13 DAP (first flush), open the bed and harvest the edible organic straw mushroom.

13 DAP on bed no. 2

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14 DAP on bed no. 1, harvest time.

             the outcome of the experiment taught me new ideas, i'm looking forward to the next phase using a different hardware and more potent liquids. the main objective of the project is to produce abundant straw mushroom in a box grown organically, it is portable and can be exported anywhere.

UPDATE ON STRAW MUSHROOM ACTIVITIES

Finished product. Organic Straw Mushroom Guisado, yummy........ Thank you Lord for all the favor. It's been quite a while since I tasted our own fresh and healthy produce.

Gathered Straw Mushroom after harvest, total harvest for today (first flush) is 3.5 Kg. The flush came after 15 DAP (days after plotting). We experienced shortage of vermi tea when we plotted the bed, I resorted to mix a number of pails of "well-water" and vermicast and used it to drench the entire bed. Somehow during harvest the size of the straw mushroom isn't the same as before. The liquid solution may be a factor, vermitea is less potent.

top photo, the open (umbrella) and below, the close

Harvesting....observing.

The portable Organic Straw Mushroom Bed. This experiment's objective is to produce Straw Mushroom in a compact and portable container. It is designed to fit household, easy and convenient to make. Adapting similar procedure I'm using except for the medium used. The outcome will be observed between the 2 and 3 layer beds. Can be stacked up to 10 crates, it maximizes the space.

Site visit, monitor latest development. Mycelium starting to form on the planting medium.

Philippines

Our harvest July 31, 2009 was more than 22 Kg from a 22 meter plot.

Flush came on the 13th day after planting, I delivered most of the produce to loyal customers here in the local market. The mushroom have a light complexion and does not leave bitter taste when cooked.

My team was able to make 81 meters of mushroom plot and harvested a total of 62 kilograms for the month of July.

100% Organically grown, with the do-it-all attitude from preparation of planting spawn to production, harvest and marketing. Techniques conveyed to my team empower them to do important tasks.

This month of August, I look forward to surpass the July mark. I hope that weather and health conditions will be in our favor. My previous yield is shown below.

Philippines

Organic Straw Mushroom culture also known as Volvariella Volvacea.

In this plot we used dried banana leaves "unas" as the planting medium. The water mixed with Vermi tea was used to drench the plot.

This plot dimension is 1 foot by 15 meters and a height of approx. 1 foot yielded a total of 33 Kg.

Its first flush came 12 days after we planted the spawn. First flush yielded 15 Kg. A day after we got another 15 Kg. On its 3rd day of flush we got 3 Kg.

This organic way of producing straw mushroom is successful and eventually I am expanding propagation to medium sized scale. There will be enough supply of planting spawn available because I as well produce this variety.

I learned this mushroom propagation technique from a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recognized scientist. I added up some of my ideas and discoveries in order to make it organic in which I believe most people will patronize.

Now available: Straw Mushroom planting spawn (Php 25 per pack), please book ahead. First come first serve.

ORGANIC STRAW MUSHROOM CULTURE

DOCUMENTATION OF STRAW MUSHROOM ACTIVITY

4/5/12 : Philippines. Plotted 18.4 meters bed (5 layered plot). Started 11:30 am to 3 pm, used 10 spawns and about 70 bundles of "unas", 2 kilos of vermicast soaked into a pail of rain and water from the well, a bundle of recycled plastic and 20m plastic straw (tie box). Picked-up the "unas" around 9 am, soaked at the fresh water canal inside the farm, went out for "brunch" then pulled out the wet leaves. Duration of soak is about 1 hour. Cut using a sharp bolo and piled using the stalk as base.

Expected to harvest after 12-14 days. 

 

 

Thank you Lord for giving this day that fulfilled my dream of plotting (again) an organic straw mushroom. I've seen favor in your eyes in all aspect everything was just in time.

5/27/11 : Made another test plot, using cooked rice hull "ipa/upa" as planting medium

Spawn placed on top of cooled cooked rice hull

using a wooden mold to form a layered plot

after removing the mold

made 2 plots, dimension on top is 54x21x14 inches while the other below is 54x18x8 inches place poles around the plot to support the transparent plastic cover

place the cover on top of the plot lay small branches around to serve as weight and make a perimeter canal (2" deep) to avoid too much rainwater from flowing through the plot

the finished test plot. Hope this will yield straw mushroom. This method is still in observation stage.

5/26/11 : Plotted 6 meters using "unas". Expected to yield after 12-14 days. This technique is tested to be successful.

5/20/11 : The result of the test plot made last 5/4/11 is FAILURE. No straw mushroom yield.

5/4/11 : Made another test plot, using steamed dry rice straw "uhot" as planting medium. Plot is cylindrical with a height of 35 inches and diameter is 18 inches.

using shovel to spread and 2X3 wood to compact the medium

almost finish after 2 sacks of "uhot", height 28 inches.

done after consuming 3 sacks of "uhot", total height is 35 inches. covered with transparent plastic to maintain moisture. Expected to harvest within 12-15 days after plotting 

 4/16/11 : Arrived from Manila at 6 am, harvested the 3rd flush about 3 kg of mushroom. Bed size is 14 meters, first flush came 13 days after plotting. We made the plot last 4/1/11, a day before we left for Manila. Total harvest estimate hits 8 kilos.

4/13/11 : Taught organic straw mushroom propagation in Antipolo Rizal. More than 20 people participated in the activity. Thanks to Ma'am Flor, Mercy, Ohrell, Dr. Pepz, staff and participants.

3/18/11 : finished plotting a total of 18.4 meters. expected to harvest by end of March. I was unable to take full documentation since my camera malfunctioned. There were 5 of us who made it from 1 pm until 6 pm. We consumed about 80 bundles of "unas", 35 planting spawn, 3 liters of vermi tea and a bundle of plastic for covering. Thank God it didn't rain that afternoon, and was able to workout (exercise) in a productive way.

3/14 - 18/11 : Amen, able to harvest a total of 2 kgs. of straw mushroom in a 3 meter (test) plot made last 3/1/11. Smile, then do the stress relieving activity called plotting mushroom