- Naomi Stephens | Permaculture Designer
How to Grow Enoki Mushrooms at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Updated: Mar 6
Do you love mushrooms? Have you ever tried Enoki mushrooms before? If not, you are in for a treat! Enoki mushrooms have a delicate, slightly sweet flavor and a firm texture. They are perfect for adding to salads, soups, and stir-fries. In this blog post, we will teach you how to grow your own Enoki mushrooms at home
Enoki mushrooms are a type of gourmet mushroom that can be cultivated at home in an apartment. They are a very sustainable and eco-friendly choice, as they do not require any pesticides or herbicides and they grow quickly and easily on recycled coffee grounds, hay or other organic materials. Enoki mushrooms are also a great choice for those on a budget, as they are relatively inexpensive to purchase and can be grown at home for a fraction of the cost.
Why Grow Your Own Enoki Mushrooms?
There are many reasons to grow your own enoki mushrooms. For one, they are a sustainable and eco-friendly food source. Enoki mushrooms grow on recycled paper, coffee grounds, hay or other recyclable materials, they do not require any soil, making them an ideal choice for urban dwellers or anyone with limited space. They also taste great, and can be used in a variety of dishes. Best of all, growing your own mushrooms is easy and inexpensive. With just a few simple supplies, you can have a steady supply of fresh enoki mushrooms right in your own kitchen.
How to Grow Enoki Mushrooms at Home
Follow these four steps to growing enoki mushrooms at home.
Step One: Obtain Spawn and Substrate
Step Two: Prepare Your Substrate
Step Three: Add Spawn to Substrate
Step Four: Harvest Your Mushrooms
Step One: Obtain Spawn and Substrate
To grow enoki mushrooms at home, you will need spawn and substrate. Spawn is the mushroom equivalent of seeds, and can be purchased from a variety of online sources or your local gardening store.
Substrate is the material on which the mushrooms will grow, and can be anything from recycled coffee grounds to hay. Once you have obtained your spawn and substrate, you are ready to start growing!
I always buy my substrate from Amazon from reputable sellers like BetterFungi which sells strictly organic mushroom spawn. At the time of writing this spawn is $16.00 for 100grams and this should be more than enough to get you started.
Step Two: Prepare Your Substrate
Enoki mushrooms will grow on a variety of substrates, but coffee grounds or hay work best. If you are using coffee grounds, simply mix them with some water until they are moistened, and then place them in a container. If you are using hay, soak it in water for 24 hours before adding it to your container, or for a more thorough approach, pressure cook the hay for 5-10 minutes, ensuring all the competing microbes are killed. Once your substrate is prepared, you are ready to add the spawn.
Step Three: Add Spawn to Substrate
To add the spawn to the substrate, simply sprinkle it over the top of the coffee grounds or hay. Then, cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in a warm, dark place. The mushrooms should begin to sprout within a few days.
Step Four: Harvest Your Mushrooms
After a few days, you will see small mushrooms beginning to sprout from the substrate. When they reach your desired size, they are ready to harvest. To do this, simply cut them at the base with a sharp knife. Be sure to leave some of the mushroom behind so that it can continue to grow. After harvesting your mushrooms, you can enjoy them fresh or cook them in a variety of dishes. Enjoy!
FAQ'S
Can you grow enoki mushrooms from cuttings?
Yes, you can grow enoki mushrooms from cutting. To do this, simply cut a small piece of the mushroom off at the base and then place it in a container of moistened coffee grounds or hay. Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in a warm, dark place. The mushrooms should begin to sprout within a few days. When they are about an inch tall, they are ready to harvest. Enjoy!
What are enoki mushroom growing conditions?
Enoki mushrooms prefer warm, dark conditions. The ideal temperature for growing enoki mushrooms is between 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit. They also require high humidity, so be sure to keep the substrate moistened. With these conditions met, you should see small mushrooms beginning to sprout within a few days. When they are about an inch tall, they are ready to harvest. Enjoy!
What is the easiest way to grow mushrooms?
The easiest way to grow mushrooms is by purchasing a mushroom grow kit. It's so simple, you cut the bag that contains mushrooms, and mist it twice a day for 7-10 days. Some mushroom boxes do need to be soaked in water for 24 hours after opening.
Enoki mushrooms are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal, and growing them at home is easy and inexpensive. With just a few simple supplies, you can have a steady supply of fresh enoki mushrooms to add to your favorite dishes. Give it a try today!
