FungHouse - Mushroom Growing Kit

ENTER THE WORLD OF FUNGHI-CULTURE

Imagine a mushroom growing kit that enables the cultivation of infinite batches with minimal additional materials, utilizing a self-sustaining, no-electronics humidifier.

FUNGHOUSE VALUES

The Funghouse cycle is an extremely eco friendly and sustainable practice for at-home mushroom cultivation. It decreases the carbon footprint and is a step forward to a healthier practice of food consumption. Besides consuming food the journey of at-home mushroom growing is created to allow hobbyists to experiment and learn about the world of funghi-culture while enjoying. On top of that chefs and culinary enthusiasts can benefit and add a natural method to the meal-making process.

Often as people we focus on the outcome of solutions rather than the process. FungHouse opens a door and rules in creatives with the vision with enjoying the ongoing process and leaving the expectations and pressure of the results behind. FungHouse invites creatives to experiment with organic materials and find more solutions for at-home plant cultivation.

For mushroom growth

• Mushroom spawn
• Wood chips
• The Funghouse(the main bucket)
• Caps for the holes in the bucket

For the hummidifier plate

• 3D-printed master for cilicon rubber mold (optional)
• liquid silicone AB mix ratio 1:1 (optional)
• clay

Tools

• 3D-print machine
• Kiln
• Computer
• Pot

Design a bucket with holes for mushrooms to grow with the dimensions as seen in the technical drawing. In our case we 3d designed a structure without needing any supports while 3d printing. At the bottom of the bucket there should be holes for the drainage.

3D-print the bucket.

Design caps in the dimensions that can cover the holes all the way. This will prohibit the air to go through during the mycellium creation process.

3D-print the caps. In a bucket there are 4 holes.

• In the first testing we used plaster but even though we waited long enough it wasnt strong enough.
• In the second test we used rapid cement, however it wasnt stong enough either
• In the third part we tried opening the molds and doing it in two parts, but it was still not strong enough
• In the last testing we did it by hand with ceramics and it was the best solution.

After trying a few molds with different materials, we decided to make the lid with ceramic. At this stage, we preferably took precise measurements of the plate and shaped it out of clay. We worked with terracotta to ensure it functioned optimally.

After shaping the clay, we left it in a partially open plastic bag for a day. Once it reached a workable consistency (this form is called leather hard), we assembled the necessary pieces and corrected small imperfections.

We then left the plate to dry for about a week. At the end of the week, the clay had reached its bone-dry form. During this stage, we fixed the final imperfections using sandpaper. Finally, we baked it at 900-1150°C for around 5 hours and it was ready to use.

1. Preparation of Our Mushroom Growing Kit

In order to expedite the initial stages of our project, we decided to purchase a mushroom growing kit. The kit came with substrate which had already been colonized with mycelium, which reduces complexity and saves time. Usually, it takes around a month for the oyster mushroom to fully grow. In our case, this phase took around one month (April 18th to May 18th)

We later placed our mushrooms outdoors under shade. This was risky as it allowed for potential contamination from other organisms. However, the nature of oyster mushrooms prevented the minor contamination from causing significant issues. The batch was still successful. 

2. Multiplication of Our First Batch by Adding Straw

Sterilization Process Sterilizing the straw was a critical step to ensure that our substrate remained free from bugs. We boiled the straw to kill most bacteria and other microorganisms. This method proved to be a cost-effective alternative to using lime powder for pH adjustment and sterilization.

Drying the Straw After boiling, we dried the straw for five to six hours. This step was essential because excess moisture could create an ideal environment for mold growth/

3. Feeding Our Mushrooms with Straw to Multiply

Sterilization of Tools We made sure to sterilize all our tools with alcohol and wore gloves before handling the mushroom spawn. 

Preparation of the Substrate Bag

• Massaging Through the Plastic Bag: We massaged the bag to break up the spawn and ensure it was evenly distributed throughout the substrate. This promoted uniform mycelial growth.
• Layering Technique: In a large plastic bag, we alternated layers of sterilized straw and mycelium, ensuring each layer was flat and evenly spread. 
• Air Removal: After layering, we removed all the air from the bag and sealed it tightly in order to provide an anaerobic environment for mycelium.

 4. Incubation and Harvesting

Incubation Period We let the bag sit for one week, allowing the mycelium to fully colonize the straw and convert it into mushroom spawn. During this period, we maintained a stable temperature and humidity level to ensure optimal mycelial growth.

Growth and Harvesting Within a month, the mycelium developed into mature mushrooms ready for harvest. Although some parts of the substrate turned moldy, this did not result in significant damage as we managed it correctly. Regular monitoring and maintaining cleanliness helped us mitigate extensive mold growth.

Here below you can find our official guidebook, tips & tricks to grow your mushroom in the most efficient and long lasting method.