Mushroom Signals (English edition)

‘Mushroom growing is an art.’

Mushroom growing is not an exact science. The true art is learning to see, interpret and correctly respond to signals. And that art can be mastered.

The process of successful mushroom growing starts with assessing the raw materials used to make compost. This is the foundation of an optimal composting process. The challenge in mushroom growing is to respond adequately to everchanging cultivation conditions and still end up with good, or even better, results.

Mushroom Signals aims to teach composters and growers how to optimise their processes by recognising signals they come across in practical situations. Not by jumping to conclusions immediately, but instead by always asking yourself three questions: what do I see, what has happened and what should I do? For instance: what do you see? The day after watering you notice the floor in the growing room is still wet and the casing soil surface is still shiny. What has happened? Not enough moisture is being extracted. This will prevent the development of the pinheads in the second flush, and bacterial blotch can occur. What should you do? Lower the RH and CO2 concentration.

This is one of the many signals in mushroom growing that you can interpret to optimise the yield and quality of your mushrooms in an easy way. Every hour, a mushroom grows four percent! Instructing pickers to harvest the same bed several times a day quickly results in a production increase of at least ten percent. Coaching your team is equally as important as taking good care of your mushrooms.

The conditions in which mushrooms are grown vary widely all over the world.But the signals given by compost and mushrooms are identical everywhere. If you know what to look for, you can pick up the signals everywhere and any time.

Mushroom Signals will show you how.