How do you decide whether to grow mushrooms in a fruiting chamber or whether to grow in the bag? Which style of fruiting chamber is best?
A mushroom fruiting chamber, in its simplest form, consists of a container with holes for air flow. There are numerous fruiting chamber designs, but all have the same function: creating ideal growing conditions for mushrooms within an enclosed space.
Here are a few different factors that will help determine whether you should grow in a fruiting chamber or in the fruiting bag:
1. Type of mushroom
Each mushroom has specific environmental requirements for growth and fruiting. Key environmental aspects to consider are humidity, fresh air exchange and carbon dioxide concentrations. Certain mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, have a high requirement for fresh air and will not grow to their full potential in a fruiting chamber without the assistance of a fan to circulate the air within a mushroom fruiting chamber. Other mushrooms, such as shiitake and maitake have a lower requirement for fresh air and grow well in a humid fruiting chamber. Selective species that are able to top-fruit and do not fruit as one large mushroom are also good candidates for cultivation in a fruiting chamber.
2. Growing environment
Mushroom fruiting chambers are ideal for growers that do not have a large room or tent that is climate controlled for humidity, temperature, and fresh air. Smaller fruiting chambers can easily be kept warm with heating mats or cool with an external ice bath. Humidity can be maintained through evaporation from the substrate or through the addition of a layer of moist perlite at the bottom of the fruiting chamber.
Types of Mushroom Fruiting Chambers
1. Monotub
A monotub is the most common type of mushroom fruiting chambers. A monotub is a large plastic container which is partially filled with substrate, has holes drilled in the sides for ventilation, and has a lid. This a fairly simple “set and forget” chamber. This style of fruiting chamber is best suited for mushrooms that are top fruiters and able to tolerate high CO2 concentrations. A great example of monotub-style fruiting chambers are Max Yield Bins or Boomer Shroomer. Click here to see Max Yield Bin's V2 tapered design with a dual-sloped lid - ideal for retaining a high-humidity environment while redirecting drops of condensation away from your growing surface.
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2. Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGF)
A shotgun fruiting chamber is very similar to a monotub design in that they are both large plastic containers with holes drilled in the sides. The key difference is the size of the holes. A shotgun fruiting chamber has small ventilation holes which give the appearance of being shot with a shotgun. Shot gun fruiting chambers usually have a layer of moist perlite on the bottom of the chamber to maintain humidity. A fruiting bag or exposed fruiting block is placed on top of the perlite.
3. Martha tent
A Martha tent is composed of a shelving unit that is covered in plastic sheeting to form a tent. This design is great for small-scale growing and can accommodate a small humidifier and fans to circulate air within the tent.
Whichever style of mushroom cultivation you choose, Myterra Labs has the perfect substrate to enhance your yields (Click Here). Still undecided?
