With Lion’s Mane Mushrooms gaining so much popularity as a health supplement with adaptogenic properties, you may be among the people who have experienced their benefits. And, since you’re so happy with them, or are just curious, you could be wondering how to grow Lion’s Mane mushrooms at home. You certainly can try, but although suppliers of Lion’s Mane mushroom grow kits will tell you that it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it, there are a few tips and tricks you’ll need to learn first. How Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Grow Although Lion’s Mane is no ordinary type of mushroom, it nevertheless follows a pattern of growth similar to any other mushroom. Tiny spores germinate and begin to grow into a mass of fine fungal threads known as mycelium. This is the “plant” that produces “fruit” in the form of mushrooms. Mushrooms are also known as “fruiting bodies” and they’re the part that we eat. Left to themselves, their job is to form more spores which are the mushroom equivalent of seeds. Growing from spores is extremely difficult, and that’s why most home growers choose “spawn.” This consists of a substrate or block that already contains growing mycelium, and the theory is that you only need to keep it growing to end up with fruiting bodies. Growing Lion’s Mane Mushrooms on Logs Nature’s way is usually the best way, and that will mean growing Lion’s Mane on natural wood substrate. Using logs is a longer-term investment. Expect it to take a year or two before you can begin harvesting. But, if you succeed, you’ll get a steady supply that lasts for several years while other methods will only give you a few flushes of mushrooms. It’s best to mirror nature by using logs taken from hardwood trees like beech, birch, elm, or oak. You will need to inoculate the logs with spawn which you can buy from a reputable supplier. Your logs shouldn’t be too dry - use them within a month or two of cutting them, preferably from dormant trees in winter. To incubate, the inoculated logs will need a temperature of 21 to 24 degrees and humidity of 85 percent or more. Drill holes about 3 cm deep and about 15 cm apart down the length of your log. Space the rows about 6 cm apart and stagger the holes. Now, insert the spawn plugs so that they’re level with the wood (not the bark), and seal them off with cheese wax or bees’ wax. Place the logs in the shade and water them with a fine spray of water for about 10 minutes at a time about twice a week. Check them daily to make sure that they never dry out since Lion’s Mane mushrooms need plenty of moisture. If they don’t show signs of fruiting after about a year, you can try soaking the logs in cold water for 12 hours, preferably in spring. Once you do see signs of fruiting, begin misting them daily. Growing Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Indoors Growing Lion’s Mane mushrooms indoors is also a possibility. The quickest and most rewarding method is to buy a Lion’s Mane mushroom growing kit that’s already full of growing mycelium. Humidity is likely to be a problem indoors, so you’ll have to mist it with a spray bottle several times a day and keep out of direct sunlight. All the experts advise that you keep a sharp eye out for contamination. Mould can also be a problem, but you should hope to be able to harvest your first Lion’s Mane mushrooms in about two weeks. Alternatively, you can buy spawn and make your own mushroom growing bag in the hopes of seeing fruiting bodies in about two or three weeks. Use hardwood pellets that you can soak to turn into sawdust and add some oat or wheat bran to feed the mycelium. It’s important to work as hygienically as possible, and sterilise your substrate before you add the spawn. When to Harvest Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Those who grow Lion’s Mane mushrooms at home will be particularly interested in the hoped-for harvest. Density and spine length are the indicators to watch. Your first sign of fruiting is the development of cauliflower-like “bobbles” on the outside of your log or grow bag - they aren’t ready yet, but they should be in about two weeks. Wait until you see spines growing out from the “bobble.” They’ll be about 6mm long and the mushroom will have a spongy texture when you squeeze it. If you let the spines get longer or darker in colour, the mushrooms are still edible, but they won’t taste as nice and the texture won’t be at its best either. Growing Your Own Lion’s Mane vs Lion’s Mane Supplements If you want to grow your own Lion’s Mane mushrooms as a culinary treat, fresh is the way to go. With a little practice, time, and attention to detail, you should be successful and they are delicious. But if you’re hoping to use Lion’s Mane as a supplement to boost mental clarity, growing your own is a less desirable option. Apart from the risk of making mistakes during the growing process, you probably won’t have a constant supply all year round. That matters because it’s important to take Lion’s Mane every day so that you may benefit from the mental clarity and focus for which these mushrooms are famed. And, even supposing you can get a constant supply going, you’ll have to eat mushrooms every day. Nice though they may be, that isn’t something everybody wants to do. Looking for an easier solution that still allows you to enjoy the health benefits of Lion’s Mane? Supplements made from organically-grown Lion’s Mane mushrooms solve the problem. Functional mushroom supplements deliver naturally potent, nutritional benefits and are rich in beta-D-glucan-rich polysaccharides, triterpenoids, antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids. These powerful mushroom extracts are more concentrated and bioavailable than edible mushrooms that you might grow or purchase from the shops. Try FOCUS from Grass & Co. Mushrooms. The vegan capsules deliver a pure, natural supplement that contains all the goodness of hot water extracted Lion’s Mane fruiting bodies rounded off with Ginseng and Omega-3 as added adaptogens, plus an added Vitamin B-12 boost to support cognitive function. Simply take the convenient Mushrooms capsules in the mornings to get your day off to a naturally great start and enjoy being your best self! Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. More about functional mushrooms
