BASIC STEPS

Collection & Pasteurisation

The first step is to obtain the substrate. In this case I have collected substrate from the waste stream. Once collected it is vital to ensure that the substrates are pasteurised to avoid contamination of unwanted mould and bacteria.

Inoculation

Add the ‘activated’ or woken up mycelium to the substrate. This can come in the form of mycelium straight from an agar culture or from grain spawn. The ratio will depend on the substrate and on the mycelium used.

Growing

Leave the mycelium to grow around the substrate. This stage can take anywhere from 5 days to two weeks depending on many factors and conditions like substrate, type of mushroom, moisture levels, amount of spawn etc.

Shaping Once the mycelium has colonised the majority of the substrate remove the mushroom mass from the container. Break it apart and press it into your desired mould. Leave for 1-3 days to fill out the mould.

Drying

Remove the brick from the mould and allow it to strengthen and dry out a little. This will also allow the mycelium to properly colonise the parts of the mass that were pressed against the walls and received less light. Leave the brick to dry for about a week.

Sterilise and stabilise

The final step in the process of making a mycelium composite is to heat the composite to kill to organism and ensure there is no more growth, and mushrooms do not bloom