A few years ago, it was standard practice to give a significant amount of water in the first few days after casing. It was common to see people aiming for maximum watering, with 35 liters per square meter being standard and 40 liters considered even better. The goal was to adjust the moisture in the phase 3 compost, with the aim of reaching a moisture level of 72% or more.

Today, clients around the world are seeking better-quality mushrooms. Every grower aspires to cultivate the perfect mushroom.

The Perfect Mushroom

The ideal mushroom looks the same everywhere in the world:

• It has a good color and shape
• It is heavy and dense
• It has a long shelf life
• For us as growers, it must be financially viable, producing a high yield with minimal costs

This type of mushroom grows only when all conditions are in balance:

• The compost contains all essential nutrients that are accessible to the mushrooms.
• The water content in the compost is available to the mushrooms, but not in excess. If the mushrooms have to work a little to access this water, it will produce a stronger mushroom.
• Compost activity should be low during picking. If the compost is too active, water may be forced into the mushroom during picking. This can be managed by adjusting the filling weight or compressing the compost.
• The climate in the growing room should be natural; this means avoiding extremes in air temperature, CO2 levels, or fan speed.
  
  

Compost Filling Weight

Many farms worldwide still prefer to fill a large amount of compost per square meter. It’s often believed that more compost produces more mushrooms, which is true. However, this added compost must also be managed carefully. Typically, if you increase compost volume, you’ll need to employ extreme climate controls to manage compost activity, such as high fan speed or low air temperature. During the first flush, this compost activity often makes it difficult to maintain a gentle climate. A gentle climate in the first flush is crucial for producing high-quality mushrooms. It doesn’t help to have an excellent third flush if the majority of your first-flush mushrooms are damaged due to extreme climate adjustments for compost activity. This increased activity dries out your compost and casing, causing issues for the second and third flushes.

Watering and Compost Activity

After filling phase 3 compost, the mycelium is damaged and needs time to recover. Adding too much water in the first two days after filling halts mycelium growth. The mycelium cannot spread over the compost because water sits on the outside of the compost. In these cases, high compost activity occurs because the mycelium is competing with the water. It is much better to allow the mycelium to regrow (recover) for two days after filling, only adding small amounts of water to keep the casing moist.

Watering on Different Types of Compost

A watering schedule depends on various factors:

• When the compost is not fully colonized with mycelium and remains active, wait before watering to allow mycelium to incubate. Once the mycelium starts growing into the casing, you can gradually increase watering.
• When the compost has a long or coarse structure, you can begin watering earlier. The loose structure allows excess water to drain to the bottom of the compost.
• When you have a short or soft compost, be especially careful with watering during the first two days. This type of compost acts like a sponge, absorbing water in its top layer. This prevents the mycelium from regrowing in the upper layer, creating a weak connection between the compost and casing.
• If you fill with warm or highly active compost, it’s better to minimize watering on the casing, adding just enough to keep it moist. Some growers add large amounts of water to cool down the compost, but this only halts mycelium regrowth and increases activity.
  
  
  

RibbStyle is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Mushroom Supply Services, a leading partner in the mushroom industry. Since 2024, RibbStyle has been working with this American distributor to significantly strengthen their reach and service. By opening a  warehouse in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania – the heart of the American mushroom region – products can be delivered faster and more efficiently to customers in the region.

Kennett Square is not just a location; it is an important link in the American mushroom market, and the collaboration provides RibbStyle direct access to this dynamic industry. By utilizing the extensive network and expertise of David Iaconi, an experienced name in the mushroom world, RibbStyle opens up new opportunities for innovation and growth.

New opportunities in renovation of tunnels and cultivation cells

The collaboration also offers RibbStyle the opportunity to further specialize in the renovation of tunnels and cultivation cells. By combining this expertise with the reliable distribution and network of Mushroom Supply Services, RibbStyle can better support American mushroom growers in optimizing their growing conditions and extending the life of their production facilities.

With this strategic expansion, RibbStyle not only strengthens their presence in the United States, but also contributes to a more sustainable and innovative future for the mushroom industry.

Author: Mushroom Matter
Photos: RibbStyle

               

We are very pleased to welcome GTL Europe as a new advertiser on our platform!

GTL Europe is a global leader in the mushroom industry, specializing in designing and manufacturing innovative technologies and equipment. With expertise in engineering, construction, equipment and control systems, they deliver customized, turnkey solutions for cultivation projects worldwide.

Discover how GTL Europe drives the future of mushroom production with cutting-edge technology and seamless execution. Learn more on their website: GTL Europe.

The fascination of cultivated mushrooms: a look into their world

On 28 September 2024, we will be celebrating Mushroom Day, a festival in honour of a fascinating and versatile foodstuff.
Cultivated mushrooms are not only a delicious addition to our cuisine, but also a fascinating example of the wonders of nature and the possibilities of modern agriculture.
They grow under controlled conditions and, thanks to their diversity, mushrooms offer numerous flavours, textures and health benefits that make them a popular food.

We cordially invite you to celebrate Mushroom Day with us and look forward to receiving reports on mushroom production.
Find out more about the exciting world of cultivated mushrooms and delicious recipes:

gesunde-pilze.de
schweizer-pilze.ch
pilzbau.de

Source: BDC, VSP, ESSMI
For the complete press release, click here.

In the realm of mushroom farming, managing pests is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and ensuring bountiful harvests. Nematodes, have emerged as a popular biological control agent against a variety of pests, including scriarids, phorids and other soil-dwelling insects. However, integrating nematodes with other plant protection substances requires careful consideration to maximize their effectiveness and sustain the delicate balance of the farm ecosystem.

Understanding Nematodes as Biological Control Agents
Nematodes used in pest control are generally entomopathogenic, meaning they infect and kill insect pests. Species such as Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are commonly utilized. These beneficial nematodes search out and enter their host insects, releasing symbiotic bacteria that kill the pests from inside. This biological approach is highly targeted, minimizing harm to non-target organisms and the environment.

Compatibility with Chemical Pesticides
Nematodes can be tank mixed and jointly used with many substances and chemicals without problem. They are delivered in a Dauerjuveniles status (a bit like a hibernation status). Therefore, there is little interaction with their surroundings which allow a broad range of mixtures.

To ensure compatibility, e-nema provides a comprehensive list of the compatibility of nematodes with other plant protection products. The list can be downloaded free of charge from the e-nema website.

Please use this list to further simplify and further widen the usage of nematodes. If you come across chemicals and substance which are not on this list, please contact e-nema and they will investigate on it.

Conclusion
For mushroom farmers, nematodes represent a potent ally in pest management. And their biology allows a wide use with various chemicals and substances. A lot of work has been done to list the most commonly used chemicals and their ability to mix with beneficial nematodes.

       

Mushroom growers worldwide face the same problem: there are times during cultivation when the compost exhibits either more or less activity than desired. This can happen right after filling the compost, during ventilation, or if the compost temperature rises too quickly during the first flush, which can severely impact mushroom quality.

Most farms have this under control, but each grower must find the optimal formula for their own operation. This principle can be compared to a balance: if you change something on one side, you must adjust the other side to maintain equilibrium.

The entire process starts with filling the compost in the room. There are a few important factors to consider at this stage. The moisture content and structure of the compost are crucial for the expected activity right after filling. Dry compost with a lot of structure will show high activity immediately after filling. This compost should always be filled thicker to achieve the desired kilograms per square meter. This extra thickness is mainly filled with air, which acts as a buffer for heat.

Once the compost becomes active, this air warms up and is very difficult to cool down again. Compact it as firmly as possible. For wet compost with little structure, do the opposite: fill it loosely and avoid watering immediately after filling.

Mycelium Growth during incubation
If everything proceeds normally during the growth phase of the compost, the first signs of activity can be seen around day 9 after spawning. This activity increases as the compost continues to grow. By day 15, the compost should be fully colonized, and activity will start to decrease. If, for some reason, the compost needs to be covered or removed from the tunnel earlier, this activity will continue in the growing rooms. At that point, controlling this activity becomes very difficult because the casing soil acts like a blanket, retaining heat in the compost. In such cases, keep the air temperature in the room very low to maintain the compost temperature at 26°C. This will also cool the casing soil, preventing mycelium growth in it.

Supplementing
Supplementing the compost provides extra activity. The level of activity depends on the type and amount of supplement used. Typically, 15 kilograms of supplement per 1,000 kilograms of phase 3 compost yields optimal results. However, this depends greatly on the compost. If the compost has a high nitrogen content, 15 kilograms might be too much. Supplementing is an excellent way to increase both the quantity and quality of mushrooms, but the compost must be free of competitive mold infections. Infected compost can react negatively to supplements because these are also food sources for competitive molds, which can harm the mycelium or mushrooms, negating any benefits of supplementation.

Filling Weight
Filling weight is a crucial factor for compost activity and significantly affects the total mushroom yield. Generally, a 10% increase in compost results in a 10% increase in mushrooms. This is true, but the climate unit must be able to manage the additional compost. Again, it's about balancing the ability to handle increased activity with the potential yield benefits.

As you can see, the desired but sometimes troublesome activity of compost depends on many factors. Literature provides ideal filling weights, but in practice, it varies from farm to farm. Growers must determine the ideal ratios for their specific operations.

Total Mushroom Service
Jeroen van Lier

Why RibbStyle is attending ‘India Mushroom Days’: A peek into our goals and aspirations

As we gear up for India Mushroom Days, we're excited to share the reasons why this event is so important to us, and why we think it will be equally valuable for you, our readers and visitors. This isn’t just another industry event for us; it’s a pivotal opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together in the ever-evolving world of mushrooms. Here’s what we’re looking forward to:

Showcasing our unique products
One of the key reasons we’re attending is to introduce our innovative products to a broader audience. We believe in the exceptional qualities of our offerings, that our products stand out, and there's no better place to demonstrate this than at India Mushroom Days. Some unique qualities are;

Contamination
The main reasons why our vapourtight coatings are used in this industry is for the prevention of diseases and contamination. RibbStyle coatings create a vapour tight layer, meaning that bacteria are confined to one and the same room.

Hygiene
Another important reason why our products are used is because of the improvement of hygiene and work space. Where normally the growing rooms are dark and grey, RibbStyle coatings make them white and cleanable. Finally, Ribbstyle coatings protect the compost tunnels and growing rooms against steam, heat and moisture. Without a vapourtight coating, this enters through the porous walls into the construction. Therefore, we make sure the isolation value of the tunnels and growing rooms stay protected.

Building valuable relationships
Networking is another top priority for us. India Mushroom Days offers an excellent platform to meet potential customers, business partners, and industry peers. We’re eager to engage in meaningful conversations, forge new relationships, and explore exciting collaborations. This event is also a great opportunity for us to tap into new markets and expand our business horizons. So, if you’re looking to connect, let’s start a conversation!

Strengthening our brand presence
In a rapidly growing industry like ours, brand recognition is vital. By showcasing our products and sharing our vision, we hope to reinforce our brand’s reputation and expand our reach within the industry.

Gathering insights and feedback
Your feedback is invaluable to us. We want to know what you think about our products, what catches your eye, and what questions you might have. This kind of direct input helps us fine-tune our offerings and ensures that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our market. Your opinions matter, and we’re here to listen.

Staying inspired and ahead of trends
Finally, India Mushroom Days is an invaluable source of inspiration. We’re eager to see what other exhibitors are showcasing, discover the latest trends, and learn about new innovations in the mushroom industry. Staying informed and inspired is crucial to our business strategy, and this event is the perfect place to do just that.

We, Tamara Flore, Ravindra Gundawar-Ravi , Vrunda Walwadkar invite you to visit us at Stand Number B5 to explore, connect, and be inspired.