How to Make a Hydroponic Mushroom Grow Container

Mushrooms grow in an array of sizes, shapes and tastes, but all types require the same basic conditions. As fungi, not green plants, mushrooms need warmth, nutrition and moisture without omnipresent sunlight. Protected boxes with rich foundations provide ideal mushroom-growing conditions and encourage contained, low-maintenance growth. Build your own contained, hydroponics-like mushroom box for a fresh mushroom harvest at home.

Box or tray
Organic compost
Mushroom spawn
Spray bottle
Heating pad
Cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Use a 10- to 12-inch-deep tray or box for mushroom growing. Plastic trays and boxes, which are waterproof, work best. Fill the tray or box half full of nitrogen-rich organic compost. Mushrooms do best with rich, acidic growing foundations and thrive in manure and compost.
- 2
  Lay mushroom spawn over the compost. The spawn roots and becomes the body of the mushroom colony. This body produces the fruit, or mushrooms.
- 3
  Put the box in a safe, dark place with a heating pad. Set the heating pad to 70 F and spray the foundation lightly with water. The spawn uses the water to break its dormancy, but your mushroom colony does not require further watering. Leave the box for three weeks.
- 4
  Monitor the box for rooting after three weeks. White filaments spread to cover the foundation during the rooting process. At this time, reduce the heating pad to 55 to 60 F, cover the old soil with 1 inch of new compost and place a damp cloth over the box.
- 5
  Spray the cloth and soil with water once a day to maintain moisture. Look for small mushrooms in three to four weeks.

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