The culture of mushroom is gaining popularity in the Philippines. Mushroom is a delicacy and is really accepted as vegetable. Its present cultivation in this country is limited, perhaps due to insufficiency of planting materials and the limited local knowledge about its culture.
Mushroom growing requires little space and time and farmers can make use of their rice straws following harvesting. Mushroom can be grown the whole year round provided a good storage of rice straw is prepared.
This article illustrates the fundamental techniques involved in the culture of banana or rice straw type of mushroom, Volvariolla volvacoa. The vegetable and Legume Crops Section of the Bureau of Plant Industry is now producing mushroom spawn in abundance.
Materials and Methods – I
Dry rice straws and banana leaves are the most common types of bleeding materials. However, other materials like cotton wastes, jute sacks, corn stalks, water hyacinth, sugar baggasse and abaca waste materials may also be used for bedding materials.
Sufficient water supply and soaking tank or any similar container are used. Plastic sheet of gauge No.6, empty cement bags and sacks are used to cover the beds.
Procedures
- Gather long, clean and well dried rice straws and banana leaves, preferably those that are still standing in the field. Avoid using old and contaminated bedding materials.
- Bundle the bedding materials 6-8 inches in diameter. If rice straws are used, arrange butt ends together.
- Cut the bundle materials 1.5 to 2 ft. long.
- Soak the bundled materials in water for at least 3 hours but not more than 10 hours until enough moisture is absorbed by the materials.
- Foundation as support for the bed.
- Set the soaked-bundled materials, closely knit the together, evenly and compactly.
- Water the bed well with the urea or ammonium sulfate at rate of 1-2 tbsp. per gallon of water. Add sugar at the rate of 33 grams per gallon of water to improve the yield of mushrooms.
- Press the layer to level of surface. Stop watering when the water starts to drip off the bed.
- Insert thumb-size spawns around the bed, four (4) inches from along the side and four (4) inches apart from each other. Never plant spawn at the middle of the bed.
- Set the second layer of straw on the top of the first layer. Put the butt ends together in two opposite direction. Water and press down. Follow the same procedure until a six-layer bed is attained.
- Cover the entire bed with plastic sheet gauges No. 6 or cement bags or sacks for seven days after which it is removed.
Harvesting
The growth of mushrooms on the bed come in flushes. With adequate maintenance and care, the first flush usually comes and flushes from 13 to 15 days following seeding. When a flush is on watering must be avoided. Watering is resumed when the flush is over. Harvesting is done in the following manner:
- Harvest the whole mushroom including the stump. Don?t leave any stump in the bed as this would rot and in rotting the adjacent mushroom may be affected.
- As much as possible care must be taken not to disturb the small buttons.
- Mushrooms in the button stage of growth are more succulent, hence they are better preferred than the fully opened ones.
- Harvested mushroom may be placed in trays or in kaings.
Care in the Mushroom Bed
- When the bed is made, it may be well to cover it with plastic sheet, gunny sack or any suitable materials to protect it from the drying effect of the wind and to keep it humid.
- After the removal of the plastic sheet don?t water the bed as the bed is still wet.
- Watering should be done only in amounts, which would keep the surface moist and its environs humid.
- Watering may be done using a sprinkler, passing same over the bed and along the sides. Avoid soaking the bed as this condition is equally harmful to the proper development of the mushrooms as insufficient watering.
- When the mushroom buttons start to form, water must be stopped until the flush is over.
- Resume watering when the flush is over to coax another flush to come.
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1.0Is it possible to provide a picture showing item 6 on the procedure
Attention: For thosewho are interested to be well verse of mushroom business. we will be conducting a seminar on December 09, sunday. we will discuss about, spawning up to harvesting,wewill also assist you with the marketing aspects and the likes…for more info. please contact me at 0910 749 4434 or email me at bdemafelix@yahoo.com.
the department of agriculture regional field unit3- research outreach station,paraiso, tarlac city, conducts regular training on mushroom propagation (tissue culture method).For more information please contact: (045) 985-0052
ei ms annademafelix….my email add is monetteparanilla@yahoo.com
By the way, Jentrix Ent also conducts training for oyster mushroom production and how to set-up a mushroom farm. Please email me for those interested who are interested of visit http://ygolottes.com and look for the jentrix icon for further details. thanks
Nikolai Codiase, My uncle, who runs Jentrix Enterprises at the Capitol, can help you market your oyster mushroom. They fall-short of supply since they also process their mushroom burger patties, mushroom wine, cantoon noodles with mushroom. Try to drop by onetime.
hi cerilo, you can inquire from different training institutions, here’s the list
I like to invest on mushroom cultivation. Im from maasin ,Leyte but is now working here in Qatar. Someday, i will try this business if given the chance. Do you have any idea if i can buy seedlings in my place and if there are any agencies of the government holding seminars about this?
I live and work in Uganda, East Africa.Have read yr very interesting info :button mushroom growing
Could you send me spawn and full instructions for commercial production.Could you assure me of regular spawn supply.
Thanks for yr nice presentation
Please revert a s a p.
(07.11.07)
sir im a mushroom grower here in benguet,can anybody help me where in manila where i cud sell my mushrooms.oyster mushrooms only.
I am very interested to learn more about this industry, I would like to start a business of mushroom growing but still need a lot of knowledge. Thank you for these information. Please inform me regarding any trainings and seminars available. Your tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. Here is my email melaysnantonio@yahoo.com,thanks.
im very much interested in mushroom, can you send me some other tips?
russel, check the TRC schedule every month. you can request for a special seminar schedule if the participants is 5 or more. contact:
TLRC Building
#103 J. Abad Santos cor. Lopez Jaena Sts.,
Little Baguio, San Juan, Metro Manila
Tel: (02) 727-6205
Web: http://www.tlrc.gov.ph
pls email me russel_n@yahoo.com im very much interested on your seminars. pls inform me more about it. thanks
Anonymous Says: 9/25/2006 09:57:00 AM
i like the way you present the procedures, it help people like myself in venturing in some business like this one. thanks for the tips.
Anonymous Says: 11/08/2006 05:14:00 AM
Thank you for the information given about mushrooms. I am really interested in growing them as a source of income. I am an OFW here in saiapan, and wondering where can I get the spawns? Do you know any producer that can send them thru mail in this area ouside the Philippines? Thank you so much.
Anonymous Says: 11/14/2006 08:56:00 AM
I am from Cebu. Where can I get the seedling here in Cebu?
Eu-Leh Says: 11/14/2006 09:09:00 AM
For mushroom seedlings, inquire at Bureau of Plant Industry Tel: (632) 523-9132 or from Mushroom Producers Assoc at (632) 442-5074.
Anonymous Says: 12/19/2006 12:02:00 PM
thank you for the fruitful information.i want to start this business but my question is where can we sell our harvested mushroom.thank you very mush
Anonymous Says: 1/25/2007 11:35:00 AM
thanks for this wonderful tips re: mushroom farming. I’m leah & really so engrosed with starting a business like this but my problem is where can i avail of the spawns & much better a training thereof. By the way i presently live in Libungan, Cotabato. A Minicipality between Pigcawayan & MIdsayap…Pls. I need your response.
Eu-Leh Says: 1/25/2007 06:28:00 PM
Hi, you can inquire at TLRC hotline (02) 727-6205 if they have reqional training centers, or you can visit the website at http://www.tlrc.gov.ph.
Anonymous Says: 1/29/2007 08:17:00 AM
Eu-leh, Thanks for the helpful info. This is just a follow-up to the question posted earlier: where can we sell the mushrooms? I’m from Sothern Luzon, and after harvesting my mushrooms, where can I bring them? How’s the market for this right now? What are the current market prices for the different kinds of mushrooms? Which kind is more in demand? Are there support groups or trade guilds to help start-up growers like me? Thanks for the help again.
Eu-Leh Says: 1/30/2007 08:57:00 AM
Hi, I’m not really an expert in mushroom farming. You can inquire directly to Bureau of Plant Industry, Mushroom Producers Assoc. of the Phils. and TLRC (see all the contact details above). Regards,
Anonymous Says: 2/10/2007 05:21:00 AM
The information you presented is really educational. Been to a seminar about oster mushroom production and been browsing the net about such spp. How about posting in the future about such mushroom production techniques on oyters?
Thank you!!!
Lale Says: 2/22/2007 04:41:00 PM
Great resource on mushroom farming. I really enjoyed it. Entrepreneurial groups in Africa and India are also using mushroom farming for subsistence and as a cash crop. I definitely think it’s something valuable to look into.
Anonymous Says: 4/02/2007 08:52:00 AM
This was very informative, but I am having great difficulties finding mushroom spawn suppliers.
(seedlings, spors)
The telephone numbers given are not in service, only a few.
When reaching BPI I was sent around on a merry go round trying to find one person with information and products. No luck.
Is there an easier way to find spawn, varieties sold in the Philippines and the prices?
I would be thankful for any information given.
Fungiola
Eu-Leh Says: 4/05/2007 04:00:00 PM
hi fungiola, have you tried contacting dept. of agriculture directly? here’s the contact details:
Department of Agriculture
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Q.C.
Tel: (02) 920-4069 to 75
Email: webgroup@da.gov.ph
a1t-f4 Says: 8/01/2007 03:55:00 AM
Hi, I am new in mushroom farming but my problem is the pests. What solution can you give me against the sciarid fly/larvae? is there any biological/chemical pesticides I can use to combat these pests and where can I order/buy them?
zaldy de guzman Says: 8/09/2007 12:18:00 AM
Hi! am Mr. Zaldy de Guzman a mushroom entrepreneur from Bulacan. A D.O.S.T. Cooperator and presently our Corporation can supply ur needs for SPAWNS, FRUITING BAGS, MUSHROOM GROWING KITS. OYSTER AND STRAW/VOLVA MUSHROOM. My e mail addresss zaldy_19582000@yahoo.com and mobile no. 09178238619.
Anonymous Says: 9/03/2007 01:52:00 PM
hi! im jun,23yrs old from davao del norte panabo city. i would like to start a business, im very well interested in mushroom farming can anyone help me how to start a mushroom farming? i will be greatful if anyone would reply this matter.. tnx!
Anonymous Says: 9/03/2007 01:54:00 PM
im jun ones again you can reach me through mobile number 09183433881 or email me at jun_flipbeats@hotmail.com or robjr_camaho@yahoo.com… please me to put up a mushroom plantation couse im very well interested.. txxx.
mva Says: 9/11/2007 04:44:00 PM
for those who are interested in mushroom culture, try to contact the Dept. of Agriculture in Muntinlupa City. Just look for the tel nos. in Telephone Directory (Government)the procedures are much easier.
Anonymous Says: 9/16/2007 05:25:00 AM
The CENTER FOR TROPICAL MUSHROOM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CTMRD)located in CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija is conducting a monthly training/seminar on the production of tropical edible mushrooms. it is a 3-days training which includes a lecture and hands-on from preparation of media, tissue culture and up to fruiting and harvesting.
for more information
contact or visit
CENTER FOR TROPICAL MUSHROOM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Central Luzon State University
Science City of Muñoz, Nueve Ecija
3120
or email
kmbeltran@hotmail.com
Anonymous Says: 9/26/2007 12:22:00 AM
wala ba kayong mga video presentations or other multi-media instruction tools wherein we could just watch and learn from it? you could post in your website somewhere na pwede namin i-download even for a fee.
i think this will be more practical for us lalo na dun sa mga malalayong lugar. is this possible?
Eu-Leh Says: 9/27/2007 11:37:00 AM
Here are some video links you might be interested to watch.
Boyet Says: 10/01/2007 10:03:00 PM
Am very much interested in mushroom farming and would like to know where I can train.
Eu-Leh Says: 10/02/2007 01:33:00 PM
hi boyet, TRC (formerly TLRC) is conducting training and seminar on mushroom culture. Contact:
web: http://www.tlrc.gov.ph
email: tlidsg@yahoo.com
phone: 727-6205 loc. 200
gemregina@yahoo.com Says: 10/04/2007 08:37:00 AM
this was truly a great source of indormation for someone like me who’s just beginning to venture into a mushroom business. are there any mushroom businesses i can visit? i stay in diliman but our farm is in zambales. also, where can i get the costs for start-up of this business just so i’m sure my capital is enough.
gina
Anonymous Says: 10/07/2007 04:19:00 PM
Hi! I’m annabelle e. demafelix, grower and distributor of quality oyster mushrooms here in central luzon. If you’re interested with our product please feel free to contact me at my no. 09107494434 or you can send me your e mail at bdemafelix@yahoo.com. we can also help you out with the spawns and fruiting bags production.