DIY Fungi Cultivation
By Frazer Love
In the context of DIY Fungi Cultivation, for many years agriculturalists have understood and respected the benefits fungi play within the ecosystem of a living plant. They aid in fighting disease and drought by assimilating with the root-zone known as the Rhizosphere.
Fungi in the Garden:
increases the root’s surface area
secrete enzymes to help break down organic material
aid in the uptake of particular molecules
In addition to being a beneficial symbiote within the Rhizosphere fungi can also aid in CO2 production. Along with fungi being good for plants they have just as many if not more benefits to humans. Edible fungi contain high levels of riboflavin, copper, selenium and niacin along with and ability to boost the body’s immune system.
Knowing that fungi present a wide range of pertinent applications to the grower and health conscious individual we must ask ourselves why would the self-described DIY’er like you and I pass up the opportunity to grow yer own fungi…of course we will. Most of us around here are business minded individuals also and we have trouble ignoring an untapped source of income.
The best part of all of this is the equipment you may already own or could buy from your local grow shop, Flora ;-), is already the equipment you are familiar with. CEC (Closed Environmental Chambers), environmental controllers, timers, lighting *much less for fungi*, ventilation, purification, media type, and a strict adherence to detail and protocol will all fall within your comfort-zone as you initially get started in fungi cultivation.
In the coming weeks we will present a beginners guide to fungal cultivation. We will begin with an introduction to specific prerequisites to efficiently prepare your growing environment for the unique demands of your new fungal friends.
