Bunker Spawn
Bunker Spawn
Bunker spawn is a large-scale method of producing myceliated straw or wood chips for bioremediation projects and filters for agricultural and silty runoff. It is an efficient way to produce substrate for colonized beds, especially in areas where expansion of spawn is difficult due to weather or time constraints. In a climate-controlled environment, bunker spawn can be produced quickly, with Wine Cap (Stropharia rugosa-annulata) having the best results, and Oysters (Pleurotus spp) having lesser success.
Begin by using clean straw. Pack it tightly into large containers such as trash cans, barrels or stock tanks without chopping it. You can also mix straw with wood chips in a ratio of 50:50 or 4:1 straw to wood chips. However, be aware that adding wood chips may extend the mycelium’s activity but also increases the risk of initial contaminants and poor spawn growth. Additionally, if using wood chips, it is recommended to use Wine Cap inoculum instead of Oyster mushroom spawn.
You will need:
• Clean straw, any variety, 3 small square bales
• 1 large bag of sawdust spawn
• Rubber gloves
• 6-10 burlap/Hessian sacks
• Twine
• Large plastic sheet (to cover the inoculated bags)
How to Make your own Bunker Spawn
Soak the straw in water for 4-7 days. The length of the soak may vary depending on the air temperature, and it should be long enough for the straw to fully hydrate and ideally begin to ferment. Use clean tap or well water if the straw is intended for mushroom cultivation for consumption. Keep the straw submerged by using something heavy. Observe for a thin film to form on the water surface, which indicates the fermentation process has started. Soaking the straw for longer is not necessary, but it will become more odorous as time goes on.
Once you notice the film, drain the straw. After draining, pack the wet straw into a burlap sack and add handfuls of spawn. Use approximately 1 pound of spawn for every 30 pounds of straw (or one burlap sack). Incorporate the spawn as evenly as possible into the straw as you press it into the sack. The straw can be sticky and have a strong odor, so it is recommended to wear rubber gloves as the smell may remain on your hands. Once packed, tie the sack closed loosely with twine.
Place the sacks in a warm room with a temperature range of 15-21°c. To allow for proper drainage and ventilation, it is useful to place the bags on a pallet or boards. Cover the area with a loose plastic tarp to maintain high humidity while still allowing the bags to breathe. Check the bunker spawn regularly while it is under the plastic tarp. The surface of the bags may appear dry, but the area between the bags should remain damp and display mycelium growth. The bunker spawn should be ready within 30 days, at which point the bags will be fully myceliated and visibly colonized.
It is possible to use well-prepared bunker spawn to inoculate additional bunker spawn. Allow at least 2 and a half months for the final bags to become fully myceliated.
An alternative method is to inoculate and incubate directly in a tank or barrel. Keep the tank covered with a plastic tarp to maintain moisture. Once fully myceliated, distribute the straw in the container or bag of your choice.
Myceliated bunker spawn
Myceliated bunker spawn, is a type of spawn that is used to inoculate substrates for mushroom cultivation. It is made by mixing a mushroom spawn culture with grains such as rye or millet.
There are several benefits to using myceliated bunker spawn for mushroom cultivation:
- Speed: Myceliated bunker spawn colonizes substrates much faster than other types of spawn, such as sawdust or plug spawn. This means that you can start fruiting your mushrooms faster.
- Sterility: Myceliated bunker spawn is less prone to contamination than other types of spawn. This means that you can reduce the risk of your mushroom cultivation being ruined by bacteria or other unwanted organisms.
- Cost: Myceliated bunker spawn is typically less expensive than other types of spawn. This makes it a cost-effective option for mushroom cultivation.
- Storage: Myceliated bunker spawn can be stored for long periods of time and still maintain its viability, which makes it a convenient option for growers.
- Ease of use: Myceliated bunker spawn is easy to use and is a great option for growers of all experience levels.
Overall, myceliated bunker spawn is a great option for mushroom cultivation due to its speed, sterility, cost-effectiveness, storage, and ease of use.
What is Bunker Spawn Used For?
Myceliated bunker spawn is a type of mushroom spawn that is used for growing mushrooms in a variety of substrates, including straw, sawdust, and wood chips. It is made by inoculating a substrate with mushroom mycelium, which is the vegetative part of the mushroom. The mycelium colonizes the substrate and creates a network of cells that can produce mushrooms. Myceliated bunker spawn is often used in outdoor cultivation methods, such as using straw bales or logs as the growing substrate.