How long does it take to grow medicinal mushrooms, anyway? This all depends on several variables, of course.
Most of the time, it’s possible to grow medicinal mushrooms within just six months. However, you’ll need some knowledge about how to create the best grow conditions.
In this post, we cover how long it takes to grow medicinal mushrooms and what’s involved on the business side of these operations.
Keep in mind, if you’re planning to grow medicinal mushrooms commercially, you’ll also need some business insights to keep your operation running as it should.
Looking for advice to transform your home medicinal mushroom grow into a commercial medicinal mushroom farm? Northstar can help!
Contact us now to speak with one of our experts about how we can take your medicinal mushroom cultivation operation to new heights!
Growing Mushrooms at Home Commercially
Is growing mushrooms at home worth it? Yes! Some people find it possible to begin growing mushrooms at home commercially in a small growing area of around 200 square feet. This has the potential to produce around 800 pounds per grow cycle, which results in around 5,000 pounds of mushrooms annually.
But what’s involved with growing mushrooms at home commercially?
This shroompreneur startup is easy to begin and doesn’t have a high barrier to entry. The process involves significant pasteurization equipment and climatic control. But still, it’s possible to get started on a minimal budget.
Growing medicinal mushrooms at home involves obtaining a few materials. Since these fungi grow well in cool, dark, damp environments, it’s quite easy to grow them indoors. If you plan to grow mushrooms outdoors, you’ll need to have consistent growing conditions to avoid waiting up to three years for a single yield.
Basement mushroom grow operations are becoming increasingly common for those just starting out with their mushroom farm ventures. But any dark, damp, cool environment should work.
If you’re growing mushrooms at home commercially, you’re likely going to choose a common mushroom. For example, Oyster mushrooms.
Oyster mushrooms become fully grown within around 20 days. However, other mushrooms will take longer to grow.
Shiitake mushrooms take more time to grow than the Oyster mushroom. These shrooms take around three months to fully colonize. Then, it takes around 10 days for these mushrooms to fruit.
But if you’re considering growing truffles, be prepared to wait. Truffles have one of the longest wait times to grow, which is why they’re one of the most costly mushrooms on the market today. The investment is massive, demanding around seven or eight years to grow.
Chaga mushrooms also take some time to grow. While this mushroom is grown in the wild and does not typically get cultivated, the time it takes for these shrooms to fully mature is around 20 years. Thus, this is why foragers are encouraged to avoid taking too much Chaga and leave smaller Chaga mushrooms behind to allow them to fully mature.
Medicinal Mushroom Grow FAQ
How long medicinal mushrooms grow?
Medicinal mushrooms vary in how long they grow. For instance, Reishi mushrooms take 12 months or longer to fully colonize on logs. However, this also depends on the log size and weather conditions. Some mushrooms take less time while others take longer. Ultimately, it depends on the medicinal mushrooms you’re growing.
How long does it take to start a mushroom farm?
How long it takes to start a mushroom farm ultimately depends on the farmer’s commitment to the operation. Once all of the gear is in place and spores are planted, mushroom farmers can expect to harvest their first yield within 35 to 42 days. But this depends on the type of mushroom being farmed. Some commercially grown mushrooms aren’t ready for 60 to 150 days.
Is growing medicinal mushrooms profitable?
Growing medicinal mushrooms earns some farmers over $60,000 annually. Gourmet mushroom grow operations can also yield excellent profits. Smaller operations don’t demand too much time or space. In some cases, it’s as easy as spending a few hours per week on a small grow area to bring impressive profits from medicinal and gourmet mushroom grows.
How long does it take to grow Reishi mushrooms?
Growing Reishi mushrooms does take some time. If you’re using sawdust spawn to inoculate your logs, you can expect it to take between 9 and 12 months before you’ll see your Reishi start to fruit. However, if you’re inoculating your logs with plug spawn, it may take 15 to 18 months before your Reishi mushroom start fruiting.
Concluding on Growing Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms are a great addition to any diet, and they may offer a number of healing benefits, as well. If you’re looking to get started growing medicinal mushrooms for yourself or commercially, knowing how long it takes to grow these fungi can help you prepare. However, keep in mind that you might also be able to transition to the psychedelic industry once it becomes legal at the state and federal levels!
Have a gourmet mushroom grow operation and looking to expand into medicinal mushrooms? Northstar can help!
Contact us now to speak with one of our experts about how we can scale your operation and grow your mushroom business.
