Mushrooms belong to the kingdom Fungi and lack chlorophyll, meaning they cannot perform photosynthesis. Unlike traditional crops, fungi do not rely on sunlight and instead obtain nutrients by breaking down organic matter. This fundamental difference requires a specialized approach to cultivation using controlled indoor environments rather than open fields.
Formal and Common Terminology
The most widely accepted term for a facility that grows fungi for commercial consumption is simply a mushroom farm. This term is descriptive and easily understood, making it the industry standard for most commercial operations. The industry also uses functional terms, such as a fungi cultivation facility or a fungiculture operation.
More technical or academic terminology exists, though it is less frequently used in commerce. A mycofarm is a formal term derived from “mycology,” the scientific study of fungi. Similarly, a fungarium refers to a dedicated space for cultivating fungi, paralleling terms like “aquarium” or “herbarium.” These formal names are generally reserved for scientific literature or research settings.
Defining the Unique Growing Environment
Mushroom cultivation fundamentally differs from traditional agriculture because it does not use soil as the primary growth medium. Instead, fungi require a formulated substrate, which is a nutrient-rich organic material like composted manure, hardwood sawdust, or specialized grain mixes. This substrate provides the necessary carbon and nitrogen compounds that the mycelium, the vegetative body of the fungus, consumes.
The entire process relies on a highly controlled environment, often classified as Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Temperature and humidity are closely regulated, with humidity often maintained above 85% to prevent the fungal structures from drying out. While light is generally not required, specific exposure may be introduced during the final phase to encourage the formation of the mushroom cap.
Managing air quality is another specific requirement, particularly the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2). During initial growth, CO2 levels remain high to promote mycelial colonization. However, a significant increase in fresh air exchange is needed later to drastically lower CO2 levels, which signals the fungus to form the fruiting body.
Stages of Mushroom Cultivation
The cultivation process begins with substrate preparation, designed to eliminate competing microorganisms. Substrates like compost are typically pasteurized using steam or hot water, while materials like sawdust are often sterilized under high pressure and temperature. This preparation allows the introduced fungus to colonize the material without competition.
The next phase is inoculation, where a prepared material called “spawn” is introduced into the substrate. Spawn consists of grain or sawdust fully colonized by the desired mushroom mycelium, acting as the fungal equivalent of a seed. This spawn is mixed thoroughly with the bulk substrate to distribute the organism evenly.
Following inoculation is the incubation period, also known as the colonization phase, which typically lasts several weeks. During this time, the mycelium spreads its dense, thread-like network throughout the substrate, converting organic matter into fungal biomass. This stage is maintained at a consistently warm temperature, often between 70°F and 80°F, requiring minimal light and fresh air exchange.
The final stage is fruiting, triggered by a controlled environmental shock to initiate mushroom formation. Growers intentionally lower the ambient temperature, increase fresh air exchange to reduce CO2 drastically, and raise the humidity. This change causes the mycelial network to form small bodies called “pins,” which rapidly expand into mature structures ready for harvesting.