www.mushroomvideos.com Part 2 of the BRF Tek section of Let’s Grow Mushrooms 2 DVD set
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Anyone who has a snug, warm shed, may have a good mushroom house, but it is imperative that the floor should be dry, and the roof water-tight. Of course a close shed, as a tool-house or a carriage-house, is better than an open shed, but even a shed that is open on the south side, if closely walled on the other sides, can also be made of good use for mushroom beds. While open sheds are good enough for beds that yield their crop before Christmas, they are ill-adapted for midwinter beds. The temperature of the interior of a mushroom bed should be about 60° during the bearing period, and the temperature of the surface of the bed 45° to 50° at least; if lower than that the mycelium has a tendency to rest, and the crop stagnates. Now this temperature cannot be maintained in an open shed, in hard frosty weather, without more trouble than the crop is worth. The beds would have to be boxed up and mulched very heavily. And even in a close, warm shed, protection in this way would have to be given, but the bed should not be under the penetrating influence of piercing winds and draughts. The mushroom beds should therefore be made in the warmest parts of the warmest sheds.

The beds should be made upon the floor and as much to one side as possible, so as to be out of the way, and in form flat on the ground, or rounded up against the sides of the shed; in the latter case the house should be well banked around on the outside with litter or tree leaves or earth, so as to exclude frost from the lower part of the walls, and thereby prevent the manure in the beds from getting badly chilled. The beds should be made deeper in a cool shed than in a cellar or warm mushroom house, so that they may retain their heat for a long time.

Shelf beds should not be used in unheated sheds, because of the difficulty in keeping them warm in winter. As a rule, shelf beds are not made as deep as are those upon the floor; hence they do not hold their heat so long. When cold weather sets in it is easy to box up and cover over the lower beds to keep them warm, but in the case of shelf beds, that are exposed above and below, it is more trouble to protect them sufficiently against cold than they are worth.

Generally speaking, the term shed is applied to unheated, simple wooden structures; for instance, the wood-shed, the tool-shed, a carriage-house, or a hay-barn. But we often use the name shed to designate heated buildings as the potting and packing sheds of florists. Were it not that these heated sheds are simply workrooms, and where there is a great deal of going out and in, and, consequently, draughts and sudden and frequent fluctuations of temperature, the treatment of mushroom beds made in them would be the same as that advised for regular mushroom houses; but as the circumstances are somewhat different the treatment, too, should not be the same. A warm potting shed is an excellent place for mushroom beds. Here they should be made under the benches and covered up in front with thick calico, plant-protecting cloth, or light wooden shutters, to exclude cold currents and sudden atmospheric changes, and guard against the beds drying too quickly.

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Kenny Point demonstrates how to grow your own crop of gourmet mushrooms through hardwood inoculation. View Kenny’s Blog: www.veggiegardeningtips.com Follow Kenny on Twitter twitter.com
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Qivana Announces the Qivana Qore Defense Product

There was much excitement this September in Orlando, Florida when Qivana introduced its newest product, Qivana Qore Defense. This organic mushroom composite, the Qore Defense, is actually a combination of six of the foremost immune-potent varieties of known medicinal mushrooms in the world. Recognized for their nutritional content, medicinal mushrooms have a well-documented record of supporting immune system activity in humans. Each mushroom variety has a very special role in this formula. In addition, they compliment and enhance each other and perform side-by-side to accomplish outstanding and unique immune support. Each mushroom variety has been extensively validated, researched, and is proven to have very specific health benefits. This distinct complex is designed in harmony with the values of ancient Tibetan and long-established Chinese medicine.

Qivana – Introduction to Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms are thought of as one of the most ancient of medicines, with a history of use dating back many millennium. While mushrooms have always been consumed as food, in the Far East ancient healers were more drawn to their marked healing benefits, outweighing their use as an ordinary food .

When most people talk about mushrooms, they consider only the handful of varieties obtainable in a grocery store and used in well-known recipes. However, the use and significance of mushrooms is known far beyond the edible species. Qivana literature states that according to a recent publication, the number of identified mushroom species on earth is estimated at about 140,000, with only about 10% of the total species acknowledged and identified on the planet. Of those acknowledged, about 50% are considered to possess some degree of edibility and over 1,800 species are likely to have some known medicinal advantage.

According to Qivana literature, the Qore Defense product supports strong immune function in addition to increasing endurance, stamina and energy. These mushroom varieties are distinguished for their distinctive, complex, and powerful nutritional content. They can deliver a expansive variety of health benefits, yet they are best recognized for their ability to activate immune-defense mechanisms. The medicinal mushrooms utilized in the formula are: Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), Coriolus (Coriolus versicolor), Zhu Ling (Polyporus umbellatus), Maitake (Grifola frondosus), and Shiitake (Lentinus edodes).

Qivana Qore Defense is Made with Organic Ingredients

The mushrooms in Qivana’s Qore Defense are all organically grown and cultivated in a greenhouse environment under fully controlled surroundings in the United States. Unlike others that are grown in Asia, the mushrooms in this complex are grown without using harsh herbicides or pesticides and they are free of impurities and contaminants, such as heavy metals. While the distinct advantages of these medicinal mushrooms are renowned, the Qivana Qore Defense formula has supported these benefits using a innovative cultivating technology. The mushrooms in the Qivana Defense product are grown on a bed of powerful, immune-enhancing adaptogenic herbs with beneficial nutrients. As the mushrooms grow, they take in the powerful benefits from these herbs and nutrients, which are specifically designed to enhance the strength of the mushrooms, increase their nutritional content, and enhance their essential worth.

How Do Mushrooms Boost Your Immune System

Mushrooms play a vital role at the foundation of the ecosystem. They grow most often in an extremely hostile surrounding, among dead and decaying matter, and are active in recycling and purifying organic substance. To protect themselves against the variety of damaging pathogens they encounter, mushrooms must have an extremely powerful chemical immune and detoxification system. Their very existance is dependent on their ability to defend themselves by deactivating these toxins. Their secret to a potent immune system is a special chemical, called a polysaccharide, which resides inside the mushroom’s cell wall through which food travels. This process is thought to be the source of their well-documented immune supporting power in humans.

Research has shown that more often than not, nature holds the key to many of our challenges. The experts at Qivana believe that regular mushroom supplementation could hold the key to keeping our immune systems alert, energetic, and more set to defend.

In conclusion, Qivana utilizes organically grown medicinal mushrooms in a product called Qivana Qore Defense that is designed to:

Support healthy immune function*
Activate the Natural Killer cells (NK) of your immune system*
Help maintain health during challenging seasonal changes*
Increase energy, endurance, and stamina*
Protect against chronic infection*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Mushrooms are spore-bearing bodies of fungus. Wild mushrooms are edible and safe to eat. It is used in many cuisines known to have nutritional value. Understanding mushroom identification must be followed upon assuming that a wild mushroom is edible.

A mushroom is a fleshy spore typically produced, above the ground, on soil. Thousands of its types are regularly harvested. However, some cannot be cultivated easily. It is reported to have nutritional content such as riboflavin, thiamine, biotin, niacin, and ascorbic acid. Other minerals include selenium, potassium, iron and phosphorus. A wild mushroom can be eaten if one learns important facts about it.

Most wild mushrooms are found in forests. Look for places that are damp or with high moisture content including areas that have many old rotting tree matters. It is also found on the base of a tree and other dense leafy deposits. An old land that has little disturbance also spurts mushrooms, creating more mycelium (fungi roots). Mushrooms hardly grow on dry, rocky and sandy ground.

Mushrooms have different variations, depending on the soil type. We discuss here some of the edible varieties of mushrooms.

The Puffballs (LYCOPERDON spp. and CALVATIA spp.) are round or pear-shaped mushrooms that can be white, gray or tan. First it is solid white, and then, it turns to yellow and brown as it ages. Puffballs are found in lawns, pastures, and in open and decaying woods during late summer and fall.

Puffballs should be sliced from top to bottom. A good puffball is completely white with no traces of yellow and brown colors. The outer skin is removed if it is hard. It is sliced and deep fried when cooking.
The Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) is so big, having shaggy white cylinders and brownish scales. It is sometimes called “a lawyer’s wig that crumbles easily.” You can pick shaggy mane during summer, spring or fall, particularly in soil or wood chips, lawns, pastures and even growing in grass.

Shaggy mane is best picked before its caps turn to black. This mushroom is so delicate that it needs to be picked while young and be eaten right away.
The Coral Fungi (Clavariaceae) appear like corals, ometimes tan, whitish, yellowish, pinkish and purple. It is also called as club fungi or dog hair mushroom.

Pick coral fungi in wooded areas or on decaying logs. Avoid the type that taste bitter and bruise brown or have gelatinous bases. Use the tips and upper branches when sautéing in white sauce because it is the most tender part.

The Morels mushroom is sponge and pinecone in shape. The surface is covered with clear cut pits and ridges, and the bottom part of the cap is attached to its stem.

The three common type of Morel are common morel, black morel and the half-tree morel. Their variety of habitats is easy to recognize, including woodlands and river bottoms. Pickers should be aware of some false morels for they are quite distinctive.

The Bearded Tooth (Hericium erinaceus) has white purrs that may grow quite large. It is primarily found on trees, stumps or logs. Bearded tooth is not the poisonous type.

The Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is a large white or ivory colored mushroom popular for its shell-like oyster shape. It is usually found in clusters of overlapping caps, trees and fallen logs. Crepidotus and Lentinus spp. are its look alikes, also not dangerous to eat.

The Chanterelles (Cantharellaceae) are funnel or trumpet shaped mushrooms. It is bright orange or yellow with fruity fragrance. Some have smooth bottoms and others have wrinkles found on hardwood forests. Chanterelles need long slow cooking.

The Boletes (Boletaceae) are fleshy sturdy mushrooms. It is brownish or reddish brown in color. The pores can be whitish, orange, yellow, olive, red or brownish. King Bolete is the best edible type in more than 200 species along North America. Poisonous boletes have orange and red pores. Some tends to decay quickly and possesses an unpleasant taste.

The Sulfur Shelf (Laetiporus sulphureus) features brilliant orange-red caps and sulfur yellow surfaces. Most of it grows on woods with large overlapping caps. It also has no stems and is tiny. Sulfur shell mushrooms cause mild allergies on some people. The texture and taste is similar to chicken when cooked.

Last, the Hen-of-the-Woods (Grifola frondosa. This mushroom looks like ruffled chicken. It is grayish brown and fan shaped, growing in the same spot every year. Hen-of-woods have no poisonous look alike but are very similar to other pore fungi.

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Maitake mushrooms have got their name of “King of Mushrooms” because of the enormous size that they can grow to. In Japan, the Maitake has been seen to grow up to 50 pounds in size. Because of this, this mushroom has become one of the more common culinary mushrooms in that country. In the U.S. this mushroom grows mostly in the Northeastern part of the country, but has been found as far west as Idaho.

Mushroom Growth

Maitake mushrooms are a perennial fungus that grows from an underground tuber like structure, much like that of a potato. The actual body of the fungus grows to a great diameter and is cluster like with brownish gray caps which are often curled. At first glance you would not think that the Maitake mushroom would be edible at all. However, it is quite useful for a lot of different great tasting dishes as well as providing powerful medicinal properties.

Medicinal Benefits

Mushrooms have always been said to have great medicinal properties. The Maitake is no exception. Recent studies have shown that the mushroom maitake can help with cancer treatments as well as Type 2 diabetes. The beta-glucan polysaccharide, or grifolan, that is in the mushroom has been shown to react with the macrophages in the body. These cells are important in the way that the body fights off anything attacking the immune system. Because of this cellular level of attack, the maitake mushroom is a great addition to any well balanced diet.

Mushroom Diet

Any diet that is focused on one type of food item is going to be incomplete as far as nutritional requirements are concerned. But, when you add certain foods to a well balanced diet, your body has the nutrients it needs to keep it healthy. When adding some foods, like the mushroom maitake, you can do it in supplemental form. Pills are a good way to add some of the mushroom nutrition into a diet.

Consult with your doctor and ask them about the added benefits of this mushroom. You do not need a prescription for this supplement, but it is good to get more information.

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www.mushroomvideos.com Part 1 of the BRF Tek section of Let’s Grow Mushrooms 2 DVD set
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We visited with the Oregon mycological society to see how they grow different types of delicious mushrooms for the home garden.
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While our family was on a mushroom hunt, my husband spotted what seemed to be steaming mushrooms. Our friends explained that these mushrooms were releasing spores. Read the entire story of our mushroom hunting experience at my blog nature-drunk.com.
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www.fungifun.org PF Tek for SImple Minds makes the cultivation of mushrooms at home feasible for complete beginners utilizing commonly available materials. Visit the site for complete step by step directions.
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