Cultivated Mushrooms

© Monsieur Champignon

Cultivating Specialty Mushrooms: Evolution and Economic Opportunities

The specialty mushroom cultivation industry has evolved from wild harvesting to offer more controlled methods and a new economic model. This type of production makes it possible to generate larger and more stable quantities per unit of surface area, thus creating economic opportunities that also support the development of mycological supply chains. Note that outdoor production can be more unpredictable than production done indoors in a controlled environment.

To provide a brief overview of the possibilities, here’s a look at this evolution, the main cultivation methods, and the mushroom species with the most promising economic potential.

We recommend contacting a specialist in this field to further explore these concepts before you embark on your own adventure. The contact details for the companies we reference can be found at the end of this section.

© Monsieur Champignon

What are the basic principles of mushroom cultivation?

  1. Substrate Selection
    • Use logs, mulch, or sawdust depending on the mushroom species;
    • Choose a substrate made from hardwood tree species.
  2. Substrate Treatment
    • Reduce the presence of competitors in the substrate;
    • Clean and prepare logs or mulch for inoculation;
    • Soaking the wood chips is an effective method for stropharia cultivation.
  3. Inoculation of Mycelium
    • Insert mycelium into the substrate (sawdust or grain) for effective colonization;
    • Using mycelium on a solid substrate is recommended for rapid and efficient mycelial spread.
  4. Incubation
    • Allow the mycelium to grow until the substrate is fully colonized;
    • Control temperature, humidity, and light;
    • For example, with wine cap stropharia, mycelial colonization takes about 6 to 12 weeks at an optimal temperature of 24°C.
  5. Fruiting, Harvesting, and Maintenance
    • Initiate fruiting by thermal shock or bacterial addition;
    • Manage humidity and environmental conditions for optimal fruiting;
    • Harvest daily to ensure the quality and freshness of mushrooms, especially for wine cap stropharia, which grows rapidly.
© Fernand Miron
© Fernand Miron
© Fernand Miron

What are the most promising mushroom species?

© Fernand Miron
  1. Shiitake
    • Cultivated on hardwood logs;
    • Use of mycelium on sawdust or wooden dowels.
  2. Oyster Mushroom
    • Grown on mulch or mycelium blocks;
    • Prized for their delicate flavor;
    • Humidity and light management are key for optimal fruiting.
  3. Lion’s Mane (Hericium spp.)
    • Delicate flavor and medicinal properties;
    • Grown on logs or mycelium blocks.
  4. Morels (Morchella spp.)
    • High market value;
    • Cultivated in patches alongside hardwood trees.
  5. Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus spp.)
    • Meat substitute for vegetarians;
    • Grown on logs or mycelium blocks.
  6. Wine Cap Stropharia (Stropharia rugosoannulata)
    • Gourmet mushroom with refined flavor;
    • Grown in garden beds on substrates such as straw, wood chips, and clearing residues;
    • High yields possible with proper moisture and environmental management.

What are the main cultivation methods?

© Monsieur Champignon
  1. Cultivation on Shredded Forest Debris
    • Allows for concentrated fruiting in a small area while valorizing forest debris;
    • Harvest of rare and abundant species;
    • Challenges: mycelium predators, environmental conditions, fungal competition.
  2. Cultivation on Logs or Stumps
    • Requires healthy stumps and an appropriate environment (cool, shaded, and humid undergrowth);
    • Use of mycelium on sawdust or wooden dowels for inoculation.
  3. Cultivation on Mulch
    • Use of straw, wood chips, or compost;
    • Chemical treatment or fermentation to prepare the substrate;
    • Inoculation and incubation under geotextile to control humidity.
  4. Cultivation on Mycelium Blocks
    • Use of supplemented sawdust;
    • Inoculation in sterilized autoclave bags;
    • Fruiting in a grow room or a controlled forest environment.


Resources for Mushroom Cultivation

Here are some references for organizations we have worked with in the past who are leaders in the industry. You can also consult an economic study and a summary document produced in recent years on the topic of mushroom cultivation in forest environments or controlled environments:

Monsieur Champignon Violon et champignon Technical Guide for Mushroom Cultivation in Forest Environments (PDF) (French) Specialty Cultivated Mushrooms – Summary Sheet (French)