Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mushroom life-cycle?

Mushrooms begin their life-cycle when two compatible spores from an existing mushroom, fall and germinate to form 'hypha' in an ideal substrate (wood, dirt, compost, etc) and combine to form a 'strain' of a particular type of fungi.  The combined 'hyphae' colonizing/digesting a substrate is referred to as 'mycelium.' Mycelium is essentially the vegetative state of a mushrooms. Once a mycelial mass is ready to fruit given ideal conditions, mushrooms will emerge from the fully colonized substrate to produce spores and continue the Mushroom Life Cycle.

What is substrate?

Substrate for us here at Maine Cap N Stem is a combination of hydrated red oak sawdust blended with a mixture of agricultural byproducts such as organic wheat middlings, organic soy hulls and organic whole grains such as millet and wheat. This substrate is what we cultivate mycelium in for the production of mushrooms.

What is a mushroom block?

Our mushroom blocks are essentially synthetic substrate logs.  In nature you will find mushrooms emerging from between cracks in the bark from a mycelium colonized log or dead tree. The bark protects the forming mycelium as it colonizes the heart wood and helps the log retain its moisture for mushroom formation. The 'heartwood' of our mushroom blocks is comprised of an organic nitrogen rich red oak sawdust blend. The blend is protected by a recyclable plastic bag acting as the bark and fitted with a filter patch that allows the mushroom mycelium to maintain moisture content and simultaneously breathe.

What is Spawn?

Mushroom grain spawn is comprised of hydrated whole grains, properly sterilized and inoculated with a specific mushroom mycelium within in sterile laboratory setting.  The purpose of grain spawn is to allow for the full colonization of grains which can be broken up and expanded into sterilized mushroom substrate blocks. 

How do i grow morels?

'hard tellin' not knowin'

Can I grow mushrooms from your substrate in a greenhouse?

The ideal fruiting conditions for our substrate is 55-65F, 450-800ppm and a fluctuation of humidity between 75% and 95%.  With high levels of heat and bright light in a greenhouse, it isn't ideal to grow mushrooms in a greenhouse setting. While single mushroom blocks produce well on a kitchen counter top, when fruiting our substrate in bulk commercially it is important to invest in the proper equipment, infrastructure and controls for a consistent high quality mycological product.

Can I eat gourmet mushrooms raw?

Fresh gourmet mushrooms contain protein, fiber, vitamins as well as a powerful antioxidants which help support the immune system and prevent damage to cells and tissues in our bodies. To access all of these benefits though, mushrooms need to be cooked in order to break down the indigestible outer cell wall.  That being said, eating raw mushrooms is NOT suggested.  Butter, Garlic, Salt and Heat in combination with the gourmet mushrooms of your choice, is HIGHLY suggested!