Substrate Info

Our 10lb Certified Organic Ready-To-Fruit blocks are made from two different types of substrate. The first being a pelletized blend of 50% hardwood sawdust and 50% soy-hulls. This is what we call 'Master's Mix' as it is used for the majority of species that we produce here at Cap N' Stem.

The second type of substrate we use is a pelletized blend of 70% hardwood sawdust 30% wheat middlings. This is used mainly for shiitake mushrooms as they are a more sensitive species and wheat midds is a more gentle type of substrate.

We always hydrate our blocks to optimal moisture content, which is 60-63%.

From sourcing, processing and mixing to bagging, ultra pasteurizing and inoculating, the whole substrate block production process is completed at our facility in central Maine. All of our substrate is incubated for the ideal amount of time in our hyper-controlled incubation rooms that balance temp, humidity and carbon dioxide levels for optimal mycelial growth. Fully colonized substrate blocks are preconditioned in refrigerated storage, packed and shipped in vented boxes under refrigerated conditions and sent direct to your facility through our network of LTL and Truckload carriers.

What Is Substrate?

Glad you asked! Substrate is essentially defined as a surface that organisms can live off of and grow from. The substrate not only acts as the ground that the mushrooms would typically grow from in the wild; but also provides nutrients for the fungi in order to help them grow and provide the best possible mushrooms.

The Mix

The first step of the process is what we call 'the mix.' Here we use our Fenrir system to hydrate 10lb bags of our 'masters mix' before folding and putting them on racks. Once this is done they are ready to steamed and sterilized!

The Lab

After the 10lb blocks have been steamed, they are put in the lab where we inoculate them with grain spawn.

The Shake

Once the bags are inoculated they are sent to the shake table where our substrate team evenly distributes the spawn by shaking the bags.

Incubation

This is our incubation room here at Cap N' Stem, where we put the blocks of substrate after they have been inoculated with grain spawn.

Packing Up!

After the blocks have finished the incubation process, we then pack them into vented boxes on a pallet and ship them out to our customers.

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Substrate Form

If you would like to purchase bulk substrate, place your order by filling out this form here! If you would like to just purchase one block to try it out, then you should check out our shop!

Form Shop