From where in the United States can I buy sporeless varieties of Pearl
Oyster, Pink Oyster, Golden Oyster and King Oyster mushroom cultures
for cultivation? |
Clarification of Question by
dorko-ga
on
21 Jan 2003 17:53 PST
Note that my primary interest is in Pearl and golden oyster. The
golden oyster is Pleurotus citrinopileatus.
Consult www.mykoweb.com for species information.
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Request for Question Clarification by
czh-ga
on
28 Jan 2003 13:57 PST
Hello again dorko-ga,
I’ve gotten further information about growing mushrooms and I’m
convinced that Fungi Perfecti, the original source I gave you, has
what you’re looking for.
In order to assure myself that I understood what vendors are talking
about on their Web sites I did additional research on mushroom
cultivation.
This article from Penn State University gives a very clear and
understandable description of the mushroom cultivation process. It
explains that there are three methods for obtaining a culture for
growing mushrooms: tissue culture, spore germination, or purchase of
culture from a culture collection. I believe in your question you were
asking for obtaining oyster mushroom cultures that will grow from
tissue culture. This article goes into a great deal of detail on how
cultures are originally obtained and then how to grow and maintain
them by producing uncontaminated spawn. Using tissue cultures you will
get a clone of the original mushroom. This is not the case when you
use spore germination. In looking for a vendor, you’re trying to find
someone who will provide you with tissue culture spawn.
http://mushroomspawn.cas.psu.edu/SpawnGrowth.htm
Spawn, Spawning and Spawn Growth
David M. Beyer & Vija L. Wilkinson
Mushroom Science & Technology
Department of Plant Pathology
In continuing my research, I kept coming across Paul Stamets and his
books on growing mushrooms as the leading authority in the field. When
I asked for advice on your question from David Rust, the President of
the San Francisco Mycological Society, (
http://www.mssf.org/contact.html ) he responded with “Spawn is
mycelia, and does not contain spores,” and told me to “check with the
staff at www.fungiperfecti.com, Paul Stamets' famous website."
To follow up on your question I called Fungi Perfecti (360-426-9292)
and talked with Noelle. She said that if you want to call them,
everyone on the staff is knowledgeable about growing mushrooms and
they will be happy to help you. She also confirmed that the mushroom
cultures they sell meet your requirements in that they are tissue
cultures and will produce a clone. They also sell their proprietary
tissue cultures under licensing agreements. Noelle also explained that
if you want to get cultures from other vendors, you will be getting
sporeless products if the spawn is labeled as tissue culture. Some of
the sites I came across specifically state that they sell spores.
Here are some additional links on growing oyster mushrooms.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb9707.htm
Oyster Mushroom
January 1970 - March 1997
Quick Bibliography Series no. QB 97-07
213 Citations in English from the AGRICOLA Database July 1997
http://www.sporeworks.com/species3.html
Golden Oyster Mushroom
Pink Oyster Mushroom
The Spore Works, Knoxville TN 37996.
http://www.mushroomcompany.com/index.html
Mushroom Grower’s Newsletter
Suppliers
http://www.cfgrower.com/peepsbiz/january/oystermush.html
Cultivating Specialty Oyster Mushrooms
http://www.seasonalchef.com/mushrooms.htm
Riding the Mushroom Boom
http://www.mycomasters.com/Basics.html
Some Mushroom Growing Basics for Beginners
As Paul's books explain, the process of growing mushrooms can be
divided roughly into four steps:
I hope that this clarifies the original answer I gave. If it is
acceptable to you, I will post it as an official answer. If anything
else needs clarification, please ask. I’m determined to help you get
what you need.
czh
|
Request for Question Clarification by
czh-ga
on
29 Jan 2003 15:59 PST
Hello again dorko-ga,
I keep thinking about your question and I’m wondering if there’s
something I don’t know about your search. You said that “I am already
familiar with Fungi Perfect … I know they are not an answer for my
question – they do not carry _sporeless_ varieties.” I called them and
they said they DO carry sporeless oyster mushroom cultures. I’m
stumped on how to resolve this contradiction. There must be something
you know that I don’t know.
It might help me to find the kind of mushroom cultures you’re looking
for if you could give me your definition for what would meet your
requirements for a sporeless mushroom culture. If possible, give me a
link or reference. It might also help if you shared the information
about the searches you’ve conducted and the conclusions you came to
about your findings.
You’ve introduced me to a fascinating topic and I very much want to
help you find what you’re looking for. Please tell me more.
czh
|
Clarification of Question by
dorko-ga
on
29 Jan 2003 21:15 PST
I do not believe Fungi Perfecti is the answer to my question because
prior to posting to Google Answers, I had contacted them and their
reply was:
>>>
We do not posses sporeless varieties of mushrooms. I do see your
concern but I am not that familiar with totally sporeless varieties of
the mushrooms you mentioned. We do have some species that produce
smaller spore loads though. They however are not offered in kit form.
>>>
|
Request for Question Clarification by
czh-ga
on
03 Feb 2003 14:31 PST
Hello again dorko-ga,
Your last clarification telling me that you’re not interested in the
method of cultivation but are instead looking for end product made a
huge difference.
Let me give you an update. I just got a response from a contact who
knows of a producer of sporeless oyster mushrooms but they’re having
difficulty locating the contact information. I’ll keep you posted when
I get something more useful.
czh
|
Request for Question Clarification by
czh-ga
on
10 Feb 2003 15:51 PST
Hello dorko-ga,
I’ve collected additional information regarding your quest for
sporeless oyster mushrooms from a variety of authoritative sources.
I’m sorry that my initial answer on this question addressed the method
of cultivation. This is what I’ve been able to find on the product of
cultivation.
------------
WEB RESEARCH
------------
http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/apo/publications/tf_asia/chapter2.pdf
Sporeless and low spore shredding strains of Pleurotus sp. have
been developed. Studies on competitor molds associated with mushrooms
and its
control measures were worked out. The mushrooms laboratory is for the
develop-
ment of the industry in south India and assists by providing training,
guidance,
technological information and spawn
Page 11
http://turva.me.tut.fi/iloagri/natu/15.htm
The Oyster Mushroom
http://turva.me.tut.fi/iloagri/natu/15.htm
Health risks
Health risks associated with the cultivation of oyster mushrooms are
comparable to those linked to Agaricus as described above, with one
major exception. All Pleurotus species have naked lamellae (i.e., not
covered by a veil), which results in the early shedding of a large
number of spores. Sonnenberg, Van Loon and Van Griensven (1996) have
counted spore production in Pleurotus spp. and found up to a billion
spores produced per gram of tissue per day, depending on species and
developmental stage. The so-called sporeless varieties of Pleurotus
ostreatus produced about 100 million spores. Many reports have
described the occurrence of EAA symptoms after exposure to Pleurotus
spores (Hausen, Schulz and Noster 1974; Horner et al. 1988; Olson
1987). Cox, Folgering and Van Griensven (1988) have established the
causal relation between exposure to Pleurotus spores and occurrence of
EAA symptoms caused by inhalation. Because of the serious nature of
the disease and the high sensitivity of humans, all workers should be
protected with dust respirators. Spores in the growing room should at
least partially be removed.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb9707.htm
Oyster Mushroom
January 1970 - March 1997
Quick Bibliography Series no. QB 97-07
213 Citations in English from the AGRICOLA Database
July 1997
NAL Call No.: QK617.T28
Sporeless strains-A necessity in the production of Pleurotus
ostreatus.
Eger, G. Taiwan-Mushrooms. Taipei, T'ai-wan yang ku tsa chi she. Nov
1977. v. 1 (3) p. 79-82. ill.
5 ref.
http://www.urbancompost.org/docs/Oyster_mushrooms.doc
How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms
Maria de la Fuente, Farm Advisor, UCCE Santa Clara County
The natural habitat for the species of Pleurotus, or Oyster Mushroom
is the forest. … With the cultivated species Pleurotus ostreatus some
concern is the abundant spore load generated by this species. Its
spores may cause allergic reactions amongst some workers and
mycophagists (mushroom eaters); therefore the sporeless strains are
desirable.
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/2030/2064.pdf
Maria de la Fuente, Ph.D.
County Director and Farm Advisor Specializing in Mushrooms and
Composting
medelafuente@ucdavis.edu
--------------------------------------------
RESPONSES TO E-MAIL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------
From a colleague of Maria de la Fuente at UC Davis
M czh:
Here is a response I got to one of my messages. I hope it helps you
on your project.
rm
*******************************************************
Subject: Re: oyster mushrooms
To: rgordillo@ucdavis.edu
Rosa Maria
We have sporeless culture or spawn of (Pleurotus ostreatus var. spls)
which we can sell you, but the fruitbodies from that strain are not
marketable. They tend to be of low quality and a very short shelf
life. I recommend you purcahse the culture and produce a monokaryon
and try to mated that with other strain of P. ostreatus to create an
anastomosing strain of sporeless oysters that will be of higher
quality.
That culture would cost $500.00.
It would be worth it's weight in gold if you could purchase this
strain and create a sporless stain of P. ostreaus for the market.. Up
until now I have seen very few commercial strains of sporless
varieties.
I could just sell you the spawn as well for $79.00. It would take one
month to produce.
Let me know your thoughts.
Jim Gouin
F.P.
http://www.fungi.com/index.html
Rosa Maria Gordillo
Agricultural Program Research Associate
UCCE-Santa Clara County
(408)299-2635 ext. 1014
rgordillo@ucdavis.edu
-------------------------------------------------
From a contact at Golden Gourmet Mushrooms
http://www.goldengourmetmushrooms.com/store.html
Dear czh,
I stopped growing the Pleurotus ostreatus strains because of the
spores. I have heard of some "sporeless" strains of P. ostreatus and
P. florida but I have never grown them. I heard they did not yield
very well.
We grow P. eryngii, the King Oyster mushroom. It is not sporeless,
but it releases very few spores, especially if you pick it at the
right stage. It is slower growing and doesn't yield as well as other
Pleurotus species but tissue quality and shelf-life is much better.
It is also more difficult to grow than other oyster species. Another
mushroom to consider is the elm oyster mushroom, Hypsizygus ulmarius,
which is an "oyster-like" mushroom that releases very few spores.
Where are you located? I use the polypropylene bottle technology for
mushroom cultivation and I could sell you P. eryngii spawn in small
bottles (850 cc) although it may not be as convenient for you to use
as spawn in a bag.
Best regards, Steve
--------------------------------------
----------
CONCLUSION
----------
So, dorko-ga, where does this leave you? It appears that sporeless
oyster mushrooms are not available for your purchase and that even if
some could be located all the leading experts say that cultivating
them would not be very satisfactory.
I’m posting this as a clarification since I missed so badly on my
first answer to you. Please let me know if you will accept the
negative outcome as a satisfactory answer. If yes, please answer the
clarification and I’ll post the research as the official answer.
Thanks for your patience.
czh
|
Hello dorko-ga,
I’ve located several suppliers of mushroom cultures for cultivation
who have the varieties you’re looking for. I was not familiar with
them. They’re beautiful!
czh
http://www.fungi.com/index.html
Fungi Perfecti
PO Box 7634
Olympia, WA 98507
Order Line (toll free in the US & Canada): 800 780 9126
Phone: 360 426 9292
Fax: 360 426 9377
mycomedia@aol.com
http://www.fungi.com/cultures/cultures.html
CULTURES
A Select Library of In Vitro Strains
The strains represented here are unique. Some are rare, not being
available from culture libraries in North America, and potentially
high yielding. We are constantly working with these strains, screening
and maintaining cell lines. Fungi Perfecti is releasing the following
strains for use on a conditional basis.
Pleurotus djamor -- "Pink Oyster" -- C333
Pleurotus eryngii -- "King Oyster" C335
Pleurotus ostreatus -- "Oyster" C350
Pleurotus pulmonarius -- "Phoenix Oyster” C360
PROPRIETARY STRAINS
Available Mushroom Species
Pleurotus citrinopileatus PL-CP/S Golden Oyster
Pleurotus ostreatus PWOST/S Pearl Oyster
Pleurotus ostreatus CBOST Cold-Weather Oyster
-------------------------------------
http://www.fungusspawn.com/
Micro-Tech. Industries
P.O.Box 724
Springfield, Oregon, 97477-0119, U.S.A.
All Live Tissue / Spawn Cultures have been carefully selected and
packaged to insure contamination free shipping. Wild specimens contain
contaminate organisms and for the most part are not compatible with
sterile environments. Every precaution has been taken to insure
contamination free collection and the highest degree of success for
your research projects and enjoyment.
Pleurotus citrinopileatus (Golden Oyster)
Pleurotus djamor (Pink Oyster)
Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster)
Pleurotus pulmonarius (Phoenix Oyster)
Pleurotus tubberregium (King Tuber)
--------------------------------------
http://www.sporetradingpost.com/
Spore Trading Post, Inc.
15741 U.S. 36 EAST, #202
Marysville, OH 43040
937-642-7600
http://www.sporetradingpost.com/cultureroom.htm
ALL AVAILABLE CULTURES ARE $25 ea. PLUS $5 S/H
UNLESS YOU HAVE A TRADE
Leave a culture, take a culture.
PINK OYSTER (Pleurotus djamor)
This mushroom is by far the best mushroom I have tasted! Simmered in
butter and garlic...nothing is better! Out until March!
PEARL OYSTERS (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Oyster mushrooms grow in masses and rows on hardwood logs, stumps, and
trees. They are one of the few species of fungi that is carnivorous.
To supplement its diet of rotting wood, this mushroom will feed on
small (less than 1 mm) animals called nematodes to provide nitrogen.
The mycelium of the fungus secretes a substance that paralyzes the
nematode, and digestion of the animal takes place by the thread-like
tips of the mycelium entering through its mouth.
---------------
SEARCH STRATEGY
---------------
mushroom cultures
Pleurotus
Pleurotus citrinopileatus |
Request for Answer Clarification by
dorko-ga
on
22 Jan 2003 08:22 PST
As I am already familiar with Fungi Perfect (www.fungi.com, the first
two URLs given) I know they are not an answer for my question -- they
do not carry _sporeless_ varieties.
Which of these sell sporeless varieties? The rest appear to be spore
dealers. It is not likely that I can culture _sporeless_ mushrooms
starting from _spores_ produced from the parent.
|
Clarification of Answer by
czh-ga
on
22 Jan 2003 15:18 PST
Hello again dorko-ga,
I'm continuing the search. I have some e-mails out and will get back
to you shortly.
czh
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