Fungi: mycelia, mushrooms & more

Note: I haven't tried this myself cause I don't have all the equipment needed (or should I say haven't thought of how to replace them, perhaps?). Still, it does seem pretty doable.

Flora. Fauna. Funga. The case for fungi to be considered their own kingdom within the natural world was simple: Without them, much of life as we know it on this planet—starting with the ability of plants to live outside of water—would not exist.

Grow It Yourself! Once you have experimented, grow a piece of Mycelium Furniture. Innovators are growing unique salable products.

I grow mushrooms at home, and so I have lots of spent grow bags with decayed substrate (wood, millet and soy hulls) in them.

They are great for composting, and make very good soil, but nobody wants them and I used as much as I could for my plants.

Right now, I throw them into the industrial compost bin because of that.

But I think they could be used for something way more useful than just compost.

For example, I thought about chopping them up and dehydrating them, so I can use them as cat litter. Mushrooms are mostly water and the hyphae have lots of surface area, so they could act as a sponge.

Or, maybe they burn fine and make good coals for barbecues or heating?

Do you have any other ideas?

16 Sep 2024

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam, Germany, are creating packaging materials by mixing mycelium with agricultural residues such as wood chips, hemp and reeds. Experts at the institute are working with mycelium from edible mushrooms and bracket fungi, such as oyster mushrooms and tinder fungi.

U.S. Bioenergy Technologies Office

There is evidence suggesting that ancient Egyptians used moldy bread, specifically containing a type of mold called Penicillium, as an early form of antibiotic.

Beyond Meat has plans to launch a mycelium-based whole-cut steak alternative, responding to growing consumer demand for clean-label alternatives, reports CNBC.

The vertically integrated denim manufacturer has partnered with New York-based Ecovative, a leader in mycelium technology, to transform post-consumer waste denim into sustainable architectural and interior design materials. Their first product is mycelium bricks made from discarded jeans.

Okom Wrks Labs is developing a replacement for steel (and other biggies) through its structural mycelium solution. Prometheus Materials has developed an algae-based, carbon-negative alternative to Portland cement. TerreformONE is growing gorgeous and durable furniture from mycelium.

Mycoremediation — the use of fungi to degrade contaminants — shows great promise, but still has a long way to go.

Note: I am really sorry that they are using a zoo for this research.

Two videos on Miriam C. Rice's original research:

• Mushrooms for Color: Dyeing with Fungi (1988, 28 minutes)
• Mushrooms for Paper: Papermaking with Polypores (1993, 12 minutes)

Invidious link

• Mycelium-based materials from regional agricultural residues
• Versatile applications: Strength and elasticity can be specifically configured
• Developing industrial processes

Invidious link

Hi! I have successfully grown 2 batches of Pleurotus ostreatus and I can say I am addicted! I want to know more about growing (general) and funghi in general. I got the basics covered already.

Any book recommendations? (paper back or hard cover)

Thanks!