Manual: Pioppino Grow Kit
Manual Pioppino (Cyclocybe Cylindracea)
With this grow kit you grow the Pioppino yourself. In everyday speech we often call this mushroom the Pioppino. In mycology you will come across this species under several Latin names: Cyclocybe cylindracea, Agrocybe cylindracea and Cyclocybe aegerita. They all refer to the same tasty mushroom.
This manual guides you step by step through the growing process with the specific method of Samzwam. Read the instructions all the way through before you start.
What you need
Besides the grow kit you need the following items:
- A clean plate.
- A clean cloth (for example a dishcloth or a piece of kitchen paper).
- A sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
Preparation
Hygiene is essential when growing mushrooms. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before you touch or work on the grow kit. Clean the knife or the scissors well too. This prevents contamination by bacteria or other moulds.
The process
Follow the steps below precisely. Please note: this grow kit is shipped fresh and needs a short recovery period.
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Recovery period (Crucial)
Because of the transport, the mycelium (the root network of the mushroom) in the bag is somewhat disturbed. Stand the bag upright at room temperature once you receive it. Do not open the bag yet and do not make any holes in it. Leave the bag alone for a few days. You can tell that the mycelium is recovering because the contents turn nice and white again. Only when the contents are largely white do you move on to the next step.
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Opening the bag
As soon as the mycelium has recovered, you give the Pioppino room to grow. You have two options for this:- Option A (Top fruiting): Cut open the top of the bag. This makes the mushrooms grow upwards like one large bouquet. Do leave an upright rim of about 5 to 10 centimetres to keep a microclimate.
- Option B (Side): Use a clean knife to make 1 or 2 horizontal cuts of about 5 centimetres in the side of the bag. The mushrooms will push their way out through these openings.
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Controlling humidity (Plate method)
Mushrooms need high humidity, but spraying water directly onto the Pioppino can lead to rot. That is why we advise the following method:
Take the plate and lay the wet cloth on it (or drape the wet cloth around the foot of the grow kit). Place the grow kit on top of the plate. The water from the cloth evaporates slowly around the bag. This gives the ideal humidity without the mushrooms themselves getting wet. Keep the cloth moist every day.
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Location and growth
Put the set-up in a spot with indirect daylight. Avoid full sun and do not place the kit directly above a radiator. Our supplier gives 18 to 28 degrees for a controlled growing room, but we have by far the most success with this species simply outdoors, in partial shade. Outdoors it follows the season and comes mainly in late summer and autumn, as soon as it turns humid. Indoors, high humidity matters more than the exact temperature. Within 1 to 3 weeks you will see the first pins (primordia) appear. From that moment on, growth is fast.
Harvesting
The right moment to harvest is important for the flavour and the shelf life. Harvest the Pioppino when the caps start to open, but are not yet completely flat or curled up. Do not wait until the mushrooms drop spores (brown powder), because this can affect the flavour and makes a mess.
How to harvest: Take hold of the whole cluster of mushrooms at the base. Twist gently and pull it loose from the substrate. Try to leave as little substrate residue as possible on the grow kit. After the harvest you can repeat the process from step 3 for a possible second flush.
Storing
Storing the harvest: The harvested Pioppino keeps for a few days in the fridge. Store them in a paper bag so they can breathe.
Storing the grow kit: Do you not want to start growing straight after you receive it? Then put the closed grow kit in the fridge right away (between 2 and 7 degrees Celsius). It will keep well there for a few weeks. Take the bag out of the fridge 24 hours before the start so it can come up to temperature.