How to grow MUSHROOMS in Uganda

Since time memorial, mushrooms have made a significant contribution to human food and medicine.

Mushrooms are not real plants; they are fungi and so require quite different growth media than the plants.

Cultivated mushrooms have become popular all over the world and in Uganda.

There over twelve species commonly grown for food.

Common mushroom varieties in Africa

There are three types of commonly grown edible mushrooms, they include:

Shiitake – these have a deep smoky flavor, and their firm texture makes them a good substitute for meat.

Oyster mushroom- these have a thick, soft texture with a subtle flavor.

And the white button mushroom-these are hardy and produce plenty of fruit.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide here to buy Mushrooms in Africa

Where to grow your mushrooms in Uganda

Different mushrooms have different growing medium for example:

shiitake mushroom are normally grown on hard woods or hard wood saw dust;

Oyster mushroom are grown on straw and

white button mushrooms are grown on composted manure.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide here to buy Mushrooms in Africa

How to propagate Mushrooms

Instead of seeds, mushrooms reproduce asexually through spores.

However caution should be taken as spores can be contaminated with air borne micro- organisms which will interfere with proper mushroom growth.

How to culture/plant Mushrooms in Africa

Place the growing medium in a pan and raise the temperature of the area about 70F.

Place the spawn on the growing medium in for about 3 weeks, the spawn will have rooted. Meaning the filaments will have spread in to the growing medium.

Once this occurs, drop the temperature to 55-60 F. this is the best temperature for growing mushrooms.

Then cover spawn with an inch or so of potting soil.

Cover the soil and pan with a damp cloth and spray the cloth with water as it dries.


Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide here to buy Mushrooms in Africa

How to harvest Mushrooms in Uganda

In 3-4 weeks you should be able to harvest your mushrooms.

At this time the cap will have fully opened and will have separated from the stem.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide here to buy Mushrooms in Africa

Quick tips for growing fungi in Africa

• Prepare appropriate substrate/'soil' to suit the type of mushrooms you are to culture.



• Create a dark, chilly place for a favorable growth environment.



• Prepare your culturing area to have proper humidity through proper aeration.



• Inoculate the substrate/'soil' with spawn to initiate culturing.



• Keep the substrate/'soil' warm for 2 weeks at the temperature of 21°C beyond this temperature spores can die.



• When you see mycelium drop the temperature to 13-16 °C, to facilitate a growing cycle.



• Cover the mycelium with moss or soil to protect it.



• Place a layer of news paper or thin cloth over the layer of soil or moss.



• Keep the top layer moist by spraying with water.



• After 10 days remove the cloth or news paper and continue misting the soil twice until you see pin heads or tiny mushrooms.



• Harvest you mushrooms when they get appropriate size.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide here to buy Mushrooms in Africa

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