Jew’s ear – easy growing

Jew’s ear or wood ear mushroom (Hirneola auricula-judae syn. Auricularia auricula-judae) is a very particular mushroom. If you see it, you can easily recognize it. It is abundant in Eastern Europe and you can find it all year round.

However, few people know that you can grow it at home and it is not difficult at all. All you need is the right mycelium and a suitable soil so, let us take a closer look at the entire procedure.

Sawdust or crushed straw

That is right. No more is needed. First, wet the substrate well. Soak in lukewarm water for 24 hours, but you can speed up the process by pouring hot water over it first. In the meantime, you need to get suitable bags. People use casing or bags for various salami or haggis. Place the substrate inside the bag and fill it to about two thirds.

Photo: Zdeněk Pelda

Now you need to cook it – one hour in boiling water will do. Let the bags cool down and put mycelium inside. Do not close completely. There has to be an air flow.

Photo: Zdeněk Pelda

Storing bags with wood ear

For the first 3-4 weeks, when the mycelium grows through, maintain the temperature at 25 °C and in a dark room. Later, it is suitable to increase the temperature but do not exceed 30 °C). It also needs higher air humidity and later indirect light. The bags should be cut open or you may remove the substrate completely.

After a few weeks, fruiting bodies begin to appear. Harvest the ripe ones and dry them. Do not collect mushrooms that show signs of algae or the white ones. Wood ear is used as a medicinal product or you may use it as any regular mushroom – to enhance taste of various dishes.

Source of information: https://www.pestik.cz/…/

Preview photo: Zdeněk Pelda