Homemade Fruiting chamber (mini monotub) Mushroom Cultivation from www.shroomery.org

DIY Monotub: Building Your Own At Home In 2023

The Basics of a Monotub

A monotub is an inexpensive and easy to build structure that is commonly used in mushroom cultivation. The monotub is a simple box or container made of wood, plastic, or metal with a tight-fitting lid. The monotub is filled with a substrate such as straw, wood chips, compost, or manure and is then inoculated with mushroom spores. The monotub is kept in a warm and humid environment, which allows the mushrooms to grow and fruit over a period of weeks or months.

The Benefits of a Monotub

The monotub is an ideal choice for those who are just starting out in mushroom cultivation. It is easy to build, requires minimal materials and is relatively inexpensive. The monotub is also very versatile and can be used to cultivate a variety of mushrooms including shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane. The monotub is a great way to get into mushroom cultivation without having to invest a lot of money or time.

How to Build a Monotub

Building a monotub is a relatively easy process. All you will need is a container such as a plastic storage bin, wood box, or metal barrel. The container should be large enough to contain your substrate and should have a tight-fitting lid. Next, you will need to gather your substrate materials such as straw, wood chips, compost, or manure and place them in the container. Once the substrate is in place, the next step is to inoculate the substrate with mushroom spores.

Inoculating the Substrate

Inoculating the substrate is a simple process. All you need to do is mix the mushroom spores with a few drops of water and then sprinkle the inoculant onto the substrate. The spores should be evenly distributed throughout the substrate. Once the substrate is inoculated, the container should be sealed with the tight-fitting lid and placed in a warm and humid environment.

Maintaining the Monotub

Once the monotub is set up, it is important to maintain the environment within the monotub. The temperature and humidity should be monitored regularly to ensure that the mushrooms are growing properly. It is also important to mist the monotub regularly to keep the substrate moist. Once the mushrooms have begun to fruit, you can harvest them and enjoy your own freshly grown mushrooms.