Mushroom Production Online Course
| Full Fee | $595.00 incl GST - Best Value! |
| Payment Plan | $800.00 incl GST |
Exam Optional
Tutor Support Yes unlimited by email
Qualification Certificate
There are many different types of mushrooms. To understand the culture of one gives you a head start to understanding others. In this 100-hour course, you will focus on the most widely cultivated mushroom (ie. Agaricus).
This course is suitable for:
- anyone interested in growing mushrooms
- self sufficiency growers
- commercial mushroom producers
This online course provides a valuable introduction to a wide range of mushrooms; and can be used as a starting point for growing any of these.
Course Aims:
- Classify different varieties of fungi which are commonly eaten
- Determine the techniques used in the culture of edible mushrooms
- Explain the harvesting of a mushroom crop
- Explain the post-harvest treatment of a mushroom crop
- Explain marketing strategies for mushroom
- Compare the culture of a range of different commercially cultivated mushoom species from around the world.
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Detailed Course Outline
This course is made up of a number of lessons or units. Each of these has self assessment questions, a set task (practical homework) and an assignment which you can upload online. Click below to read about each of the lessons and what you will learn.
There are 8 Lessons in this course:
Introduction
- How Fungi are Named: Review of the system of plant identification
- Characteristics of all Fungi
- Three Fungi Kingdoms: Zygomycota, Basidiomycota and Ascomycota
- Agaricus campestris and Agaricus bisporus
- Review of significant edible fungi including; Coprinus fimetaris, Flammulina velutipes, Letinus erodes, Pleurotus, Stropharia, Volvariella,Auricularia auricula
- Synonymous Names
- Distinguishing edible fungi, Mushroom structure, tell tale characteristics of the genus Agaricus, etc.
- History of Mushroom Cultivation
- Commonly Cultivated Edible Fungi
- Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus bitorquis
- Coprinus fimetarius
- Flammulina velutipes
- Kuehneromyces mutabilis
- Lentinus edodes Shiitake.
- Pholiota nameko
- Pleurotus spp “Oyster Mushroom”
- Stropharia rugosa annulata
- Volvariella volvaceae Edible Straw Mushroom.
- Auricularia spp
- Tremella fuciformis
- Tuber spp.
- Tricholoma matsutake
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)
- Grifola frondosa (Hen of the woods, Maitake)
- Resources, information/contacts
Mushroom Culture
- Options for obtaining Spawn
- Steps in Growing Agaricus species: Preparation, spawning, casing, harvest
- What to Grow Mushrooms in; growing medium
- Growing media for different edible fungi: Agaricus, Auricularia, Copreinus, Flammulina, Letinus, Pleurotus, Volvariella, etc
- Understanding Soil and Compost, components and characteristics
- Acidity and Alkalinity
- Making Compost
- Making Mushroom Compost, and mushroom compost formulations
- Moisture Level in Compost
- Cultivation of Agaricus bitorquis
- Cultivation of Coprinus fimetarius
Spawn Production and Spawning
- Finding Spawn Supplies
- Overview of Spawn and Spawning
- Obtaining Smaller Quantities of Spawn
- The Process of Spawning
- Spawn Production; typical rye grain method
- Storing spawn
- Problems with Spawn
- Using Spawn
- Comparing temperature conditions for spawning and fruiting in most commonly cultivated edible mushroom species
- Cultivation of Pleurotus
- Cultivation of Stropharia
Making and Casing Beds
- Growing Methods; Caves, bags, houses, outdoor ridge beds, troughs, etc
- Casing; biological process, characteristics of casing material, procedure
- Techniques; spawned casing, ruffling, scratching
- Review Auricularia and Volvariella
Growing Conditions for Mushrooms
- Fungi Nutrition: carbon, nitrogen, essential elements, vitamins and growth factors
- Casing to Harvest of Agaricus
- Growing Indoors
- Components of a Built System and Determining Your Needs
- Factors Influencing Fungal Growth
- Environmental Control, equipment to measure and control the environment
- Siting a Growing House
- Managing the Growing House or Room, cleanliness, heating, cooling, humidity, etc
- Review of Tuber (Truffle) and Tremella
Pests, Diseases and Growing Mushrooms Outside
- Overview of Pests, Diseases and Environmental Disorders
- Prevention of Problems
- Review of Bacterial and Fungal Diseases and their Control
- Review of Insect Pests, Mites, Nematodes and their Control
- Weed Moulds
- Safe, Natural Sprays
- Summary of Problems found on Agaricus bisporus and other edible fungi covered in this course
- Cultivation of Flammulina velutipes and Kuehneromyces mutabilis
Harvesting, Storing and Using Mushrooms
- Harvesting Buttons, Cups and Flats on Agaricus bisporus
- Fruiting patterns for Agaricus bisporus and other edible mushrooms
- Cool Storage of Mushrooms
- Freezing Mushrooms
- Dry Freezing Mushrooms
- Drying Mushrooms
- Canning Mushrooms
- Harvesting Agaricus; method of picking
- Handling Agaricus after harvest
- Controlled Atmosphere Storage
- Cultivation of Letinus (Shitake), Pholiota, Tricholoma
Marketing of Mushrooms and Special Assignment
- Review of Marketing options for mushrooms
- Fresh Mushroom Sales
- Processed Mushroom Sales
- Production and Marketing of Shitake, Oyster Mushroom and Straw Mushroom
- Research and Determination of Marketing Opportunities and Strategies in Your Region
When you have completed the lessons of your Certificate course, you will be given the option of taking the optional exam. It's okay if you don't want the exam, we still issue your Careerline Certificate. For Advanced Certificates however, the exam is compulsory (per module) and are included in the course fee.
Course Tutor(s)
Barbara Tremain BSc. (Hons) Horticulture, RHS Adv. Cert,. RHS General, City & Guilds Garden Design, Permaculture Level 3 (UK)
Barbara brings to Careerline a wide range of horticultural experience and knowledge Barbara has a keen interest in herbalism, edible wild plants and has lead into studies of many plant based complementary medicinal systems, qualification as a Bach Flower remedy practitioner and studying Ethnobotany. Barbara has practiced and studied horticulture as well as combining it with her love of travel in many countries including the UK, US and Australia and has also studied Permaculture and runs her own horticulture business. Within the past two years she have also worked for Groundwork SW with 18-24 year old unemployed people, this work and the mentoring scheme has allowed me to teach informally. It has been a delight to nurture the interests of keen learners in horticulture and garden design. Meanwhile the business has covered a variety of Garden Design projects, from wildflower gardens to seaside situations, and has included some work with Chelsea Gold multi-winner John Moreland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay in installments?
Yes! We offer great payment plans, however full payment up front is the cheapest. You can choose the best payment plan for you from the course page, or call us on 07 55368782 to talk to one of our course consultants for a custom plan.
Can I study from anywhere in the world?
We have many international students. Careerline's range of courses are suitable for any one, anywhere in the world.
Do I get a discount if I enroll in a second course?
Yes. You may claim a 5% fee discount when you enroll in a second course, and a further 10% off a three-course package.
Do I have to sit an Exam?
No. If you are enrolled in a Certificate course (100hrs), the exam is optional. You will be issued with a certificate which proves that you are competent in all units, if you choose not to sit the exam.
Do you have set start dates?
There are no set start dates, you may start at any time. Our courses are all self-paced. As our home page says, ‘Courses for Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime’. ‘Anytime’ includes the start time of your choice. However, we do encourage our students to submit assignments on a regular basis. Wherever possible, we suggest developing a study routine.