Wheat straw | 2.5 kg

Organic Wheat Straw – Ideal Substrate for Mushroom Cultivation

The increasing popularity of growing mushrooms at home, including psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms, has led to a growing demand for high-quality substrates. Organic wheat straw from local farmers is ideal for beginners and experienced growers. This straw, which comes from sustainable agriculture, combines ecological responsibility with technical suitability thanks to its structure and nutritional profile.

For which species can I use straw as a substrate?

In addition to culinary mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms and shiitake and medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, the following species grow very well on straw mixtures:

• Psilocybe cubensis
• Panaeolus cyanescens  (especially in combination with fertilizers)
• Psilocybe zapotecorum
• Psilocybe tampanensis

Structure and Air Exchange

Wheat straw has a hollow, fibrous structure that provides excellent air exchange – essential for mycelium growth. The intercellular spaces improve CO₂ removal and oxygen supply, allowing straw to be colonized 30% faster than sawdust substrates.

Nutritional Composition

Wheat straw contains an ideal balance of nutrients for mycelium growth. The high lignocellulose content provides energy, while the low nitrogen content helps prevent unwanted fungi such as Trichoderma contamination.

Water-Retention Capacity

Straw can absorb up to 300% of its dry weight in water thanks to its hollow stems. This creates a micro-environment with 70-75% humidity within the substrate, ideal for hyphae growth and excellent moisture distribution throughout the substrate.

Techniques that can be applied to make the straw usable

• Thermal Pasteurization via Bucket TEK: Straw is immersed in hot water (70-80°C) for 1-2 hours to kill unwanted microorganisms.
• Pressure cooker sterilization: Straw is treated at high pressure (121°C) for 90 minutes to remove all life forms completely.
• Chemical Pasteurization with Hydrogen Peroxide: A solution of H₂O₂ is used to eliminate bacteria and fungi without the use of heat, effectively.