In mushroom cultivation, the growing medium—commonly referred to as compost—is the substrate from which mushrooms develop. It is made from three key ingredients: wheat straw, poultry manure, and gypsum.
This nutrient-rich compost provides everything mushrooms need to grow. The preparation process—mixing the raw materials, followed by controlled fermentation and pasteurization—takes approximately two weeks, ensuring optimal conditions for healthy developmen.
Once the compost has been pasteurized, it is inoculated with mushroom spawn. This consists of specially prepared grains coated with mushroom spores, from which the mycelium develops.
Initially, the mycelium draws nutrients from the grain. As conditions become favorable, it spreads throughout the compost, forming a fine network of thread-like structures that form the foundation for mushroom growth.
After the compost is fully colonized by mycelium, it is transferred onto growing shelves and covered with a carefully prepared 5 cm layer of peat casing soil.
This casing layer performs two essential functions: it protects the compost and maintains optimal moisture levels throughout the growing and harvesting stages. As the mycelium grows through the casing layer, it creates the ideal microclimate required for mushroom pinning and development.
When mushrooms reach the desired size, they are carefully harvested. Each mushroom is individually selected and hand-picked, touched only once.
Because the required size and packaging are predetermined, harvesting is both precise and efficient. Mushrooms are placed directly into boxes or retail-ready packaging made of paper, wood fiber, or plastic.
Mushrooms can double in size within 24 hours, making timing critical. Every week, more than 9 million mushrooms are hand-harvested in our facilities.
Once the harvesting cycle is complete, the growing rooms are emptied and prepared for the next cycle. A single growing room can hold up to 150 tonnes of compost and casing material.
After use, this nutrient-rich spent compost becomes a valuable natural fertilizer, rich in organic matter. It is collected from the growing shelves and reused to enrich agricultural soils, supporting sustainable farming practices.