Why Blue Light is Best for Growing Mushrooms (2024)

FAQs

Why Blue Light is Best for Growing Mushrooms? ›

Recent studies and firsthand accounts from mushroom cultivators suggest that blue light, in particular, has a profound effect on mushroom growth. Blue light, which has a wavelength between 400 and 500 nm, appears to promote faster colonization times and a higher yield of fruiting bodies in some species.

White LED lights are standard for grow lights, and there is some evidence that it improves mushroom growth. Blue UV Lights, specifically the ones with a wavelength of 330-400 nm, are a powerful stimulant for mushroom growth. Blacklight is purple, and it also has a wavelength of 365 nm.

Mushrooms generally require blue and red light for optimal growth. Blue light promotes vegetative growth, while red light is essential for fruiting.

There's just one catch: mushrooms need UV light to produce Vitamin D. When they're grown outdoors, they receive this energy naturally. Mushrooms grown indoors do not. Except, that is, for indoor mushrooms that are exposed to Pulsed Light after harvesting.

Ideally, mushrooms are best suited to a colder light that leans towards the blue end of the spectrum, such as "daylight" fluorescent or LED lamps that emit light in the 6,000-7,000 Kelvin range.

Past research identified that fungi grow optimally in low light conditions. One reason for this is that mushrooms do not contain chlorophyll, therefore do not use photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates (Simon, 2013).

Horticulture lighting primarily focuses on red and blue wavelengths. These are the two most important colors on the visible light spectrum for promoting plant growth.

Recent studies and firsthand accounts from mushroom cultivators suggest that blue light, in particular, has a profound effect on mushroom growth. Blue light, which has a wavelength between 400 and 500 nm, appears to promote faster colonization times and a higher yield of fruiting bodies in some species.

Light will help the mushrooms form initial pins, this is crucial for your mushrooms to then go on and form good sized fruiting bodies. LED lighting will also help the mushroom body to form properly.

The best light for mushrooms depends on the species being cultivated. Generally, mushrooms prefer indirect light or low levels of artificial light, rather than direct sunlight which can dry out substrates and overheat the growing environment.

Does UV light damage mycelium? ›

UV-C light has been shown to be safe on growing mycelium and mushrooms. These are the current known uses, but we are learning more and hearing more success stories everyday. Sterilizing your fruiting chamber when birthing jars. -Use the UV light to scan the inside of the fruting chamber.

Unlike plants that rely heavily on direct sunlight for photosynthesis, mushrooms do not require direct sunlight. In fact, excessive exposure to direct sunlight or full sun can be detrimental to their development. The ideal lighting condition for mushrooms is often described as mimicking natural daylight.

Exactly how much light mushrooms need is not clear. Some say it can be as little as 2 hours a day, but generally, growers agree it's best to provide 10 to 12 hours of light daily. Lack of pin development, long stems and pale coloration are all signs that your mushrooms may not have enough light.

Lightning can make mushrooms multiply and help stimulate the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, which have a symbiotic relationship with plants, by increasing the availability of nitrogen in the soil.

4600K-6500K: gives off a bright amount of blue-white light, similar to that of daylight; best for display areas and work environments where very bright illumination is needed. 6500K and up: gives off a bright bluish hue of light, often found in commercial locations; best for task lighting.

As a general rule, the warmer the temperature the faster the mushroom growth. If it is cold, your mushrooms will grow slowly. Extreme heat and extreme cold can adversely affect and even entirely prevent mushroom growth.

Without a doubt, white LEDs look good and are easy on the eyes, but when used as grow lights they are not as energy-efficient as blue-and-red LEDs. They are, however, more effective at growing and flowering plants than pink or purple LED fixtures.

A mushroom's spores can be white, brown, black, or even violet. “For some choice edible mushrooms you're looking for whether the mushrooms spores are white versus any color other than white,” says Wheat.

A mycelium block can spread to any dirt block within one space above, one sideways, or three down. The mycelium needs light level 9+ above it, while the dirt needs light level 4+ above it, and must not be covered by any light-impeding block or any opaque block.