Autumn is the time to grow mushrooms at home

The temperature and moisture conditions are just right this autumn to start your very own mushroom farm.

Different mushroom varieties thrive at different temperatures so choose one appropriate to your circumstances

Although you can grow mushrooms at home at any time of the year, autumn is traditionally the season for them as the temperature and moisture conditions are just right. Boxed kits are available for many varieties such as oyster mushrooms, portobello, shiitake, enoki, and the fabled lion’s mane. Different varieties thrive at different temperatures so choose one appropriate to your circumstances. Mushrooms need some light to grow (similar to that from a reading light), high humidity, even moisture and constant, cool to mild temperatures.

The mushroom we harvest is the fruiting body of a mass of interwoven, fine filaments called mycelium. In nature, this network is pervasive through soils and plays a critical environmental role. “Instant” kits consist of a growing medium inoculated with the mushroom mycelium. Once opened, positioned in the right spot and watered, you can expect crops within weeks. Oyster mushrooms are particularly fast growing; pink and yellow oysters suit warmer climates. Common mushrooms can be picked as buttons when small or left to mature and flatten out, showing the brown “gills” underneath.

Autumn bloomers

Nerines are summer-dormant bulbs that bloom from early autumn to winter, depending on the variety. The flower spikes emerge before the foliage, in hot pink, gold, white, red, rose and salmon, and last well in a vase.

Nerine ‘Red Rock’.

Nerine ‘Pink Jewel’

Plant nerines in late spring to early summer; they love dry summers, sun, and being left undisturbed.

Nerine ‘Alba’

Nerine ‘Aurea’

Q&A

I have four apple varieties espaliered against a north-facing brick fence but they’re not producing any blossom.

Peter Larkins, Patterson Lakes, Victoria

It’s possible that in your coastal location your varieties are not receiving sufficient chill hours to initiate the flower buds. Incorrect pruning might also be the cause. Most apples set their flowers and fruit on stubby, long-lived spurs coming off old wood, so these must not be pruned off.

I have a lovely big pumpkin vine growing but the leaves are covered in white mould. I’m worried I won’t get fruit.

Shira, Melbourne

Powdery mildew is common on vegetables in warm weather, especially when dew wets the leaves. Crowded conditions with poor air circulation make it worse. It can weaken plants and spoil flowers. Prune off the worst leaves. Spray weekly with one part full cream milk to nine parts water. A black and yellow fungus-eating ladybird might turn up; both adults and larvae eat powdery mildew. Seaweed sprays can also help. Avoid watering foliage.

How long does it take for leucadendrons and proteas to flower? I’m disappointed mine haven’t flowered in four years.

Chris Lawley, Woy Woy, NSW

King proteas can take up to six years to flower but your leucadendrons are old enough. After pruning, leucadendron stems will flower the next season but proteas usually flower on second-year growth. They both need lots of sun – the more sun the more flowers. They’re “short day” plants, which means they need to experience long days and then shorter, cooler days to act as a cue for flower initiation. High nitrogen levels in the soil promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Send your questions to: [e-mail]. The best question for March wins the versatile STIHL GTA 26 garden pruner kit, worth $299 including battery and charger.

The best question for March wins the STIHL GTA Garden pruner.