Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms

by Paul Stamets

After years of living in awe of the mysterious fungi known as mushrooms-chefs, health enthusiasts, and home cooks alike can't get enough of these rich, delicate morsels. With updated production techniques for home and commercial cultivation, detailed growth parameters for 31 mushroom species, a trouble-shooting guide, and handy gardening tips, this revised and updated handbook will make your mycological landscapes the envy of the neighborhood.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Science, Reference, Nature, Health, Agriculture

574 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Stamets is on the editorial board of The International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, and is an advisor to the Program for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Medical School, Tucson, Arizona. He is active in researching the medicinal properties of mushrooms,[2] and is involved in two NIH-funded clinical studies on cancer and HIV treatments using mushrooms as adjunct therapies. Having filed numerous patents on the antiviral, pesticidal, and remediative properties of mushroom mycelia, his work has been called pioneering and visionary.[3] A strong advocate of preserving biodiversity, Stamets supports research into the role of mushrooms for ecological restoration.

The author of numerous books and papers on the subject of mushroom identification and cultivation, Stamets has discovered four new species of mushrooms. He is an advocate of the permaculture system of growing, and considers fungiculture a valuable but underutilized aspect of permaculture. He is also a leading researcher into the use of mushrooms in bioremediation, processes he terms mycoremediation and mycofiltration.

Stamets was the recipient of the "Bioneers Award" from The Collective Heritage Institute in 1998,[4] as well as the "Founder of a New Northwest Award" from the Pacific Rim Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils in 1999. He was also named one of Utne Reader's "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" in their November–December 2008 issue. In February 2010, Paul received the President's Award from the Society for Ecological Restoration: Northwest Chapter, in recognition of his contributions to Ecological Restoration. His work was featured in the documentary film The 11th Hour.[5] He has also been featured in the eco-documentary films Dirt (film)[6] and 2012, Time for a Change (film).[7]

In 2008, he delivered a TED talk: "Paul Stamets on 6 Ways Mushrooms Can Save the World".

Reviews

[Robert Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a text book. Be prepared for tons of research. Research is something I really dig, and I enjoy reading instruction manuals, so this book isn't for the everyday leisurely read.

The best reference book, both from a growers and a 'classroom' perspective. If you just want to grow some mushrooms skip the book and buy his kits at Fungiperfecti.com

For the more adventurous and knowledge seekers, buy the book and lock yourself in a room for a week.

[Brent Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book in the world on growing mushrooms.

[Katrina McCollough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Stamets and David Aurora are the two who really got me into mycology and I will forever be grateful, I'm hoping to add the rest of his books to my collection.

[Carlos Maciel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite honestly the only ‘textbook’ I’ve ever couldn’t help myself from wanting to read more. The writing is clear and direct, the subject fascinating, and the research holistic. I would recommend it even for people who are not as interested in mycology as I am. If anything, the pictures would make it a great coffee table book, but before you know it you will become entranced in this field like myself.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere in time humans will commute via mycelial networks, terraform entire planetary systems into vast marvels of saprophytic architecture, and indulge in the delicacies brought forth by high-end fungal cuisine. Until such a "mycotopia" is attained, let Stamets' lessons and enthusiasm fuel our wildest, shroomiest dreams.

[Alex Gravina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll start by saying that I went into this with very little knowledge. My recent interest in mushrooms stemmed from a TED talk I'd stumbled on by Paul Stamets. I read a variety of material on the internet before deciding that I wanted to read his book Mycelium Running. Unfortunately my library didn't have it - the only book by Stamets in the catalogue was this so I picked it up without any research into it.

It turns out that this is THE textbook for the mycology inclined. The target demographic is for small to large scale mushroom farms. This meant that a lot of what I read was far too complicated for me - lacking prerequisite knowledge- and that several of the techniques are not applicable - lack of space and equipment. The parts of the book that fell into either of these categories made for tedious reading.

However, this book taught me a lot more about fungi and for the most part was wrote in a very understandable way. Paul Stamets enthusiasm for mushrooms is clear throughout and it's infectious. I've learned loads about mushrooms and have several new fun facts. Did you know that "some mushrooms smell like radishes, some like apricots, and even some like bubble gum! "

I'm definitely going to get a hold of Mycelium Running! Mycology is a fascinating area of study and for someone with a bit of background this is a brilliant book. Minus a few bits here and there I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really geared more towards small-time mushroom farming, but many of the techniques could be modified for the home gardener.

[Tracey]

Paul Stamets my absolute guru on mushroom cultivation my training came in a direct line from him. look him up amazing man.

[Mineé · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF at 75% I like mushrooms but since I saw the documentary on Netflix and had a discussion about Stamets with other people who also enjoy mushrooms, my pov of him changed. His work is great, tho, but not for me, I think.

[Prbroom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave up on this massive tome, it's really a reference book for serious grower. Will look it up again if i need it.

[Michael Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers a wider range of mushroom species and growth parameters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in growing mushrooms. I've used specific recipes from this book to mix my own agar for petri dishes, make my own mushroom spawn, and growing substrate. I've used the recommended temperature/humidity ranges with great success for growing Oyster, Lion's Mane, and Shiitake mushrooms. While there have been improvements on some of the techniques and ideas outlined by this book, since it's last revision, this book still offers the most complete and decisive understanding of mushroom cultivation as a whole. This is great book for beginners and experienced growers alike.

[Josh Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, sadly not great either. While this book does contain a wealth of information and insight, it leaves you wanting more. It is probably my mistake for thinking this would answer most of my questions, it answered quite a few but certainly not all.

Much of the book does not go into enough detail, other parts try to jump right in without any basis - all in all a pretty good book.

If you are looking for a supplemental style book, this will do it for you.

[Sølvi Goard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this monster resource. A super useful progression from Mycelium Running, this book has minute detail on every aspect of growing mushrooms, their morphology, their ecology, including a who's who of ~30 star species. One thing that ruined it for me was the questionable labour practices, at one point he suggests that if people can't maintain high personal hygiene and therefore reduce contamination in the lab, then they should be fired. Paul...mate. No.

[Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good percentage of people who get into growing mushrooms start out with an interest in psilocybin. I fall into this category, as does Stamets. The difficulty, ritualism and reward that’s a part of growing any type of mushroom creates respect for mushrooms as a whole. This encyclopedic book offers information specific to growing every mushroom species with a history of human use, while also offering nutritional and medicinal data. I used it specifically while growing Lion's Mane

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stamets is the man

[Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prima i funghi non li avevi, adesso si

[Gene Ishchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very interesting read but unfortunately you are not only left with imagination if you happen to be the city dweller like me.
The vast majority of the things can't be done in single-room flat without building 'zones' for humidity and temp. And I won't give away my bathroom :P

maybe someday later with better resources and decent space

[Hrap Bookskibop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Stamets may be a wook-scientist, but this guide is the holy scripture for cultivating fungi. Paired with more practical knowledge, GGMM covers just about every possible fungi you’ll grow. Avoid Fungi Perfecti myceliated grains, read this book and just learn how to grow all your own mushrooms. Absolutely exhausted resource and great tips from king patent himself!

[Dmitrii · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's a massive work, a lot of material. Kind of a Bible for growing. However, it seems that only this book along won't be enough. But it's a must read anyway. The inclination is toward commercial growers, or, more precisely, growers at scale. The book can be used as a reference periodically.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’ve been reading this as a reference while attempting to grow some shiitake mushrooms. sadly they did not make it but i think was shockingly not my fault and actually more to do with a bad batch. anyway! good book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource that I will reference for years to come! Inspired and grateful for contributors like Paul Stamets, whose efforts continue to inspire curiosity, sustainability, and a deeper appreciation for the fungal kingdom.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very detailed, scientific book that I took my time reading.

[Боби · Rating 5 out of 5]

Гениално, енциклопедично и трудно за четене, но все пак увлекателно. Другата му е по-популярна и мисля трябва да задължителна за училищата, а отделно за всички любители на природата! И Гъбите!

[Dushan Hanuska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent guide, well structured, with just enough information (or perhaps too much if you are an amateur grower who is just starting). I only wish all the photos were in color.

[Catherine Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

[Sherry B. Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overwhelming. So much information. Best read in small doses.

[M.San · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really everything you might want to know about mushrooms. Very technical.

[The great czar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite comprehensive. A lifetime of work went into it.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great guide for growing mushrooms for food and medicine.

Looking inot a shed and forest for this purpose as well as garden for fruits and veggies.

Now for more books by Pau Stamets.