78 replies to this topic

[shroom57]

Having been fascinated with mushrooms and fungi in general for several years I found myself with most of what I needed to grow domestic mushrooms and no real use for it all. One afternoon I was having a beer with a chef friend of mine and he wasn't really busy so we talked quite a bit. The discussion turned to mushrooms and he commented he would take all the Oysters he could get his hands on.

After about a month of study, I decided that a small scale domestic mushroom operation would be an economically viable enterprise. Several potential profit points were evaluated and with the addition of grow bag kits and sterile spawn marketed over the internet, a small scale operation appeared viable.

This log is beginning at a time when I'm only getting started and totally broke, but that's the way I'm going to have to do it. I may fail, but it won't be because of not trying. I intend to document all the major stages in real time until it either succeeds, fails, or I'm unable to continue for some reason.

I've got the basic supplies - Pressure Cooker, Glovebox, 2 dozen 1/2 pint jars and some assorted others, Syringes, 6-8 sterilite containers, etc. I also have a small 6x12 area set up and devoted to this. Oh, and I have server space to set up a website.

I was just wondering if anyone would be interested in seeing something like this documented from start to finish?

[TastyBeverage]

I would! I'm especially interested in the business side of it, but i always love looking at a good grow. Oysters can be done super cheap too. In fact, the only money i've spent on my oyster grows was buying the original culture and the WBS that i nocc'd with it.

[weeeeeee]

hell yes i would very much like to see this i have long dreamed of selling mushies to all these local asian markets.

[the_chosen_one]

Having been fascinated with mushrooms and fungi in general for several years I found myself with most of what I needed to grow domestic mushrooms and no real use for it all. One afternoon I was having a beer with a chef friend of mine and he wasn't really busy so we talked quite a bit. The discussion turned to mushrooms and he commented he would take all the Oysters he could get his hands on.


I was just wondering if anyone would be interested in seeing something like this documented from start to finish?

i'm sure many will be interested. :)

i have found a much higher demand than i can currently meet. fortunatley, my clients are very understanding and very eager. they always take what they can get.

[Raoul Duke]

You have me listening! I've always pondered the idea of growing edibles and making do it yourself bags to sell at the local farmers market. Blog on my fellow mycotopian:amazed:

[PsyBearknot]

Pullin up a chair.

Have a chef friend too. Have thought about shitakes and oysters on a small scale. Will be nice to watch your progress. <LIFTING GLASS OF BURBON> Heres good vibes to your success.

PBK

[the_chosen_one]

You have me listening! I've always pondered the idea of growing edibles and making do it yourself bags to sell at the local farmers market. Blog on my fellow mycotopian:amazed:

avoid the farmers markets. booth fees eat into profit. better to try restraunts and/or fruit stands.. although, those fruit guys are brutal too.

:heart:

[trichgenome]

I'm very interested, I'm starting up a similar venture. Perhaps we can even collaborate, but I won't be getting started until September or so.

[greenmeanie]

sounds like a great plan. the only problem i foresee is where you're going to keep all those spawn bags while they incubate... good luck though :)

[GadgetGuy]

Very interesting. I hope you have success and make some profit. Im subscribing to this thread.

[Phx]

Man i can't wait to see you get started. It will make for a great read. I just hope one day I can follow in your foot steps! Good luck :thumbup: :bow::eusa_clap

[shroom57]

One thing you guys could help me out with is local prices. Since there are no local growers I can't get a good estimate on prices.

The internet isn't much help with this either, again probably due to the local nature of the markets. I've seen price estimates anywhere from $2/lb bulk to $1/oz when sold in smaller (4 oz) packaging.

If any of you have access to oysters in your local market, I would appreciate if you could let me know what they are selling for.

I'm in the process of doing some LC to grain and G2g transfers so I should have some pictures soon. I'm also working on the website so maybe that will be live early next week.

[Froderick]

You could contact chinese restaurants in your area and they may tell you how much they pay. They might be potential customers for you. Also, high-end places, like Sushi restaurants.

[420j4u]

One thing you guys could help me out with is local prices. Since there are no local growers I can't get a good estimate on prices.

The internet isn't much help with this either, again probably due to the local nature of the markets. I've seen price estimates anywhere from $2/lb bulk to $1/oz when sold in smaller (4 oz) packaging.

If any of you have access to oysters in your local market, I would appreciate if you could let me know what they are selling for.

I'm in the process of doing some LC to grain and G2g transfers so I should have some pictures soon. I'm also working on the website so maybe that will be live early next week.

Man, just bought Shitaki about 20 minutes ago. Looked twice at the oysters but didn't remember the price.

I'd also love to know the business side of it. The more info you give the better. Pics too!!!

[Umbo]

I sold oysters at a local, well established
farm stand last year, for about 13$/lb I
thought that was pretty kick ass.
They sold as fast as they grew. Sold
them in 4-5oz packs Also sold foraged black
trumpets and chanterelles there too for 25$/lb.
People throw down the cash for fresh mushrooms,
esp. locally grown/foraged. Good luck,
cant wait to see the site!

[weeeeeee]

avoid the farmers markets. booth fees eat into profit. better to try restraunts and/or fruit stands.. although, those fruit guys are brutal too.

:heart:

thanks for the wonderful advice man and everyone all kinds of good stuff here

[shroom57]

Umbo, what kind of packaging did you use?

I assume you were getting $3/ package?

Thanks for the info.

Froderick, like I was saying before there are no sources locally so asking someone what they pay for a product that isn't available is not a lot of help.

Also, at this early stage I hesitate to ask my potential customers what they are willing to pay without some comparison data.

[the_chosen_one]

I sold oysters at a local, well established
farm stand last year, for about 13$/lb I
thought that was pretty kick ass.
They sold as fast as they grew. Sold
them in 4-5oz packs Also sold foraged black
trumpets and chanterelles there too for 25$/lb.
People throw down the cash for fresh mushrooms,
esp. locally grown/foraged. Good luck,
cant wait to see the site!

that's pretty good. only get around $10-$14/lb around here for chantys. about the same for the oysters though. depends on the competition at the time. one thing that gives me an edge is the variety i offer. most competition is unaware of the wild lacaria and tooth fungi that grow here as well. they can fetch a high price :D

[Umbo]

I was getting 4$ for 5oz of oysters.
I put them in pint berry containers,
ya know the green cardboard ones.
They kept them from getting crushed,
displayed well, weren't plastic, and were
cheap, and reusable, some customers
would bring them back:)

[Umbo]

Good point about diversity TCO.
I tried painted suillus for the first time
last fall, and really liked them, sold a few
but it was too late in the season to really
get a feel for people's reaction.
What kind of lacaria and how much did
they bring? Also the toothed fungi, were
they Hericium?