The most significant feature of the milky mushroom is its ability to thrive in hot and humid climates, which sets it apart from cool-weather mushrooms like the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). This makes milky mushrooms, often referred to as Aloha mushrooms in some regions, an excellent choice for those interested in a mushrooms farming business and training, especially in tropical areas.
Ideal Climate: It is ideally suited for warm, humid areas with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 (with some varieties tolerating up to 38 and relative humidity of 80% to 90%. This makes it an excellent crop for year-round cultivation in tropical regions, including places like Warangal, known for its Aloha mushrooms.
Substrate: Milky mushrooms are versatile and can be grown on a wide range of agricultural wastes, including:
- Paddy Straw (Rice Straw) - Most common
- Wheat Straw
- Coir Pith
- Banana Trash
- Other substrates containing lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses.
Cultivation Process: The cultivation is similar to that of oyster mushrooms but requires a final step called casing.
Substrate Preparation: Agricultural waste is chopped, soaked, and pasteurized (often with steam or chemicals like formalin and carbendazim).
Spawning: The spawn (mushroom seed) is mixed with the prepared substrate.
Incubation (Spawn Run): The mixture is kept in a dark, warm, and humid room for 20-25 days until the substrate is fully colonized by white mycelium.
Casing: A layer of sterilized soil (casing soil, usually a mix of sand/soil/manure) is placed over the colonized substrate. This layer helps in fruit body initiation.
Fruiting & Harvesting: Mushrooms begin to fruit about 3-4 weeks after spawning and are harvested when the caps are fully expanded but still have a slight curl at the edge. The total crop cycle is typically 45-50 days, making it possible to find fresh organic mushrooms nearby.