Mushroom terrarium?

Question

i thought it would be cool to have a fish tank and turn it into a terrarium for mushrooms, theres a few kinds that are very pretty. my question is, how hard would it be to keep up such a terrarium? do mushrooms live long if left untouched and in right conditions? or do they just bloom then die and thats that?

Answer 1

I have no idea, but that is a really awesome idea.

I know that morels live for a few days and then just kind of wither away, but I don't know if all mushrooms are like that or not.

I wish I could be of more help.

Answer 2

i think thats a great idea man...i feel like doing that too but i dont know how to explain to my mom why im installing a light in my closet....i dont know much about shrooms but i do know they die after a while and you have to pick them before that happens or else they are no good..if i were you id go for it..you wont regret it..those little shrooms are going to be more powerful than the ones you get off the street. you wont be disapointed.. good luck!

hope this link helps!

Answer 3

It would be difficult to keep most for more than a few days.

The part that you see above the ground is only the reproductive portion - the "fruit" if you will.

The mycelium or hyphae which makes up the body of the fungus is underground and can cover many square feet.  This is the fuzzy white strings you see if you turn over leaves or wood in the forest.  And the fruiting bodies only appear when two different strands of mycelium meet.

Fungi have preferences of growing media (soil, wood, animal f***s) and moisture as well.  

Yes, it would be cool to be able to do this, but it's not very easy to do.  What you might try is when you find a fungus you like, take note of what it's growing on/in.  You could fill the tank with this medium (and keep in mind that some fungi are very specific - not just wood, but a specific type of wood)  and introduce spores from the fungus - you'd need to collect the fully-formed fungus and place it on paper or inside the tank so that when the spores are released, it goes onto the growth medium (or you transfer it from the paper).  The spores are tiny, like dust, so it's a good idea to cover the fungus with something (empty plastic container) so the spores won't blow away.

Then keep the medium moist and see if something comes up.

I usually just take photos of the ones I find that I like, I find these last longer.

Answer 4

It's a bit more difficult than just placing a shroom gill down on your growing medium. And yes it produces fruit (the mushroom) for a few days and then becomes old, you have to pick them and then with any look it will produce a few more shrooms called the second 'flush'.

The area needs to be completely sterile as organisms/bacteria in the air will compete with your mycelium for the nutients in your medium and will often win.

It is possible to do it but it's not like growing a plant.

Below is a site providing equipment and information and I hope it helps you on your way.