Technology for growing truffles at home for business
Gourmets from all over the world highly appreciate the taste of unusual mushrooms, which are considered a "diamond" delicacy. The sophisticated technology of growing truffles at home often discourages entrepreneurs. Therefore, they are in no hurry to get down to business. However, such a business brings huge profits. The product is actively used by chefs of expensive restaurants and is served to guests as a signature dish. Before delving into the essence of the technology of growing truffles at home, let's get acquainted with this amazing fruit.
Features of the aristocratic mushroom
Only a few of them are used in cooking.:
- white Piedmontese;
- black Perigord;
- burgundy (autumn);
- musky (black);
- Russian (black summer);
- Chinese;
- Himalayan;
- winter.
In their natural environment, truffles are found in France, North Africa, Italy, Russia, and the Caucasus. They are most often found in deciduous forests.
They are adjacent to such trees:
- oak;
- hornbeam;
- hazel;
- Birch tree;
- elm;
- Rowan.
In shape, mushrooms resemble potatoes or walnuts. The leathery surface can be smooth, cracked, or covered with many polyhedral warts.
Depending on the variety, truffles have this color:
- the black;
- chocolate;
- grey;
- white.
The pulp is usually yellow-brown, grayish or snow-white. In section, it has a porous marble structure formed by white and red veins. Experts call them internal and external "veins." Young specimens are characterized by a compacted texture. The size of the fruits is from 2.5 to 20 cm. Accordingly, the weight ranges from 20 to 200 g. A full-fledged truffle mycelium is capable of bearing fruit for 25-30 years, which means it is constantly profitable.
The “precious” fruit exudes a rich, specific aroma. The taste of the mushroom resembles a mixture of thoroughly roasted seeds, walnuts, chocolate or a noble alcoholic beverage. The most valuable for gourmets are the Perigord, winter and Piedmont views. A black summer truffle grows in Russia.
For 1 kg of Piedmont white truffles on the European market, they pay 8000 €, for black Perigord - a maximum of 2150 €, and for Russian summer truffles, about 400 €.
The secret of growing "delicacies" is revealed
Practice shows that it is almost impossible to find such mushrooms by chance in the forest. After all, their "home" is located at a depth of 20 to 35 cm. Therefore, experts involve animals with excellent sense of smell. These can be specially trained dogs or pigs.
For home cultivation, it is important to have a good understanding of how black truffles grow in nature. Research by scientists has shown that its favorite place is among the rhizomes of deciduous trees. From them, he receives an abundance of mineral components for his development. In gratitude, the mycelium strengthens the root system of the tree and helps to absorb salt and moisture from the soil.
Home technology for growing truffles: highlights
Compared to the cultivation of cherries and champignons, working with the "underground king of mushrooms" requires more time, patience and financial resources.In addition, long-term fruit ripening does not bring instant profit. However, you should not hastily abandon a profitable business. After all, popular wisdom says: "Patience and work will grind everything." Consider how to grow a black truffle at home in the most affordable way.
To begin with, select a suitable area or room. There are at least 3 options:
- open area (in relatively warm regions);
- greenhouse (requires additional investments);
- basement (possibility of continuous cultivation of gourmet mushrooms).
The next step is a thorough preparation of the soil. It must be air permeable and contain an abundance of minerals. In addition, according to agronomic rules, the substrate where truffles are grown should be free from irregularities, large stones, pests and pathogenic microorganisms.
When growing mushrooms in open areas, remember that they cannot tolerate low temperatures, heat and gusty winds.
Simple open plan landing
As you know, in nature, delicious mushrooms grow next to deciduous trees. Therefore, at home, crushed bark is used for growing. The resulting raw material is mixed with the mycelium of black truffle, and put into glass containers (3 l). Cover with lids with holes or foil. The workpieces are sent to a warm room. After 1-1.5 years, they start planting.
It includes a few simple steps:
- holes are made on the site (distance 1 m from each other);
- watered abundantly;
- the prepared mycelium is laid;
- crush with fallen leaves or sawdust.
To get a high-quality harvest, truffles are watered with mineral fertilizers 2 times a week.
In winter, the beds are covered with thickened polyethylene or sawdust. The first harvest takes place after about 6 years. The fruits are carefully dug out of the soil in order to preserve their integrity and not disturb the taste. Mushrooms are put in a wicker basket, at the bottom of which a layer of straw is laid.
An original option for business people
Most often, farmers use the Australian technology for growing truffles at home. It makes it possible to get fruits in an accelerated way. The process begins with the infection of hazel or oak seedlings with the mycelium of a delicious mushroom. Infected specimens are sent "to quarantine" so that the mycelium will successfully take root in the "new territory". Then the seedlings are planted in open ground. The first crop is harvested in 2-3 years.
White and black truffles acquire a high-quality presentation only after 6 years.
Preparation of premises
In order to grow the "royal delicacy" in the basement, specialists carefully prepare the premises. They are trying to recreate the natural habitat of mushrooms in it.
For this, a number of activities are carried out:
- the floor is poured with concrete;
- divide the space into 2 zones;
- install metal-plastic racks;
- carry out thorough disinfection in 4 stages (fumigation with sulfur, whitewashing with copper sulfate with lime, spraying with chlorophos, airing).
After that, additional ventilation is installed in the basement, which ensures the inflow and outflow of air. The outer opening of the system is closed with a fine mesh.
The room in which the truffle will be grown is equipped with heating devices (for the winter), lighting, a thermometer and a hydrometer.
When growing truffles in a greenhouse, the preparation is carried out according to the same scenario. Particular attention is paid to the outer coating. It is made of glass, film or polycarbonate. For regular watering of mushrooms, fine-dispersed irrigation is established. In the cold season, large greenhouses are equipped with electric boilers, and for small ones, a radiator is enough.
Soil requirements
The main condition for successful truffle cultivation is the composition of the soil. Its pH should be at least 7 units.Otherwise, the culture will not be able to form a high-quality fruit body. Therefore, they use land taken from the forest with an abundance of fallen leaves for business. Mineral fertilizers and a little sand are added to it. Before planting, the soil is disinfected in any way possible. Having fulfilled the necessary requirements, they begin the most interesting process.
Remuneration for labor
Unfortunately, not everyone can try this exotic mushroom. For many, this is an expensive pleasure. Therefore, enterprising people are interested in how to grow white truffles in the simplest way. Let's consider a simple diagram.
As you know, in its natural environment, it grows in the north of Italy. Therefore, high-quality mycelium is purchased in specialized stores. Usually it is grafted onto hazel seedlings. Then the soil is prepared according to agronomic rules. Plants infected with mycelium are planted and have patience. Over time, small bumps appear next to the tree. It's time to "drink champagne"!
As you can see, the technology of growing truffles at home is associated with diligence and material costs. It includes a careful introduction to the culture, careful preparation of the premises and soil. Using the agronomic scheme of growing the royal mushroom, in 4-6 years you can get the coveted harvest. The main thing is to be patient and diligently care for the truffles.