On the basis that there's at least 1 person on TMB that is knowledgeable on any given topic, I'm looking for some input: I own a 3 storey commercial building that is broken up into working areas, and rented out to people who are self employed by area. The ground floor is done as a hair salon, there's a barbers (currently unoccupied) on the middle floor, as well as a communal kitchen, and a small room which is taken by a lady who does aesthetic treatments. On the top floor, there is another lady who does aesthetics, and 2 more empty rooms. I'd like to take one of those empty rooms, and use it for something different to generate some extra income. Someone suggested gourmet mushroom growing, and I thought to myself "What a fucking wonderful idea". Of course, being involved almost exclusively in the motor trade since I started working, I haven't got the foggiest idea where to start - or even if there's a better avenue I should be exploring (herbs, plants, or something completely different). Goes without saying that I want this to stay legal (to start, at least ), and cannabis is still illegal here. Room is not big, approx 2.5m x 3.5m. So, TMB, please share your knowledge!
https://www.reddit.com/r/MushroomGrowers Check the sidebar Houseplants are the new pets nowadays. A small, cute shop would do well to bring in extra money. I did (somewhat still do) houseplants and can give some help.
This won't be a retail space, and it won't be replacing my day job - but I could probably get a deal with a local independent retailer to stock a few plants or whatever. How much of a commitment is a room full of plants?
I dont think so, although I'm happy to be informed otherwise. I have an air purifier to keep the edge off if needed.
A few is nothing. Correct watering, light and humidity, fertilizer, and pest control. The more you add, the harder the pest control gets and the more time is required. Goes with any type of indoor growing. Fungus gnats, mealy bugs and spider mites would be the main concern. Mushrooms etc can be profitable. Smell shouldn't be a concern with the correct filters. It's definitely a learning curve hobby.
a buddy of mine wanted to get me started on mushrooms and was saying I can get X per pound, and I was like sure, but I can get more than 100X for a pound of cannabis that I can grow in a greenhouse I know micro greens and mushrooms can be profitable. I would only jump into it if you feel it's something you would enjoy even if you weren't making money (even if that's the goal) an appropriately sized carbon filter and fan can scrub basically any room from smell. I've only ever made mine, but they can be purchased as well
agree with Emma keeping an indoor grow clean is definitely the #1 rule. the less outside shit you can bring in the better to avoid the pests that might be hitching a ride on something aphids and broad mites were the worst I dealt with, eventually wrapped my head around the life cycles and figured out how to organically eliminate them
Only thing that took care of a bad fungus gnat infestation I had was introducing beneficial nematodes to the soil of all my plants. They must've had a good time chasing and chomping down all the shit in the soil because they did their job and then some.
I've grown mushrooms indoors for years, but never really on a mass scale. The most important thing is sterilization while inoculating -- that's really the only time you can fuck up. Once you inject the spores and the mycelium starts spreading, it's really its own ecosystem. But if you get lazy on your 5th or 6th time inoculating -- as I tend to do -- then they'll get mold and you have to dispose of everything in that grow. Really frustrating. I used to get all the materials from Lowe's and build my own grow kit, but now they have professionally made kits that are incredibly easy. This is my go-to resource now: https://www.midwestgrowkits.com -- If you're looking to scale, maybe 2-3 of these: https://www.midwestgrowkits.com/the-monster-monsoon-ecosphere-spawn-casing-package-2-0.aspx Reddit is a great resource as well, if you can sift thru the bullshit. Two caveats: -no idea if they ship over the pond, but would imagine there are similar companies in the UK/Europe -I've only done this with psilocybin mushrooms, no idea if it's the same process with legal/non-magic mushrooms Invest in a good dehumidifier as well.
I started listening to an audiobook on growing gourmet mushrooms, then got distracted by the thought of investing in a cryolipolisys machine instead, then came down with covid, and it's all gone in the back-burner since. One of the tenants has left so I'm down a little bit of income,so I need to get my arse in gear tbh.
Watch everything Build A Soil has on youtube. Massive amount of knowledge in his videos for all things growing organically (I follow his protocol for growing in living soil)
Check this place out in St. Paul. Tons of cool pics of their operation in the link. might be a stretch goal with retail space (didn’t read entire thread) but it’s fucking sweet. Forest To Fork 3243 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406 (612) 840-8205 https://g.co/kgs/2d673G
If you are growing mushrooms at scale--you'll need equipment to sterilize all of the equipment you are using to grow the mushrooms. (this is what I have been told for psychedlic mushrroms)
Also, this book is fucking amazing and you all should read it https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life
I'm not sure what qualifies as "at scale", but it's only a small bedroom-sized room, I was just thinking of a farmers market type affair.
How about 5.82 acres for £110,000? Get 4.82 friends and pay for an acre each. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/11235207/
Have grown magic mushrooms indoors. Pretty much 2nd all of this. Most important thing is sterilization and keeping it as sterile as possible during the inoculation process. And yeah your first few times you'll be nervous as shit and be fine. Then you'll get lazy on a batch, get mold and basically pay in time for your carelessness. But if you get past the initial process it is autopilot from there