Mushroom Yield & Substrate Calculator
Estimate your potential harvest and substrate requirements based on biological efficiency.
Total Fresh Yield:
0 g
Estimated Dry Yield (approx 10%):
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Required Grain Spawn:
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Water to add to Dry Substrate:
0 ml
Total Wet Substrate Weight:
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Understanding Mushroom Yield Calculations
Growing mushrooms is as much a science as it is an art. To predict how many mushrooms you will harvest, mycologists use a metric called Biological Efficiency (BE). This calculator helps home growers and commercial farmers estimate their total harvest based on the weight of the dry substrate used.
What is Biological Efficiency (BE)?
Biological Efficiency is defined as the ratio of the weight of fresh mushrooms harvested to the weight of the dry substrate used. For example, if you use 1,000 grams of dry straw and harvest 1,000 grams of fresh Oyster mushrooms, your BE is 100%.
- Oyster Mushrooms: Typically 75% to 150% BE.
- Shiitake: Typically 50% to 100% BE.
- Lion's Mane: Typically 70% to 120% BE.
Substrate Hydration & Spawn Ratios
Mushrooms are approximately 90% water, which means your substrate must be properly hydrated. Most gourmet mushrooms thrive in a substrate with 60% to 65% moisture content. Furthermore, the Spawn Ratio determines how quickly the mycelium colonizes the substrate. A 1:5 ratio (1 part grain spawn to 5 parts dry substrate) is common for beginners to ensure vigorous growth and resist contamination.
Real-World Example
"I have 2,000 grams of dry hardwood pellets. I want to grow Lion's Mane at 80% BE with a 1:4 spawn ratio."
Calculation:
– Fresh Yield: 2,000g * 0.80 = 1,600g of fresh mushrooms.
– Grain Spawn needed: 2,000g / 4 = 500g of spawn.
– Water needed (at 60% moisture): 3,000ml to reach the correct field capacity.
Calculation:
– Fresh Yield: 2,000g * 0.80 = 1,600g of fresh mushrooms.
– Grain Spawn needed: 2,000g / 4 = 500g of spawn.
– Water needed (at 60% moisture): 3,000ml to reach the correct field capacity.