Mushroom conservation.

Geo-TH,In · Apr 6, 2017

I realize if we knew how to grow morels, we could make a fortune.

I'm wondering if we should pick all the mushroom or leave a few behind hoping they may produce spores for next year's mushrooms?

Also wondering, when we soak the mushrooms if some spores may be found in the rinse water?

The reason I ask, I put some rinse water in the honey hole I found a bumper corp of mushrooms last year. There were a good batch there this year. So I put this year's rinse water there again hoping to find them there next year.

Opinions on leaving some behind and rinse water having spores.

Roger in Iowa · Apr 6, 2017

Anyone else experiencing a decrease in Morels? Seems fewer each year. Wonder if it is due to the fungicide being sprayed on crops?

mrashwood · Apr 6, 2017

I dumped some mushroom rinse water off my front porch one year and the next year I found two right there. There was also a very small elm tree there too so I'm a believer in the rinse water thing. My neighbor mentioned the fungicide issue also. It's enough to make you wonder...But I also have to compete with Dad, cousins, uncles, aunts, neighbors and trespassers for morels. I don't really know if there are fewer or just fewer by the time I get to hunt mushrooms.

Hoenes · Apr 6, 2017

The Mo. Dept. of Conservation recommends putting your "picked" mushrooms in a mesh type sack (like an onion or potatoe bag) to spread the spore dust on the way back out of the woods.

D beatty · Apr 6, 2017

Use to see a lot of them when the Elm trees had Dutch elm disease but don't see them any more since the elm tree are gone.

wd9garymn · Apr 6, 2017

I have at least 20 to 30 dead elms every year for the last 10 years and haven't got more than a few morels --20 at best per year. Weather has not the best for them to grow well. I also have a lot of buckthorn and am wondering if that is a deterrent??

Ivan in Mich · Apr 6, 2017

I have not found enough for a meal in the last 4 or 5 years. I think most of it has been the weather here as the nearest farms are about 5 miles away. I had the loggers leave an island of ash trees as an ambush spot for deer but I think there may be mushrooms there this year

Kickinbull · Apr 6, 2017

We have a couple of neighbors who grow shiitake mushrooms from spores. I've seen morel spores for sale online. Anyone ever tried growing any?

teddy52food · Apr 6, 2017

I think the wild turkeys are getting them first.

RESLLS · Apr 6, 2017

Don't pull the root, cut the stem. Collect in a mesh bag, spores fall out of bag while walking around.

PJH · Apr 6, 2017

I have a friend who dumps the soak water and scraps in the same place every year. He finds a few mushrooms growing there every year.

spacecadet9 · Apr 6, 2017

(quoted from post at 17:03:57 04/06/17) I realize if we knew how to grow morels, we could make a fortune.

There are 2 patented ways to grow morels commercially. Apparently it is an expensive process.

The last few years we've been finding very few morels. I think the problem has been right temp at the right mositure. Nothing I've read suggest that turkeys eat morels, but deer might.

jimg.allentown · Apr 6, 2017

The "main" mushroom is actually the fungal threads that grow underground. The mushroom part that we see above the ground is actually the fruiting body of the fungus.
Many years ago, I took a mushroom hunting course in Canada. One of the common beliefs of the time was that the picking of mushrooms does not endanger them in any way because the mushroom is only the fruiting body. Not like cutting down a tree where the most of the action is above the ground.

RayP(MI) · Apr 7, 2017

I haven't found any for several years. Think changing conditions in my area have contributed. Elm tree carcasses are now long gone, and rotted to nothing. Weather conditions may well be blamed too, and yes, I think turkeys are getting them, if they find them. There are a number of turkeys inhabiting that area.

Put me down as one disappointed mushroom hunter.

Mushroom conservation.

Geo-TH,In

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Roger in Iowa

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mrashwood

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Hoenes

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D beatty

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wd9garymn

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Ivan in Mich

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Kickinbull

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teddy52food

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RESLLS

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PJH

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spacecadet9

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jimg.allentown

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RayP(MI)

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