King Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) grown by the peroxide method at White Rock Creek Mushrooms in Hillsboro, Texas. Photo courtesy of Joe Durham.
Every mushroom species I have tested can be grown in the presence of peroxide, and it is highly likely that any mushrooms that otherwise can be cultivated can be grown this way. I personally have used peroxide successfully to keep agar cultures and prepare spawn of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster), Pleurotus eryngii (King Oyster), Agaricus subrufescens (almond mushroom), Hypsizygus ulmarius (white elm mushroom or elm oyster), Hypsizygus tessulatus (shimeji), Coprinus comatus (shaggy mane), Lentinula edodes (shiitake), Hericium erinaceus (Lions' Mane), and Grifola frondosa (maitake). Others have used peroxide to grow Psilocybe species (in countries where it is legal to do so), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and morel mycelium.
The mushroom species I have grown most often are H. erinaceus, H. ulmarius, P. eryngii, and A. subrufescens. Each has different characteristics and requirements. I am not a shiitake grower, but others have used the method to grow shiitake successfully. Agaricus species such as crimini, white button mushrooms, Portabellos, the almond mushroom, and the almond portabello (Agaricus blazei) can all be grown with the help of peroxide for agar culture and spawn making. There is little practical use for peroxide in the production of compost, the favored substrate for these species, but straw can be readily prepared with the help of peroxide, and some may find it acceptable as an alternative to compost in Agaricus cultivation.
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