Coprinus comatus

The Inc cap mushroom is found along roadsides and in meadows. In the urban habitat it is one of the most characteristic mushrooms, often growing in large groups on fertilized lawns in the middle of housing estates. The species lives saprotrophically and nematophagously, i.e. it can prey on and digest small nematodes. To do this, the crested tintling forms trapping organs on its soil-dwelling mycelium, small spherical structures with thorny outgrowths, which it uses to secrete a toxin that immobilizes nematodes. The nematodes are eventually colonized by hyphae of the crested tintling and digested within a few days.”

The Inc cap (Coprinus comatus), also called asparagus mushroom, porcelain tintling, or ink mushroom, is a species of mushroom in the mushroom family. It is native to Europe, common and an excellent edible mushroom when young, although not very durable, as old specimens melt into an inky liquid. The species is cultivable; commercially, for example, it is offered in grain brood, which is interspersed with the mushroom tissue.

A widespread, very tasty mushroom with exceptional properties. Although easily and profitably cultivable and of excellent and mild taste, the Schopftintling is not a mushroom whose cultivation appears commercially worthwhile. The storage period of best young fruiting bodies is max. 3 days with good cooling. In addition, the precise harvesting time is also important. If you cut too late, you may harvest only specimens that are already beginning to dissolve into black ink from the edges. Such mushrooms must no longer be consumed.

Coprinus comatus can be cultivated on a hot rot fermented straw/manure substrate as for mushrooms. Experimentally on pasteurized or fermented straw.

Establishment of outdoor beds in spring and summer.

Cultivation on logs is not possible as for all soil-dwelling litter decomposers. Good success is also achieved in indoor cultivation on a well enriched sterile straw/hemp/beech-based substrate, such as my herbaceous mushroom substrate. Other substrates based on used horse stable bedding also work.

When it comes to choosing the mandatory cover crop, many growers despair. Not every material is suitable. Pasteurized sifted dark garden soil or pure peat mixtures promise the highest chances of success.

1. Prepare the Substrate:

• Compost Preparation: Use well-rotted compost or a mixture of straw and manure. The compost should be rich in organic matter to provide the necessary nutrients for the mushrooms.
• Pasteurization: If using straw, pasteurize it by soaking in hot water (around 60-70°C) for an hour to kill off unwanted microorganisms. Allow it to cool and drain.

2. Inoculate the Substrate:

• Mixing Spawn with Substrate: Once the substrate is prepared and cooled, mix it with the mushroom spawn. Ensure that the spawn is evenly distributed throughout the substrate.
• Depth and Distribution: Place the mixture in your chosen containers or outdoor beds. The depth of the substrate should be around 15-20 cm.

3. Incubation:

• Conditions: Keep the inoculated substrate in a dark, warm area (around 20-25°C) for 2-3 weeks to allow the mycelium to colonize the substrate. Maintain moisture by misting regularly, but avoid waterlogging.
• Observation: Check for white mycelium spreading throughout the substrate, indicating successful colonization.

4. Fruiting Conditions:

• Lower Temperature: Move the colonized substrate to a cooler location (15-20°C) to initiate fruiting. This can be outdoors in a shaded area or indoors in a controlled environment.
• Humidity: Maintain high humidity (85-95%) by misting regularly or using a humidity tent.
• Light: Provide indirect light to simulate natural conditions.

5. Fruiting and Harvesting:

• Pinning: Small mushroom pins will start to form within a few days to a week under the right conditions. Continue to maintain humidity and temperature.
• Growth: Shaggy Mane mushrooms grow rapidly and should be harvested when the caps begin to unfurl but before they start to deliquesce (autodigest).
• Harvesting: Gently twist and pull the mushrooms from the substrate. Harvest daily as these mushrooms grow quickly and deteriorate fast.

Location: Outdoor beds should be in a shaded, moist area. Indoor setups should mimic these conditions.

Watering: Avoid overwatering; aim to keep the substrate moist but not soggy.

Pest Control: Protect the growing area from pests such as insects and rodents.

1. Dissolve the malt extract and agar in distilled water.
2.  Sterilize the solution by autoclaving at 121°C for 15-20 minutes.
3. Pour the sterilized media into petri dishes or other containers under sterile conditions.
4. The Yeast is optional, but you can add it to any recipe for nutritions, same for Peptone.

Spawn: Purchase from a reputable supplier or create your own from spores.

Substrate: Compost, straw, or a mixture of straw and manure.

Coprinus comatus thrives on a variety of substrates, primarily those rich in organic matter and nitrogen. Here are some effective substrates:

• Grains: Rye, wheat, and sorghum are commonly used grains that provide a good nutrient base for mycelium growth.
• Straw/Manure Compost: This formulation, detailed by Stamets and Chilton (1983), combines straw with manure to create a nutrient-rich environment. This mixture should be well-composted and pasteurized before use.
• Horse Stable Sawdust: Sawdust from horse stables, enriched with manure and urea, offers an excellent medium for fruiting. The organic material and nitrogen content support vigorous mycelium development.
• Paper and Pulp Waste: Industrial waste products from paper and pulp processing have also been shown to be effective. These materials are often rich in cellulose and other carbohydrates.
• Peat-based Liners: Using a peat-based liner on top of the substrate helps retain moisture and provides a beneficial microenvironment for the fungus, particularly for coprophilous species like C. comatus.

• Urea: A highly concentrated nitrogen source, urea can be added to the substrate to boost nitrogen levels.
• Ammonium Nitrate: This is another effective nitrogen source, commonly used in agriculture, that can enhance substrate nutrient content.
• Blood Meal: Rich in nitrogen, blood meal is an organic additive that provides a slow-release nitrogen source.
• Soybean Meal: High in protein and nitrogen, soybean meal can improve the nutritional profile of the substrate.

• Optimal Substrate: Using substrates rich in organic matter and nitrogen, such as straw/manure compost, horse stable sawdust, or enriched grain mixtures, helps maximize yield.
• Moisture Management: Maintaining proper moisture levels (not too wet or too dry) ensures healthy mycelium growth and fruiting.
• Temperature and Humidity: Keeping temperatures between 15-20°C and maintaining high humidity (85-95%) during fruiting are crucial for achieving high BE.
• Ventilation: Ensuring good airflow to prevent CO2 buildup is essential for healthy mushroom development.

By carefully managing these factors, growers can achieve a BE of 50-100% or more with Coprinus comatus, depending on the quality of the substrate and growing conditions.

Rapid growth on substrates rich in organic matter such as straw/manure compost, horse stable sawdust enriched with manure, and paper/pulp waste. The mycelium is robust and can quickly colonize various substrates, leading to high biological efficiency under optimal conditions. Fruiting occurs in clusters, with mushrooms emerging from the substrate within a few weeks.

Coprinus comatus grows often in unexpected places, such as city green spaces. It is widespread in grasslands and meadows in Europe and North America, from June to November in the UK. It appears to have been introduced to Australia, New Zealand and Iceland. In Australia the species is common enough to appear on a postage stamp issued by Australia Post in 1981 on lawns, meadows, around yards, on wood chips, along paths and in enriched soil.

The fruiting bodies appear from April until deep into November, in Central Europe fructification reaches its peak in September.

The Ink cap is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere.

It cannot be ruled out that if you consume very large quantities of Coprinus comatus and drink a corresponding amount of alcohol, you will get a poisoning. Therefore, it is better to refrain from alcoholic beverages for a few days if you want to consume the mushroom.

Coprinus comatus, also known as Shaggy Mane, is not only a culinary delight but also offers significant nutritional and health benefits due to its rich composition of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, and a variety of bioactive compounds.