KiwiFungi Mushrooms

18/07/2024

🌟 Discover the Diversity of Locally Grown Oyster Mushrooms in Christchurch, Canterbury! 🌟

Here are the four types we cultivate:

🍄 Pink Oyster (P. djamor)
🍄 NZ Native Oyster (P. parsonsiae)
🍄 Brown Oyster (P. australis)
🍄 Italian Oyster (P. pulmonarius)

Elevate your dishes with these unique flavors! 🌱

09/03/2024

Today at Riccarton Sunday Market , we're offering fresh oysters and grow kits. Stop by and greet us!

22/02/2024

Today's spotlight is on Australis oysters, complemented by delightful Italian and pink varieties at . Join me until 12pm to delve into the world of mycology! I'm also happy to talk about anything mushrooms – bring your questions and topics!

18/11/2023

See you all tomorrow at Riccarton Sunday Market.

21/10/2023

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at the Riccarton Sunday Market ! 🛍️ Let's have a fantastic day of shopping and fun. And if you're a mushroom enthusiast, let's have a chat about mushrooms too! 🍄😊

16/05/2023

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Joolzart's mesmerizing NZ fungi creations! Prepare to be captivated by her unique blend of photography and illustration, bringing fungi to life in exquisite ways. Stay tuned for the exciting launch of her enchanting coloring books, a perfect treat for any fungi enthusiast. Discover the beauty of nature through Joolzart's artistry and let your imagination soar. 💚🍄

Happy 1st of May!
For my 2023 Calendar May is 'Fungi of Te Ika-a- Māui'
This painting was based on the finds of my fabulous trip up North to go fungling with my NI buddies 💜
I haven't been able to fit much bush time in yet this season but I'm off to The Sounds in a week and I'm looking forward to what I might find there for my next fungi painting...
BTW this artwork will be in my upcoming colouring in book.

15/05/2023

Kia ora whānau! Wishing you all a joyful New Year in 2023. I hope that you've wrapped up 2022 with great success and are eagerly embracing the fresh opportunities of the coming year.

As we kick off our first post for 2023, I want to express my deep gratitude to all those who have supported KIWIFUNGI mushrooms throughout the years. It has been truly inspiring to connect with a diverse whānau of individuals who share an interest in and enthusiasm for learning about cultivating their own food through mushroom kai.

In this new year, my aspirations are centered around fostering even stronger connections within our whānau and community through the power of fungi. I aim to explore new foraging grounds, discovering hidden treasures and forming meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. Additionally, I am committed to increasing awareness and education around the importance of growing our own food, reducing our carbon footprint, and nurturing a sustainable future for our community.

One of my key focuses for 2023 is to cultivate more Pekepeke-kiore, also known as NZ's lion's mane, renowned for its health-boosting properties. Not only does it offer incredible taste and flavor, but it also holds immense potential for enhancing our well-being.

Let's embark on this journey together, embracing the wonders of nature and the bountiful possibilities that lie ahead. Here's to a year filled with growth, connection, and the delicious taste of success. Ngā mihi nui!

12/05/2023

Greetings everyone, I hope you are doing well! What's new at KiwiFungi NZ during this cool, damp mid-winter season when many of the mushrooms are in a dormant state?
Well, we are continuing our experiments with a local culture of Pekepeke-kiore, also known as New Zealand's native "lions mane." This happens to be my all-time favorite among the native gourmet edibles, not only because of its delectable taste but also its medicinal properties . I cultivate this species of mushroom to share its benefits with others, to consume it for my own health, to develop natural remedies, and to deepen my understanding of this remarkable strain.

This forest gem, which grows naturally in the ngahere, offers a wealth of health benefits 🍃 Packed with protein, beta-glucans for a healthy immune system, and a variety of minerals for cellular health, this mushroom is an excellent source of nutrition. It's no wonder that some species of this mushroom are valued for their brain-boosting benefits overseas - search for 'Lions Mane supplements' and see for yourself! Although there have only been a few studies done on our native species, more research is on the way, and I'll be sharing links in the comments. What makes Peke-k so special? Its appearance is reminiscent of the most stunning coral, with a texture similar to that of seafood, and a taste that is nutty, sweet, and reminiscent of almonds and crayfish. It is one of the most popular edible mushrooms available to us, making it an excellent choice for those who are hesitant to try fungi or have unique tastes

If you're in the Canterbury area and have an appreciation for locally grown produce, keep an eye out for my upcoming post about the native Pekepeke-kiore, also known as 'lion's mane' mushrooms. I'll be sharing some of my harvest, so you can taste the delicious and healthy benefits of this remarkable forest fruit. It's also a great time for me to take a short break from my usual routine, experiment with different cultivation methods, and share my knowledge with others who are interested in the incredible world of fungi. So stay tuned for more updates on my grow efforts and other exciting projects! 🍄

12/05/2023

The potential of fungi is truly incredible and goes beyond what we can imagine. They play a crucial role in our ecosystem, from filtering water to combating diseases. However, their contributions often go unnoticed. It's time to recognize the power of fungi and mushrooms, not just for our planet but also for advancing healthcare. Check out this fascinating article about how a dream led to a groundbreaking discovery in the world of fungi! Let's be inspired to explore their possibilities and contribute to a healthier future for all.

A study published Thursday details a promising and novel approach to help stop the viruses killing honeybees, which pollinate much of the food we rely on: mushrooms.

11/05/2023

Have you ever considered foraging for food in the wild? It's an exciting and adventurous activity that can lead to discovering delicious and nutritious wild edibles. Recently, I held an introduction to foraging class that covered a few basic aspects of this hobby. However, there is so much more to learn, and a short time slot is not enough to cover it all. Here are some fantastic link-resources that I shared with my attendees so that you can begin your own foraging journey.

When it comes to fungi, there is one crucial rule to remember – if you're not entirely sure of the identification, do not eat it. You must take species identification seriously, just like you would with edible and toxic plants. Thankfully, there are many edible mushroom species that grow in the wild in Aotearoa, whether they are soil growers or wood growers. You should only pick them from private or public land and not DOC or conservation land.

If you're just starting, there are plenty of beginner mushrooms to learn about, such as oysters, shiitake, lions mane, enoki, shaggy ink caps, tawaka, puffballs, wood-ear, birch bolete's, porcini (depending on your area), wine caps/king stropharia, and slippery jacks. Some mushrooms live with associate trees, making it easier to find mycorrhizal species (mushrooms whose mycelium lives in symbiosis with specific tree roots). If you're interested in the button mushroom genus Agaricus, visit the MHNZ page to learn about toxic lookalikes and undescribed species.

To help you identify mushrooms and other life forms, invest in a quality field guide available from Shirley Kerr at https://www.kaimaibush.co.nz/, which is considered the top option in Aotearoa. Additionally, iNaturalist.org and iNaturalist NZ - Mātaki Taiao have websites and apps where you can search for species pinned on a map and upload pictures of fungi to have the community ID. You can also join Mushroom Hunting New Zealand on Facebook, which has a few experts and a great community to learn about foraging, seasonal changes, what occurs in your area, and why people value foraging fungi.

As foraging season kicks into high gear, I'm out walking a lot and reminded of how I started working with fungi. It began with a walk in the ngahere/forest during autumn for my well-being, and it led to a journey of discovering "what are these beautiful mushrooms" and learning how to grow my own edible ones for health and food security.

11/05/2023

Check out the incredible Oyster Pulmonarius! It produced an astounding amount of mushrooms during its first flush, demonstrating impressive biological efficiency. When using sterile growing methods, like with grow bags, the goal is to get the maximum yield of mushrooms from the minimum amount of growing materials.
If you're purchasing a grow bag, it's essential to ensure that it's made from high-quality wood and contains additional nutrients to support mushroom growth. Also, you'll want to make sure that the bag has been given sufficient time to establish before purchasing it. I'm excited to start experimenting with local oysters and creating my own grow bags to see how they turn out!🍄

11/05/2023

Autumn has arrived, and it's time to head outdoors for the foraging season! This season is about dividing your time between the lab and the field, stocking up on excess mushrooms, and creating broths, powders, and jerky for the pantry. It's the perfect time to explore the great outdoors and discover new mushroom species to add to your foraging repertoire. Get ready to enjoy the bounty of nature and the delicious flavors that come with it!

In New Zealand, people tend to have a fear of mushrooms rather than a love for them. Many are hesitant to even touch them, believing that it could lead to sickness or even death. However, touching a mushroom is not likely to cause harm, but it is important to follow safety guidelines to avoid any potential risks.

It's important to exercise caution when foraging for mushrooms. Don't let overconfidence lead to danger. Instead, be careful and deliberate when selecting and consuming mushrooms. Only choose those you are confident in identifying, and seek the advice of experts and experienced foragers. Remember, it takes years of practice and study to become a true expert in mushroom identification. Don't be old and bold, be mindful and cautious in your foraging endeavors.

11/05/2023

It's a ripper idea to get amongst the great outdoors during the autumn season, mate! How about having a brew while checking out the groovy world of mushies under the moon? You'll definitely need a torch to spot these bad boys, they're unreal!

11/05/2023

My passion for cultivating mushrooms has led me to explore unique ways to bring local mushroom cultures to my community. I am excited to develop 100% local mushroom cultures that are from our area and can be supplied to locals. This is an idea that I find very unique, as usually mushrooms are grown from other parts of the country.

I began my journey into mushroom cultivation in early 2020 and since then, I have self-taught myself the techniques. Over the last two years, I have worked with hundreds of homemade agar plates, made liters of liquid cultures, did several hundred grain-to-grain transfers in jars, made thousands of dowels for local workshops, collected/cleaned/stored five+ wild samples, and produced sterile grow bags via injection into blocks.

However, these techniques are too much of a hassle to work with on a large scale. To help me with this, I have acquired a unit that provides HEPA filtered, 99.99% clean air over a workspace, which allows me to work in the open air. With this unit, I can have 'lab grade security' to my work, and I am excited to get my elbows out and have some room to move.

Additionally, I am also experimenting with medicinal mushrooms like Lions Mane, Turkey tail, and Bracket fungi. I have also resumed my work on training oysters to consume waste, which I had to pause earlier due to the tedious nature of the old setup.

11/05/2023

Mushroom farming involves a diverse range of techniques, each dependent on one's competencies, means, and aspirations. I've had the best luck cultivating mycelium from Oyster mushrooms on paper or cardboard. The Garden Giant/ King Stropharia, on the other hand, requires more attention to flourish. It's remarkable how simple it is for beginners to grow these two types of mushrooms. I admire this strategy for its laid-back, affordable, and straightforward approach.
Though the use of cardboard spawn for farming is not technically sterile, it doesn't necessitate the use of lab techniques or sterility. If done outdoors, it is referred to as 'naturalized' since it comes with the outdoor experience, including soil and insects. Cardboard cultivation is not ideal for mass production, but it can work effectively for home growers who enjoy the ease of use. I have found many creative ways to incorporate mycelia spawn in my mushroom cultivation. One of my favorites is using old bread bags filled with a mix of straw, chaff, or cabbage leaves for small-scale grows. Another method is to use the spawn to inoculate outdoor beds covered with fresh wood chips, or to layer it between totem logs to help introduce new strains to the wood. There are many possibilities for those willing to experiment and think outside the box when it comes to growing mushrooms.🍄

11/05/2023

Exciting news for our community! We are thrilled to announce that we have successfully grown native Pulmonarius Oyster mushrooms on our very first log from the community log bank. This log was inoculated back in August during our first community wānanga, using wood sourced and donated by generous locals.

We are proud to be the first in the community to grow mushrooms using this unique and sustainable method. Logs are an excellent low-maintenance option for growing kai in your garden while co-existing with nature. With just a bit of basic knowledge on cultivation, one mushroom can produce many more, making this method not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective.

We are also excited to announce that our community is soon to shift to our new community kaitiaki/guardians. This new shift will help us to further support and promote sustainable growing practices like our community log bank. We can't wait to see what other exciting and sustainable growing methods we can come up with in the future!

So, let's get growing together and help support our local community while promoting sustainable practices.

11/05/2023

Kia ora whānau!

I hope you all are doing well and excited about the new year 2022. As we welcome a new year, I want to take a moment to wish you all a very happy and prosperous year ahead.

As for me, I'm looking forward to taking some time off to enjoy the summer break and work on some exciting new projects. One of the projects I'm most excited about is medicine making, which involves creating natural remedies using plant-based ingredients.

In my quest to explore the benefits of natural medicines, I've discovered a fascinating new culture called Pekepeke-kiore, Aotearoa's Lions Mane, or Coral Tooth Mushroom. This amazing fungi is known for its medicinal properties and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

I've been working hard to extract the nutrients of Pekepeke-kiore into liquid tinctures using an authentic recipe from Kaiapoi Distillery. The tinctures are a carefully selected botanical blend and mix of super fungi that have gone through many weeks of maceration to ensure the best quality and benefits.

The Lions Mane mushroom is part of the Hericum genus, which is well-known for its medicinal properties. In particular, Lions Mane is known for boosting cognitive function and supporting the nervous system, making it an excellent choice for those looking to support their mental and emotional well-being.

In addition to the Pekepeke-kiore tinctures, I'm also excited to explore other Hericum mushrooms and their benefits. These super fungi are packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and are an excellent source of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

In conclusion, I'm excited to share this new project with you all and hope that you'll join me in exploring the benefits of Pekepeke-kiore and other Hericum mushrooms. Once again, I wish you all a very happy new year and a relaxing summer break ahead! Ka kite anō!

10/05/2023

As we enter this festive season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed. For Kiwifungi, it has been a year of growth, learning, and giving back to the community.

Through a series of community workshops, I have had the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for cultivating mushrooms, and to learn from others as well. It has been a pleasure to witness the curiosity and enthusiasm of those who have attended, and to see the excitement on their faces as they harvest their first crop of mushrooms.

I have also spent a lot of time this year delving deeper into the science of cloning and cultivating new strains and cultures. It has been a challenging journey, with many failures along the way, but I have remained committed to my low waste, low tech ethos. I believe that this approach is not only better for the environment, but also more accessible to those who are interested in growing their own mushrooms at home.

In addition to all of this, I am excited to announce that there will be a new lab gear and equipment upgrade arriving soon! This will take my cultivation and experimenting to the next level, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

As we come to the end of this year, I want to express my gratitude for all the support and encouragement that I have received from the community. Your kindness and generosity have made it possible for me to continue pursuing my passion, and I am deeply grateful for that.

I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season, filled with love, joy, and the company of your loved ones. Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui - be strong, be brave, be steadfast.

Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

10/05/2023

Kia ora whānau, for those of you who have been foraging and harvesting mushrooms, you may find yourself with more than you can eat right away. But don't worry, there are ways to preserve your kai for the future!

Fungi can be a versatile food that can last a long time if stored properly. Here are some tips on how to store your mushrooms:

Drying: slice your mushrooms thinly and lay them out in a single layer on a clean surface, then leave them in a dry and well-ventilated area. Once they are dry and crispy, store them in an airtight container.
Freezing: you can either freeze your mushrooms whole or slice them up and place them in a freezer bag. This will allow you to take out just the amount you need when you're ready to cook with them.
Pickling: soak your mushrooms in a vinegar solution, which will help preserve them and give them a tangy flavour. You can add other herbs and spices to the solution for added flavour.

By preserving your mushrooms, you can enjoy them for longer periods and reduce waste. Do you have any other tips for storing kai long term? Share them in the comments below!

10/05/2023

Kia ora whanau! I've got an awesome giveaway for you all! As you know, being able to grow your own kai is super important. So, I want to give two lucky people the gift of knowledge and a chance to bank some kai for the future.

🌏 I'm giving away two tickets to attend my native mushroom log making workshop this Saturday morning from 9am to 12pm at a central Timaru location. If you're interested in permaculture, growing your own food, and using fungi as food, then this workshop is perfect for you!

To enter, all you need to do is comment below or tag a friend who you think would benefit from this workshop. Please only tag someone who is genuinely interested and able to attend. I'll be picking two winners at random today at 3pm.

Please note that this giveaway is also advertised in two other community spaces to spread the love. Can't wait to see who will be joining me for this fun and educational experience!

10/05/2023

Check out this gorgeous pink oyster mushroom that was grown from our organic grain spawn we made at our recent workshops! 🍄💕 Not only do these mushrooms make for a stunning addition to any dish, but they also have a unique taste and texture that is sure to delight your taste buds. Want to learn how to grow your own at home? Come join us for our next workshop and discover the secrets to cultivating these delicious fungi. Stay tuned for more details!

10/05/2023

Have you heard about Aotearoa's very own shiitake mushrooms, Lentinula novae-zelandiae? These native beauties grow on logs and produce a deliciously meaty flavour that's hard to resist!
To get the best out of them, we give the logs a good cold bath to stimulate fruiting. Then, voila! A good flush of these mouth-watering mushrooms ready to be harvested.
It's amazing how much treasure we have in our own backyard. Have you tried these native shiitake before?

10/05/2023

Kia ora everyone! Just wanted to give you all an update on our latest mushroom harvest. We've been hard at work growing oyster mushrooms in our community garden, and they're coming in hot and juicy! 🍄🌱 Not only that, but we've also been harvesting some beautiful mushrooms from the logs we inoculated a few months back. It's been so satisfying to watch these little beauties grow and thrive.
We're proud to be able to share these delicious mushrooms with our community and promote the benefits of sustainable and locally sourced food. Keep an eye out for our next batch and come get your fungi fix! 💚👨‍🌾

10/05/2023

Exciting news everyone! We've just installed a brand new greenhouse for our mushroom growing operation, and we couldn't be happier with how it's turning out. With hypersonic mistings and advanced venting systems, we're able to perfectly control the temperature and humidity levels, creating the ideal environment for our little fungi friends to thrive. And the best part? We're able to keep pests at bay much more easily than before, meaning less stress and hassle for us growers. Can't wait to see what amazing things we can produce in this new space! 🍄💚

10/05/2023

Kia ora whānau! Today we had an awesome opportunity to share some of our community-grown & also foraged mushrooms with our local community. It's moments like these that remind us of the power of contributing to sustainability and resourcefulness in our own backyard. By growing and sharing our own kai, we can encourage others to get involved and be a part of the movement towards a more sustainable future. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this happen! Let's continue to work together to build a stronger and more resilient community.

09/05/2023

we Kiwis sure have a thing for colours, don't we? It's not uncommon for our curious minds to lead us down some pretty unexpected paths!

Blue Powerade without the e numbers? A little mushroom from Aotearoa could make it happen.

09/05/2023

Check out this stunning mycelial growth on this native spawn! Nature is such an epic co-creator, eh? I could legit stare at this jar for ages, feeling all the wonder and awe fill me up. Pic doesn't do it justice, it still blows my mind.

09/05/2023

It's gotta feel pretty choice to bring new species to light. Choice mahi to the team for your collective effort, from caring for the whenua to checking out the sample - you deserve a pat on the back! Aotearoa is chocka with unique and diverse flora and fauna. Fungi and mushrooms play a crucial role in the circle of life, but they're not always on our radar. That's where the mushroom hunters come in, keen as to spot these elusive beauties! Among the unknown species, there could be heaps of mushroom-forming fungi, so it's totally possible that YOU could find a new species if you're willing to put in the hard yards searching for these taonga, like these epic people do!🍄

Pest control in Rotorua's Dansey Road Scenic Reserve means native flora and fauna, including undiscovered species, can thrive, say conservationists.

09/05/2023

Cleva little fungi, they fit our bodies and challenges so well, eh. There's some real promisin' leads on many fronts regardin' the power of these unusual organisms, bro. We've got our own native fungi here in Aotearoa - āwheto, also known as vegetable caterpillar fungi. Its host is a caterpillar, mean! Āwheto was even used by Māori as a dye and tattooing pigment back in the day. Maybe one day we'll have our own locals delvin' into the medical potential of our very own āwheto! photo from https://historyaotearoa.com

09/05/2023

I absolutely love growing mushies in buckets! Check out GroCycle's article on low-tech mushroom farming for some great tips.🍄🍄