Whatever questions you may have about mushrooms, fungi and mycelium, this is the place to ask.
We’ll do our best to answer your question as quickly as we can. (But we’re not a big business, so we’re not standing by 24 hours a day!)
If we don’t answer your question, the most likely reason is that we’ve answered the question before. Occasionally, it’s because the question is outside the scope of this website, or of our knowledge.
IMPORTANT: We CAN’T help you identify mushrooms from photos you upload. The price of being wrong is just too high! If you need help identifying a particular mushroom, it’s best to ask an experienced forager or professional mycologist.
First - scroll down through the list of questions and answers you'll find on this page.
Next, if you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, complete the form below and send it our way.
BTW - We added this page only recently. If you don't see many questions and answers yet, that's why. : )
Ask anything you like about mushrooms or fungi. (But remember, we're not able to identify individual mushrooms for you.)
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
What are the main types of symbiotic relationships fungi form with other organisms?
QUESTION:
I’m doing a high school project on mushrooms and fungi, and want to focus on how fungi have symbiotic relationships with plants and organisms. …
Can mycelium be used to create biofuels or other renewable energy sources?
QUESTION:
Hi, I’ve been reading on one of your other pages about all the ways people are finding to use mycelium. Sounds amazing.
My question …
Using rye berries for PK tech method (PF Tek Method?)
QUESTION:
Let's say I am doing the PK tech method and have used the rye berries to grow mycelium in a pint jar.
Do I treat it the same as using …
Has an antidote been found for being poisoned by Death Cap mushrooms?
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Someone told me an antidote had been found to cure poisoning by eating Death Cap mushrooms. Is this true? If it is, that would be great. …
Is my boyfriend allergic to mushrooms?
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Hey there! So, my boyfriend has been experiencing stomach pains lately, and I noticed it usually happens after we have mushrooms in our …
What's the best way to sterilise your grain spawn jars?
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What's the best way to sterilise your grain spawn jars without using the pressure cooker? And it's the only way to sterilise what can …
Can eating mushrooms make me live longer?
QUESTION:
Hey there! I've been doing some reading about how to live a longer and healthier life, and it seems like scientists are doing some pretty …
Do mushrooms have a history of being used to make dyes?
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I love using natural dyes for my knitting yarn. I've dabbled with lichen dyes, and I'm about to give mushroom dyes a whirl.
Just …
Is it true that mushrooms can eat old cigarette butts?
QUESTION:
Hey there! I have a couple of friends in class who are obsessed with mushrooms. They talk about all sorts of wild things, and sometimes …
Dried substrate in my mushroom log grow bag.
QUESTION:
Hi there.
I inoculated an oak log with chicken of the woods in a log bag with a cover and plug. I came back a week later and it seems …
How is Vegan leather made from mushroom mycelium?
QUESTION:
I’m a vegan, so my life revolves a lot around not doing harm to any animals. I eat a Vegan diet, which I love. Of course, my lifestyle …
Is it true that some pharmaceutical drugs come from mushrooms and fungi?
QUESTION:
I'm having a bit of a disagreement with my mate over whether or not some drugs come from fungi. I'm pretty sure they do, but he thinks …
Do mushrooms feature in world mythologies?
QUESTION:
Hey there, my name is Jared and I'm in Grade 7. We're doing this project about the importance of food in different mythologies around …
What’s the difference between a micro dose and a full dose of psilocybin?
QUESTION:
I’m new to this, but interested in the psychedelic effects of some mushrooms. What is the dose difference between a microdose of psilocybin, …
Is it true that mushroom mycelium could be used to protect astronauts from radiation?
QUESTION:
I don’t remember where, but I read somewhere that mycelium can be used to protect astronauts, in their space vehicles, and maybe when …
Questions about using mushrooms for desalination and gray water filtration.
QUESTION:
I read that there is new research into using mushrooms as desalination tools for saltwater, since they were able to make it almost (I …
Can you help identify this type of mushroom for me?
QUESTION:
Hi everyone,
I've got mushrooms in my small garden!! I need to know it's type and if it can be eaten.
Thank you!
ANSWER: …
Where can I buy mushrooms? Order online? Asian stores? Farmers Markets?
QUESTION:
I’m new to mushrooms and want to dive in a try as many different types as I can! So please, WHERE can I buy mushrooms that are not just …
What is the best way to preserve mushrooms?
QUESTION:
From what I have been learning so far, fresh mushrooms have a very short shelf-life. I’ve already noticed that when I buy mushrooms and …
Are mushrooms used in skincare products? And do they work?
QUESTION:
I love mushrooms, and make them part of my diet. Given how good they are for one’s health, I’m wondering if skincare products with mushrooms …
Is it OK to eat mushroom stems, or should I cut them off?
QUESTION:
My mom always told me I should cut the stems off mushrooms before cooking them. She said the stems were too woody to digest and that …
Got any tips on how to use dried mushrooms?
QUESTION:
I’m fairly new to cooking with mushrooms. Definitely too scared to go foraging and use those mushrooms to add to family recipes at home. …
Are mushrooms a good survival food?
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My family and I are pretty serious about being prepared for any eventuality. We keep enough water and canned and dried foods at home …
Mushrooms as a hobby? I'm over 60 and want something new to keep me busy.
QUESTION:
I’m over 60, retired early, and looking for something to spend some time on.
I’ve always had a bit of an interest in mushrooms and …
Are there any vegan meat alternatives made from fungi or mycelium?
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I started out as a vegetarian, and now want to go vegan. But I still want to be able to use meat alternatives when planning meals.
…
Is there such a thing as Puffball mushroom pizza?
QUESTION:
I overhead some people talking about making pizza with Puffball mushrooms.
I don’t think they were talking about adding mushrooms …
What’s the difference between mushrooms and fungi?
QUESTION:
I’m fairly new to all this, but super pumped to learn more! Thank you for your site, and for the chance to ask you a question.
Here’s …
Is mushroom mycelium bad for plants?
QUESTION:
Our neighbor says his plants have been doing poorly ever since he started seeing mushroom on his lawn and under some of his shrubs.
…
I heard mushrooms have an umami taste. What does that even mean?
QUESTION:
I’m vaguely familiar with the word “umami”. Mostly I hear it when people talk about Asia food. But I don’t really ‘get it’. Is it a taste …
Are some mushrooms poisonous for dogs?
QUESTION:
We like to walk our dog in our local woods. He’s off-leash for most of the time and runs around, exploring his favorite smells. He always …