Cordyceps are parasitic fungi that reside on the larvae of insects.
True to its parasitic nature, when these fungi attack their host, they attack and replace its tissue and grow long, slender yellowish stems outside its body.
These fungi look weirdly aesthetic, and so many people are intrigued by this; this results in people wanting to know how to grow Cordyceps Sinensis.
Growing cordyceps can be easy, and so in this article, you will find how you can learn how to grow cordyceps, the types of cordyceps available, their benefits to one’s health, and overall advantage.
What Is Cordyceps?
Cordyceps is not your traditional stem and cap mushrooms. Among its unique characteristic include having a fruiting body.
This body is called an ascocarp. In layman’s terms, it is the protruding long skinny body growing out, giving cordyceps the look of a mushroom.
These are parasitic – meaning they need to kill and invade a living host body to grow and survive. Most of their chosen hosts are a tree, an insect, or another fungus.
To grow cordyceps properly, you must first find a suitable living host for the fungi to grow in.
What are the Benefits of Growing Cordyceps?
Cordyceps, mainly Cordyceps Sinensis, is a vital ingredient in traditional medicine.
This fungus has a lot of health benefits. For one, it boosts your immunity.
The cordyceps contain Beta-D-Glucans known to help boost your body’s immune system so you can ward off various diseases and illnesses.
You can grow Cordyceps at home and learn how to make tea from cordyceps.
What Are the Two Main Species of Cordyceps?
The two main species of cordyceps are Cordyceps Sinensis and Cordyceps Militaris. Let’s focus on the first one.
Cordyceps Sinensis is the most well-known species due to its unique and potent characteristics. It is the source used for making cordyceps supplements.
In addition, these species have strong medicinal properties, and for that reason alone, there are many people interested in learning how to grow cordyceps Sinensis.
There is an abundance of growing cordyceps in Asia, most especially in the Himalayas.
Therefore, the environment in that place is suitable for the commercial cultivation of growing cordyceps.
Cordyceps militaris, unlike its counterpart, is easy to grow and reproduce.
Therefore, they have been used interchangeably in various traditional medicines despite their differences.
One crucial advantage of cordyceps militaris is they can grow affordably.
It is still in abundance, much cheaper to harvest, and can deliver the same benefits as Cordyceps Sinensis.
How to Grow Cordyceps?
This procedure is a simple step-by-step procedure you can follow if you want to know the essential requisites of how to grow Cordyceps Sinensis.
- Step 1: Start with cereal grains like rye or rice. Next, put the grain in a sterilized plastic bag or jar. Make sure that these are completely dry. You don’t want moisture to interfere with this process. Once done, you can now inoculate the Cordyceps Sinensis fungus with the grain. This process of growing cordyceps needs to have a temperature between 68 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: Again, in growing cordyceps, you must ensure that the diffuse light and oxygen levels are on par compared to sea level. These are the perfect cultivation atmosphere for 28 to 30 days.
- Step 3: After finishing the cultivation period, place the fungus in a glass or plastic container to substrate in a perfectly controlled environmental chamber. Keep in mind that you must adhere to strict procedures on how to grow cordyceps. Keep the temperature to thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit and do not subject the fungus to light. Any variation in this procedure may result in a change in growth. Now, monitor the fungus under these conditions for 15 to 20 weeks.
- Step 4: Do not take any shortcuts. Someone who is learning how to grow cordyceps must have patience. Respect the procedure and know that it takes time. And, when you have successfully catered to growing cordyceps under rigorous monitoring, you will have Cordyceps Sinensis almost identical to those that grew in the wild.
Final Thoughts on How to Grow Cordyceps
With all the perceived benefits mentioned above, more and more people are encouraged to learn how to grow cordyceps. It strengthens your body, but it is affordable and easy to grow too.
Understanding how to grow Cordyceps Sinensis takes time and determination, but rigidly following the procedures, you will harvest cordyceps grown from patience and love.
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