Many scientists and major agricultural companies have tried to grow chanterelles commercially without success. Nevertheless, with the right prerequisites and a bit of luck, you can definitely be successful.
How to grow chanterelles?
Growing chanterelles successfully is difficult because they grow in symbiosis with tree roots of spruce, fir, pine or copper beech. However, you can try to prepare boggy and slightly acidic soil at the edge of the forest or in your tree plantation and carefully transplant the mycelium from collected chanterelles.
An important edible mushroom
Especially in the autumn, chanterelle mushrooms are an integral part of many restaurant menus and regional recipes. While in the past it was more of a food for poor people, today top chefs are always cooking up new gourmet recipes containing chanterelles. The large number of chanterelles on the market suggests cultivation on a large scale, but in reality the mushrooms, also known as egg sponges, all come from the collection baskets of hard-working mushroom collectors. Many mushrooms available in this country originally come from the forests of countries like:
- Hungary
- Lithuania
- Belarus
The difficulties of growing chanterelles
The chanterelle, a typical forest mushroom, is so difficult to grow because it lives in symbiosis with the root systems of various tree species according to the mycorrhiza system. While the fungus improves the roots' ability to absorb water, the root system provides it with life energy that would otherwise be denied due to its lack of chlorophyll and enzymes. In order to grow chanterelles on your own property, it is therefore necessary to know these relevant factors for the growth of these fascinating mushrooms.
The Hosts of the Chanterelle
Chanterelles usually only occur on sparse forest floors without dense growth of shrubs and grasses. They are often found in mossy places with naturally increased soil moisture. The roots of:are particularly common locations for large quantities of chanterelles.
- Spruce
- Fir tree
- Pine
- Common Beech
Preparing the right soil
The boggy and slightly acidic soil is considered a basic requirement for the successful establishment of chanterelles. Since the growth of mushrooms is inevitably linked to the root systems of trees, cultivation can only take place at the edge of the forest, directly in the forest or in a tree plantation. Since mushroom cultures require roots close to the ground, you should select a sufficiently moist location with little incentive for deep root growth for your experiments.
The mycelium ensures survival
Experienced collectors of chanterelles don't just note promising locations for the next season. They also leave the mycelium as the root base of the mushrooms because this is the only way a new mushroom can develop except through spores. If you find such mycelia of chanterelles while collecting them in the forest, you can try gently transplanting them to your own plot. However, to preserve it in nature, always leave mycelium at its actual location.
Tips & Tricks
For cultivated mushrooms such as champignons, straw bales are inoculated with certain amounts of mycelium or spores in order to specifically colonize the desired mushrooms on the respective growing substrate. Chanterelles don't make it that easy for their carers. However, spores can be spread onto spruce and pine roots with the irrigation water. This may result in the growth of chanterelles if the conditions are suitable.