Q: What first sparked your interest in the realm of mycology?
A: I was exposed to the world of medicinal mushrooms via Four Sigmatic. Their dual-extract mushroom powders offer immune support, athletic recovery, sleep-aid and overall well-being. There was a mushroom for everything! Naturally, I wanted to grow my own and was told “it’s hard to cultivate mushrooms” -- which is only true for impatient people. Over several months, I discovered the mysterious world of fungi as fruiting blocks incubated in every closet.
Q: What exactly are you researching/working on?
A: I grow a select variety of medicinal mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Shitake. Some are cooked with dinner, others are dehydrated or decocted. Maitake is next on the list. When in doubt, I enjoy growing Blue Oysters since they make me feel like a master mycologist!
Q: What is the purpose of your research/work?
A: The goal is to keep my family’s immune system thriving. I also enjoy bringing something different to the dinner table. Texas summer’s are HOT and gardening can be brutal. Cultivating gourmet mushrooms indoors is a win-win. Who knows? Maybe next year I will expand to accommodate the farmer’s market.
Q: What do you like most about working with mushrooms/mycelium?
A: Inoculating grain jars and agar plates is my kind of Saturday. Expanding the mycelial network never gets old. It’s special working with the same organism, developing its strengths and sharing the fruits of my labor.
