Introduction
Welcome back fungi enthusiasts, we’re back to talk about something crucial: keeping our mushroom grow tent squeaky clean. If you have experience growing mushrooms in the past, then you know that mushrooms drop spores as part of their natural lifecycle (if you’re new to the game: heads up, mushrooms drop spores). Now, if you’re using OttoENV’s GrowSpace then you can rest assured that spores are kept out of your home, while potential contaminants are kept out of your mushroom’s home. But after a bountiful harvest you’re probably safe to assume that the inside of your tent is going to look a little grody. So today we’ll go over some simple steps that you can do to spruce up your tent and prep it for your next mushroom grow cycle.
Why Cleanliness Matters
Mushrooms are delicate organisms that thrive in specific environments. Setting aside highly important factors such as fresh air and humidity (which OttoENV conveniently takes care of for us), the next most important thing is maintaining a clean grow tent. A clean tent is not just a matter of aesthetics - it directly impacts the health and productivity of your mushroom crop. Contaminants such as mold, bacteria, and pests can jeopardize your harvest, leading to stunted growth or complete crop failure. So staying on top of cleanliness is essential to provide your mushrooms with the most ideal environment to flourish and thrive.
Things can get pretty grody after a bountiful harvest
Preparation
Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s crucial to gather the necessary supplies. Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you have everything you need:
Cleaning Supplies for your Grow Tent
-
Mild detergent or specialized cleaning solution
-
Clean water
-
Small vacuum or vacuum with a small brush attachment
-
Soft-bristled brush or sponge
-
Spray bottle
-
Isopropyl alcohol (optional)
-
Gloves and mask (for personal protection)
-
Lint-free rag or paper towels
-
Fan or ventilation system (for air-circulation during cleaning)
-
Hydrogen peroxide
Cleaning Steps:
1. Empty the Tent: Begin by removing all equipment, growing mediums, and mushroom remnants from the grow tent. If you have any spent grow blocks, feel free to mix in the leftover substrate in a garden and maybe you’ll get a bonus harvest down the line!
2. Vacuuming: Use a handheld vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove loose debris, dust, and spores from the tent walls / floors / equipment. Pay special attention to corners and crevices where contaminants may accumulate.
3. Wipe Down: Prepare a solution of mild detergent or specialized cleaning solution diluted in water. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the solution and gently wipe down all surfaces inside the grow tent, including walls, floors, shelves, and equipment (rinse the cloth frequently in clean water to prevent cross-contamination). Alternatively you can use Lysol wipes or similar to achieve the same outcome (although you may run through a decent number of wipes).
4. Disinfection (Optional Step): For an extra layer of protection against foreign contaminants or pathogens, you can use isopropyl alcohol diluted with water (approximately 70% alcohol concentration) to disinfect surfaces. Spray the solution evenly inside the tent and allow it to air dry thoroughly.
5. Air-Dry the Tent: Open all ventilation flaps and set up a fan to promote air circulation inside the grow tent. Ensure adequate ventilation and allow the surfaces to dray completely before reintroducing equipment and growing mediums!
6. Equipment Maintenance: While the tent is drying, take this opportunity to clean and sanitize your OttoENV equipment such as the humidifier (reservoir, lid, and fan), ventilation unit, and sensor / light apparatus. You can use a wipe or warm soapy water, but the basic intent is to remove any leftover spores that may have nested in your equipment (feel free to disinfect with your isopropyl solution spray if necessary).
7. Preventative Measures: To extend the amount of time between cleanings and minimize the risk of contamination going forward, you can pour in some hydrogen peroxide into your humidifier reservoir the next time you refill it with water. Adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the water reservoir can help kill harmful microorganisms and prevent their growth. The process of using hydrogen peroxide is straightforward: Empty and rinse the water reservoir of the humidifier. Add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide (a few drops per liter of water). Don’t worry about hydrogen peroxide impacting your grow, as over time the compounds break down into water and oxygen!
Conclusion
Cleaning your mushroom grow tent is not just a chore; it’s a vital step that maintains your OttoENV GrowSpace as the ideal healthy environment for your mushrooms. Luckily, by following a simple 6-step cleaning process and adopting some preventive measures, you can create an environment where your mushrooms can thrive and flourish. So, roll up your sleeves, put on some gloves, and a give your tent a decent scrub.
Remember, a clean tent is a happy tent, and happy tents yield bountiful harvests.
