Mushroom Mag (Myceli-Fun!)

Funfacts,Activities, &More!

PRONOUNCED (MY-SEAL-EE-UM)

So, What Even is Mycelium?

Mycelium is like the root system of a fungus It’s made up of lots of tiny white threads that grow underground or inside old wood, leaves, or soil. The mycelium helps the fungus find food by breaking down dead plants and animals. It’s also super important for nature because it helps recycle nutrients and keep the soil healthy!

Inventors and builders from Red House architecture have even used mycelium to make bricks to build a house!

Artist Sam Shoemaker even made a real boat out of mycelium that he used to paddle 28 miles across the ocean!

Itcanevenbeused tomakesidewalks thatfixthemselves whentheyare cracked!

TheMycelium Messenger

Deepbeneaththeforestfloor,wheresunlightcan’treachandrootstwist likesecrettunnels,livedMimitheMycelium.Shewasn’tastallasthe texttreesorasbrightastheflowers butshehadsomethingnooneelsedid: awhisper-networkthatstretchedfor miles.

Everyday,themushroomsabove wouldpopupwithhatsofeverycolor.

“Goodmorning,Mimi!”they’dcall. “Anynewsfromtheforest?”

AndMimialwayshadplentytoshare.

“Thebirchtreesneedmorewaternear theirroots,”she’dhum.

“Theoakdroppednewacorns tell thesquirrels!”

“Theblueberrybushsaysthankyoufortheshade!”

Throughhersilkythreads,shecarriedmessagesfromoneplantto another,keepingpeaceintheforest.Butonemorning,thegroundgrew dryandcracked.Thetreesdrooped.Eventhemushrooms’capscurledat theedges.Mimiwiggledthroughthedirt,searchingforhelp.She whisperedtoeveryrootshepassed:

“Share what you can. Pass it on.”

Andtheydid tricklesofwater,bitsofsugar,tinysparklesoflife.By sunset,theforestglowedagain,andanewringofmushroomssprouted —athank-youcrownforMimi.Theanimalsdancedinthemoonlight,and thewindcarriedasoftcheerthroughthetrees:

“Thesmallestthreadscanholdthewholeforesttogether.”

GROWYOUROWN MUSHROOM

What You'll need

MushroomSpawn (ex Oyster)and coffee grounds

Spray Bottle With Water

Jar to hold your Kit

Plastic bag (to keep things humid)

Grow them

Fill Your Clean Jar Halfwaywith coffeegrounds of soil

Add your mushroom spawn and gently stir

Tips

Put Your Jar in the Plastic Bag and Seal It (punch a small hole for air flow)

Keep it Warm and Dark for 2 Weeks Until White

Fuzz Appears, Then Remove From Bag

Move to a Bright Spot and mist daily

When the Mushrooms are Big, Harvest and Celebrate!

Ifgreen or black shows up, toss and start again

Always cook your mushrooms before eating

MUSHROOMMAZE -FOROLDERKIDSGOODLUCK!

Anatomyofa mushroom

Cap:

Gills:

Helps create and spread spores

Stem: gives support to mushroom, like a tree trunk

Fungi=Biggroupoflivingthings thatarenotplantsoranimals

Mycelium=thehiddenpartofa fungus,like“roots ”

Mushroom=thepartoffungus thatpopsupaboveground

Helps protect mushroom, helps spread spores

Spores!Likeseeds,floatinthe air , landonthegroundnandcangrowintoa teworganismwhen heyfindtheright place

Hyphae:

Individual strands of mycelium, provides structure for mushroom

Mycelium:

Like“roots”forfungi,helps themushroomgetnutirents (foodandenergy)

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