How to grow truffles at home. Growing truffles: features and main rules

Truffle is a mushroom that many have heard about, but not everyone has tried it. This product is considered an expensive delicacy. Its most expensive types are winter, Italian and black. In our latitudes they can be found very rarely. Most often we use summer truffle in gastronomy. The peculiarity of this mushroom is that it does not grow on the surface of the earth.

• Truffle growing technology
• How to start a truffle growing business
• Starting capital amount
• What equipment to choose for organizing this business
• Which OKVED code should I indicate?
• What documents are needed to open
• Which taxation system to choose for business registration
• Do I need permission to open?

The photo shows a cross-section of a black truffle.

In nature, they most often grow in the southern latitudes of France and northern Italy. Here, for the first time, they began to be grown in an artificial environment. This begs the question: is it possible to grow truffles on your own plot at home? There are examples of successful experience, but the climatic conditions of the area should be close to their natural habitats.

The mushroom is called amazing because no one can say exactly how and where it grows. It feeds from the roots of trees and shrubs and is completely underground all the time. There the mycelium receives enough moisture and is reliably protected from pathogenic bacteria. The structure of any mushroom involves its cultivation through the planting of mycelium. It is from this that the fruits develop. They, in turn, produce spores that serve for reproduction. They are carried across the area by water and wind. Reproduction in nature of truffles occurs due to the animals that feed on them.

Truffle growing technology

Now let's move on to how to grow a delicious truffle at home. For this we need: high-quality mycelium, good soil and, in fact, a plot of land in a warm temperate climate. An area where winters are frosty and there are temperature changes in the off-season will not provide the opportunity to grow a good harvest of truffles.

Seedlings are usually sold already grafted onto young tree seedlings. They cost about 10 dollars. Trees are planted at home in an area that is best protected from wind and direct sunlight. There should be no other bushes or trees nearby. The mushroom prefers alkaline soil, so lime is often added to the soil before planting. It is imperative to add herbicides. Usually this is ammonium glufosinate, but it is not recommended to apply fertilizers before planting. They reduce the survival rate of mycelium in the soil.

Truffle cultivation can begin when the threat of cold weather has passed. Trees are planted in pre-prepared holes. They are watered generously. After planting, the soil should be well mulched. To do this, use last year's fallen leaves from the forest and film.

Further care of plantings at home consists of regular and abundant watering throughout the summer. The first harvest can be grown no earlier than in five years. The mushroom will bear fruit for more than 25 years, so investing in this business can be considered a long-term investment. You can recognize ripe fruits by their raised soil. All the grass dries up in this place. This usually happens closer to autumn. The harvest lasts until frost.

The photo shows an arrow where to look for your first harvest.

The dug truffle is not cleaned from the ground in order to preserve the natural microflora. It is additionally wrapped in parchment paper and immersed in rice. It protects the mushroom from drying out. It is important not only to grow, but also to preserve the harvest. To do this, place the fruits in the refrigerator.

In general, opinions often differ on how to grow expensive truffles at home. There are several technologies. This is a capricious mushroom, and it is difficult to establish its production on a large scale. In Russia, entrepreneurs mainly practice growing truffles indoors, using Australian technology. Although this business is expensive, it is profitable. Elite restaurants and shops buy products from plantations. It is difficult to grow it here, but it is quite easy to establish sales in our country, since competition in the market is very weak.

Below we offer you a video about truffles:

How to start a truffle growing business

Due to the fact that truffles are considered a real delicacy and have a fairly high cost, the process of growing them at home should be treated as responsibly as possible. First of all, you must find a plot of land on which you will grow them. After this, you need to purchase planting material, equipment and fertilizers that will be needed in this difficult task. In addition, in the process of preparing materials, do not forget to register your business so that your activities are legal.

Starting capital amount

Starting this type of activity in truffle cultivation is not possible without initial capital. Often in the first stages it is enough to have about 200 thousand rubles, which will go not only to the purchase of mushroom mycelium, but also to the necessary equipment, from the greenhouse to the tools. It is worth paying attention to the fact that for the first time the first harvest can be expected in 5-6 years, and only then will the invested starting capital begin to pay off.

What equipment to choose for organizing this business

As for the equipment that is necessary to implement this process, it is quite small. First of all, you should take care of renting a plot of land where the growing process will take place and purchasing mycelium. It is also possible to grow these mushrooms in greenhouses, so you should purchase all the elements necessary for its creation, as well as tools that help to quickly plant the mycelium.

Which OKVED code should I indicate?

Since truffles are classified as mushrooms, when registering this activity, you should use the OKVED code 01.12.3 - the process of growing truffles and forest mushrooms.

What documents are needed to open

Registration of this type of activity is possible if the following list of documents is available:

• IP registration document;
• Payment of state duty;
• Entrepreneur's passport details;
• A notarized statement.

Which taxation system to choose for business registration

To carry out this type of activity affordably, it is necessary to choose a single agricultural tax, which provides for the withdrawal of 6% of income.

Do I need permission to open?

Having decided to start a truffle growing business, you, as entrepreneurs, do not need to obtain licenses and permits for this activity.

In appearance, a truffle is similar to a potato: it also has a tuberous shape, grows in the ground and can reach 15-20 cm in diameter. Depending on the variety, the color of truffles can vary, but mainly black and white mushrooms are used.

Where do truffles grow?

There are several types of this mushroom, but they all grow underground and under trees, together with the roots of which they form a close connection. The most expensive is the winter truffle. It grows in Italy and France, and can be found in oak or beech forests. White truffle is common in the forests of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

Finding this mushroom is quite difficult, since it is completely underground, and its most valuable part is usually located at a depth of 15-20 cm, so a person himself will not be able to find them.

For search truffles use dogs or pigs. Boars can smell a mushroom at a distance of up to 10 meters, but you have to be careful so that they don’t have time to eat it, so they are muzzled. Dogs are also good at searching for truffles, but they need to be trained for a long time (females are better at this task).

How much does a kilogram of truffles cost?

Depending on the variety, the cost of a kilogram of this mushroom will be different. How much does a white truffle cost? This is a more expensive type of mushroom, its cost is 3000-5000 dollars per kilogram.

Black ones have a lower cost - it is within 500-600 dollars per kilogram.

Types of truffles

White truffle is the most expensive. If black varieties can be grown in artificial conditions, then white truffles can be grown independently impossible. This mushroom grows only in some regions of Italy and France, in limited areas, which is why the cost of truffles in Russia is so high. White truffle has an exquisite taste and aroma, which is why it has many fans all over the world. Its powerful taste and smell are very closely interconnected, and it is impossible to separate them.

In addition, you can only try fresh white truffle between September and January, which makes it a gastronomic rarity. You can try dishes made from this mushroom in restaurants all year round, but they use canned truffles.

According to the existing law, the collection of such mushrooms can only be done during a certain period - from September 15 to January 3, but the most valuable and tasty are those collected in November-December.

Mushroom picking is usually done at night, since at this time the air is cleaner, fresher, and the dog or pig smells better. In addition, truffle collectors (trifolau) are often attacked, and at night it is easier for them to hear the sound of approaching danger.

You can buy a white truffle at auction; the average price per kilogram is 3-4 thousand euros. To make it clearer how much a truffle costs, you can calculate its cost in grams - it will be more expensive than black caviar and gold.

In France, special markets are organized where you can buy both mushrooms and dishes made from them. This mushroom is usually not prepared in its pure form; its quantity in a dish is very limited and can be compared with herbs. Almost white truffle not subjected to heat treatment, since it weakens its aroma, so it is usually laid out on the dish in thin slices just before serving. Black truffle also has a strong aroma, but it is weaker than white truffle.

Known more than 70 varieties truffles that have culinary value, but the most popular are black and white truffles, as they have the richest and most refined taste and aroma, and are also large in size.

The most common ones are varieties truffles:

• white truffle - grows in northern Italy, harvested from October to December;
• black Perigordsky, or winter, - grows in Italy and France, can be propagated artificially, it is harvested in December-March;
• summer Scorzone- grows in all Alpine countries; its collection time is August-September;
• black Burgundy, or summer, - grows in Italy, France and North Africa, harvested in October-December;
• black musk- grows in Southern and Central Europe, it is harvested from November to mid-March.

Growing truffles in Russia

Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to grow truffles at home, i.e. on one's own? The answer to this will be in the affirmative, and this can be done in two ways, which have been successfully tested in our conditions:

• in a greenhouse;
• In the woods.

Features of growing in a greenhouse

This is a very capricious mushroom, and in order for it to be grown at home, certain conditions must be created. To start your business, you first need to purchase mycelium and prepare a nutrient medium in which to grow mushrooms.

Nutrient medium consists of the following components:

• topsoil- from a deciduous forest, in which case the soil must be taken along with the leaves;
• nutrient solution, which will contain nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers;
• fresh oak wood, which is processed into shavings or sawdust.

After you have purchased the mycelium, prepared the growing medium and made a greenhouse, you can begin the growing process.

How to grow truffles at home? The whole process is carried out in several stages:

• after you have prepared the ground, it is necessary sift to eliminate stones and saturate with oxygen;
• check acidity nutrient medium - it should not be less than 7.5 Рh;
• poured onto prepared beds layer of oak sawdust;
• the mycelium of the fungus is mixed with a small amount of soil, which is processed nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers;
• cooked the mixture is spread on a layer of oak sawdust.

After this, the truffle is left to germinate for a month, during which time your task will be to maintain moderate moisture in the soil and remove weeds that interfere with the normal growth of the mushrooms.

The first harvest will be insignificant, since normal growth of the mycelium requires at least a year. At this stage, many mushroom growers become disillusioned and stop growing truffles. Normal yield will be only for 3-4 years, and every year it will grow.

Features of growing under trees

People who are seriously involved in this business plant forests specifically for this purpose in order to obtain valuable mushrooms in conditions close to those found in its natural habitats. Before planting trees, their roots are infected with truffle mycelium and then planted in the spring.

The truffle is closely intertwined with the roots of trees and takes the necessary nutrients from them. Such a partnership is beneficial to both, since the mushroom takes the carbohydrates, amino acids and microelements it needs from the tree, and gives back phosphorus and minerals, so the tree and the mushroom feel good and develop quickly.

Best suited for these purposes oak, so mushroom growers most often use it. When planting oak seedlings infected with mycelium, the distance between rows should be 4 meters, and in the row between trees - 5 meters. More than 500 trees cannot be planted per hectare of area..

So that the mycelium does not die, no need to fertilize the soil, and to prevent the growth of weeds, you can treat the soil with ammonium glufosinate. To reliably protect the truffle from wind, frost and pests, the planting depth should be 60-75 cm. Before planting, pour a little water into the hole and water it a second time after planting.

Soil near each tree is required. mulch, the depth of the layer should be 5-10 cm, and the diameter - 40-50 cm. For mulching, use forest soil with the remains of oak leaves. Some mushroom growers additionally cover the surface around the tree with plastic film.

But don’t think that such a forest can be planted anywhere. There are certain conditions for choosing a location:

• if the region is located above 1000 meters and below 100 meters relative to sea level, then it will not be suitable;
• Regions located within 400-600 meters above sea level are considered optimal;
• it is necessary to determine whether the top layer of soil, which is the most fertile, is washed away under the influence of rain, wind, and melt water;
• the depth of the fertile layer should be at least 10-15 cm;
• The acidity of the soil will be checked - to do this, litmus paper is lowered into the ground. If it turns blue, then the soil is suitable for growing these mushrooms;
• the terrain must be level;
• the climate should not be very humid, since the rains that fall during the ripening of mushrooms have a bad effect on them;
• in the summer it should not be very hot, the optimal temperature is 18-22 degrees.

The presence of small hills on the ground will indicate that the mushrooms have grown and you can start collecting them. The height of the tree under which these mushrooms are grown should not exceed 100-120 cm, and its pruning is carried out in such a way that the crown is in the form of an inverted cone. But in order to receive profits, you need to wait at least 3-4 years.

Major pests for these mushrooms they are pigs and hares, so care must be taken that they cannot enter the site. Insects such as black cockroaches and weevils can also cause harm.

A ripe mushroom has a bright earthy smell with a hint of nutty aroma. If the mushrooms are not yet ripe, they will have a reddish tint. Truffles are dug out manually using a spatula, but this must be done carefully and accurately in order to cause minimal damage to the mycelium.

Where to buy truffle mycelium? Infection of the tree root system

It is necessary to purchase mycelium only in specialized stores and from trusted sellers. In order to infect one seedling with mycelium, you will need approximately 150 grams of fresh or 100 grams of dry mycelium. Its cost will be within 500-1500 rubles— it all depends on the supplier and quality.

It will be easier to infect the root system of an adult tree with fungal spores, but in this case the likelihood that the mycelium will take root well is small, so the root system of the seedlings is usually treated with a substrate containing mycelium. Oak and walnut are best suited for this. When using the latter, you can get double benefits. Seedlings are taken 30-50 cm high and inoculated with spores of French black, summer or Chinese truffle.

To infect the roots of the trees, they are treated with a mixture of peat and liquid mycelium substrate - this is done in a container, after which the trees are quarantined for 2 weeks.

It is imperative to use personal hygiene products, and the room must be sterile. After this, the seedlings are placed in the ground, final overgrowing of the roots with mycelium occurs after 11-12 months.

Growing truffles as a business: some numbers

If you decide to start this business, and you have the opportunity to wait 3-4 years, you can make a good profit. From one hectare can be collected up to 10-15 kg mushrooms. There are usually no problems with sales; elite restaurants are happy to buy this product. If the quality of the products meets all standards, then you will be able to find a buyer abroad.

A truffle grown under artificial conditions will cost less; you can sell a kilogram of mushrooms for about $500. This is a costly and long-paying business, since you have to wait several years for the first harvest, but it is interesting and profitable.

How profitable is it to grow truffles at home?

The cost of this delicious product is very high, very few people grow it in our country, so this business will be profitable, and there should be no problems with the sale of finished products.

In order to start your own business, may require up to 200,000 rubles, but everything will depend on your scope and financial capabilities. Money will be needed to rent a plot of land on which seedlings will be planted, or to build a greenhouse to purchase mycelium.

The first harvest is obtained in 3-5 years, and before that you will only need to invest money, so you need to prepare in advance and not expect quick profits.

When the harvest begins, mushrooms must be removed carefully so as not to damage the mycelium and the body of the mushroom itself. If it has an “illiquid” form, then its value decreases sharply.

From one hectare of forest you can collect up to 10-15 kg of mushrooms, which you can sell for an average of $500 per kilogram, so you can independently calculate when your business will pay off and start generating income.

Summarizing

Even though it is very expensive business and to get the first profit, you will have to wait several years, he is profitable and interesting. The high cost of truffles allows you to quickly recoup your expenses, and in order to sell your products at a higher price, you need to obtain quality certificates for them.

Although the cost of truffles is very high, there is quite a large demand for them in Russia, and even if you do not find a sales market in your region, you can always do it in the neighboring large metropolis, where there are many elite restaurants that will gladly purchase the most expensive one from you mushroom in Russia as a delicacy product.

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This mushroom is recognized as a world delicacy. The price for 1 kg ranges between several thousand dollars. Many people have never had the opportunity to try truffle mushroom in their entire lives.

As you know, everything that grows in the ground under natural conditions can be grown independently if favorable conditions are created. Growing king mushrooms is not easy, you will need not only starting capital, but also enough space for the truffles to grow. If the process gets better, then in 1-2 years you can develop your own business that brings in a good income. Since the price of truffles is very high, you can quickly recoup your investment.

About the secret of the truffle

The second secret is reproduction. If we compare this process with ordinary mushrooms, then everything is clear: spores are spread through the air or through water. But the spores of royal mushrooms spread through the stomachs of animals. It turns out that after passing through the body of a wild boar, the spores acquire the ability to germinate, but only in a place convenient for it - next to some trees. In order for a wild animal to find the mushroom, nature also provided this moment - the truffle has a delicate aroma. By the way, not every mushroom smells pleasant. Most mushrooms emit a rather unpleasant odor, similar to the “aroma” of spoiled fish or rotten onions. And only some varieties of truffle, including the royal (Périgord) truffle, weaken the pleasant aroma.

Of all the known types of truffles, only black ones have been artificially grown. They are also called French, since France occupies a leading position in the cultivation of truffles. A favorable place is specially planted oak groves or plantings. Truffle sizes can vary: from small, the size of a walnut, to a medium apple. Larger specimens, about 1 kg, were also found in nature.

What is the benefit

Incredibly, chefs from many countries around the world are willing to pay several thousand dollars for 1 kg! Why is truffle so incredibly popular?

There are about 10 species of mushrooms suitable for consumption. The most valuable are the black truffle (Périgord or Italian), winter and Piedmontese.

Externally, the truffle is somewhat similar to a potato; the flesh of the mushroom has a reddish tint. When it reaches maturity, the flesh will turn black and white veins will be visible when cut. It is precisely because of its delicate aroma that the black truffle is considered the most valuable among culinary experts. Hundreds of different delicious dishes can be prepared from mushrooms. It is very important to preserve the delicate aroma of the truffle, so in most cases, cooks add a small part of the raw mushroom to the finished dish. If you do everything according to the rules, you can appreciate the unique properties of the truffle.

The calorie content of the royal mushroom is low, only 24 kcal per 100 g. The mushroom goes perfectly with cheese, fruit and meat. It can also be served as an independent dish with white creamy sauce. It resembles the taste of roasted seeds or walnuts.

You can talk about the benefits of truffle for hours - it is a source of vitamins B, PP and C. Truffle is of particular value for teenagers, pregnant and lactating women. In addition, regular consumption of Périgord truffle will prolong youth, preserve beauty and increase sexual activity.

How to grow a truffle

They have long been trying to breed the royal mushroom under artificial conditions. Back in the 60s of the 19th century, active work was carried out in this direction. Breeders have been waiting for the first results for more than 10 years! Nobody gave any guarantees.

In those places not rich in black soil, one had to resort to cunning and grow truffles indoors. For these purposes, spacious basement rooms were allocated, suitable trees were taken, crushed into sawdust, moistened with a special solution with nutrients, and soil with mycelium was added. Such artificial breeding did not always give a positive result.

A little later, in France, scientists managed to conduct another experiment on breeding black truffles. Young oak trees with artificially bred truffles were grown in the laboratory. As soon as the mushrooms took root with the trees, the “couple” were moved into the ground and continued to monitor the yield. Thanks to this technology, at the beginning of the 20th century, the French managed to collect almost 1000 tons of mushrooms per year.

Currently, the technology developed by scientists from Australia is considered effective; about 100 kg of crop can be obtained from 1 hectare.

Growing truffles at home

Growing mushrooms yourself is an art. The matter is troublesome and costly. It is necessary to make large investments and wait a long time for the harvest.

To grow truffles at home, you need to allocate a large plantation (if you plan to grow mushrooms outdoors naturally) or a spacious basement. Mushrooms cannot tolerate temperature fluctuations, so to get a harvest, the optimal air temperature should be +22 o C.

Let's consider 2 options for growing royal mushrooms.

Soil contamination with mycelium

For these purposes you will need the following:

1. Purchase truffle mycelium (on a support or substrate).
2. Prepare branches, leaves (fallen) from oak, walnut or beech, moss.
3. A shovel.
4. Water.
5. Truffle soil or peat substrate for growing indoor plants.
6. It is better to plant in the warm season - at the end of May or June. Not far from the selected tree (trees are 5-10 years old) you need to make several holes (3-4 will be enough), the depth of the hole is 20 cm, the diameter is 10 cm.
7. We will place the prepared soil in half of each hole, and the required amount of mycelium on top of it. Then the holes are filled to the brim with the remaining soil. It needs to be compacted very tightly.
8. Now very carefully you need to pour 10 liters into each well. settled water. Rainwater can also be used for irrigation.
9. You need to lay the prepared foliage, moss and branches on top and again pour plenty of water, but this time around each hole.

In 3, or even 5 years, we should expect the first harvest. This will depend on weather conditions. By the way, you need to ensure that the soil is always moist and in no case allow it to dry out. With the onset of cold weather, planting sites need to be insulated with an additional layer of leaves.

In a few years, at the end of August, you can count on the first truffle harvest. It will reach sizes from 40 to 70 g and will acquire a delicate aroma. Every year you can collect 5-7 mushrooms from each hole.

Planting seedlings infected with spores

This method of growing truffles is considered more effective, although it requires costs: material and time.

First, oak or hazel seedlings are taken and infected with black fungus mycelium. They are kept in “quarantine” for several weeks to prevent the death of the mycelium. Seedlings must be kept in sterile conditions. If all the requirements are met, then the mycelium takes root and after this the seedlings can be planted in the nursery.

For the first few months they must be kept in “quarantine” conditions. Even service personnel are required to follow hygiene rules so as not to infect young oak trees with harmful microorganisms.

After 12 months, we can talk about complete survival of the seedlings. During this period, they should grow up to 20 cm. When breeding black truffles, it is very important to use not young oaks, but sprouts - in this case, you can achieve good results. By the way, some farms practice the replanting method, when the truffle is planted on oak sprouts, next to an adult tree.

How to choose a suitable place, advice from professionals:

• monitor the acidity of the soil, ideally the pH should not exceed 7.9 and should not be lower than 7.5;
• choose aerated soil with sufficient calcium and humus content. Also, it should not contain foreign inclusions and stones. Before planting seedlings, you need to thoroughly mechanically till the soil;
• pay attention to a very important detail: there should be no other microorganisms (fungal spores) present in your soil;
• after planting, you need to get rid of weeds for 2 years;
• the average daily temperature in the warm season is from 16.5 to 22 o C;
• To make it more convenient to till the soil, choose a non-relief area.

How to land

Planting oak seedlings infected with black truffle mycelium is carried out in the spring, when the threat of frost has already passed. The soil needs to be well prepared and all weeds removed. It is impossible to use chemicals to exterminate weeds, since even a small part of them in the soil can lead to the death of the mycelium.

The use of herbicides with ammonium gluphosphate is permitted, but only in small quantities and in cases of urgent need. This substance quickly decomposes in the soil.

Planting is carried out according to a certain pattern, taking into account that there are no more than 500 oak trees per 1 hectare. The soil should not be fertilized immediately before planting; this can lead to the death of the royal mushroom mycelium.

It is also necessary to take into account that during transplantation there is a high risk of damage to the root system, so oak trees are first planted in the prepared hole, a small amount of water is poured in, the seedling is tightly covered with soil and watered abundantly again. Planting depth is 75 cm to protect mushrooms from frost and other adverse weather conditions. In addition, mulching is done near the tree (from a layer of leaves, moss and branches). If the plants are young, it is better to protect them with plastic film.

Since truffle is an ectomycorrhizal fungus (formation of mycorrhiza on the root system), the tree area for development must be at least 20 m2. Along with oak, it is allowed to grow other companion trees: citrus fruits, olive trees. Poplar, chestnut, pine, spruce and fir should not be planted next to oak trees.

About pest control and harvesting

Since the main danger to truffles is from pigs and rabbits, it is necessary to fence off the area where the Perigord mushroom is grown. Cockroaches and weevils also pose a serious threat to the future harvest.

The appearance of mushrooms (after a few years) can be recognized by the small tubercles that appear on the soil. The body of the mushroom is located in the ground, the depth is about 20 cm. The weight of one specimen is from 0.5 to 1 kg. Black truffle has a round or oblong shape. The color of the mushroom is black, and the “skin” is hard.

Most of the crop can be located almost on the surface of the soil. In order not to disrupt the ripening process, it is important to sprinkle such places with sifted sand. By the way, the fact that the mushroom is close to the surface can be judged by flies and midges - if there are a lot of them in this place, then it’s time to harvest.

To search for royal mushrooms, specially trained dogs are used (they are fed milk with the addition of mushroom broth, and later trained with a stick rubbed with truffle) and pigs. You need to dig out the truffle exclusively by hand using small spatulas.

Growing royal truffles is a troublesome business, but due to the high cost of mushrooms, it is very profitable. There are many farms in the world that grow valuable mushrooms. You can find land even in places where these mushrooms have never grown. So it is quite possible to grow truffles in artificial conditions, especially since the yield on such farms will be several times higher than in nature.

People have been eating mushrooms since ancient times, and many species of these plants have been “domesticated” by learning to grow them under artificial conditions.

Today people are interested in learning how to grow truffles at home, because this is the most expensive mushroom in the world, which has a unique, inimitable taste. Due to their unique growing environment and sensitivity to climate, truffles are extremely difficult to grow on your own property, but you can still take the risk.

About the value of truffle

The truffle has acquired gastronomic value due to its rarity and incomparable aroma. Even just one mushroom added to a dish can change its taste, giving the food extraordinary notes. But this amazing mushroom is rich in more than just this. It also contains almost the entire group of B vitamins, vitamins C and PP. In terms of its composition of useful substances, it is superior to many other types of mushrooms.

You can try truffles mainly in luxury restaurants. The price for 1 gram of product ranges from $5-10.

Types of truffles and growing area

These mushrooms differ from all others in that they grow not on the surface, but underground, at a depth of 20 to 30 cm. It is not so easy to detect them. Usually, to collect in the wild, people use specially trained dogs, which capture the aroma of the mushroom. For wild boar, truffle is a favorite delicacy.

There are not many varieties of truffles. They can be divided into 2 main types - black and white. Black Perigonian and white Italian truffles are of particular value in cooking. The mushroom was first cultivated under artificial conditions in France and was named “black French.” In rural areas there are entire truffle plantations. It is this country that today is the main supplier of black delicious mushrooms.

The main habitat of the plant is Europe. Most of the wild harvest occurs in Italy.

Only the white Polish truffle grows in Russia. And then only in regions with a warm climate. You can find it in the forests. The mushroom does not tolerate frost or sudden temperature changes, and the most ideal climate for it is Mediterranean and Australian. Truffle grows in soil whose humidity should not be higher than 75%, so it will not grow in places where there is a lot of rain.

The mushroom is best adjacent to oak, linden, walnut, willow, and birch.

Growing truffles at home

In Russia and neighboring countries, the easiest way to grow is the white Polish truffle. Its taste is slightly inferior to black, but it is more adapted to the local climate. You need to be patient if you decide to try to breed this valuable mushroom. You will have to wait several years before the first harvest. But if the mycelium takes root and begins to bear fruit, you will be provided with truffles for 20-30 years, or even more. The harvest will not be frequent, but regular.

So, the technology is how to grow truffle mushroom at home of the “white Polish” variety.

Seedling

Under artificial conditions, the plant is planted using tree seedlings whose roots are infected with fungal spores. Seedlings are sold in special stores, the price of one young tree starts from $10. It's mostly nut. There is no point in obtaining mycelium in the forests on your own; without a partner tree, the mushroom will not grow.

It is best to plan planting in the spring.

Soil preparation

It is advisable that the area that you plan to allocate for mycelium should be on the shady side and protected from drafts. Also keep in mind that truffles do not like to grow high in the mountains or in the lowlands.

The soil needs fertile chernozem, alkaline, drought-resistant. If the soil is too acidic, it must be fertilized with lime. Before planting, the soil is flavored with zinc, boron, iron, copper, and magnesium. Optimal soil moisture is 70%.

Landing

All that remains to be done in the next few years is to properly care for the trees. Every spring the soil needs to be resurfaced. There is no need to fertilize it anymore, but it is necessary to clean it of any weeds. The most ideal irrigation option is to install an irrigation system. But remember that the fungus does not like strong humidity. If unexpected cold weather suddenly sets in, the soil on the plantation should be well mulched or covered with dry branches.

Also make sure that the trees are not affected by insect pests. It is advisable to thin out too thick crown foliage in the summer so that the soil is heated by the sun's heat. The smell of truffles attracts some wild animals - rabbits, wild boars, make sure that they do not appear on the site. It can take 5-8 years from planting seedlings inoculated with truffle spores to the first harvest.

How to collect truffles

Myceliums begin to bear fruit in late summer and until mid-autumn. Truffle mushrooms do not appear on top of the ground, so it is impossible to monitor their growth. When myceliums have already been discovered, subsequent harvesting will be easier - just mark their location on the ground. But for the first harvest you will have to use a specially trained dog or wild boar. Digging anywhere is very dangerous - you can easily damage delicate mushrooms, and many years of work will go down the drain.

Another option for detecting mycelium sites is to watch for truffle flies. They begin to circle in a swarm in the area of ​​ripened mushrooms. These flies lay eggs in the soil next to the mushroom. The easiest time to spot them is at sunset. If you are lucky, you may notice raised bumps on the soil - then there will be no need for flies and dogs, because these are ripe truffles. But this doesn't always happen.

You need to dig out the mushrooms very carefully, using a small spatula. It is important not to damage either the mushrooms themselves or the roots of the trees in which the tubers are located. The fruits may resemble potatoes or turnips in appearance. The size of the fruiting bodies ranges from the size of a walnut to the size of an average apple. There were cases when truffles reached larger sizes and weighed up to one and a half kg.

Truffles are stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. For longer storage periods, they are frozen or dried.

Now you know everything about the truffle mushroom, how to grow a valuable product and how long-term this process is. For the most part, mushroom pickers grow fruits for sale, because the income from them is very high.

The technology for breeding black truffles is no different from that described above. The only difference is that the porcini mushroom goes best with walnut, and the black mushroom with oak. Therefore, oak is used as seedlings. Otherwise, there is no difference in preparing the soil and caring for the plantation.

But keep in mind that the black French mushroom is more capricious and sensitive to climate. It is better to breed it in the southern zone of Russia, where there are short winters with little snow and little rain. This type of mushroom has a richer taste.

By and large, growing truffles at home is not that difficult. Many people are only afraid of the waiting period for the first fruits. If this is just a hobby for you, think carefully before implementing the idea, because you will have to buy expensive seedlings and monitor them for several years. But if you still manage to wait for the harvest, every year, for a long time, you will be the happy owner of the most delicious and expensive mushrooms in the world.

How to grow truffles at home?

Truffles are an expensive delicacy, recognized throughout the world as a delicacy. The cost of a restaurant dish that includes this component reaches several thousand rubles. Therefore, growing amazing underground mushrooms in artificial conditions is a profitable business. So, how to grow truffles at home and make money?

Benefits of growing truffles at home:

• lack of competition;
• constant demand;
• the price per kilogram of finished products is 180 thousand rubles.

Disadvantages of such an enterprise:

• payback period – 4–5 years;
• complex process of growing products;
• investments in the first stages will amount to 1.5–2 million.

Growing truffles requires the owner of the plantation to constantly monitor the condition of the soil, destroy pests and combat the growth of weeds. Improper care of mushrooms will lead to the death of planting material.

When choosing mycelium, pay attention to the type of mushroom. The most valuable are:

• French black truffle;
• Chinese truffle;
• white truffle.

Each variety requires specific maintenance conditions, so before purchasing familiarize yourself with the growing characteristics of each variety.

The best variety for an artificial plantation is black truffle. But it is almost impossible to grow a white truffle on a home farm.

How to grow mushrooms?

Before planting, truffle spores are grown on young trees or seedlings. If you don’t want to do this yourself, buy already grafted seedlings. Make sure that the plants are at least 30 cm in height. On small seedlings, the mycelium may not have had time to take root.

Plants infected with fungal spores are not planted in the ground immediately after purchase. First make sure the spores have adapted. To do this, keep the seedlings in sterile conditions for 2–3 weeks.

Planting truffles

After the mycelium has taken root, the plants are planted in the nursery. This is a closed room with sterile conditions. Before visiting the nursery, any person must thoroughly disinfect their hands and clothing.

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In this room, the seedlings are kept for 9–12 months until they reach a size of 20 cm. Now they can be planted in the soil. To prevent plants from dying from sudden temperature changes, replant them in the spring.

Stages of work:

1. Clear the planting site of weeds, loosen the soil, remove stones and other foreign objects. If there are a lot of weeds, use a herbicide with a fast-degrading substance (for example, ammonium glufosinate).
2. Dig a hole 75 cm deep and pour water into it. Plants placed at this depth will be reliably protected from bad weather.
3. Plant the tree so as not to damage its root system.
4. Cover the plant with soil and water again. Place a layer of mulch around it. It is advisable to use not purchased material, but one made independently (plant residues, oak leaves).
5. Cover the plant with plastic wrap to protect it from pests and low temperatures.

Remember: one tree requires a space of 20 m2. Therefore, you cannot place more than 500 trees on 1 hectare of land.

Caring for a mushroom plantation

Before the first harvest appears, care for your plantation as follows:

• feed the trees with NPK fertilizers and microfertilizers containing iron, copper, zinc, magnesium and boron;
• do not allow animals that can dig up the ground and dig up valuable mushrooms (pigs, rabbits) to enter the site;
• protect trees from attacks by pests (weevils, black cockroaches);
• remove weeds and foreign plants.

If the soil is cracking, cover it with clean sand: after all, some of the mushrooms grow very close to the surface and can dry out or deteriorate.

Harvesting

The first fruits grow within a year after the trees are planted. You can find out about the appearance of the harvest by the flies that begin to fly over the plantation.

The edible parts of the plant are the fruiting bodies with spores. They are located at a distance of 20 cm from the surface of the earth. Their weight usually reaches 500 g; individual specimens grow up to 1.2 kg. A ripe truffle has a round or slightly elongated shape and a hard black-brown shell.

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Since truffles grow throughout the tree's root system, don't limit your search to the area around the trunk. They can grow at a distance of 2–3 m from the tree. Pigs or specially trained dogs are great help in the search.

But don't trust animals to dig up mushrooms. The fruits are harvested only by hand, using small spatulas. From 1 hectare of land you can collect up to 15 kg of mushrooms.

To collect 15–20 kg of products annually, truffles will have to be cared for for 5–6 years. But over the next 25–30 years, you will be able to make high profits from a properly functioning plantation.

Sales of received products

There are usually no difficulties with selling mushrooms. Implementation options:

• supplies to expensive restaurants;
• sales through an online store;
• fruits weighing 1–1.2 kg can be offered at online auctions.

Despite the large time costs, such a business will pay off within 3–4 years.

Growing truffles at home is a complex task that requires special skills and abilities. But if you master this difficult task, then your annual income in the next 30 years will reach 2–3 million rubles.

How to grow truffles at home? Watch the following video instructions: