Walking through the forest takes on a new focus when you join fungi enthusiast Duncan MacRae on one of his mushroom foraging adventures.
There is an infectious element in being in the presence of someone passionate about mushrooms which you would never know existed had amateur mycologist MacRae not pointed them out on one of his fungi trails.
The purpose is that all who join in the foraging to spot different fungi will become hooked on the exercise and increasingly adept at spotting — and appreciating — them for themselves.
Never again will a hike be about the kilometres you cover or just the views around you, rather a slow, careful and fascinating journey spotting the fungi growing around the area.
MacRae, who grew up in Cape Town, said he was always “a wild child”, preferring to rough it outdoors rather than play video games and such indoors.
When his parents moved to New Zealand more than 20 years ago and became involved in permaculture, he also spent time there practicing the discipline of this “sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture that copies natural ecosystems”.
“Then three years ago, moving to the farm where I live an off-the-grid lifestyle in Elands River, near Gqeberha, I became curious about the weird things sprouting in the forest around my cabin,’’ he said.
This led to him researching each one and so building up his knowledge of mycota (the fungi kingdom).
So fascinated was he by mycelium and mushrooms that it soon became his most regular topic of conversation in company.
“I found lots of people showed interest in learning about fungi and soon I was hosting wild mushroom forages.
“Two years later, a friend encouraged me to begin mushroom cultivation, and my business Fungus Among Us [FAU] was born.
“Our mission is to invite you to explore the wonders of mushrooms around us and share the joy and abundance of them, of which we would otherwise not be aware.
“Fungus Among Us has come to cover three main areas, namely: foraging — where I offer informative and guided wild mushroom foraging in the veld and forest.
“Feast — products such as fresh, frozen and dried mushrooms [including wild mushroom biltong and soon medicinal fungi] are for sale.
“And flush — which sells mushroom grow kits and accessories. A service backed up by a WhatsApp ‘Grow Support Group’ where we share and learn.’’
His foray into growing mushrooms commercially began with experimenting with a single oyster mushroom grow kit in a child-size tent, aided by a humidifier.
Almost a year later, the business has grown to include two automated grow tents where a range of mushrooms are flourishing.
What does FAU offer to the public who are keen to begin growing their own mushrooms at home?
“The oyster mushroom range is easiest to grow but soon the more difficult growers, namely the king oyster, Indian oyster, lion’s mane, shiitake, and chestnut, including a few other species and grow logs, in the future will be available.”
MacRae has singled out the oyster mushrooms to sell for the convenience and their ease of growth.
“Anyone can grow oyster mushrooms — in your office or at home as no special equipment is needed.
“All you need is a FAU grow kit of your choice, a misting bottle and a spot to place it as it grows.’’
A kitchen countertop is ideal, provided it is away from direct sunlight but still has fresh air circulating around it.
Are mushrooms affected by the weather?
The colder it is the slower they grow but in relatively hot and more humid weather they grow quicker.
The cooler weather which will soon be upon us bodes well for the “most delicious varieties”, which foragers will discover when MacRae leads a group through the forest in the Elands River and Kragga Kamma areas.
There is the option of a three-hour walk or a set route which takes 90 minutes.
In nature, some fungi are decomposers, along with bacteria where they play a major role in recycling dead and decayed matter.
Mushrooms are highly nutritious. Oyster mushrooms promote heart-health and immunity. They are high in vitamins D, A, B3, B5 and B6, as well as minerals — phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and salt.
And the penicillin antibiotic medicine is derived from the common fungi Penicillium sp.
How quickly do they grow?
Oyster mushrooms’ speed of growth varies between species.
For example, popular Pink, the Gold and Grey Blue are relatively fast growers, whereas the Grey Pearl and the White Pearl may take a bit longer, but in my opinion are worth the wait.
The most popular for their colour, shape and taste are the Pinks, with Gold and White Pearl being the second favourite.
When you receive your kit, it can take from a few days up to a few weeks until the first flush, when pins form until harvest — about four days to a week.
Rest and recovery between flushes can be a week to several weeks depending on the mycelium health and weather.
MacRae, who admits to being a mycophile (lover of fungi), is in touch with experts in the field such as Marieka Gryzenhout, author of Mushrooms of South Africa and co-author of Mushrooms and other Fungi of South Africa.
He promises to inform us of the next Mushroom Festival in Hogsback, with the most recent taking place at the beginning of March. Kinesh Chetty is founder of the Hogsback Mushroom Festival.
• In the Garden is written by feature writer, garden enthusiast and former teacher Julia Smith, who has returned home to live in Chintsa East. The column aims to inform novice and accomplished gardeners on how to make the most of their green patches.
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