Chanterelles are part of the genus Cantharellus, which contains several other edible mushroom species. The full scientific name of the chanterelle is Cantharellus cibarius. The mushrooms are a distinctive orange color with well defined gills, a solid stem, and a sweet apricot scent.
The Chanterelle is found and enjoyed by people all over the world. It has many names, pfifferling, girolle, gallinacci, but fortunately, in this country, it goes by the name chanterelle or occasionally by golden chanterelle . It is fairly common and easy to spot and grows in great profusion some years.
When do chanterelles appear?
Golden chanterelle–easily identified by their forked and wavy false gills. Chanterelles generally occur from late spring through late summer or early fall here in North Georgia . They love moisture, shade and lots of organic matter. Drenching rain followed by a couple of days of stifling heat is the natural sauna necessary to spawn a good bloom.
You might be wondering “What do chanterelles look like?”
They’re funnel shaped and kind of look a bit like an oyster mushroom , in that they have very pronounced “gills” that run down into the stem. The word chanterelle comes from the greek word kantharos, which means cup, a reference to the mushroom’s shape. Chanterelles are commonly found in white, yellow, or orange colors.
The false gills of a chanterelle are forked folds or wrinkles underneath the mushroom . These aren’t easily removable from the cap, and often look as if they melted on to the cap and step. They can’t be separated without tearing the mushroom itself. A chanterelle’s false gills run down the stem, referred to as being decurrent.
Can you grow chanterelles?
Growing chanterelles is possible , but it’s a lot more difficult than other species like oyster mushrooms. They require the roots of specific species of trees and soil to really grow and thrive. And it can take several years after you innoculate the soil before you’ll get any mushrooms back. Instead, it’s best to go foraging for chanterelles.
How to Grow your Own Chanterelle Mushrooms at Home
Select an area to grow the mushrooms that is cool and dark. A basement or cellar is the best place. Maintain the temperature of the selected area between 55 and 65 degrees F. Make sure there is a very limited amount of sunlight that is allowed into the area. Wear gloves when working with the mushrooms. Mushrooms are very delicate and are easily harmed by substances that may be on an individual’s hands. Water used on mushroom beds should be non-chlorinated. Rain water is most recommended but spring and well water will suffice.
How long does it take for chanterelles to grow after rain?
A heavy summer rain will trigger the underground chanterelle colony to begin fruiting almost immediately, but the mushrooms take a while to develop and won’t be visible for many days after.
Where to find chanterelles in the summer?
These particular mushrooms love the humid high heat of late summer, but you can find them into early fall in some more Southern states . A drenching rainstorm followed by some days of scorching heat is the perfect combination for late summer foraging for chanterelles.
When do chanterelles bloom in Georgia?
Chanterelles generally occur from late spring through late summer or early fall here in North Georgia. They love moisture, shade and lots of organic matter. Drenching rain followed by a couple of days of stifling heat is the natural sauna necessary to spawn a good bloom.
When are chanterelle mushrooms in season?
In the wild, chanterelle mushrooms grow in abundance from late spring into early fall. But this depends on the region. June to September is prime chanterelle season. Chanterelles prefer hardwood forests where spruce and hemlock trees flourish. Chanterelles thrive in hardwood trees, but sometimes, they also grow around white pines.
Chanterelle mushrooms grow when the p. H levels are between 4 and 55 . If the p. H goes beyond this range, you can pour sodium chloride on the soil to lower its p, and h levels.
One more inquiry we ran across in our research was “How do you propagate chanterelle mushrooms?”.
One article argued that rake the soil where you wish to grow the chanterelle spores, as they will not survive in compact soil. In the future, avoid walking on the soil in this area. Break apart a chanterelle mushroom over the soil you raked and gently spread the pieces around.
What are chanterelles and spore print mushrooms?
Stem (stipe) The length of the stem is usually similar to the width of the cap and about the same color as the rest of the mushroom. Spore print will be whitish to slightly yellow. When and where to find them (ecology) Chanterelles are mycorrhizal meaning they associate with trees and possibly some other bushes or plants.