New Zealand based cultivation of a variety of species.

Hi there,

I am looking to grow a lot of mushrooms as part of a forest agriculture project. The goal is to produce a large variety and number of different edible and medicinal species.

I am pretty well versed on the standard shiitake, oyster, poplar, burgundy and button mushrooms and their cultivation, as well as truffles.

I'm looking for some information on the following species, and whether they are viable or whether due to biosecurity issues not available for New Zealand conditions:

Morel (morchella angusticeps et al)
Porcini (Boletus edulis)
Maitake/Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera)
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

I'm aware that morel and porcini are in New Zealand, however they're rare, and I'm unaware of any being in cultivation. The rest I have got no idea about whether they've been introduced, or would be allowed to be introduced.

Any info you can share on these, particularly with regard to New Zealand, would be wonderfully helpful.

Welcome to permies Fredd.
I don't know much about fungi, but I'm pretty sure Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is quite common in the bush.
I'm also reasonably confident I've eaten Parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) here.
I miss the variety of wild mushrooms we could get in Europe and Australia. As an ex-chef, I know there's a huge market for interesting mushrooms...
They mention saffron milk caps here. Yum.

Howdy Fredd, welcome to permies. Are you familiar with Paul Stamets? He might be able to help?

http://www.fungi.com/about-paul-stamets.html

I've been in contact with the Ministry of Primary Industries here in New Zealand and have had all my questions answered.

Here is the email they sent to me, to help clear this up for fellow kiwi fungophiles: (have added some extra details)

(From Ministry of Primary Industries)

To import mushroom spawn (from the list below), you must first apply for a permit to import (application attached) which will be valid for 1 year for any number of consignments. The permit requirements are that each consignment must be accompanied by a manufacturer’s certificate from the supplying organization, with particular statements required for the purity of the spawn and in some cases, the method of identity for checking the species. When spawn receives a biosecurity clearance on arrival in New Zealand, there are no further biosecurity conditions or controls for how you use it in New Zealand.

Only some species may be imported into New Zealand. The following is a list of these:

Agaricus bisporus (syn. Agaricus brunnescens), Cultivated mushroom
Agaricus bitorquis, Pavement Mushroom
Auricularia cornea (Syn. Auricularia polytricha), Ear fungus
Boletus edulis, Porcini, Cepe, King Bolete
Flammulina velutipes, Winter mushroom / Enokitake (grows on mulberry and persimmon stumps, also Chinese Hackberry natively)
Lactarius deliciosus, Saffron milk cap
Lentinula edodes, Shiitake
Marasmius oreades, Marasmius/Scotch Bonnet/Fairy Ring
Morchella esculenta, Morel
Stropharia rugosoannulata, King Stropharia/Burgundy
Trametes versicolor (syn. Coriolus versicolor), Turkey Tails/Rainbow Bracket (already present in NZ)
Tricholoma matsutake, Matsutake
Pleurotus pulmonarius (with identification test on arrival), Oyster mushroom
Coprinus comatus, Sasakure, Hitoyotake”