Bulk CVG Recipe to Grow Mushrooms at Home 2024

You may have heard about the CVG recipe ratio if you’re interested in growing mushrooms.

This ratio is used to calculate the ingredients needed to create a substrate that is ideal for growing mushrooms.

In this article, we will answer all your doubts about the CVG recipe ratio in the mushroom theme, including what it is, how to calculate it, and other common questions.

What is CVG?

CVG stands for Coco Coir, Vermiculite, and Gypsum.

It is a popular substrate recipe for growing mushrooms, especially in the home cultivation community.

Coco coir, or coconut fiber, is used to help retain moisture, while gypsum is added to provide calcium and sulfur to the substrate.

What is Coco Coir?

Coco coir is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconuts.

It is widely used in gardening as a soil amendment or potting mix because of its water-retaining properties, aeration, and ability to improve soil structure.

Coco coir is an excellent alternative to peat moss because it is a renewable resource and does not contribute to destroying peat bogs.

Are Coco Coir, Coco Substrate and Coco Peat the same?

So, while they come from the same source, they are not the same and are used differently depending on the gardening needs

Product	Description
Coco Coir	Made from the fibrous part of the coconut husk. Known for excellent drainage and aeration properties. Often used as a potting mix or hydroponic growing medium.
Coco Peat	More like a fine powder made from the coconut husk. High water retention capacity and is rich in nutrients, beneficial for seed starting and as a soil amendment.
Coco Substrate	Refers to any growing medium that contains coco coir or coco peat. Used as a base for planting, serving different purposes based on their physical properties.

So What Type Of Coconut Substrate To Use For Growing Mushrooms At Home?

To grow mushrooms at home, the recommended choice is coconut coir.

It is widely used by mushroom growers for its water retention and aeration properties, ideal for mushroom growth.

Also, it is affordable and easy to work with, making it a popular choice for both novice and experienced growers.

These fungi are well suited to coco coir because of their water retention and aeration capacity, which provide an environment suitable for their growth:

• Oyster mushrooms
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Lion’s mane mushrooms

Why Use CVG for Mushroom Cultivation?

This combination is essential for healthy mushroom growth and development.

Using CVG as a substrate will also help reduce the risk of contamination and increase the yield of your harvest.

For these reasons, I consider it one of the best mushroom substrate recipe.

CVG Ratio Calculator

The cvg calculator is an online tool that helps you prepare the ideal substrate for growing mushrooms at home.

You just have to enter a few details, such as the size of your container, the depth of the substrate and the proportion of colonized grain you want to use.

The cvg calculator allows you to save time, money and avoid mistakes when making your substrate.

What is the Recipe for CVG Substrate?

The CVG recipe ratio is usually expressed as a percentage of each ingredient.

The ratio can be calculated by adding up the total weight of the components and then dividing each ingredient’s weight by the total weight.

Here’s an example:

Suppose you want to make a batch of substrate that weighs 5 pounds. You would need to add the following:

• 2 pounds of coco coir
• 2 pounds of vermiculite
• 1 pound of gypsum

To calculate the ratio, you would add up the total weight of the ingredients:

2 pounds + 2 pounds + 1 pound = 5 pounds

Then, you would divide each ingredient’s weight by the total weight and multiply by 100 to get the percentage:

• Coco coir: (2 / 5) x 100 = 40%
• Vermiculite: (2 / 5) x 100 = 40%
• Gypsum: (1 / 5) x 100 = 20%

Therefore, the CVG recipe ratio for this batch of substrate would be 40% coco coir, 40% vermiculite, and 20% gypsum.

How Much Substrate Does CVG Make?

The amount of substrate that CVG makes depends on the ingredients’ weight.

In the example above, the recipe would make a batch of substrate that weighs 5 pounds.

You can adjust the recipe to make more or less substrate as needed.

What Are Some Common Variations of the CVG Recipe?

While the traditional CVG recipe is an excellent substrate for mushroom cultivation, there are many variations that you can try to customize the recipe to your specific needs.

Here are a few common variations:

Factor	Explanation
CVC	Some cultivators replace vermiculite with calcium carbonate in the CVG recipe to increase the pH level of the substrate. This variation is called CVC.
CVGC	This variation is similar to CVG but includes coffee grounds and other ingredients. The coffee grounds provide additional nutrients and help increase the harvest yield.
CVGG	This variation includes coco coir, vermiculite, gypsum, and spent brewer’s grain. The spent brewer’s grain is a byproduct of beer brewing and is rich in nutrients that can benefit mushroom growth.
CVGS	This variation includes coco coir, vermiculite, gypsum, and straw. The straw provides additional structural support to the substrate and can help increase the harvest yield.
CVGH	This variation includes coco coir, vermiculite, gypsum, and horse manure. Horse manure provides additional nutrients and can help increase the harvest yield.