In the growing modules two bed temperature probes, each inserted in the middle of a rack monitor the bed temperatures in the racks. These are alarmed for high and low temperature. The relative humidity is calculated from a wet and dry bulb thermistor with the dry bulb alarmed for high and low air temperature. The humidity is monitored by the control computer and the humidifier switched on or off as required. The vertical growing method produces mushroom bunches ready for harvest with virtually no stalks.
Picking is by twisting the mushroom bunches off and trimming the short stalk.
This leaves a clean substrate surface ready for the next flush. The picking process is very simple and requires little cleanup of the mushrooms after picking, they are picked directly into the delivery boxes. For a continuous even supply of mushrooms, two spawn and two growing modules are required. One growing room is emptied each week and the colonized racks from one spawn room are moved into it. The racks are emptied, cleaned, pasteurized, cooled and refilled with the cooled pasteurized substrate and spawn.