When the hypha meets up, they combine to create a cell consisting of two nuclei. It will travel as far as it has to, to find its match. The tangled network of hyphae threads begins to seek a spore that’s the opposite sex and a genetic match. Once germinated, mitosis divides the spore into thread-like fibers, called hypha. If the spores find favorable conditions, they will germinate. They may land near the original mushroom, or the spores may land quite far away on a windy day. The spores, which are so small they can’t be seen by the naked eye, are male or female. Hundreds of thousands of spores are released from under a grown mushroom’s cap. The life of a mushroom begins with a spore. Most of the mushroom life cycle is hidden from us, but here are the steps as we understand them. The mycelium network, once established, can last for hundreds, even thousands of years. Once mature, a mushroom can live from just a couple of days to many years. But in drier locations, mushrooms may take longer to develop. In a moist, conducive environment, mushrooms can grow quickly and consistently. But Shiitake mushrooms take between 6 to 12 months to mature. For instance, Oyster mushrooms are fast-growing and take up to four weeks to mature. Some mushrooms live their entire life cycle in one 24 hour period, while others will take longer. The mushroom life cycle varies depending on the size, environment, and kind of mushroom. Related: Best Cordyceps to Buy in 2021 How Long is the Mushroom Life Cycle Some mushrooms are nutrient-dense and edible, while many others are deadly to consume. The mycelium secretes digestive enzymes, and then it absorbs the digested nutrition for the mushrooms. The mycelium grows into and around nearby food sources. They have a network of fungal threads called mycelium. They have no chlorophyll, so they don’t create food by photosynthesis like plants. When we think of eating mushrooms, we often consider them vegetables. They have their own way of generating life, feeding, growing, and eventually, dying. They are a fleshy, fruiting body of some species of fungi - so, not a plant or animal. spore release: The fruitbody releases spores into the environment for propagation.Mushrooms are fascinating and unique life forms, and so is their life cycle.Spore generation is the sexual reproduction phase of the mushroom life cycle. mature fruitbody: The organism channels all of its energy and nutrients to develop the fruitbody, which will then produce spores.fruitbody selection: From thousands of primordia, the growing organism selects the most promising few to develop into mature fruitbodies.Host Defense harvests during this peak stage of growth to capture an abundant constituent profile including polysaccharides (beta glucans, arabinoxylanes), glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids and other myco-nutrients. primordia formation: The mushroom organism produces an amazing array of enzymes and optimizes the constituents of both the mycelium and the developing fruitbody.hyphal knot: Mycelium condenses into hyphal knots, which then develop into “primordia” or baby mushrooms.In this sense, the mycelium is the immune system of the mushroom. During this stage of growth, mycelium expands at an exponential rate. In its environment, mycelium encounters many competitors and predators which it repels with an amazing array of protective enzymes and compounds. mycelial expansion: Developing mycelium breaks down organic matter and absorbs nutrients from its surroundings.Compatible hyphae mate to create fertile mycelium. spore germination: Fine fungal filaments known as hyphae grow from the spores.inoculation: Spores alight upon a growth medium (or substrate). If conditions are favorable, spores will germinate.Fruitbodies form only at the completion of the mushroom life cycle and for most species, occur but for a few days, then disappear. The mushroom cultivator follows the path of the mushroom life cycle. The mushroom life cycle remains largely invisible to most mushroom hunters not so to cultivators.