Morels Theories Anyone?

Question

Everyone has a theory about what makes Morel mushrroms grow when and how they do. What are yours? Don't give up your spots, just your ideas as to why they grow when they do.

Answer 1

My brother in law has been a huge Morel fan all his life, I think. He and my sis have some land in southern Illinois and I believe they start looking for them just prior to Memorial Day. A lot depends on how much rain they've had so it's a moving target. I don't really have any theory about why then grow then, but they're far enough south that this is when the weather starts to warm up and nights are a bit warmer.

We've talked about their mushroom hunting experiences and from a book or article of some sort, they learned something rather interesting... When folks would go mushroom hunting, they'd typically take along a plastic bag to stow their booty. This kept the spores from falling to the ground and propagating a new crop. I guess there's a manufacturer now making mesh bags that protect the 'shrooms while allowing the spores to fall to the ground.

Pretty cool, huh?

Answer 2

There is probably no reasonable answer to your question. Things grow at the optimum time for their kind. When the temperature, moisture and fertility are right, a spore grows into an underground structure of little white threadlike strands, and when conditions are right, a fruiting body (what we see as a morel) pushes up out of the ground. Everything has a season... And, sauteed with butter and a little salt and pepper, then some sweet cream...Heaven!