Zelenushka / Tricholoma equestre — a mushroom of the genus Tricholoma (agaric) in the family Tricholomataceae. It got its name due to its green color, which remains even after boiling. Russian synonyms: zelenaya ryadovka, zelenka.
Cap diameter 4-12 (15) cm, dense, fleshy, convex in young mushrooms, with a central bump, later flat and spread out, sometimes with an uplifted edge. Cap color yellowish-green or yellowish-olive, brownish in the center; darkens with age. Center of the cap finely scaly. Cuticle thick, smooth, slimy and sticky, especially in damp weather, causing the cap surface to be usually covered with soil particles.
Flesh dense, white, later yellowish, does not change color when cut. Almost never infested with worms. Smells like flour; taste neutral. The odor varies in intensity among different forms, but is most pronounced in mushrooms associated with pine trees.
Gills 5-12 mm wide, crowded, thin, attached by teeth, ranging from lemon-yellow to greenish-yellow.
Stipe short, almost hidden in the ground, 4-5 (9) cm long and 1.5-2 cm thick, cylindrical, slightly thickened at the base, solid, yellow or yellowish-green, covered with small brown scales at the base.
Mycorrhizal fungus; forms ectomycorrhiza with coniferous trees. Found in dry pine (rarely mixed) forests; grows singly or in groups of 5-8. Common on sandy and loamy soils. Appears on open pine forest soils during the period when other edible mushrooms have already passed. The mushroom is widespread and fairly common in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Season from September to November (until frost).
Edible and can be preserved in any form. Before processing, the mushroom is thoroughly washed, and the cuticle is removed from the cap. The green color of the mushroom remains even after culinary processing.
Cultivation of Zelenushka on a dacha plot: in a shaded area, on an area of 2.5-3 m2, dig down 30 cm, and fill with nutrient mix.
First layer: (spread on the bottom) fallen leaves, grass or tree bark (10 cm).
Second layer: forest compost or soil under trees (10 cm). Then evenly sprinkle the dry mycelium previously mixed with 1 liter of dry soil over the entire area.
Third layer: plant residues, like in the first layer, but 3 cm thick.
Fourth layer: garden soil (3-5 cm). After sowing, water using drip irrigation.
First mushrooms appear after 1.5-2 months, then every 1-1.5 weeks.
In indoor conditions, cultivate in the same way, but plant in trays. The mycelium lives for up to 5 years. Cultivation can be done at any time of the year.
