Follow These Steps for the Best Grow Kit Results
1. Storage
If you aren't planning in using your grow kit in the week or two, it is best stored in the fridge. We do not recommend storing for longer than 2 months from purchase date. Our mushroom blocks are living things! Improper storage will likely lead to low yields.
2. Fruiting
Mushrooms breathe oxygen (just like humans). In order to initiate growth, you need to cut the grow bag. Different fruiting strategies can result in different shapes/sizes of mushrooms and many mushroom growers will cut their bags in different ways.
For oysters, we recommend cutting a single 3-4 inch "X" along the top surface.
For Lion's Manes, we recommend cutting a few 1-2 inch "X"s in multiple places on the bag.
It is not an issue if your knife/scissors cut into the block a little bit.
3. Placement
Mushrooms are a little picky. They like a little warmth and humidity and indirect light. However, putting them in windows or near heaters will dry your block out and result in poor yields. Our favorite places to leave our blocks are on the kitchen counter or on the living room coffee table.
In general, keep them away from any HVAC, fans, or baking-hot sunlight.
4. Maintenance
Your mushrooms need humidity. This can be achieved by misting the cut openings. a few times per day. Once your mushrooms begin to grow, be gentle with the mist - aggressive spraying can cause damage. The mushroom caps also don't like to be sitting in pools of water. Keep misting right until harvest.
5. Harvest
Time to harvest can vary from about 6 days to a month depending on many factors. Mushroom growing is often a test of patience. When it is time to harvest, simply grab your mushroom flush at the base and lift off the block with a slight twist.
For oysters, we recommend harvesting just before the caps flatten out.
For Lion's Manes, we recommend harvesting when the "hairs" have elongated to about 1/4 inch in length.
6. Additional Flushes
It is possible to get additional flushes from your mushroom block, however it isn't always guaranteed. There are dozens of strategies on getting second and third flushes and everyone gets different results. Some people like to soak their blocks in water overnight. Some people break the blocks up and sprinkle them in a woodchip bed.
Our preferred method is to simply continue the maintenance procedure of misting with water a few times per day. Each subsequent flush will take longer and result in less product.
Be mindful that mold can begin to develop on your blocks if not maintained properly. Dispose of your block at the first sign of mold.
7. Disposal
"Spent mushroom blocks" are a famously good compost. The block doesn't need to be composted; it is already compost. We grow on high-quality substrates that are excellent for your garden once they've been broken down by the mushroom mycelium. Simply remove the block from your bag, crumble the block, and spread where desired. Oyster and/or Lion's Mane mushroom compost will not compete with any of your usual garden plants - in fact, they often improve growth.
You may even start seeing these types of mushrooms pop up around your yard!