1. Identify the “Front” of Your Kit
Your kit arrives as a block of white mycelium colonising a substrate. Look for the side of the bag where the mycelium looks thickest or where you might see tiny bumps (primordia) forming. This is your “fruiting face.” Usually at the top or bottom.
2. The “X” Marks the Spot
To trigger the mushrooms to grow, you need to introduce oxygen while keeping the internal block hydrated.
- The Cut: Use a clean, sharp knife or scissors to cut a 2-inch “X” into the plastic on the front of the bag.
- The Flaps: Do not peel the plastic away! The flaps help maintain a micro-climate of high humidity right against the block, which protects the delicate “pins” as they emerge.
Pro Tip: Before cutting, you can gently squeeze any excess air out of the bag and fold the top plastic down tight. This forces the mushrooms to grow out of your “X” rather than inside the top of the bag.
3. Maintaining the Micro-Climate
Now that you’ve “opened” the kit, it needs consistent moisture.
- Misting: Use a spray bottle with filtered water to mist the “X” cut 2–3 times a day.
- The Goal: You want the plastic flaps to stay moist, but avoid leaving large puddles of standing water, which can lead to bacterial growth or other forms of fungi that may overpower it.
4. Watch for “Pinning”
Within 5 to 10 days, you will see tiny, coral-like structures emerging from the “X.” These are your mushroom pins.
- Don’t stop misting! Pins are very sensitive to drying out.
- Airflow: Ensure your kit is in the location you prepared earlier.
See our Environment Setup Guide here
When to Harvest
Oyster mushrooms are ready to harvest when the edges of the caps begin to flatten out or slightly curl upward. If the caps start to turn up significantly, they are releasing spores—they are still edible, but it’s best to pick them just before this happens.
To harvest: Grasp the entire cluster at the base, give it a firm twist, and pull it away from the block.
Getting a Second Flush
Don’t throw the bag away after the first harvest! Let the block “rest” for a week, repeat the misting process. You can often get 2 or 3 “flushes” of mushrooms from a single kit. Repeat “flushes” will occur over the coming days.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Even for experienced growers, mushrooms can be a little moody. If your kit isn’t behaving as expected, check these common scenarios.
Why are my mushrooms long, skinny, and “leggy”?
This is the most common issue with indoor kits. It’s usually caused by high $CO_2$ levels.
- The Science: Mushrooms “breathe” oxygen and exhale $CO_2$. If air is stagnant, the $CO_2$ pools, and the mushrooms “stretch” upward searching for fresh air.
- The Fix: Increase the fresh air exchange in your room. Ensure the kit isn’t tucked inside a tight cupboard or a small corner with no breeze.
My mushrooms look dry or have “shriveled” edges.
Oyster mushrooms have a high surface area and lose moisture quickly.
- The Cause: Humidity is too low (likely below 80%).
- The Fix: Increase your misting to 4 times a day, or try the “Humidity Tent” method: Loosely drape a clear plastic bag with several 1-inch holes over the kit to trap moisture while still allowing air to flow.
I see green or blue fuzzy patches on the block.
This is likely Trichoderma (green mold).
- The Cause: Contamination usually occurs if the block was handled with dirty hands or if it’s staying too wet without enough airflow.
- The Fix: If the spot is small, you can dab it with a paper towel soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol. If the green covers more than 20% of the block, it’s best to compost the kit and start fresh to avoid spreading spores to other kits. Please contact us with photos. If the package arrived like this we will provide a refund.
Nothing has happened after 2 weeks!
Don’t panic—sometimes the mycelium just needs a “wake-up call.”
- The Fix: Try a “Cold Shock.” Put the kit (still in its bag) in the refrigerator overnight (about 12 hours). The temperature drop mimics the change of seasons and often triggers the mycelium to fruit immediately once it’s moved back to room temperature.
Is that white dust under my mushrooms mold?
If you see a fine white powder on your table under the mushrooms, those are spores.
- The Fix: This is totally normal! It just means your mushrooms have reached full maturity. Simply wipe them up with a damp cloth and harvest your mushrooms immediately.