Mushroom Kit Guides
What type of kit do I have?
Easy
Reishi
Turkey Tail
Blue Brat Oyster
Tarragon Oyster
Gray Oyster
Intermediate
Bear’s Head Tooth
Lion’s Mane
Chestnut
Advanced
Shiitake
Popcorn Oyster
Snow Ear
If you have an Intermediate or Advanced Kit, look for special instructions specific to your kit
Stage 1 - Colonization
Unpack and leave it.
Remove the tape holding your kit wrapped, and stand the top of the bag upright. (Do not remove the tape on the front of the bag).
Place your Kit in an area out of direct sunlight at room temperature (65-75)
Watch the mycelium colonize the bag!
Bear’s Head Tooth & Lion’s Mane Only:
These creatures are very eager! When grown in kits, they like to make their mushrooms too early. To prevent this, put your kit in a very dark place during colonization. If you see baby mushrooms forming, take the top of the bag and fold it back down like it was when it arrived to you – see Preparing for fruiting – Video for reference.
Remove tape holding the kit wrapped
Stand top of bag upright
Watch it go!
Stage 2 -Fruiting
Open it and Grow it.
How to know your kit is fully colonized:
The white of the mycelium has reached everywhere
When your kit is fully colonized, it’s time to give it some fresh air. Not all species will look the same when they’re fully colonized. Some will be dull white; some bright white with thick mycelium; others will take on a yellow color. The important thing is to make sure there are no sections of the kit that are untouched by the mycelium. MAKE SURE THE MYCELIUM HAS COVERED THE ENTIRE KIT BEFORE YOU SET IT UP TO “FRUIT”.
Chestnut Mushrooms Only:
Chestnut mushrooms need extra time. (They like to sleep in a while before they’re ready) Once the kit is fully colonized, continue to leave it in the same conditions (at room temperature, out of direct sunlight) for an additional 2 weeks before moving on to the next step.
Fully Colonized
Fully Colonized
NOT Ready
NOT Ready
Equipment Needed:
-Scotch tape
-Knife and/or scissors
-Dinner plate
-Spray bottle filled with clean water
Stick it in the fridge
After your kit is fully colonized, place it in the fridge for 48 hours.
Then remove it, and allow it to warm back up to room temperature.
Fold the top of the bag down
Fold the top of the kit backward and down with the white patch facing up toward the ceiling.
Press down on the top of the kit with both hands to remove the air.
Stand the top of the kit back up, tuck the top corners in, and fold the top of the kit over again, this time with the white patch facing down. Wrap the loose plastic around the kit and secure it in place with tape.
Fold back
Squeeze
Tuck In
Fold down
Tape it
Slice into the side of the bag
Next, use a clean knife to cut into the side of your kit. Don’t worry if you cut into the mycelium.
Blue Brat Oyster; Gray Oyster; Tarragon Oyster; Lion's Mane; Bear's Head Tooth
Turkey Tail; Reishi (Conks)
Chestnut
Install the Humidity Tent
Place the kit on a plate.
Insert the four bamboo picks into the top four corners of the kit. Orient them outward at a 45 degree angle. Make sure the round part of the pick is pointing upward toward the ceiling.
Drape the tent over the kit, and cut two holes into the tent, on opposite sides near the bottom.
Picks Inserted
Bag Drapped
Holes Cut
Spray with water 2x a day
Twice a day, carefully lift the front of the humidity tent, and gently spray with water. Mist the spot where you cut into the bag, as well as generally inside the humidity tent.
If water begins to collect in the plate, drain it every other day, and get a fresh plate once a week. (This is to keep unwanted mold and bacteria from taking over your kit)
Harvest
Rest of the guide coming soon!