How to Start Your Mushroom Grow Kit 

This video is all about unboxing & starting your kit. Scroll down for more video tips and to read full instructions.

You got this!

Tips for growing your first mushrooms. Treat it as a fun experiment!

How long does it take?

Pink oysters start pinning within 3-5 days. Blue, gold and wild oysters pin between 5-12 days. Lion's Mane pin after 2-3 weeks.

When do I harvest?

You know your oysters are ready to pick when their caps are slightly curled under. Lion's Mane are ready when they look like fluffy clouds with little spines.

How do I harvest?

Now that you have grown these beautiful mushrooms, here's how to pick them. 

 

I have too many mushrooms! Now what?

First of all, congratulations! Here are some tips for what to do with extra mushrooms.

 

What do I do with the spent grow kit block?

Take them out of their packaging and compost them or use them to enhance your garden. Spent blocks do wonders for your soil!

 

Grow At Home Mushroom Grow Kit Instructions

1. Visually inspect the block. Sometimes they get cracked in shipping, but they’re still good to grow with some time. With a big crack or two, wait 1 day. If it looks crumbled, give it 2-3 days.
2.  Find a good spot for your block. Keep it near indirect light without putting it in direct sunlight, with temps between 65-72°. We recommend the kitchen counter.
3. Cut a large X on the block. Your knife should get ½-1 inch into the block. It doesn’t matter where you cut on the block so long as it’s fully colonized. (No loose substrate) Use a clean knife!
4. Mist the X with water from your bottle. Your kit comes with a mini spritzer. Fill the bottle with water and spray 2-3 times a day, using a bottle’s worth each time. Spray directly on the plastic, don’t lift the flaps and spray underneath.
5. Keep an eye on the magic! Be aware of how your mushrooms are looking and tend to their needs. Make sure they’re placed in a spot that you’ll be checking on often. Lion’s mane, for example, are sensitive to dry air and will start yellowing without enough humidity. If your mushrooms are getting dry, try to spray more often. If you need help diagnosing any appearance changes in your mushrooms, send us a picture at fungi@hifimyco.com.
6. Know when to pick. Mushrooms should be ready about 2 weeks after pinning, with lion’s mane taking about 3 weeks.  Oysters are ready when their edges flatten and their gills become exposed. Lion’s mane are ready when they look fuzzy all over and might start yellowing due to age at the 3 week point. If you need help determining if they’re ready, send us a picture at fungi@hifimyco.com.
7. Harvest your crop. Place your hand under the whole cluster and gently tug. It’s a good sign if they pull off easily. If they’re on too tight for a gentle pull, give them an extra twist while you pull or wait a day.

 

If you have questions as you grow or want to show us your progress, don’t message us on social media! Instead, email us at fungi@hifimyco.com

Thank you!!