How to Use Your Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit
This kit provides an easy way to grow gourmet mushrooms at home using sustainable materials. Follow the step-by-step guide below to get the best results.
What’s Included in the Kit?
Inside your kit, you will find:
Sterilised straw pellets – A clean, nutrient-rich growing medium for the mushrooms.
Mushroom spawn (100g) – The living mycelium that will colonise the substrate and grow into mushrooms.
Compostable grow bag & elastic band – For maintaining humidity and protecting the developing mycelium.
Plastic cropping container with a lid – The main environment where your mushrooms will grow.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Growing Substrate
- Open the kit and remove all contents.
- Pour the straw pellets into the plastic cropping container.
- Why? Straw pellets provide an excellent substrate because they hold moisture well and are easy for mushroom mycelium to colonize.
2. Inoculate the Substrate with Mushroom Spawn
- Before opening the spawn bag, break up the spawn by gently massaging the sealed bag with your hands. This helps distribute the mycelium evenly.
- Once loosened, open the spawn bag and sprinkle the contents over the straw pellets.
- Using clean hands or a sterile spoon, gently mix the spawn into the pellets. Do not compact the mixture—loose and airy is best!
Why? Even distribution ensures faster colonization, while a loose mix provides oxygen for healthy mycelium growth.
3. Hydrate the Substrate
- Slowly pour 500ml of clean water over the pellets, ensuring even coverage.
- Wait 1–2 minutes to allow the pellets to absorb water.
- Pour in the remaining 500ml of water to complete hydration.
Why? Straw pellets expand as they absorb water, creating a moist, sponge-like substrate perfect for mushroom growth.
4. Create the Ideal Incubation Environment
- Secure the lid on the container to help retain moisture.
- Place the container inside the compostable bag and loosely secure it at the top with the elastic band.
- Store in a dark place with a stable temperature of 18–24°C (e.g., a cupboard, under a sink, or in a storage box).
Why? Mushrooms grow from mycelium, which needs a warm, dark environment for the first stage of development. The bag helps maintain humidity while allowing for some air exchange.
Incubation Time: 2–3 Weeks
During this period, the mycelium will spread through the straw pellets, turning them white. This is called colonization.
5. Initiate Fruiting
- After 2–3 weeks, check the substrate. If it is fully covered with white mycelium, it is ready for fruiting.
- Remove the container from the bag and place it in a cooler, humid spot out of direct sunlight.
- Ideal fruiting temperature: 10–18°C
Why? Cooler temperatures signal to the mycelium that it’s time to produce mushrooms.
6. Maintain Humidity & Watch for Growth
- Lightly mist the surface once or twice daily with clean water if it appears dry.
- Do not overwater—too much moisture can cause contamination.
- Within a few days to a week, small mushroom pins (baby mushrooms) should appear.
7. Harvesting Your Mushrooms
- Mushrooms typically reach full size 5–7 days after pinning.
- Harvest when the caps are well-formed but before they start to flatten out.
- Gently twist and pull the mushrooms at the base, or cut them with a clean knife.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why is my kit taking longer than expected?
- Temperature too low? Keep between 18-24°C during incubation.
- Not enough humidity? Lightly mist the kit daily.
Why is there no mycelium growth?
- The spawn may have been exposed to extreme temperatures during shipping.
- Ensure the substrate is not too wet or too dry—both can inhibit colonization.
Why is there mold or an off smell?
- If you see green, black, or fuzzy mold, the substrate is contaminated. This can happen due to improper handling or overly wet conditions.
- If contamination occurs, discard the batch and start fresh.
How many harvests can I expect?
- Most kits produce 2–3 flushes (harvests), with each new flush appearing about 10 days after the previous one.
Final Tips for Success
- Use clean hands when handling the substrate and spawn to avoid contamination.
- Be patient—mushrooms take time, but the results are worth it!
- Keep the environment stable—avoid moving the kit too much during incubation.
Enjoy your homegrown mushrooms!