Mushroom ready-to-fruit blocks are a fast and easy option to mushroom production. These blocks are meant to be fruited in a controlled environment and perform best with ideal temperature and humidity conditions. Depending on the size and format of your growing space, you may also need to supplement lighting and provide fresh air for proper mushroom formation.
Select a growing space that will support conditions ideal for mushroom growing.
There are several factors to consider:
Have indirect sun or supplemental lighting (at least 8-12hours/day)
Temperature control ideally kept between 55-70°F
Humidity kept above 85%
Regular fresh air exchange. Shelving or other surfaces are ideal for organizing blocks, and the space should be kept clean. Controlling all of these factors will lead to increased mushroom growing success.
Step by Step Instructions to introduce your Fungal Roots Grow Kit to Fruiting Conditions
**** Please follow the instructions below for best results ****
Step 1: Use a clean scissors to cut a small slit near the top of the bag to let the air out. (step 1 below)
Step 2: Fold the top of the bag over, squeeze excess air out of the bag, flip the block upside down, pull the bag tight around the bottom of the block and place a small piece of tape on the bag to keep the bags top folded tight, eliminating excess air in the top of the bag. After step 2 your bag should look similar to the picture in step 2 below.
Step 3: Gently cut the bag with two X shaped patterns with a clean scalpel or razor blade. After step 3 your bag should look similar to the picture in step 3 below.
Step 4: The block is now ready to be placed into your fruiting area. Set the block in the fruiting area with the side that was cut facing up. After step 4 your bag should look similar to the picture in step 4 below.
Step 5: Watch for pins! (10-14 days on average)
The images below correspond to the steps above.
Maintaining and Monitoring Your Grow Kit
Your grow room should be a controlled area. Oyster mushrooms require light, humidity, and fresh air to grow successfully. Pins will start developing out of the cuts 7-21 days after opening. Watch the development closely as they are sensitive to environmental conditions and will indicate if adjustments need to be made in the growing area.
Clear plastic bags or a plastic tub can be used to form tents over the blocks to create a humidity chamber, but be sure to lift up the plastic and spray with water underneath the tent. If using a tent remove the tent and provide fresh air for the mushrooms. Mushrooms need fresh air to grow and emit CO2 as they grow. Providing fresh air periodically will ensure your mushrooms success.
The mushrooms will be long stemmed under low light or high CO2 conditions. If the humidity is lower than recommended, mist the blocks daily with fresh water to keep the mushrooms succulent. Once fruits appear do not mist directly on the fruits. This will cause your mushrooms to become slimy and lead to possible contamination. Spray the bag and if you have a tent over it spray the sides of the tent and place it back over the block. If conditions are too dry, they will stop growing and abort. Without sufficient fresh air exchange, mushrooms can appear malformed or long stemmed from excessive CO2.
Mushroom Harvest and Storage
Oyster mushrooms are fully developed and ready for harvest when the cap is almost fully open and flat – only the edges are curled down. If left to over mature, they will quickly release spores which show as a white powdery dust. Mushroom quality is better if they are picked before this happens. To harvest, gently grab the cluster of mushrooms and simply twist and pull them off of the block. Mushrooms need to be stored in a refrigerator until consumed or sold. A breathable container is ideal for reducing condensation and excessive wetness that will diminish the shelf life. Be cautious not to stack mushrooms too deep because Oysters can be fragile.
Second and Subsequent Flushes
After harvesting the mushrooms, keep the block in the grow space and continue maintaining conditions. Oyster mushrooms will spontaneously fruit again after approximately 2-3 weeks rest time, increasing slightly with each subsequent fruiting. Mushroom yield per fruiting will decline over time. The number of fruitings (typically 2-4) is dependent on many variables. Eventually the block will become exhausted and may succumb to green mold or other contamination and cease to fruit. Finished blocks can be tossed onto the compost pile outside. They may continue to produce mushrooms, and will turn into rich compost over time.
*We only guarantee the first fruiting.
If you have any questions throughout the process you can contact us at fungalrootsllc@gmail.com. Thank you for your business and enjoy your fresh mushrooms!