Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit Instructions

Download these instructions as a pdf.

You will need a plate to put your block on, a plant sprayer, a cover, and water. A clear bag with several holes works as a cover. A terrarium or plastic bin will work, just be sure there is ample air flow.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Using clean scissors open the bag containing the block at the top by cutting horizontally
   under the seal.
3. Remove any large masses growing on top of the sawdust. This redirects growth to where
   you want the mushrooms to grow. You do not need to strip the block clean and try not to
   pull off too much sawdust, if you do, gently press it back into place. The mycelium will
   grow back together.
4. The objective of this step is to close the bag and remove as much air as possible. Fold the
   bag closed on the gussets and roll down tightly to the top of the sawdust, taping securely to
   the block. Try to eliminate excess air pockets.
5. Using a sharp knife, cut 4-6 one inch “X”s into the plastic. It is best to locate the “X”s
   where the bag is directly in contact with the mycelium and substrate. The mycelium
   responds to the higher levels of oxygen at these cuts and the mushrooms will eventually
   grow out of the holes.
6. Place the block on your plate or in your container. If using a bag for a cover, make sure
   it is tented over the block, so there is space between the bag and the block to allow air flow while creating a humid micro-environment. Once mushrooms emerge, the bag can be removed to allow them space to develop.
7. Place in an environment with indirect light and temperatures ranging from 55-75°F.
   The block should get enough natural or artificial light so you can read without straining
   your eyes, avoiding direct sunlight that may dry out the block.
8. Begin misting at least 2-4 times daily, it is important to keep the block moist, although it
   is okay if it dries out between watering. You can pool a little water in the bottom of the
   container to provide a moisture reservoir to sustain humidity between watering. Avoid
   chlorinated water; rainwater works great if your tap water is chlorinated. Tap water can be
   boiled and cooled if there is not an accessible non-chlorinated water source.
9. Mushrooms should emerge within one to two weeks. Oyster mushrooms emerge in
   clusters consisting of many small and some large mushrooms; shape rather than size
   indicates when to harvest, try to harvest before the edges of the caps flatten. To harvest,
   gently twist the cluster of mushrooms off the block at the base.
10. After you harvest, stop watering for two weeks unless you see new growth. This allows
    the mycelium to rest and accumulate more nutrients. You can start the process again by
    briefly submerging the block in cold water, cutting a couple new “X”s and resuming
    watering. You can do this several times for a total harvest of about 2-3 pounds.

After Fruiting Indoors

After you are finished with your block indoors, you can work with it outside to maximize
its potential. Once you have harvested indoors, the mycelium has significantly
decomposed the sawdust substrate. There is no rule on where to go from here, we’ve listed
some suggestions, but feel free to get creative. Keep in mind that outdoors there are
numerous competitors and consumers and so not all outdoor ventures will yield
mushrooms. However, they will enrich the environment with rich organic matter and food
for a variety of organisms.

• Add the block to the compost pile. Place it on top or to the side so it can be observed, it
  may produce a couple more mushrooms. After a while it can be turned in to enrich the
  compost.
• Place the block under garden plantings or at the edge of the lawn in a shady location.
  Nature may coax out a couple more mushrooms. Over time the block will break down
  providing rich organic matter to its new growing environment, benefiting plants and
  microbial populations.
• Bury the block in clean hardwood sawdust. This will put it in contact with a fresh food
  source. Sometimes the mycelium will gain nutrients from the sawdust and produce
  subsequent crops of mushrooms.
• The block may be broken up and sandwiched between hardwood log rounds. Oak is
  ideal. The rounds can be secured together with nails, screws or straps. Place in a moist
  shady area outside. It can take over a year for the mycelium to establish into the log and
  longer still before mushrooms may be observed. Wedges can also be cut from the sides of a
  log. Pack the crevices with myceliated sawdust and replace the wedges using nails or
  screws.

Alternative applications and after fruiting indoors

Sawdust Spawn: Instead of fruiting indoors, your oyster mushroom kit can be used as
spawn to inoculate hardwood logs. While indoor growing is an “instant gratification”
experience, log growing is a “long term investment”, it will take a year or two to get
mushrooms, but your logs will produce mushrooms for many years.
Materials: High speed drill, 3/8” drill bit, wax, small brush for applying wax, hot plate or
other means to melt the wax, 10+ hardwood logs 4-8” diameter (up to 12” ok), up to 4 feet
long. Logs should be relatively fresh with intact bark and no signs of decay.
Drill holes 2 inches deep in rows along the length of the log. Space holes 3-4 inches apart
within rows. Space rows 4-6 inches apart. Drill the first hole no closer than 1 inch from the
end of the log. Aim for a triangular or diamond spacing between rows to maximize
distribution of the spawn throughout the log. Drill your holes at the time of inoculation; if
you drill them in advance, you are inviting other fungi and contaminants into the log.
With clean hands pack the spawn into each hole. Carefully heat wax in a double boiler on a
hot plate (ideal) or burner (please be careful!) or in a crock pot. Coat each inoculation site
with hot wax, sealing the spawn in the hole.
The ideal growing environment for your oyster logs is a shaded moist area. However, it is
helpful to place them in a convenient location for watering and regular observation. To
prevent the encroachment of competitor fungi on your logs, avoid contact with the soil;
they can be stacked Lincoln log style on pallets, lumber, or rocks. It is important not to let
your logs dry out, especially in the first year of incubation. In the case of a dry spell, water
with a hose or sprinkler at least once a week.
It can take one to two years before you harvest your first crop of mushrooms. First, the
mycelium must grow through the log and accumulate sufficient nutrients to support a
crop of mushrooms. Under ideal conditions, sometimes you may harvest some
mushrooms in less than a year, just don’t be disappointed if it takes a while.