Grow Kit FAQS (2024)

FAQs

What if my mushroom grow kit is too dry? ›

If your mushroom block seems dry and hasn't produced any mushrooms yet, try using a humidity tent. Take a trash bag or other large loose bag and cut lots of ½” holes throughout - mushrooms need fresh air to form correctly! Drape the bag over your block and mist the inside of the bag every day.

Off-odors: A strong, foul odor emanating from the growing containers or growing medium. Abnormal growth: Mushrooms that grow abnormally, such as those that are misshapen or stunted. Presence of molds: The appearance of molds, such as white or blue-green growths on the surface of the mushrooms or growing medium.

Yes, you can most definitely reuse mushroom grow kits! Mushroom grow kits are generally designed to give you more than one harvest depending on the species of mushroom inside your growing kit. There is enough water nutrition available in the substrate to give you multiple harvests over a period of 2-10 weeks.

My kit looks like it is covered in white mold, is this normal? That's not mold, that's mycelium! Mushroom mycelium is white with fragrances ranging from earthy and sweet, to stronger and musty. Green or black colored molds are usually a sign of trouble.

In indoor conditions the grown part is shelf stable for 30 years. Unless it is exposed to constant moisture and other environmental conditions, it should not grow mold. The dehydrated GIY material is shelf stable and should be used within 10 weeks of the date on the bag's label, but lasts longer if refrigerated.

Mycelium requires water to make a fruit body (mushroom), and mushrooms require humidity to release their spores. Growing a water intense crop in the desert requires us to be mindful of how, when, and why we grow mushrooms.

If you spot green, blue, grey, or black patches on or in your fruiting box, your culture is most likely contaminated. Do keep in mind, however, that small blue stains in the mycelium may just be bruising and not mould. Especially where the rye presses the mycelium against the grow box, you may see some blue spots.

Molds, bacteria, and yeasts will appear on the plate in small spots but will spread quickly. Yeasts/bacteria will typically have a white/yellowish milky appearance. Molds will have a somewhat similar look to mycelium but will spread very quickly and will turn green or black.

The grow kit will stay fresh in the box for months before you start growing your mushrooms. Make sure you keep your grow kit in a cool area/room that doesn't receive any direct sunlight (i.e., closet, bedroom).

If you can find a high quality kit, then yes- absolutely. There are loads of different branded mushroom kits available, and lots of different species of mushrooms you can grow… so it's worth it to do a little bit of research before diving in.

How do you take care of a mushroom kit? ›

Water & Maintenance

Do not let the casing dry out, as it is very hard to remoisten it and mushrooms will not grow in dry casing. Keep your kit out of drafts and away from heat sources, which will dry out your kit. You want to keep the surface of the kit moist at all times without over watering the kit.

The yellow liquid patches are metabolites; which are a bi-product from the enzymes breaking down the substrate. These are sometimes produced to help fight-off an unwanted contaminant within the bag. If you see this, there is no need to worry as it is perfectly normal.

Identifying a contaminated mushroom grow kit is usually straightforward, as the mycelium is white, and any other color suggests contamination. However, there are exceptions to consider: A yellowish hue suggests aging and the formation of new defenses against bacteria.

In order to keep mushrooms dormant until you are ready to grow them, the substrate bag is free of moisture. By soaking the bag for 6-10 hours, you will rehydrate the substrate and provide the best growing environment for your mushrooms.

A) lots of water dripping shows that the substrate is too wet. b) a few drops released with some pressure show that the substrate is well watered. If it is too dry then with no drops will be released with pressure.

a. Add humidity to the growing environment by spraying the sides and up into the hood of the bag several times over the course of a few hours, this will give the added moisture time to be absorbed rather than pooling at the bottom.

The spray bottle is for creating humidity. Humidity is a key factor for successful mushroom growth. Spray the area around your kit with a few pumps of water whenever you have a chance, at least 2-3 times a day. If you can see condensation underneath the plastic flaps of your X cut area this is enough water.