FAQs
While holding the bag in one place, make your incision a few millimeters through the plastic to expose the substrate that the mycelium has colonized. Mushrooms grow in the direction of clean air. After you've cut it, you can harvest the mushrooms and fold the opening in the bag closed for fresh air exchange.
When should I open my mushroom grow bag? ›
Your spawn is ready to use when the bag is completely white with mycelium. This may take an additional 2 to 4 weeks or more depending on the species and vigor of your culture.
When to break up a spawn bag? ›
Break up the spawn bag when the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate, typically after 2-4 weeks of inoculation. Ensure sterility throughout the process to prevent contamination and promote healthy mycelium growth.
How do you open a mushroom bag? ›
While holding the bag in one place, make your incision a few millimeters through the plastic to expose the substrate that the mycelium has colonized. Mushrooms grow in the direction of clean air. After you've cut it, you can harvest the mushrooms and fold the opening in the bag closed for fresh air exchange.
Should I shake my mushroom grow bag? ›
You can shake up your mushroom spawn bag when the mycelium has colonized about 40–50 percent of the spawn grain. As mentioned previously, this gives access to non-colonized patches of mycelium. You'll be surprised by how much this simple 30-second action can help your yield.
Should spawn bags be kept in the dark? ›
Keep your spawn bags in a warm, dark spot (75-77 degrees optimally) and try to leave it alone! Spawn bags colonize from the inside out so you will most likely won't see any mycelium growth for 7-14 days.
What is the brown liquid in my mushroom grow bag? ›
Q: There is yellow-brown fluid under the plastic. Is this a problem? No, not at all. The mycelium (the white “mushroom roots” that cover the grow block) in your grow kit is alive and well, and the fluid you see is metabolites being excreted by the mycelium.
Do mushroom bags need to breathe? ›
The filter allows for the mushroom cultures inside the bag to receive fresh air without passing contaminants like mold spores and bacteria. Without fresh air, the mushroom culture would eventually stop growing, but if the bag were just left open after sterilization, contaminates would quickly take over.
Why is my grain spawn bag not colonizing? ›
If your grain spawn is not colonizing, there could be several reasons. It could be a lack of moisture, too much moisture, inappropriate temperature, or contamination. It's essential to monitor your grain spawn regularly to catch any potential issues early on.
When to break up all in one bag? ›
When the mycelium has grown three to four inches outward from the point of injection, carefully massage the bag to break up the colonized substrate and mix it into the uncolonized substrate. This will dramatically speed up the colonization process.
When we say "fully colonized", it doesn't necessarily mean that every single inch of the grow bag is full of mycelium. It's fine to fruit the bag when it's 80-90% covered in white. It's common for the bottom of the bag colonize last.
Do spawn bags need sunlight? ›
⇒ Typically most people have always colonized spawn bags in the dark like the jars. Recent testing and research has shown that light doesn't have any effect on colonizing. Since premature pinning before 100% colonization doesn't happen with spawn bags, do whatever is convenient for your setup.
Do spawn bags need air? ›
The key is the oxygen. Molds and bacterias that break down the grain and cause contaminates need air to live. Without it they will not grow. When you remove the bags of grain from their packaging, unroll them and expose the filter patch, the bag will begin to let in outside air and breath through this filter.
How long does it take to see mycelium growth in grain bags? ›
Spawn bags colonize from the inside out so you will most likely won't see any mycelium growth for 7-14 days. Spawn bags gen- erate their own internal heat while colonizing so the internal temperature of the bag is usually 3-4 degrees warmer.
Should I take my fruiting block out of the bag? ›
Should I take my fruiting blocks out of the bag? For most species, you should leave the block in the bag for the entire duration of the growing cycle. However, there are some exceptions. ⮕ Shiitake should be removed from the bag before going into the fruiting chamber.
How long can you keep mycelium in spawn bag? ›
Grain spawn will store for three months in a refrigerator. The fresher the better, but mycelium is pretty resilient. If you don't get around to inoculating right away, tuck it away in your refrigerator until you're ready.
