Mushroom Kit Grow Guide
By Hydro Experts 13 May 2022
Are you interested in growing mushrooms at home but don't know where to start?
Mushroom grow kits are an easy and convenient way to cultivate your mushrooms. These ready-to-use kits come with everything you need to start, including a Mushroom Spawn, Substrate, and specially designed Mushroom Grow Box.
Mushroom grow kits are a great way to learn about mushroom cultivation and grow your food. Kits are available for various mushroom species, so you can choose the type of mushroom you want to grow.
Table of Contents:
- What are Mushroom Grow Kits?
- How do Mushroom Grow Kits Work?
- Choosing a Mushroom Grow Kit
- Growing Mushrooms with Mushroom Kits
- Common Mushroom Species Compatible with Mushroom Kits
- How long do mushroom growing kits last?
- How long until my first flush of mushrooms
- What are the most straightforward varieties of mushrooms to grow?
- Harvesting your Mushrooms
- Mushroom Care: How to Store Your Fresh Mushrooms Properly
- Storing your mushroom grow kit
What are Mushroom Grow Kits?
Mushroom grow kits are complete Mushroom Cultivation Systems that come with everything you need to start growing mushrooms at home. These kits include a Mushroom Spawn, Substrate, and Mushroom Grow Box. Mushroom Spawn is the active ingredient in these kits and is used to inoculate the substrate. The substrate is a medium that mushrooms use for food and to grow. The Mushroom Grow Box is specially designed to provide the ideal environment for mushroom cultivation.
How do Mushroom Grow Kits Work?
Mushroom cultivation with mushroom kits is a simple and straightforward process. Mushroom Spawn is initially added to the substrate in the Mushroom Grow Box, where it will colonise and begin to grow mushrooms.
As the Mushroom Spawn grows, it releases enzymes that break down the substrate into nutrients that the mushrooms can use. Once the Mushroom Spawn has fully grown, it will start producing mushrooms, which can be removed from the Mushroom Grow Box and enjoyed or used in cooking.
Choosing a Mushroom Grow Kit
When choosing a mushroom kit for your home cultivation project, there are several factors to consider. The most crucial consideration is which type of mushroom you want to grow. Mushroom kits are available for common edible varieties such as oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms and medicinal varieties such as reishi and maitake mushrooms. Other factors to consider when choosing a mushroom kit include the size of the Mushroom Grow Box and the substrate material used in the kit.
Growing Mushrooms with Mushroom Kits
Once you have chosen the perfect mushroom kit for your needs, it's time to get started growing mushrooms. Mushroom cultivation with these kits is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps.
The first step is to add water to the Mushroom Grow Box according to the instructions included with your kit.
To fruit your mushroom kit, simply open the lid of the Mushroom Grow Box, spray with water as per instructions and place it in an area with indirect sunlight. Within a few days, you should see mushrooms starting to form. That’s it!
Allow the mushrooms to grow until they are big enough to harvest, then cut them at the base of the stem and enjoy!
Common Mushroom Species Compatible with Mushroom Kits
- Pink, White Yellow Oyster Mushrooms
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Reishi Mushrooms
- Lions Mane Mushrooms
- Sword Belt Mushrooms
Mushroom kits are available for a wide variety of mushroom species, making them ideal for home cultivation projects of all types. Mushroom kits also require very little maintenance and have the potential to produce a significant amount of mushrooms in just a short period of time.
How long do mushroom growing kits last?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the lifespan of a mushroom growing kit can vary depending on several factors. Factors that may influence the longevity of your grow kit can include
- Type of mushrooms grown
- Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity level
- How well do you care for your kit...
That said, in general, mushroom grow kits can last for several months or even up to a year in ideal conditions. To help prolong the life of your grow kit and get the most out of your harvest, it is important to monitor your kit's health and adjust conditions as needed.
Some essential practices to keep in mind when caring for your kit include
- maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels
- ensuring the kit has adequate ventilation and avoiding contamination.
How long until my first flush of mushrooms?
Again, the answer to this question can vary depending on a variety of factors. In general, you can expect your first flush of mushrooms to appear within 1-2 weeks of starting your kit.
The amount of time it takes for a mushroom growing kit to produce mushrooms can also vary on the type of mushroom you are growing and the environmental conditions in your grow space also play a role in how quickly your mushrooms mature.
That said, most mushroom species will be ready to harvest within 2-4 weeks after initiating fruiting. Once your first flush of mushrooms is harvested, subsequent flushes may come even faster, with some growers reporting harvests every 2-3 days!
Average fruiting times are also listed on the box of the Grow Kit and vary between species. Oyster mushrooms are by far the fastest-growing, in just 7-14 days, while Lion's Mane mushrooms can take up to 14-21 days.
If you grow multiple varieties of mushrooms you will notice that the Pink Oyster Kit produces mushrooms much faster-this is completely normal and your other mushroom kits won't be too far behind.
What are the easiest varieties of mushrooms to grow?
Varieties known to be relatively easy include the Oyster Mushroom Kit, Lion's Mane Mushroom Kit & Shiitake Mushroom Kit. These kits can all be grown successfully with minimal effort by following the instructions included with your kit.
When choosing a mushroom growing kit for beginners, it is essential to consider the variety of mushrooms you want to grow and factors such as ease of use and maintenance requirements.
By doing your research ahead of time and selecting a kit that is best suited for your skill level and growing space, you can increase your chances of success when cultivating mushrooms at home.
Harvesting your Mushrooms
When it comes time to harvest your mushrooms, you will want to start by lightly misting the surface of your Mushroom grows kit with clean water. This will help to keep the mushrooms from drying out and make them easier to handle.
Next, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the mushrooms at the base of the stem. Be careful not to damage the surrounding mycelium when harvesting, as this can impact future mushroom production.
Finally, transfer your freshly harvested mushrooms to a paper bag or another container for storage.
Mushroom Care: How to Store Your Fresh Mushrooms Properly
Store your fresh mushrooms in a cool, dark place for best results until you are ready to use them. Avoid washing your mushrooms before storing them, as this can cause them to deteriorate more quickly.
When you are ready to use your mushrooms, gently rinse them under cool water and pat dry with a clean paper towel. From here, they can be added to a wide variety of recipes or enjoyed as is!
Storing your mushroom grow kit (if not used immediately)
In general, it is best to keep your kit in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. This can help to prevent mould or other issues that may impact the health of your mushrooms and prolong the life of your grow kit.
Some key practices to keep in mind when storing your kit include ensuring adequate ventilation, monitoring humidity levels, and avoiding fluctuations in temperature. Additionally, some growers recommend cleaning the surface of the mycelium with a mild disinfectant prior to storage as an extra precaution against contamination.
With proper care and attention, you should be able to store your mushroom kit for several months. While each grows kit will be slightly different, following these basic tips can help you get the most out of your harvest and keep your mushrooms fresh and ready to use at all times.
Let's get growing!
Mushroom growing kits are a great way to start mushroom cultivation at home. By doing your research and selecting a kit that is best suited for your needs, you can increase your chances of success when growing mushrooms. Additionally, it is important to remember proper care and storage techniques to ensure that your mushrooms stay fresh and ready to use.
By following these tips, you can enjoy delicious homegrown mushrooms in no time!
Hydro experts staff are always on hand to answer any questions you may have about the process, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand along the way