Jan 07, 2023

Mushroom Growing Kit FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions that we get for our Oak and Spore Mushroom Growing Kits.

OYSTER MUSHROOM GROW KITS:
(Scroll further down for Button Mushroom FAQs)

Are these edible mushrooms?
Absolutely! They are 100% edible and safe for consumption.
Do I need to start growing as soon as the farm is purchased/taken home?

Not necessarily. For Italian or Velvet Oysters, you can leave the box inside a fridge to extend their shelf life for weeks/months, and for Pink Oysters you can leave the box in a cool dark place like a garage (not the fridge). However, we recommend starting the growing process as soon as you can.
How long do they take to grow until we can eat them?

On average, it takes up to 2 weeks* (guideline only - it could take longer) for the first flush to be ready for harvesting, you may even get a second or third flush if you are lucky.
How much mushroom will I get in total?

You may get up to 800 grams of mushrooms, and perhaps up to 1.2kg if you are lucky to get more than one flush.
Do they grow indoors or outdoors/best location to grow them?

They need to be grown indoors, ideally in a warm spot that gets some fresh air like the kitchen or the bathroom.
Do I need to add/mix/plant anything?

All you need to do is mist water daily, make sure to follow the instructions we have provided especially about the humidity!
Looks like there is green/black mould forming on the front, what to do?

Scrape a thin layer off the front of the substrate with a clean knife (do not touch the substrate) and continue misting daily until growth begins. You can also close the contaminated X with tape, turn the bag around and start the process again from the other side. If there is no growth after 21 days, please take a photo of the kit and contact us.
My kit isn’t growing, but my friend is already harvesting theirs, what to do?

All individual kits are affected by different environmental conditions, the type of variety it is (Italian, Velvet, Pink), and a bit of luck is involved. Don’t fret if yours hasn’t started yet, be patient and give it a few more days of daily nurturing. Our growing timeframes are guidelines only. If there is no growth after 21 days, please take a photo of the kit and contact us.
How long do the mushrooms last if I do not eat them immediately/same day once they are ready for harvesting?

Once harvested from the box, the mushrooms should last you a few days in the fridge if stored correctly in a paper bag.
What is that white stuff on my kitchen bench/surface around the box?

They are mushroom spores. Once the mushrooms start to overgrow, they begin to drop spores, so ensure you harvest them before they do this too much. If it happens, you can easily wipe them away with a cloth.
How do I dispose of my mushroom box and its contents?

Remove the plastic bag from the substrate block and put that in your rubbish bin. You can break up the substrate block and add this to your compost or directly onto your garden as mulch. Lastly, flatten the cardboard box and put it in your recycling bin.

BUTTON MUSHROOM GROW KITS:

Are these edible mushrooms?
Absolutely! Button mushrooms are 100% edible and safe for consumption. However, Ink cap mushrooms can occasionally pop out of button mushroom substrate. Please do not consume these mushrooms.
Do I need to start growing as soon as the farm is purchased/taken home?

Yes this is our strong recommendation due to the limited shelf life of these kits. You can extend the shelf life for a limited time by storing this product in a refrigerator.
How long do they take to grow until we can eat them?

On average, it takes 2-4 weeks* to grow your first crop (guideline only - it could take longer) for the first flush to be ready for harvesting, you may even get a second or third flush if you are lucky.
How much mushroom will I get in total?

You may get up to 1kg of mushrooms if the conditions are favourable, but due to the complexity of growing button mushrooms we do not offer a grow guarantee for this product.
It's been 2-3 weeks and no growth yet, what's going on!?

Firstly, patience is a virtue! Secondly, if it has been a few weeks with no progress then the environmental conditions that the kit is experience may not be optimal for button mushrooms to grow. You could try using a clean fork to dig around the top of the bag contents to look for mycelium in the peat. Ruffle around the soil about 1cm deep to help foster growth. Continue to water but not oversaturate. It's about trying to get the right balance of elements to allow the mushrooms the grow. Feel free to contact us and provide photos so we can assist with troubleshooting. A friendly reminder that we are happy to provide online support if you're stuck on what to do, however we do not provide a grow guarantee for this product due to the complexity of growing button mushrooms.
Do they grow indoors or outdoors/best location to grow them?

They need to be grown indoors, we recommend either the kitchen bench or laundry room.
Do I need to add/mix/plant anything?

Please follow the instructions provided enclosed in the kit for all you need to know!
What's that white stuff inside the bag, it looks like mould?

That white stuff you are referring to is mycelium, which can sometimes resemble white mould. This is a great sign as it's what you need in your kit for the mushrooms to grow, and flourish!
My kit isn’t growing, but my friend is already harvesting theirs, what to do?

All individual kits are affected by different environmental conditions, the type of variety it is (oysters grow a lot faster than buttons), and a bit of luck is involved. Don’t fret if yours hasn’t started yet, be patient and give it a few more days of daily nurturing. Our growing timeframes are guidelines only. If there is no growth after 21 days, please take a photo of the kit and contact us.
How long do the mushrooms last if I do not eat them immediately/same day once they are ready for harvesting?

Once harvested from the box, the mushrooms should last you up to a week in the fridge if stored correctly in a paper bag.
What is that white stuff on my kitchen bench/surface around the box?

They are mushroom spores. Once the mushrooms start to overgrow, they begin to drop spores, so ensure you harvest them before they do this too much. If it happens, you can easily wipe them away with a cloth.
How do I dispose of my mushroom box and its contents?

Remove the plastic bag from the substrate block and put that in your rubbish bin. You can break up the substrate block and add this to your compost or directly onto your garden as mulch. Lastly, flatten the cardboard box and put it in your recycling bin.

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