Mushroom growkit guide

So, you’ve got your hands on a mushroom grow kit—congratulations! You’re about to embark on a funtastic journey into the world of fungi, and growing mushrooms at home is easier than you might think. With a bit of care, attention, and patience, you’ll soon have your own bounty of fresh, delicious gourmet and medicinal mushrooms ready to harvest. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your mushroom grow kit happy and thriving.

1. Find the Perfect Spot for Your Kit

Mushrooms may not have any physical attributes of other animals, but they’re just as picky (if not more) about where they like to live. Most kits grow best in indirect light, so avoid placing them in direct sunlight. A well-lit kitchen counter or a spot near a closed window (but out of direct sunlight) is perfect. Humidity is also essential, so bathrooms or kitchens with a bit of steam in the air can help, especially if you live in a dry area.

Pro tip: Avoid places with too much airflow, like next to fans or air conditioners, as they can dry out the growing environment.

2. Cut an "X" in the bag— Let Them Breathe!

Once you've cut your "X" into the bag exposed in the box-window the mycelium will sense a change in airflow which is the first trigger for the mycelium to start fruiting.

Keep the cut diameter around 1cm. Bigger may result in the exposed mycelium drying out and stalling the mushroom production. Smaller can lead to sub-optimal flushes.

3. Keep it Humid—Mushrooms LOVE Moisture!

Mushrooms thrive in humid conditions, so creating a little micro-climate is key. Here’s how to keep it perfectly humid:

• Mist regularly: Use a spray bottle to mist the window of the box daily. You don’t want to soak it, but keeping it consistently damp with high relative humidity is ideal.
• Fan and Mist: Mushrooms love a mix of fresh air and humidity. After misting, gently fan the kit with the lid or a piece of cardboard. This brings fresh air into the kit, which mushrooms need to grow well.

If you live in a very dry climate, you might need to mist more frequently, up to 2-3 times daily.

Pro tip: If you’re out of the house during the day, you can add a small glass of water near the kit or even place the whole setup in a roomy, loosely tied plastic bag (think terrarium style) to retain humidity.

3. Be Patient: Mycelium Takes Time

The mycelium—the white, root-like network of fungus under the surface—doesn’t work on human schedules. Sometimes it’s eager and sprouts mushrooms quickly, while other times it takes its time. Depending on the type of mushroom, it can take anywhere from a week to three weeks for you to see signs of growth. But once they start some mushrooms will mature in 3-7 days!

What to watch for: Little bumps, often called “pins” or “primordia,” are the first signs of mushroom growth. This is your signal that mushrooms are on the way!

4. Know When to Harvest

Watching mushrooms grow is thrilling, and it can be tempting to harvest them as soon as they start to look plump. But for the best flavor and texture, timing is everything.

• Size: Most mushrooms are ready to harvest when their caps open up, and you can see the gills (the feathery underside).
• Texture: The mushrooms should feel firm and solid, but not leathery.
• Shape: If your mushrooms start looking “leggy” or overly stretched, they might need more light and fresh air, so move them to a slightly brighter spot or fan more frequently.

To harvest, gently twist or cut the mushroom at the base. 

5. Give Your Kit a Break Between Flushes

Most kits can produce multiple “flushes” or rounds of mushrooms. Once you’ve harvested the first round, your kit will need a little downtime to recharge before producing more. Here’s how to keep it happy between flushes:

• Let the kit dry out slightly for a few days—stop misting but keep it in a humid environment. You may choose to tape over the first cut to retain moisture during this time.
• Then reopen a few days later and resume misting and fanning daily, just like before.

After a week or two, you should start to see more pins popping up, signalling that the second flush is on its way. Depending on the type of kit, you might get three to four flushes before it’s spent.

6. Troubleshooting: Common Kit Problems and How to Fix Them

If you’re taking care of your kit and still not seeing results, don’t worry—let’s troubleshoot!

• Mushrooms aren’t growing: Ensure your kit is in the right environment (humid, indirect light). If the room is too dry, mist more frequently and consider moving it to a more humid location.
• Green or black mold appears: This can happen if the kit is too damp or in a contaminated area. Remove any infected parts gently, and make sure to keep the kit well-ventilated.
• Mushrooms growing slowly or becoming spindly: This might mean they’re not getting enough fresh air. Fan them a little more often and consider moving to a spot with slightly better airflow.

7. What to Do with Your Kit After It’s Spent

Once your kit has produced all it can, don’t toss it just yet! Many mushroom kits are compostable, and the mycelium can be a great addition to your compost pile. Some people even use their old kits to start outdoor mushroom beds by burying the kit in a shaded, mulched area in the garden. With a bit of luck, it might produce mushrooms outdoors next season.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of a mushroom grow kit is a fun, rewarding way to bring a bit of nature into your home. Whether you’re harvesting for culinary use or simply enjoying the journey of growing your own mushrooms, there’s something magical about watching fungi flourish. Happy growing, and may your kit bring you many harvests!