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Mushroom Growing Guide

OYSTER MUSHROOM GROW BOX

Everything you need to know to grow your very own Oyster mushrooms!

Your kit includes an amended straw or sawdust fruiting block fully colonized with mushroom mycelium. Place your mushroom kit in the most humid part of your home and avoid direct sunlight. We suggest putting it on a kitchen counter close to the sink.

You should see a plastic-lined block inside the box. Leave the block in the box, fold back the cardboard flaps on the side of the box and cut an “X” into the plastic with a clean sharp knife or scissors. Don’t cut too deep as you don’t want to damage the mycelium.

Fill a spray bottle with fresh water and spray the slits you made 1-2 times a day. Keep doing so until you see primordia (baby mushrooms) start to form. Patience is key, the mycelium decides when it wants to fruit, so this may take up to 7-10 days before you see primordia. Once the primordia begin to grow, continue spraying, twice a day should be fine.

Harvest before the caps flatten out and become concave. Mushrooms grow quickly, so when you spot your primordia forming keep an eye on them. Mushrooms should be ready to harvest within 3-5 days of the primordia forming.

To harvest, grab the mushroom cluster at its base, rotate, and pull. Do not cut the mushrooms off, as this leaves a stem in the casing to rot. Once you have picked your mushrooms water the slit to replenish the water the mushrooms removed.

After you harvest you can spray the same slit to encourage a second and even third flush of mushrooms. The box usually takes 7-10 days before you see a new flush begin to form.

Cooking: Oyster mushrooms have a high protein content, several B vitamins, and all the essential amino acids. Sauteed in oil or butter, they almost develop a bacon-like flavor. You can also try battering the whole mushroom cluster and deep frying it like you would a blooming onion!

NOTE: We recommend cooking your mushrooms as for some consuming raw mushrooms can lead to feeling of nausea and upset stomach.

Tag us on Instagram to share your mushroom growing experience and reach out with any questions!

@takeboxnola

BLACK PEARL KING GROW BOX

Everything you need to know to grow your very own Black King Pearl mushrooms!

Your kit includes an amended sawdust block fully colonized with mushroom mycelium. First place your mushroom kit in the refrigerator for 24 hours then place the kit in the most humid part of your home and outside of direct sunlight. We suggest putting it on a kitchen counter close to the sink. Cooler temperatures (70 degrees F) and fresh air are key to getting a big fruiting.

You should see a plastic-lined block inside a box. Leave the block in the box, fold back the cardboard flaps on the side of the box and cut an “X” into the plastic with a clean sharp knife or scissors. Don’t cut too deep you don’t want to damage the mycelium.

Fill a spray bottle with fresh water and mist the slits you made 1-2 times a day with a light mist. 

Keep doing so until you see primordia (baby mushrooms) start to form. Patience is key, the mycelium decides when it wants to fruit, and this may take up to 10-14 days before you see primordia. Once the primordia begin to grow you should continue to spray, twice a day should be fine.

Harvest before the caps flatten out and become concave. Mushrooms grow quickly, so when you spot your primordia forming keep an eye on them. Mushrooms should be ready to harvest within 3-5 days of the primordia forming.

To harvest, grab the mushroom cluster at its base, rotate, and pull. Do not cut the mushrooms off, as this leaves a stem in the casing to rot. Once you have picked your mushrooms water the slit to replenish the water the mushrooms removed.

After you harvest you can spray the same slit to encourage a second and even third flush of mushrooms. The box usually takes 7-10 days before you see a new flush begin to form.

Tag us on Instagram to share your mushroom growing experience and reach out with any questions!

@takeboxnola

LIONS MANE GROW BOX

Everything you need to know to grow your very own Lion’s Mane mushrooms!

Your kit includes an amended sawdust block fully colonized with mushroom mycelium. First place your mushroom kit in the refrigerator for 24 hours then place the kit in the most humid part of your home and outside of direct sunlight. We suggest putting it on a kitchen counter close to the sink. Cooler temperatures (70 degrees F) and fresh air are key to getting a big fruiting.

You should see a plastic-lined block inside a box. Leave the block in the box, press back the cardboard flaps on one side of the box and cut an “X” into the plastic with a clean sharp knife or scissors. Don’t cut too deep as you don’t want to damage the mycelium.

Fill a spray bottle with fresh water and mist the slits you made 1-2 times a day with a light mist. Keep doing so until you see primordia (looks like a white blob – this is your baby lion’s mane) start to form. Once the primordia begin to grow (10-14 days after you open your kit) you should spray your kit from a distance away. If you are having issues with the mushrooms drying out (turning yellow) you can create a humidity tent (see instructions below)

To create a humidity tent, take a clear plastic bag and poke several ½ inch holes in it. Spray the inside of the plastic bag with water and place loosely over the kit. Spray the inside of the bag daily to maintain humidity in the tent.

If you are finding that your lion’s mane is beginning to appear “coral-like” or otherwise not looking like the typical “pom-pom” shape that means it needs more fresh air. In this case, lift the plastic bag up a few times a day to give your mushroom oxygen.

Harvest when the mushroom forms visible “teeth” and before it starts to yellow. Lion’s Mane grows slowly so be patient. Mushrooms should be ready to harvest within 1 to 2 weeks of the primordia forming.

To harvest, grab the mushroom at its base, rotate, and pull. Do not cut the mushroom off, as this leaves a stem in the casing to rot. Once you have picked your mushroom water the slit to replenish the water the mushrooms removed.

After you harvest you can spray the same slit to encourage a second and even third flush of mushrooms. The box usually takes 7-10 days before you see a new flush begin to form.

Cooking: Lions Mane has a delicate flavor and texture reminiscent of lobster or crab meat. It can be used as a seafood substitute in recipes. We like to slice it into rounds and pan-fry it in olive oil or butter, or try ripping it up and make “lion’s mane cakes” by following a crab cake recipe with the Lion’s Mane subbing in for the crab meat!

Tag us on Instagram to share your mushroom growing experience and reach out with any questions!

@takeboxnola

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