• a step-by-step instruction card

• the ready-to-grow mushroom block (inoculated with mushroom mycelium)

• The Substrate is Hardwood sawdust for our Lions Mane or Straw for our Oyster varieties

The white stuff covering the sawdust block is mycelium. Mycelium is the living organism that will fruit the mushrooms.

We've grown this for you over the last few weeks in a process called incubation. During incubation the mycelium colonises the substrate (sawdust or straw), turning it white and it is now ready to fruit delicious mushrooms.

You should start using your mushroom grow kit as soon as you get it, but we know that might not always be possible, like if you're giving it as a gift or if you’ll be away.

For Pink Oyster grow kits: We recommend starting these kits as soon as you have received it as they do not store well and can't be stored in the fridge.

For storing a kit, choose a Gold Oyster or Lion's Mane variety, as they can last a couple of months. Most kits can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 months. Keep the kit in the fridge to hibernate the mycelium and prevent premature growth. Avoid temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, and never leave the kit in a hot car or direct sunlight, as heat can kill the mycelium.

Each individual grow kit has its own specific ideal growing conditions that are optimal for successful development, but there are also some common rules and guidelines that you should follow.

Check the side of your grow kit box for the best growing temperature for the mushroom variety you have. These temperatures are also listed on the product page of each kit on our website.

As a general rule, the warmer the temperature the faster the mushroom growth. If it is cold, your mushrooms will grow slowly. Extreme heat and extreme cold can adversely affect and even entirely prevent mushroom growth. 

If you live in a warm climate we recommend choosing a grow kit that can cope with the warmer temperatures.

If you can control your growing environment we would recommend a stable temperature between 18-22 degrees Celsius and 75% - 90% humidity. 

These ready-to-grow mushroom kits are designed to easily grow in most people's houses year-round, so please don't be too worried about achieving ideal conditions. We've had customers grow our kits all the way from Thursday Island to Tasmania and everywhere in between!

Pink Oyster Grow Kit

Fruiting temperature: 20°C to 30°C

The Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit loves warm weather - they really cannot stand the cold

Golden Oyster Grow Kit

Fruiting temperature: 18°C to 30°C

They are good to grow almost all year round.

Mushrooms are not plants so don’t water them the same way.

You don't need to water mushrooms like a plant. The spray bottle is for creating humidity. Humidity is a key factor for successful mushroom growth. Spray the area around your kit with a few pumps of water whenever you have a chance, at least 2-3 times a day.

If you can see condensation underneath the plastic flaps of your X cut area this is enough water. Too much water on the surface of the block can cause problems. If it's looking a little dry, increase your frequency of spraying. Continue to mist the air around your mushrooms as they grow to prevent them from drying out.

Avoid missing a day of misting, but if necessary, create a mini micro-climate to maintain humidity. You can do this by wrapping a wet tea towel around the kit's base or placing the kit near a sink filled with water.

After harvesting your first flush (flush = the term for a mushroom crop), clean up your block by removing any leftover mushroom debris. Debris includes small mushrooms that didn’t grow fully or bits left behind after harvesting. Be sure not to remove the white mycelium coating the block – this is the living network we want to nurture for more mushrooms!

If a second flush starts on its own, simply pick up at Step 2 on your instruction card. Submerge it overnight in a bowl of water with the cut side facing down. The next morning, drain any excess water from the bag, let it drip-dry for a bit, and then return it to the box on your kitchen counter. Within 7–14 days, you'll notice mushrooms starting to "pin" (tiny growths), and they’ll be ready to harvest in about a week!

For a quicker second crop, you can cut an X on the opposite side of the kit immediately after harvesting your first flush and grow mushrooms from that side.

Keep in mind, the second flush will usually take longer and yield fewer mushrooms than the first – this is completely normal.

On average, our ready-to-grow mushroom kits produce 2–3 flushes. Enjoy the harvest!

How to dispose of your kit

Once your mushroom kit has finished fruiting and it does not want to produce anymore mushrooms, remove the substrate from the plastic bag and either put it around your garden or indoor plants as mulch, or place in your compost or worm farm.

This "spent" substrate is still bound with mycelium and is great for your garden.