Organic Oyster Mushroom Kit — Growing Guide & Support
Organic Oyster Mushroom Kit
Your kit is alive and ready to produce mushrooms. Open the window, place it in the right spot, and keep it moist—the first oyster mushrooms should appear soon.
Ideal Conditions
Get Started with the Kit in 4 Steps
Open the window
Detach the pre-cut section from the box. Using a clean knife, cut a cross in the plastic bag, but only at this opening.
Do not remove the bag completely: it protects the growing medium and helps it retain moisture.
Choose the right location
Place the kit in a well-lit room, away from direct sunlight, ideally at a temperature between 10 and 20 °C. A kitchen, a cool room, a well-lit garage, or a basement with a light source would be suitable.
Avoid radiators, stoves, windows in direct sunlight, and drafts.
Keep the opening moist
Spray clean water into the opening once or twice a day. The goal is to maintain a humid environment without letting the water run off or soaking the kit.
In a very dry room, you can spray a little more often around the opening.
Watch the plant grow
Small buds should appear as the cluster opens. From that point on, the oyster mushrooms grow very quickly: check on them every day and continue to maintain good humidity around the cluster.
What can you expect?
When and how should you harvest?
The Right Time
Harvest when the caps are fully formed but before their edges curl up too much.
The Right Thing to Do
Grasp the entire cluster at its base and gently twist it. Avoid picking the mushrooms one by one.
After the harvest
Remove any remaining parts of the plant that may be left in the opening to prepare the kit for its next growth cycle.
Get a second one harvest
Let the kit rest
After the first harvest, remove any remaining mushrooms and let the kit rest for about one to two weeks. Continue to keep it away from heat and dryness.
Rehydrate the growing medium
Take the bag out of the box and soak it in cold water overnight. Use a clean object to keep it submerged, then let it drain thoroughly.
Reinstall and restart the kit
Put the bag back in its box with the opening facing the window, then resume misting. Exposing the plant to cold temperatures during rehydration also helps stimulate new growth.
The kit can produce several harvests of mushrooms. The first harvest is usually the most abundant, and subsequent harvests are often smaller.
Set the kit aside before you begin
Not ready to start your grow yet? Keep the kit sealed in a cool place, ideally in the refrigerator or at a temperature below 10 °C.
For best results, however, we recommend starting it as soon as possible. Never place the kit in the freezer.
Troubleshooting: What to Do If…
Nothing grows after 10 to 15 days
First, check the temperature, light, and humidity. The kit should not be placed near a radiator, in direct sunlight, or in a draft.
If it seems dry, remove the bag from the box, soak it in cold water overnight, drain it, and then put it back. This soaking rehydrates the substrate, and the exposure to cold can stimulate the fruiting.
The substrate turns brown around the opening
Localized browning usually indicates that the surface has dried out. Slightly increase the frequency of misting and move the kit away from heat sources or drafts.
If the block seems very dry, soak it thoroughly in cold water overnight.
Mushrooms have long stems and small caps
They're probably not getting enough fresh air. Ventilate the room more, or move the kit to a better-ventilated area—but avoid placing it in a drying draft.
The mushrooms dry out or become brittle
The air is probably too dry. Spray more frequently around the cluster and keep the kit away from heaters, direct sunlight, and drafts.
The mushrooms are very damp or have spots on them
Minimize direct spraying on the mushrooms and slightly improve air circulation. The opening should remain moist, but the oyster mushrooms should not be constantly wet.
A white powder appears under the hats
These are likely spores released by mature fungi. They are natural, but indicate that the harvest should ideally have been done a little earlier.
White down appears on the feet
This is generally mycelium, not mold. This phenomenon is common when humidity is high or there is insufficient ventilation.
A green, black, or orange discoloration appears
A bright discoloration accompanied by an unpleasant odor may indicate contamination. Isolate the kit from food and other cultures, avoid inhaling or spreading the spores, and then take photos before contacting us.
Storing and Cooking Oyster Mushrooms
After harvest, store the oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator in a paper bag or a container that allows the mushrooms to breathe slightly. They generally keep for 5 to 7 days.
To prepare them, cut off the firm base of the cluster, separate the mushrooms, and then sauté them in a pan until lightly browned. Avoid soaking them in water: a quick wipe with a brush or a damp cloth is usually sufficient.
Need help with your kit?
Please send us a photo of the kit, the opening, and the mushrooms, along with the start date and the room temperature. This information will help us advise you quickly.
Contact La Mycosphère