Mushroom Grow Kit Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do they need any sort of special requirements?
A: Our mushroom grow kits can be grown on countertops, in basem*nts, on windowsills, and more. Just give them a little light, fresh air, and spray them with water and they grow themselves! They prefer a temperature range of 50F - 70F.
Q: How long can I store my kit before starting it?
A: Before shipping, we create a small hole into the airspace in the grow block in order to ship the kits easier. This exposure to fresh air may encourage mushroom growth underneath the plastic liner if the block is left alone for an extended period of time. That being said, mushrooms trying to grow under the grow block’s plastic liner should not prevent a successful grow if the instructions are still followed as written. To help extend the kit’s shelf life prior to starting, keeping it in the dark and at a cool temperature, though not necessarily under refrigeration, is recommended.
Q: What is the white stuff on my grow kit? Has it gone bad?
A: No, it has not gone bad! The white stuff is mycelium, which is the vegetative body of mushrooms. Think of it as the roots to a plants. The mycelium colonizes the substrate block, which is made up of locally sourced sawdust and organic soybean hulls, and once fully colonized the entire grow block will appear white. If there are patches of green mold on the block, then that is a different story, and we will happily send you a new kit or give you a refund.
Q: There is yellow-brown fluid under the plastic. Is this a problem?
No, not at all. The mycelium (the white “mushroom roots” that cover the grow block) in your grow kit is alive and well, and the fluid you see is metabolites being excreted by the mycelium. This is often a sign that the block is ready to fruit and make some mushrooms!
Q: My grow kit came and I noticed a hole at the top of the bag? There also appears to be moisture inside. Is my grow kit bad?
A: No, this is all normal! We puncture a small hole at the top of the bag to release the air to allow for easier packaging. Moisture in the bag is completely normal. The mushroom mycelium (the white “mushroom roots” that cover the grow block) is alive and there is a cycle of evaporation and condensation in the kit.
Q: I made the slits in my grow block and sprayed it. Now there are little mushroom pins growing under the plastic, but not where the slits are. What do I do?
A: As long as there are pins somewhere under the slits too, those will be the ones to grow up and out of the slits. If you see pins somewhere under the plastic, but none that look like they’ll grow through the slit, you can make a slit in the plastic directly above those pins to free them. They should grow completely normally.
Q: MY mushrooms are dry and not growing. What can I do?
A: If you are finding that your mushrooms are drying out at any stage, you can make a humidity tent for your kit. All you have to do is take a plastic bag (clear plastic is a good option as it still let's light through), poke several 1/2” holes in it, and cover the kit with the bag. Then when you spray, you do so onto the inner lining of the bag to maintain higher humidity within the "tent". If you are finding that your mushrooms are elongating their stems, that means they need more fresh air. In this case, lift the bag up a couple of times a day to give the mushroom’s some circulation.
