Mushroom Growing Kit Problems,
Tips and Tricks
Emulating Nature with Your Mushroom Grow Kit
Using a mushroom grow kit is about replicating the natural environments where mushrooms thrive. After a rain shower, mushrooms often appear, and we aim to simulate these conditions when misting our kits. Aborts, contamination, and browning are natural parts of the mushroom lifecycle. Learning to minimize these effects while maximizing growth is part of mushroom cultivation.
Different mushroom species grow at various times due to their temperature preferences. Using a mushroom grow kit, we create an environment that tricks the mycelium into thinking it's the perfect time to fruit. We can adjust conditions to grow species outside their natural temperature range.
As we gain experience, we refine our techniques and deepen our understanding of these fascinating organisms. Growing mushrooms becomes more than a hobby or food source; it connects us to nature and life's intricate processes, celebrating the resilient nature of fungi.
Challenges are inevitable and may impact your yield or cause crop failure. Don't worry – this guide will help you identify and troubleshoot common issues with mushroom grow kits. With some guidance and care, you'll soon be a successful home mushroom grower.
1. Mushrooms not growing
If your mushrooms aren't growing, several factors could be at play:
Temperature Control: Most mushroom grow kits thrive within a temperature range of 18-24°C, though this can vary by species. If temperature is a concern, move your kit to a more controlled environment or use a small heater or cooler to maintain the optimal range.
Air Circulation: Poor air circulation can hinder growth. Ensure your growing area has adequate ventilation.
Moisture Levels: Insufficient moisture is another common issue. Regularly mist your kit to maintain the necessary humidity.
Contamination: Contaminants can prevent mushrooms from growing. Keep your growing area clean and monitor for any signs of mold or unwanted organisms.
Creating an optimal environment is key to the successful cultivation of your mushroom kit. Each factor plays a crucial role in ensuring your mushrooms flourish.
2. Slow Growth
When using mushroom grow kits to cultivate your own mushrooms at home, slow growth can sometimes be a concern. This might be due to the temperature being too low, insufficient moisture, or poor air circulation. It's crucial to create a warm, humid environment with good air circulation for your mushroom kit to flourish.
Remember, good air circulation doesn't mean using a fan directly on the kit or leaving it outside, as these actions can lead to your mushrooms drying out or turning brown. Instead, consider a location with natural air movement and avoid placing your mushroom kit in sealed boxes or plastic containers. Mushroom kits are living organisms and require proper air exchange to thrive.
Keep observing and learning from your mushroom grow kit's growth patterns. Over time, you'll be better equipped to create the ideal conditions for a successful mushroom harvest.
3. Dealing with Contamination
Contamination is a common issue that can arise from various factors, such as inadequate hygiene practices, poor air circulation, or a contaminated substrate. Signs of contamination include mold, bacterial growth, or unusual colorations on the substrate's surface. If you encounter such issues, it's advisable to discard the kit. If contamination occurs before the first flush, please contact us at brett@thatmushroomguy.com.au for a replacement kit.
Despite our meticulous care and attention, a kit might occasionally arrive contaminated. This issue isn't exclusive to our operations; all mushroom farms grapple with contamination at some point. Any business claiming complete immunity from contamination is misleading you. Therefore, if you discover any contamination, please contact us immediately so we can identify the cause and rectify the situation swiftly.
4. Small, Stunted, or Deformed Mushrooms (Aborts)
When growing mushrooms at home, you might sometimes encounter small, stunted, or deformed mushrooms, also known as "aborts." This can occur due to factors such as low humidity, insufficient airflow, or improper lighting.
To prevent this, it's essential to create a humid environment with good airflow for your mushroom growing kit. Regarding lighting, mushrooms don't require as much light as plants. If you can see the mushrooms, that's typically enough light for them to grow. However, it's crucial to avoid direct sunlight, as it can negatively affect their growth.
By carefully monitoring and adjusting the conditions of your home mushroom growing kit, you can avoid the occurrence of "aborts" and enjoy a successful mushroom harvest.
5. Yellowing or Browning Mushrooms
When growing mushrooms at home using your mushroom kit, you might notice them turning yellow or brown. This typically indicates that they are drying out, which can be caused by over-misting, a drafty room, low humidity, or excess light. To prevent this, ensure your mushrooms receive adequate moisture and that the growing environment maintains consistent humidity.
For Lion's Mane mushrooms, yellowing can also indicate they were ready for harvesting about 12 hours earlier. Harvesting Lion's Mane mushrooms can be challenging, as it takes experience to determine the optimal time. Generally, these mushrooms should be harvested before they start turning yellow, but developing the experience to know this precisely takes time.
Interestingly, it's often best to harvest Lion's Mane mushrooms while they are still in their 'cloud-like' formation for the best culinary experience, even if this results in a smaller yield. As you continue to grow mushrooms at home, you'll become more familiar with these signs and how to respond to them for a successful harvest.
Tips and Tricks
1. Maintain Optimal Conditions: Keep the kit in a warm and humid environment with good air circulation.
2. Provide Adequate Moisture: Use a misting bottle to keep the mushrooms moist.
3. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause mushrooms to dry out and turn yellow. Place your kit in a location with indirect light.
4. Harvest at the Right Time: For the best culinary experience, harvest the mushrooms when they are still young.
5. Monitor Growth Conditions: If the mushrooms are not growing, check the temperature, air circulation, moisture levels, and potential contamination issues.
6. Practice Cleanliness: Use clean equipment and work in a clean environment to avoid contamination.
7. Understand Species Requirements: Research and understand the specific growing requirements of the mushroom species in your kit.
8. Stay Persistent: Don't be discouraged by failures or setbacks - growing mushrooms can be a learning process.
Customer Problems and Solutions for Mushroom Kits
The photo has been shared by Michael Pezet, a customer.
From this image we can see a few things that went awry with this Pink oyster mushroom kit.
They are extremly dried out, and when I asked the customer to confirm they were dry he commented saying, "yes, they crumble and break when touched".
There are two things that cause this;
1. Low humidity; Michael lives in North QLD and reported the humidity is very high.
2. Too much airflow; Michael thought to increase aircirculatiuon he would open the window beside the mushroom kits to let fresh air in. While he is 100% right, too much airflow, even if humid, will cause the mushrooms to dry out. And in some case will cause the mushrooms to abort or not grow at all
What can he do?
Harvest the mushrooms and you may find sucess rehydrating them in water. But I advised to learn from this and harvest and dispose of the mushrooms and hope for a second flush.
What can we learn?
It is important to find a balance between adequate airflow and humidity levels to prevent mushrooms from drying out or not growing at all.
The photo has been shared by Michael Pezet, a customer.
In this image we can see a Lion's Mane Grow Kit that is yellowing on the top with some young growth on the bottom.
Lion's mane mushrooms turning yellow can be an indication that they are overripe and past their prime for consumption. It's best to harvest Lion's mane mushrooms before they start to turn yellow, while they are still white and fluffy in appearance. With experience, you will learn how to determine the optimal time to harvest. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different harvesting times.
In this scenario, we are aware that the open window caused the mushrooms to dry out. Interestingly, misting the mushrooms directly in dry or windy conditions, although it may seem counterintuitive, can cause them to dry out more quickly. This can result in the mushrooms, particularly lions mane, turning brown.
What can he do?
You can harvest the entire cluster of mushrooms, and any dry parts can be utilized for mushroom powder or supplements. The younger and whiter parts of the mushroom located at the bottom are perfect for eating!
What can we learn?
Once again it come to the balance between airflow and humidity.
The photo has been shared by Fiona, a customer.
In this photo we have a Lion's Mane grow kit with a crack down the middle.
A cracked kit usually only occurs with Lions Mane grow kits and is caused by handling during shipping.
The wispy, fluffy strands of Lion's Mane mycelium can be delicate, making the mushroom kit susceptible to cracking during shipping.
What can he do?
Allow the kit to rest for 4 to 7 days, giving time for the mycelium to knit the substrate back together. Once complete, start the kit again following the instructions from step 1.
We want to express our gratitude to all the customers who generously shared their photos with us. We believe that there are no mistakes, only opportunities to learn and improve when it comes to growing mushrooms. Experience is the best teacher, and with practice, you can achieve larger yields and higher quality mushrooms. We understand that everyone starts somewhere, and we want to encourage you to keep going and learning from your experiences. It's important to remember that even experienced growers have encountered their fair share of challenges and setbacks, but they persisted and kept learning. So if you're new to mushroom growing or struggling with your mushroom kit, don't give up! Every lesson learned brings you one step closer to success.