We’re so excited for you to start cultivating your very own mushrooms at home with your Cellar Mushrooms grow kit! Along with the insert that came in your box, this guide is designed to answer all of your questions…and then some! From storing to watering, harvesting to cooking - we've got you covered!
Ready to get started?
Let’s go!
HOW LONG CAN I STORE MY GROW KIT BEFORE ACTIVATING IT?
We suggest starting your grow kit right away. If you need to wait, your grow kit can be stored in its box in a cool, dark place for several weeks. It’s key that it's not exposed to light or warm temps before you’re ready to start growing.
HOW DO I START MY GROW KIT?
- OXYGENATE: Remove the grow kit bag from the box; do not remove the tape on the bag. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut along the X, about 1” deep. Do not remove the flaps that are created by cutting the X.
- AGITATE: With clean hands, lift the flaps of the X and use the knife to gently scrape some of the very top layer of woody material. This wakes up the mushroom mycelium. With the flaps held out of the way, slowly pour 2 tablespoons of water onto the area you just scraped.
- LOCATE: Place your grow kit in a spot where it will get indirect sunlight during the day, and where it will be dark at night. 65-68 degrees fahrenheit will keep your mushrooms happy, but a little warmer is fine.
- HYDRATE: Fill the spray bottle that came in your box with fresh water, and use it to spray about one tablespoon of water on the woody material below the X twice per day.
- OBSERVE: Within 10 days you will begin to see mushroom growth. Continue spraying the mushrooms as they mature; they should double in size each day until ready to harvest.
- SHARE: We’d love to see pictures or videos of your mushrooms as they grow! Tag us on Instagram @cellar.mushrooms
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ENJOY: After harvesting, store your mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them. We recommend enjoying your fresh mushrooms within 48 hours of harvest.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY MUSHROOMS TO GROW?
Within 10 days you should start to see mushroom growth. Once you see mushroom pins (baby mushrooms) they should nearly double in size each day until they reach maturity. Make sure to keep them nice and moist throughout the entire growing process.
WHAT IF MY BLOCK OR THE MUSHROOMS SEEM DRY?
Go ahead and water more than twice per day. You may need to water more than the recommended 1 tablespoon of water per spraying – if the plastic flaps from the X you cut have little water beads on them at all times, that’s a sign your mushrooms are getting enough water. Setting up a humidifier in the same room as your grow kit can also be very helpful.
WHAT IF MY MUSHROOMS ARE GROWING IN THE BAG BEFORE I START THE KIT, OR IF THEY GROW WHERE I DIDN’T CUT?
Your mushrooms may be extra eager! Why stop the progress your mushrooms may have already started? You can cut a second X where you see mushrooms already growing – just remember that second cut will need the same amount of watering as the original spot.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO HARVEST MY MUSHROOMS?
PINK OYSTER
Your mushrooms should nearly double in size each day after they begin growing. Continue watering twice daily through harvest. Don't touch your growing mushrooms…just observe!
Emerging from the bag...
...growth continuing...
...caps rounding and growing into a bundle...
...caps thinning out and cupping more...
...caps gently curling over at the top edge and developing a very light browning.
READY TO HARVEST!
LION’S MANE
Your mushrooms should nearly double in size each day after they begin growing. Continue watering twice daily through harvest. Don't touch your growing mushrooms…just observe!
Emerging from the bag...
...growth continuing...
...fruit body growing, with a smooth surface...
...size increasing and shape rounding out...
...large, surface no longer smooth, texture has loosened and developed "teeth."
READY TO HARVEST!
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO HARVEST MY MUSHROOMS?
When your mushrooms are ready to harvest, carefully reach underneath to hold onto the base, then twist or “pop” to remove. If you’d prefer to use a knife, that works well too - just cut where the mushroom begins to grow out of the block of substrate.
IS THAT MOLD ON MY GROW KIT?
The soft white or pink substance you notice on your grow kit block is mycelium, which the mushrooms fruit from. It’s healthy and very necessary! If you notice green or orange spots, there’s a chance your grow kit was damaged during shipping. If that’s the case, please send us a message and a picture at: hello@cellarmushrooms so we can solve the problem.
WHAT IF I LIVE IN A DRY CLIMATE?
If you live in a dry climate you may need to water it more than the standard directions suggest. You may need to water more than the recommended 1 tablespoon of water per spraying – if the plastic flaps from the X you cut have little water beads on them at all times, you can know that your mushrooms are getting enough water. Setting up a humidifier near your grow kit can also be very helpful.
DO I HAVE TO COOK MY MUSHROOMS?
Yes, you should cook your mushrooms before eating them because eating uncooked mushrooms can be hard on your stomach. Mushrooms contain a compound called chitin which can be difficult to digest, but chitin breaks down in heat.
HOW SHOULD I COOK MY MUSHROOMS?
Check out our delicious recipes for culinary inspiration! You’ll find recipes for satisfying, nourishing meals, as well as simple saute instructions.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY GROW KIT AFTER HARVESTING MY MUSHROOMS?
A couple of things! You can try for a second flush of mushrooms. After harvesting your original crop of mushrooms, make sure you’ve removed all mushroom debris from the grow kit block, and start the watering process again (beginning with the initial water pouring). A second flush will take longer to begin and the mushrooms may grow more slowly in general. When you’re done growing, the block of spent substrate is fantastic to add to your compost to help break down food scraps.