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mushroom 911
when things aren't going your way...
While mushrooms are fairly easy to grow there are still a few ways that things can go off the rails. Fortunately we've been off the rails plenty of times ourselves and can show you the way back on track.​
Just won't start growing
Sometimes it can feel like it's taking forever for the mushroom to start growing. If the block was stored for a long time before cutting it open to grow then it will require extra time to get started, sometimes a couple of weeks. As long as the temperature is in the correct range (generally 60 - 75F) then the mushroom block will eventually grow.
Stuck under the bag
If you're having trouble getting pins to form where you cut the bag it might be because mushrooms are trying to grow somewhere else. Do you see white lumps on the block stuck under the plastic like this picture? In this case, you can simply make a new hole in the bag around the white lump and it will start pinning (it's ok if you cut into the white lump, it is not delicate). This can also occur at the top of the block if there is an air pocket, it is best to twist the bag tight at the top to eliminate the air space. If you notice long stemmy mushrooms in the air space it is best to tear those mushrooms off the block, twist the bag tight, and wait for the block to fruit again which could take a week or so.
What to look for
When pins are forming you will see small white lumps or balls on the surface of the block. These bumps will grow and pins will form. If you see these bumps and your block isn't already growing where you cut the plastic, go ahead and make another hole and the mushrooms will grow.
​Humidity
A very common issue with mushroom growing on a countertop is humidity. Mushrooms love to grow after a good rain storm when the air is humid because mushrooms are 90% water and will dry out easily. When mushrooms get too dry they will stop growing no matter how mature they are and they will not start growing again, just harvest and use them and wait for the next flush!
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If your mushrooms are getting brown at the very edges then they are dry and need more humidity. Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms can be sprayed directly but Lions Mane should not be sprayed directly and should have a bag with holes over the block to hold humidity. The inside of the bag should be sprayed with water for Lions Mane.
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If your mushrooms are brown all over then they are very dry and need watering a lot more often.
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If your mushrooms are brown all over and hard or brittle and cracked then they are exceptionally dry and likely done growing.
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Dry mushrooms are just fine to eat! If they are exceptionally dry then you can rehydrate the mushrooms by putting them in a bowl of water with weight on top to hold them down for 5 - 10 minutes.
If your mushrooms look dry and you spray them more but they are not getting bigger then they are done growing. Remove them from the block, wait about a week for the block to rest, start spraying the block again and new pins will form. Next time around you obviously want to spray them more often.
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This is a Lions Mane that has grown in a low humidity environment. It is still good to eat but the yield has likely been reduced since mushrooms are 90% water.
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Lions Mane should not be sprayed directly and should have a bag with holes over the block to hold humidity. The inside of the bag should be sprayed with water for Lions Mane.
Carbon Dioxide
Another common issue is carbon dioxide levels that are too high. Oyster mushrooms in particular need air that is low in carbon dioxide or else they will develop long spindly stems with small caps and reduced yields.
This is a humidity tent over a Lions Mane block. It is simply a bag with holes cut in it up high and low for airflow. Spray the inside of the bag, NOT the Lions Mane mushroom directly! Spraying Lions Mane directly will cause it to turn yellow and brown.
This picture shows pins with elongated stems that need more fresh air. If you catch it early enough then adding fresh air will fix the problem and the mushrooms will grow normally. If the mushrooms are in an enclosure then remove the enclosure. Often the CO2 level in houses is elevated and you will need to open a window to get more fresh air from outdoors. You may not like the sound of this however if the mushrooms cannot grow properly in your house then it is a sign that you yourself need more fresh air to breathe anyhow! This is especially true in areas with a stove or oven that is in use.
This picture shows mushrooms that have grown in high carbon dioxide but they are mature and cannot be corrected. These should be harvested and eaten, they will still be delicious, just cut out the stems!
Temperature​
The temperature in the room is too high or too low (it's hard to be too low in a house). Most houses are between 62F and 72F which is good however at higher temperatures some mushrooms will struggle to pin, King Oyster in particular. If you’re in a warmer environment you can typically get the mushroom to fruit by placing the block in the fridge over night. Pink Oyster is the exception to this, do not refrigerate or freeze Pink Oyster as it will likely die.
Time​
Sometimes a mushroom block will simply take longer to fruit for no particular reason. Give it some time, long waits often lead to unusually big yields!
