Why should you buy a mushroom log?
You won’t get most of the exotic variants anywhere unless you grow them! They are delicious and nutritious, fun to grow and is a great gift idea.
Are mushroom logs recyclable?
Once the mushroom log has exhausted itself, it and can easily be buried in your garden or added to your compost heap.
What is the growth medium made of?
It is mostly sawdust and can be buried in your garden once the log has been exhausted.
What do you need to successfully grow your own mushrooms?
A mushroom log (or logs).
Drip tray for the log to stand in.
Spray bottle to mist your mushrooms three to four times a day. If you use a humidity tent, mist the humidity tent surface three to four times a day.
An area with good natural indirect light (not direct sunlight). Most mushrooms need light to grow. If you are able to read in the light, then there is enough light for the mushrooms to grow.
Good airflow for good growth. If they do not get enough air you will see thicker or spindly stems and smaller caps
How long will it take for my log to start growing?
This is dependent on how ideal the growing environment and temperature is. If conditions are ideal you should get your first mushrooms pinning between 6 to 10 days after opening. Harvest 2 to 5 should take 2 to 3 weeks after each prior harvest.
How long can I keep the log before I open it?
Ideally, you would need to open the log within one month of purchasing it for the best results.
Should I open the log on more than one spot at a time?
You should have one area opened to get the best results. More than one area forces the mushrooms to use each other’s nutrients to grow and it will affect the size of your mushrooms.
What is the best thing to do after harvesting a flush of mushrooms?
After you have harvested, remove the leftover stalk. Do not spray the kit with water for a few days to two weeks. Then start watering slightly for a few days. The mycelia will recover then you can spray water continuously. The next flush will come after 10 days to two weeks or longer depending on varieties. If the temperature is not suitable after a flush (for kits that grow in certain seasons), then wait until the temperature is suitable and only open it then again.
How many harvests can be expected with each log?
About four to five harvests can be expected from each log.
How many mushrooms can I expect per harvest?
This is very difficult to tell with any type of homegrown edible food, as Mother Nature is the ultimate decider! Your first harvest should weigh around 140g but will become less with each harvest as the cellulose gets less. The full yield of the kit will depend on the environment, conditions and how well the kit is taken care of. On average one mushroom log should produce around 500 grams of mushrooms over the cycle of the flushes.
Is there any benefit to growing a log in a box?
It is not necessary to use a box. If in the box and you open from the window, it can grow only from that place. Whether in a box or not, you open the plastic bag and the substrate exposure to the air and the oxygen will stimulate the pins. Mushroom logs grow from any possible sides because of light and cold shut stimulation. If you open the area it has already grow inside the plastic, the pins appeared quicker when you spray water on it. If you buy a login box you can remove it and grow it without the box. No matter where you open, in the box or raw log, the pins will grow from the open area.
The Grey, White and King Oyster logs can get very white with growth on the log, will it still grow or is too mature?
The Grey, White and King Oyster logs can get very full on top and may even turn a bit yellow in places. There is nothing wrong with the log, this is normal for the White, Grey and King Oyster logs. You can open it and cut through the thick part with a serrate knife about 3mm deep. The pins will come in a couple of days when it is wet enough and the first harvest should be in a week or two after.
What is the ideal temperature for mushroom growth?
The ideal temperature for most kits is 18 to 20 degrees. However, some variants prefer much colder or much warmer temperatures.
How do I increase the humidity levels if needed?
You can place the log on its side in a container and fill the container with 2mm of water. Do not allow the open cut area to be submerged underwater.
Can the logs grow outside?
Inside the house, the temperature is more stable for Oyster mushrooms, they will grow faster and better inside.
Chestnut and Nameko will grow outside, but they cannot get wet or the caps will get soggy. They prefer temperatures lower than 15 degrees at the night. If your temperature in the house is lower than 15 degrees you can keep them inside, otherwise they will do better outside.
Is there any benefit to grow the mushroom logs outside?
Mushrooms logs will grow much better indoors where the temperature is more controlled. The exception is certain winter variants (Black Shimeji, King Oyster, Nameko and Chestnuts) where you can initiate primordial/pinning formation by leaving them outside when it is cold, especially at night. Remember to keep the log in an area where it is protected from rain. Watch the moisture levels as the substrate dries out more quickly outside than inside.
My logs have turned a bit green on top. Can I just remove the green bit and continue to water?
You do not have to remove that area, but cut it open somewhere else. The log can still grow mushrooms from another area.
After you harvest a flush, is it best to just carry on watering or to let the log rest for some time before watering?
After a flush let the log rest for few days before watering,
Place your orders at orders@mushroomroom.co.za