Kit Activation
Activate your grow kit by folding extra material of the top of the bag over itself several times, cover the filter patch and tape tightly to the bag. The lions mane kit should get three ½” small slit cuts in a row above each other on the bottom side of bag.
Do not cut a large opening in the lion's mane kit and never take it out of the bag!
The kit should rest over a table or be leaned against something so that the lions mane can grow downward. It will also grow upwards but prefers to hang down. The oyster kit should have a small x cut on the bottom of the bag and sit flat on a surface so that they can grow upwards. The X should be approximately 2" x 2" and try not to cut too deep. Cut slips with a sharp utility knife. Lightly mist the openings 3-4 times a day with a mist bottle and use a humidity tent if needed. Once activated, your kit should start pinning within 6-10 days, however, lions mane can a little longer. From this point, it usually only takes 4-5 days for your mushroom kit to produce it's first full flush with oyster varieties. Lions mane can take a couple of weeks. When you start to see baby mushrooms form, you can remove the bag and keep lightly misting the opening daily.
This grow kit is ready to fruit and should start fruiting conditions within two weeks after purchase. Keep the kit in a cool, dark place until you are ready to begin fruiting conditions such as a closet. If fruiting conditions are delayed, the mushrooms may start growing inside of the bag. If this happens, you may open the bag, remove the mushrooms like dead-heading a plant, fold bag over to remove all air from bag and seal tightly with some tape. Follow the procedures for kit activation. Mushrooms will always grow better outdoors in a natural environment. You may carry the bag outside and bring inside as needed for temperature requirements. Be sure to keep the kit in an area out of the wind and direct sunlight so that the mushrooms do not dry out.
Environment
Once you've started your mushroom kit, the three things you need to focus on are humidity, air and the amount of light received. Mushrooms need a humid environment to thrive, with good airflow but out of direct wind. Minimal natural light is required but the kit should be kept out of direct sunlight. LED light is also sufficient. Never remove the outer bag of the grow kit. This bag helps to keep moisture inside and keep competitors out.
Moisture
Make sure you are misting the cut opening of the grow kit regularly. We suggest 3-5 times per day but do not over-saturate the kit. Use a transparent bag as a humidity dome over the kit and spray underneath to help keep the humidity high while the mushrooms are starting to grow. See details below on how to make the dome.
Temperature
Most strains of mushrooms produce best at temperature ranges from 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. If growing during cooler months, keep inside the house or garage area that stays within this temperature range. You may take the kit outside if temperatures permit.
How to Make a Humidity Tent
Use a transparent grocery and trash bag and poke several holes in the bag. Drape the bag loosely over the top of the opening that was cut. Keep the bag elevated off of the opening by using some straws or sticks. Sometimes you can just slightly lift the bag and it will stay in place. Lift the bag and lightly mist underneath and at the opening 3-5 times a day but do not over-saturate. You may also use a plastic tote and drill several holes to allow for airflow. Once you see small pins forming at the opening, you can remove the humidity dome and continue spraying the opening. At this stage, you are very close to having mature mushrooms.
Harvesting
It is best to harvest the mushrooms before they release spores. Oyster mushrooms are ready to harvest between 3-5 days after pinning. Oysters are best picked before the edge of the cap begins to curl up. Lions mane is ready to harvest between 7-14 days after pinning. The lions mane spines will begin to elongate and reach around ¼” when ready to harvest.
After First Flush
After you’ve harvested your first harvest of mushrooms, let your block rest in a dark area for 2-3 days. We suggest wrapping a grocery bag lightly around the kit and placing in a closet with no light. After resting, put the kit in an optimal grow area and start the activation of misting on a regular basis. Use the humidity dome to help keep moisture in the kit. The second and third flush can take much longer than the first flush between. Expect to see baby mushrooms forming again between 2-3 weeks. The kit may fruit up to 3 times but the harvest will become smaller each time. The second and third flush are not guaranteed. When the kit has run its course, you may break up the kit to either compost or spread small pieces in wood chips or straw outside to make an outdoor bed.
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