Thank you for purchasing your chestnut mushroom grow kit from Folk Fungi! Growing chestnut mushrooms can be a rewarding experience, and with a bit of patience and care, you’ll soon be harvesting your own delicious gourmet mushrooms. Follow these detailed instructions for the best results.
What’s included:
- Fully colonized fruiting block
- Spray bottle
- Humidity tent
This kit can yield 2–3 flushes of mushrooms, totaling 1–2.5 pounds.
Step 1: Prepare your kit
To prepare your kit for fruiting, monitor the block for signs of mushroom growth. Chestnut mushrooms typically form dense, dark primordia (early mushroom clusters) on the surface of the block. Check every couple of days, and use a flashlight if condensation on the bag walls makes visibility difficult.
Once you see primordia forming, it’s time to prepare your kit:
- Take clean scissors or a box cutter and cut horizontally across the top of the bag, just above the filter patch. The cut should run the width of the bag, leaving a 2–3 inch “wall” of plastic around the top edge of the block to retain moisture.
- This opening provides the mushrooms with the oxygen they need to grow into full clusters while maintaining some moisture around the block.
Chestnut mushrooms can be slower to develop, sometimes taking 10–14 days to mature fully. Preparing the kit promptly when you see primordia ensures the mushrooms receive the oxygen they need for proper growth.
Step 2: Set up the humidity tent
- Roll the bottom of the tent three times, flatten the gussets, and place it over the block. (View our video demonstration.)
Step 3: Fruiting conditions
- Place the kit in a room that receives indirect sunlight.
- Mist the inside of the tent regularly to maintain 80–99% humidity.
- Ensure good air circulation to prevent CO2 buildup, which can cause long stems and small caps.
Step 4: Harvest your mushrooms
Chestnut mushrooms are ready to harvest when their caps begin to flatten, and the gills become visible. The color may lighten slightly, and spores may start to appear if left longer. Harvesting just before spore production ensures the best quality.
To harvest:
- Gently twist and pull the mushroom clusters from the block.
- If the mushrooms don’t detach cleanly, use a clean, sharp knife to cut them at the base, leaving as little stem behind as possible.
Store your mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week. Avoid storing them in plastic bags or sealed containers, as trapped moisture can cause spoilage.
Step 5: Subsequent flushes
- Continue misting the inside of the tent to maintain high humidity.
- Allow the block to rest for 5–14 days between flushes. New pins will form during this time.
- For an extra boost, submerge the block in cold water for several hours, drain thoroughly, and return to fruiting conditions. This can rehydrate the block and stimulate additional growth.
For additional tips and troubleshooting, feel free to contact us. Thank you for choosing Folk Fungi to explore the exciting world of mushroom cultivation!
