Cultivating reishi mushrooms at home is a rewarding way to enjoy this medicinal and resilient mushroom. Follow these detailed instructions to ensure optimal growth and fruiting conditions for your reishi mushrooms.
Optimum Fruiting Conditions #
Reishi mushrooms thrive in temperatures between 22°C and 28°C. They are well-suited to high CO2 environments with low air flow, making them ideal for areas with less ventilation. Place your growing box in a clean, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Reishi mushrooms are slower growers compared to other varieties, so patience is essential. Additionally, the exact variety of reishi mushrooms used may be season-dependent, as different strains can perform better during specific times of the year.
Fruiting Instructions #
- Prepare the Fruiting Bag:
- Remove the fruiting bag from the box (keep the box for later use).
- Carefully cut or slice holes along the marked lines on the bag using a sharp knife or scissors. Avoid cutting into the fruiting substrate itself.
- Set Up the Box:
- Place the fruiting bag back into the box. You can either fold in or remove the box’s folding flaps.
- Cover the box with the provided bag to retain high humidity levels, which is crucial for successful reishi mushroom growth.
- Using a Monotub:
- For an alternative growing setup, you can use a monotub. To create a basic monotub:
- Obtain a plastic box with a lid.
- Drill a few holes in the sides of the box, spaced evenly. These holes will provide the necessary air exchange while maintaining high CO2 levels.
- Place the fruiting bag inside the monotub.
- Cover the monotub with its lid, ensuring that the humidity inside remains high.
- For an alternative growing setup, you can use a monotub. To create a basic monotub:
- Misting and Air Exchange:
- Mist inside the box or monotub 2-4 times a day using the provided misting spray bottle. For best results, boil and cool the water first to eliminate any bacteria. Avoid spraying the mushrooms directly to prevent contamination; mist the air around the box instead.
- Reishi mushrooms are content in high CO2 environments with low air flow. While they need some fresh air exchange, you can keep air circulation minimal to maintain the optimal growing conditions.
- Growth Patterns and Harvesting:
- Reishi mushrooms typically grow slowly and can initially develop into antler-like formations before forming the familiar conks. This process can take several weeks to months.
- Be patient, as reishi mushrooms require time to fully mature. Harvest the mushrooms when the conks are firm, well-formed, and have developed their distinctive reddish-brown color and shiny appearance.
- Second Flush:
- For a second flush, soak the fruiting bag in water overnight, then drain it. Cut new holes in the fruiting substrate bag and repeat the process from the beginning. Note that second flushes generally produce less yield than the first, and third flushes are rare and often not worth the effort.
We are committed to making our mushroom growing kits as environmentally friendly as possible. The plastic bag provided is compostable, and the misting bottle is made from PET plastic, which can be reused multiple times.
FAQ on Contamination and Common Issues #
Q: What should I do if I see mold or other contaminants on the substrate?
A: If you notice mold or contaminants such as trichoderma (the dreaded green mold), act quickly. Trichoderma can spread rapidly and damage your crop. Carefully remove the affected area with a clean knife or spoon, ensuring you also remove some of the surrounding healthy substrate. Maintain cleanliness and use sterilized water for misting to prevent further contamination.
Q: How can I deal with fungus gnats?
A: Fungus gnats can be a common problem. To manage them:
- Prevention: Keep the growing area clean and free of decaying organic matter.
- Traps: Use sticky traps to catch adult gnats.
- Air Flow: Increase air circulation to make the environment less favorable for gnats.
Q: Why are my mushrooms not growing?
A: Several factors could affect growth:
- Temperature: Ensure the temperature is consistently between 22°C and 28°C.
- Humidity: Maintain high humidity by misting regularly and keeping the bag over the box or inside the monotub.
- Air Exchange: Reishi mushrooms prefer high CO2 environments with low air flow, but still ensure minimal fresh air exchange by removing the bag a few times a day.
- Light: Keep the box out of direct sunlight but in a well-lit area.
Q: My mushrooms are growing slowly. Is this normal?
A: Yes, reishi mushrooms are known for their slow growth. They often take several weeks to months to mature fully. Ensure you are providing the optimal growing conditions and be patient.
Q: The mushrooms are not forming conks and are just growing into antler shapes. What should I do?
A: Reishi mushrooms often grow into antler-like shapes before forming conks. This is a normal part of their growth cycle. Continue to provide the optimal conditions and be patient as they transition into the final conk stage.
Q: How can I prevent bacterial contamination?
A: Boil and cool the water used for misting to kill bacteria. Avoid spraying the mushrooms directly and keep the growing area clean and free from contaminants.
By following these instructions and tips, you can successfully grow your own reishi mushrooms at home and enjoy a fresh, sustainable food source.
