Mushrooms

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

Lion's Mane is the mushroom with the most health-content potential: it contains hericenones and erinacines, compounds early studies associate with Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production, under research for Alzheimer's, cognitive decline, anxiety and depression. It's highly prized and expensive in the market.

Harvest: Harvest: 14–30 days
Temperature: Temperature: 64–75 °F (18–24 °C)
Difficulty: Difficulty: Advanced

Quick step-by-step

Set up the kit or bag
Place the growing kit or enriched substrate bag somewhere with controlled temperature, between 18 and 24 °C (64–75 °F).
Mist the air
Mist 2 to 3 times a day, with more ventilation than other mushrooms.
Give it diffuse light
12 hours of diffuse light.
Ventilate often
It's more sensitive to CO2 than other mushrooms: if it turns brown, increase ventilation.
Harvest with white teeth
Cut while the 'teeth' (spines) are still white, before they turn yellow at the tip.

Common mistakes

Poor ventilation
Excess CO2 turns the teeth yellow-brown; ventilate more often than with other mushrooms.
Low humidity
Low humidity makes it crack. Keep it between 85 and 95%.