Micro Farm LabMushrooms
Oyster Mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus
Oyster mushroom is the easiest mushroom to start with: from a ready kit, the first harvest arrives in 10 to 21 days, with up to 3 harvests (flushes) in 4 to 6 weeks. The single most important factor is ambient humidity, between 80 and 95%.
- Harvest
- Harvest: 10–21 days
- Temperature
- Temperature: 59–77 °F (15–25 °C)
- Difficulty
- Difficulty: Medium
Quick step-by-step
Set up the block
Place the substrate block or growing kit somewhere with controlled temperature, between 15 and 25 °C (59–77 °F).
Mist the air, not the block
Mist the air around the block 2 to 3 times a day. Never mist the block directly.
Vent for fresh air exchange
Vent 2 to 3 times a day to clear built-up CO2.
Give it diffuse light
8 to 12 hours of diffuse light: it's a fruiting signal, not for photosynthesis. Never direct sun.
Harvest the whole cluster
Cut the whole cluster, twisting gently, while the cap edge is still curved downward.
Prep it for the next flush
For a 2nd and 3rd harvest, let the block rest for 7 days and soak it in water for 12 to 24 hours.
Common mistakes
Inconsistent humidity
Inconsistent humidity aborts the pins (the tiny early primordia).
Direct airflow
A direct draft dries out the pins.
Missing contamination
If a green color appears (Trichoderma), discard the whole block.
Videos
Guide in progress
We're working on the full guide for this crop. Leave your email and we'll let you know when it's ready.
