Pearly whites

Unboxing your bag

Step 1.

Carefully open your shipping box and remove your grow bag and spray bottle. Place the bag down with the white filter side facing up in an area of your dwelling that isn’t in direct sunlight or direct heat—perhaps your kitchen counter.

Step 2.

Using a clean blade, scissor or utility knife, make an ‘X’ slit at the top of the bag. Each line of the ‘X’ should be 5-6" long. Fold the flap under the block and push out all the air in the bag—the block should be skin tight! Try to fold it in a way where the filter will not be touching the block and the plastic will be in-between the block and filter. Using tape or a rubber band, secure the bag and block in this position.

Step 3.

Fill the spray bottle provided with water (tap is fine) and mist the ‘X’ daily, 2-3 times. Although oysters are resilient, you never want them to get dry!

Harvesting the goods

Step 1.

In about a week you will see baby mushrooms (pins) popping up from the bag—congratulations, you are officially a mushy parent! Continue to mist them daily, you don’t want to stunt their growth.

Step 2.

As you watch them grow (it’s quite magical) pay particular attention to the shape of their caps—the top of the mushroom. When the edges of the caps begin to turn upwards it is time to harvest. Pinch the base of the cluster and twist firmly.

*If the caps are completely flat, have started to turn upward and/or darkened you’ve waited a bit too long. No worries though, you can still harvest (it’s just not ideal).

Step 3.

Store your mushrooms in the fridge in a loosely closed paper or plastic bag or on a plate with a paper towel covering. Wash only before you cook ‘em.

*It is possible to get multiple flushes (more mushrooms) from the same block, however it is not guaranteed. To give it a go, continue misting 2-3 times daily.

Back to Mother Earth

Step 1.

Once you’re ready to dispose of your mushroom block, you can break it up into your backyard or compost—sans plastic bag.