Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty or simply want to try something new, mushroom grow kits are a fun and convenient way to cultivate these delicious fungi from the comfort of your own home. But when choosing the right kit for you, it’s important to consider the type of mushrooms you’re interested in as well as your level of experience growing them. You should also consider the size of your space and how many “flushes” you’re hoping to produce.
Mushroom grow kits typically consist of a monotub, pre-sterilized grain spawn and substrate that make it easy for anyone to get started with their own culinary or medicinal mushrooms. These kits can be especially beneficial to users of microdosing, a practice in which small doses of psychedelic mushrooms are taken for mood enhancement and other potential health benefits.
To use a mushroom growing kit, you simply cut a hole in the bag that houses the monotub and mist it daily with water to maintain proper moisture conditions. Then, the mycelium that was inoculated in the spawn will begin colonizing the growth medium and producing pins – the beginnings of your mushrooms. With time and care, these pins will mature into full-sized mushrooms ready for harvesting.
The specific steps will vary depending on the specific species and growing method of the mushroom, but all mushroom grow kits are designed to be simple and user-friendly. However, you should always thoroughly read the instructions that come with your kit before starting – they can be different from brand to brand.
One common element is that some mushroom growing kits require you to inoculate the substrate yourself with spores or mycelium, while others contain fully colonized growing blocks or casing layers. If you choose a kit that requires you to inoculate the substrate yourself, be sure to research the reputation of the company that makes it and ensure they offer high-quality products.
It’s also important to consider the length of time that it takes for your mushrooms to reach maturity. Some varieties of mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms, only take about a month to mature, while others like morels can take a few months or longer to fruit.
Once your mushrooms are ready to be harvested, they can be eaten or stored in the same manner as any other fresh food. If you’re not going to consume your harvest, the entire container can be buried outside where it will decompose into soil-enriching compost for future gardens.
Mushrooms aren’t the only fungi that can be grown with a grow kit; you can also cultivate shiitake, oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms using this technique. If you’re curious about trying a new variety, consider purchasing a kit from a company that offers multiple species or try a mushroom grow log that allows you to grow several different types of mushrooms at once. Regardless of which type you choose, the best mushroom growing kits are those that have been tested for quality and user-friendliness.
