Our Black King (Pleurotus spp.) fruiting block showcases a strain that yields some of the heartiest mushrooms suitable for indoor cultivation. This hybrid strain produces mushrooms with the succulence and savory notes of blue oysters, coupled with the dense texture reminiscent of king trumpets.
Compared to king trumpets, black kings are less finicky and thrive exceptionally well indoors. A successful cultivation can result in a generous harvest of robust and flavorful mushrooms. However, they thrive in cooler temperatures and are susceptible to drying out or halting growth if humidity isn't maintained during the early stages.
Upon receiving your kit:
Unbox the kit promptly, unfolding the top of the bag to allow for adequate air space. Ensure the filter patch is unobstructed, facilitating proper breathing for the organism to thrive until you are ready to initiate the growth of your fruiting block!
Scroll down for guides on cultivation, storage, cooking, and more.
Black King Grow Kit
For most mushroom species, triggering fruiting, or initiating the growth cycle, requires a shift in environmental conditions, including humidity, light, temperature, and alterations in oxygen and CO2 levels.
For optimal outcomes:
We recommend cultivating your black king block in a fruiting chamber (such as a monotub or martha tent) since a controlled environment reduces contamination risks and enhances the likelihood of success.
Establishing ideal conditions:
Refer to the environmental parameters for black king mushrooms on this page under "Temp, Humidity & CO2 guide" and on page 10 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.
Preparing your block:
Unfold the top of the bag to allow for air space. Additionally, ensure the filter patch is unobstructed.
Initiating fruiting:
Place the bagged block in the refrigerator for about eight hours. Make a small cut (2-3") at the top of the bag under the seam and position it upright in your fruiting chamber. Let the block pin within the bag. Once the pins reach about 2” tall, cut off the top of the bag just under the top seam. Return to the fruiting chamber until ready to harvest.
Special considerations:
Black king mushrooms exhibit slow pinning. If you observe blotch on your black king mushrooms (dark spots on the fruiting bodies), excessive humidity or direct moisture is likely the cause.
Harvesting your mushrooms:
Optimal harvest time for black king mushrooms is just before the caps flatten out. They boast a good shelf life.
Cultivating different blocks together:
With some compromise, various mushroom species can be grown together in a fruiting chamber. Consider the temperature range and CO2 sensitivity of the mushrooms you wish to grow. Humidity requirements often overlap for the majority of species. We encourage you to experiment with different groupings!
