Skill Level: Beginner Cultivation Location: Indoors Growing Time: 1 to 2 weeks Storage Life: 6 months (when refrigerated) Kit Dimensions: 6 inches H x 9 inches W x 6 inches D Kit Weight: 5 lbs Fruiting Temperature: 55-75°F

Our blue oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) fruiting block showcases a strain that yields striking clusters of mushrooms featuring bluish-gray to brownish-gray caps, influenced by lighting conditions. These mushrooms boast a rich umami flavor and a tender, meaty texture that complements a variety of recipes.

Blue oyster mushrooms are particularly suitable for beginners, known for their consistent yields and propensity for producing large flushes. Additionally, they are among the easiest blocks to generate subsequent fruitings, with the potential for reliable second flushes or more when kept under the right conditions.

Upon receiving your kit:

Unpack the kit from the shipping box promptly. Then, unfold the top of the bag to allow for airspace. It's crucial to verify that the filter patch is unobstructed, ensuring proper breathing for the organism and sustained thriving until you are prepared to cultivate your fruiting block!

Blue Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit

Name: Blue Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit
Brand: Caps & Company

$19.99

Quantity

Expected to ship by 4/24

For most mushroom species, triggering fruiting, or initiating the growth cycle, simply requires a shift in environmental conditions—specifically, changes in humidity, light, temperature, and adjustments to oxygen and CO2 levels.

For optimal outcomes:

We recommend cultivating your blue oyster block in a fruiting chamber, such as a monotub or martha tent, as a controlled environment reduces contamination risks and enhances success chances.

Establishing ideal conditions:

Find the environmental parameters for blue oyster mushrooms on this page under "Temp, Humidity & CO2 guide" and on page 3 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.

Preparing your block:

Fold back excess plastic tightly and position the block face up.

How to initiate fruiting:

Make a single diagonal line or X-shaped cut in the bag. Blue oyster mushrooms can be fruited from the top or side. Special considerations:

Blue oyster mushrooms are susceptible to developing long stems and small caps with elevated CO2 levels. Colder temperatures and increased light exposure result in a more pigmented cap. Harvesting your mushrooms:

Harvest when young, with the edges of caps still slightly turned under. Harvesting at a younger stage reduces spore production and extends shelf life. Carefully remove the entire cluster to minimize breakage.

Growing different blocks together:

With some compromise, various mushroom species can be cultivated together in a fruiting chamber. Consider the temperature range and CO2 sensitivity of desired mushrooms. Humidity ranges often overlap for most species. We encourage experimentation with different groupings!
Temperature: 55-75°F | 13-24°C Humidity (Phase 1: Primordia): 95-100% Humidity (Phase 2: Fruitbody): 85-95% CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 1: Primordia): Less than 1,000 ppm CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 2: Fruitbody): Less than 1,000 ppm

Definitions:

Primordia: The earliest recognizable stage of fruitbody development, also known as "baby mushrooms" or "mushroom pins."

Fruitbody: A fully matured mushroom, representing the reproductive structure of the organism where spores are produced.

CO2 Sensitivity: Describes the impact of elevated carbon dioxide levels on mushroom growth, resulting in reduced yields, elongated stems, small caps, and/or growth cessation when levels are too high.
At Caps & Company, our go-to is to thinly slice oyster mushrooms and sauté them in a sturdy pan over medium heat with butter, garlic, and abundant fresh thyme and rosemary (or any other herbs you have available). Cook until the mushrooms release their liquid, then continue cooking until the liquid evaporates, and the mushrooms start to brown. Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine, reduce it again, and finish with a dash of heavy cream. Season generously with salt to taste.
Mushrooms produce spores during their development as a natural means of reproduction. Individuals with allergies or compromised immune systems may want to consider placing fruiting mushroom kits outdoors or in well-ventilated areas during this phase. Spores in mushrooms can occasionally cause respiratory irritation. In rare instances, spores may also cause irritation for some non-allergic or non-immunocompromised mushroom growers. For those individuals, it is advisable to minimize the overall spore load by harvesting mushrooms during their younger growth stages.