First Time Growing Mushrooms! Blue Oyster Mushrooms Easy to Grow Kit

Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest to grow indoors, so I figured I’d start there for my first grow. I decided to use a kit....I found this kit on the Parkseed website. It promises to be simple, and continue to produce mushrooms for up to 3 months! The kit contains a bag of wheat straw medium, which has already been inoculated with spawn. All I need to do is keep it moist and harvest the mushrooms. Watch and learn as I learn.

And here is a link to the book I bought on growing mushrooms:

And Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute:

Bon Appétit!

[martyrose]

In my world, the words too much & garlic are never spoken in the same sentence. I've always wanted to try growing mushrooms. Thanks Tikki! Love watching your experiments!😀👍

[alrachid]

I bought spawn for 13$ on wooden plugs and tried growing some myself. I tried cold water pasteurization with straw first. I failed that somehow, not sure what I did wrong but I suspect too much lime. Then I took some of my remaining spawn plugs and I sterilized 2 jars of safflower seeds. I couldn't find much information about people attempting this but the very few stories I found were positive. I attempted to sterilize 2 jars. I just did open air transfers in my bathroom after sanitizing. 1 of my jars did great and 1 got contaminated. The contam jar was doing well at first and maybe I let it go too long. Either way, I used my good colonized seed to then inoculate 2 blocks of soaked wood pellets. Once I saw it colonizing I let it go for a few weeks. After that everything went well. I made some mushroom stroganoff, turned out real good and I cant wait for some more!

[exieever]

I love you so much!!! I wish I could take you under my "wing" and help you out, but, I think you're figuring everything out for yourself. Your videos are great! Sometimes, I see you struggle with things... but, in the end, you get them figured out! That's the mark of a great gardener. I appreciate the fact that you are not posting "how to" videos, because, you don't always know "how to." You post videos that take people along your learning journey. I think this is fantastic! As a master gardener, with a gardening channel (separate and different than how you see me, now, on my personal channel) your videos are fantastic!!! I see a lot of "how to" videos from people who have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. I want to thank you for the way you've presented your videos. You're not claiming to be a master... just documenting, and taking people along for the ride. You are fantastic!!!

[Celldroid]

Hello Tikki
I have been a Mycologist and Mycophagist for many years, more than I care to mention, lol.
I agree, Oyster mushrooms are an easy species to grow. I am lucky enough to have them grow in the wild here in Vancouver B.C.
I pick them in the spring, mid April to early June. They usually stop fruiting when the warmer temps arrive. In mid to late April, I will watch for a good " thunderstorm ". After a good LOUD " thunderstorm ", I will wait 10 to 12 days and then head out on my Oyster Mushroom foray. Using this method, my timing is usually very close to picking Oyster Mushrooms in their prime.
Why and how does this method work, you may ask. Well, Oyster Mushrooms are one of many species in the Pleurotus genus that have evolved to ( believe it or not ) listen for thunder ( sense vibration ). This enables the mycelium to know when the rains have arrived, they need the rain for their spores to survive, this is time to display their reproductive organs, the fruiting body, what we call the mushroom. When the mycelium senses vibration, it will start pinning the fruiting bodies.
Because of this little known trait, one can take a 3 to 6 foot section of a small log with visible mycelium growth from the wild.
Stand it up on end, in a small tub or any container. Add 2 to 4 inches of water to the container. Now, pick up the small log and using a hammer, hit it rather hard 6 or 7 times up and down it's length. Set it back in the container standing up on end. Wait 2 to 4 days, you should see tiny mushroom heads ( pinning ) from the surface of the log. I would recommend leaving it outside, as the log can have other unwanted organisms on it, especially if it has moss on it ( hidden organisms ).
If you do heavy vibration shock to a mushroom kit bag, it will definitely increase the number of mushrooms on that flush, but may reduce the number of mushrooms in later flushes. You could wait and shock only on the 3rd flush to increase the pinning.
Pick the bag up, hold it 3 or 4 inches above a counter and drop it. Careful not to burst the bag. Maybe 2 inches would be better.
The mushroom is just the reproductive flower, the mycelium is the main body. Neither plant or animal, Fungi are in a kingdom of their own. There are some " Precautions " to be aware of. I don't mean to scare you off, growing mushrooms is a great way to witness the wondrous life force surrounding us. Mushroom farm workers sometimes come down with what is
called " Mushroom Lung". It is primarily caused by a poorly ventilated work environment. The spores of the fungi, find the damp environment of the lungs favorable and begin to propagate. As far as I know this occurs with the Pleurotus and Lentinula genera.
Mainly because these genera contain the species that are commercially cultivated, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes.
Scientists are trying to develop sporeless mushrooms, so far with limited success.
Have a read here on " Mushroom Lung ".
- - - - - - - -
Excerpt :
" This disorder, first reported around the 1970s, is recognized medically as one of farmer's lung, which is an
occupational health concern in cultivation of various mushrooms,
including the main commercial species Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus.
The large number of spores released by the cultivars also gives rise to
other problems, such as damage to cultivation facilities, spread of
mushroom disease, reduced commercial value (due to spores deposited on the mushrooms),
and depletion of genetic diversity in the natural population of the
mushroom species that are cultivated. The fruiting bodies of oyster mushrooms, including P. ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius begin to release considerable numbers of spores at a very
early stage in development and continue to do so throughout maturation.
Accordingly, eliminating overproduction of spores from the mushrooms is
expected to yield many benefits, financial and otherwise, for mushroom
cultivation. "
- - - - - - - -
If you have some mature Oyster Mushrooms in a dark room and want to see them disseminating their spores,
look at 3 or 4 a.m. , use a flashlight (not to bright), hold the light 3 or 4 feet away from the mushroom caps and if you have good eyesight you should see what looks like smoke wafting way from underneath the caps of the mushroom. These are the thousands of microscopic reproductive spores.
Since Pleurotus is a genus that consumes wood and can cause " Mushroom Lung", I would " not recommend " growing them indoors in a smaller enclosed area, an apartment for example. Best to put them outside away from your house. A garage or shed is good, or on your apartment balcony. They prefer slightly cooler temperatures anyway. Be aware, they are delicious, and may be consumed by unwanted visitors. Mice, rats, crows to mention a few.
Indoors, under low to mid humidity conditions, the spores landing on a wood surface, will normally dry out and die without growing any mycelium tails. But will do so, under high humidity ex: > 80% (a bathroom) or in spilled surface water . Painted wood is usually safe from spore penetration. Older buildings, with exposed wet bare wood can become inoculated with the spores.
Oyster mushrooms are recyclers of the forest. They will inoculate dead standing trees that have no immunity defense.
Within 8 to 10 years the tree will be returned to the substrate.
A good way to learn about mushrooms is to join a mushroom club in your community. I use to belong to the Vancouver mycological society. Paul Staments was an occasional speaker at the club. These days he is a well known aficionado on mushrooms. Check out this lengthy but very mind blowing video with Paul Staments.

and this TED Talk with Paul.
Some other amazing mushroom docs.

Oyster Mushrooms are easy to grow because it is a species that is pervasive, invasive and an aggressive wood recycler.
As a Mycophagist, out of all the mushrooms I have ate, the best would have to be Oyster Mushrooms along side a roast of beef.
They take on the flavor of the roast. Delicious. To retain the nutrient benefits of the mushrooms, add them later in the cooking process. Maybe 20 to 30 minutes before finish. Enjoy your mushroom growing experiments, but be wise and use common sense caution. I use to have 6 or 7 videos on my YouTube channel on picking lucrative Matsutake (Pine) mushrooms. But I have since removed them. My channel still has 1 video on how to store mushrooms for an extended period of time.
Hope some of this info was helpful Tikki. I am starting up a DWC hydroponics and micro-greening setup. As many others have commented, I too have enjoyed your videos, great info. 1 question I have been trying to find an answer to is : For micro-greening
Broccoli in CoCo Coir, should I use a single 1020 tray with no holes or should I use a 1020 tray with no holes and insert a 1020 tray with simple 8 or 10 drain holes or should I use a 1020 tray with no holes and insert a 1020 tray with a mesh bottom ? ?
Thank you Tikki. Mr.Matsutake aka Celldroid. ;)

[truckingandtraveling]

You did perfect. SALUTE!!!!
I'm a beginner myself so I love watching videos like this, to get more ideas.

[justfloating]

O - M - G Tiki!
This was great!
We learn SO much from you!
Even though I live in an apartment, I'm definitely going to try this.
I'm also going to share this video with one of my son's who has attempted unsuccessful mushroom growing in the past.
Thank you for introducing us to yet anothet great video!

[veeurban]

Thanks for sharing, great to watch and learn from!

[laflynguy]

Hi Tiki…. I have been growing my own oyster mushrooms from a 5 gallon bucket with aspen shavings and grain spawn. Pinning started 4 days ago and now I have some decent fruiting going on. I have some pictures if you’ll like to see

[sycamoreknox]

You are a wonderful teacher. I've watched many of your videos.

[Metqa]

I've been watching your vids for indoor Kratky and enjoying your candid documentation and clever backgrounds. I'd decided to grow oyster mushrooms from grain spawn in bucket and am pleasantly surprised to see you've grown some mushrooms recently. I"m about to pasteurize my aspen chips and then pack my buckets. I'm hoping it's as easy as everyone suggests. I've been sad because there have been no Oyster mushrooms available in stores lately, so figured, grow my own!

[thommorris]

Really helpful! I'm just beginning my learning process. I'm going to grow blue oysters, shiitake and lion's mane. My kits will arrive tomorrow! Very excited to see how it goes!

[rominhawk]

Awesome presentation as always; thank you so much for sharing. It's a delight to listen to you explain things.

[elen]

You are a star! Big wow! They look amazing. Wonder if they will grow again from the same kit. So as asked — I’m staying tuned 🤗

[BlazRa]

I bet oyster mushrooms and oysters would make a really good stew

[JeanlyAguirre]

I am having fun watching this video! Thank you, Tikki!

[ExistNNature]

I just ordered some from Nearby Naturals..

[CandidClara]

We are going start growing our own oyster mushrooms as well as peppers. Thank you

[jerryderr]

Thank you so much! I've grown shrooms before but never edibles and that's my new focus. Your success with Blue Oysters knocked me out and I'm looking into getting a spore syringe and starting on my way unless research steers me elsewhere. This is a magic moment where it all started! Can't wait to consume my own mushrooms! There will be butter!!!

[IronicAsAlways]

Thank you for your video. It was super helpful for me in the beginning. 😊❤

[TheSHOP]

Oyster mushrooms are so versatile. You can simply fry them in a light batter and they are delicious. They go great in sauces or soups. I love wild oyster mushrooms as well as cultivated. It's funny watching videos when you see you have so much in common with complete strangers.