DIY Mushroom Grow Kit

This DIY mushroom growing kit will give you the full experience of growing mushrooms from spawn. You will go through the process of pasteurisation, inoculation, incubation and finally fruiting. Success in mushroom cultivation requires a high level of cleanliness. Follow the instructions carefully and do not open any sealed packets or handle the contents before starting the project.

Each species of mushroom is a different growing experience. Even if you have grown mushrooms before, please read the instructions for your kit carefully before proceeding. If you run into any problems please see our FAQ.

This kit should include:

A filter bag with substrate pellets
A packet of calcium
spawn of your chosen species
a twist tie.

Please check that you have all of these materials and that you have read the instructions throughly before you begin.

You will also need 1600ml of boiling water. Please make note of which species you are growing, as the fruiting process will differ depending on the type of mushroom you are growing. It will be marked on your spawn packet and you need it for the fruiting phase.

Step 1: Pasteurise Substrate

You'll need to work in the cleanest space available to you. A freshly cleaned kitchen counter is often a good choice. Be sure to throughly wash your hands and forearms. Use hand sanatiser liberally while you work and consider wearing a mask. This will ensure a better chance of success by reducing competition from other fungi lurking on surfaces or the air.

in addition to the contents of this kit you will also require a kettle and 1600ml of boiling water. If your kettle does not have measurements you will also require a glass measuring jug.

follow the below steps in order:

Fill the kettle up with 1600ml of tap water and turn it on.
Thoroughly clean a work surface and your hands and forearms.
Pour approx 800ml of freshly boiled water directly on to the substrate inside the filter bag.
Observe any areas that still look dry
Pour approx 800ml of boiling water and pour it directly on the substrate inside the filter bag. Be sure to drench any spots that look dry.
Fold down the top of the filter bag and flip the block of saturated substrate over to help the standing water make its way to dryer substrate.
Let cool to room temperature for 6-12 hours.
During this time your substrate will become hydrated and pasteurised. You can flip the bag several times to evenly disperse the water through the substrate.

Step 2: Inoculation

Once your substrate is at room temperature, clean your surface and hands throughly
Clean the outside of your filter bag.
Clean the outside of the bag marked 'Spawn'. Please make note of the species you are growing for step 4.
Without opening the spawn bag, break up the spawn into small pieces.
Working quickly and methodically, open the filter bag and pour the spawn and calcium on top of the substrate.
Apply the twist tie tightly at the top of the bag (be sure it is placed above the the filter patch) allowing good air space inside the bag to help make the mixing process easier.
Thoroughly mix all of the ingredients together. Take your time as evenly distributed spawn will result in faster growth, less risk of contamination and larger volumes of mushrooms.
Through the bag, lightly compress the ingredients down before storing the filter bag in the box.

Incubation is the process in which the mycelium digests the substrate, slowly gains enough energy to produce mushrooms. This is best achieved at a constant temperature of between 20-25C but it is important that the bag never reaches over 30C as this will likely kill the fungi. It is also important that incubation is carried out in the dark, as light can be a trigger to tell the mycelium to start growing mushrooms too early. For this reason we suggest that you store your kit inside the box at this stage. Find a dark location between 20-25C to store your box. Check it weekly for signs of mycelial growth. When most of your substrate is covered in white mycelium it is time to fruit your mushrooms!

Please note that depending on the environment you have at home, it can take anywhere between 2 to 12 weeks for your block of substrate to become well colonised and ready to move on to the fruiting stage. Some species have mycelium that is wispier and less obvious than others, so also take into account other cues such as the substrate feeling more solid and consolidated (this indicates that the mycelium is 'knitting together' within the block).

If you're still unsure, send us an email with some photos and information about how long ago you've been incubating your kit so that we can advise you.

Step 3: Incubation

Step 4: Fruiting

Choose your species below for fruiting instructions