About two weeks ago I started growing oyster mushroom kits that I was given by Mr Fothergill’s to trial. I was hoping to report back that I now have two boxes full of mushrooms, but it looks like the fickle finger of fungi fate struck again! Only one of the two kits actually grew some mushrooms.
I was hoping to report back that I now have two boxes full of mushrooms, but it looks like the fickle finger of fungi fate struck again! Only one of the two kits actually grew some mushrooms.
They both started out looking promising, however at about day 7 the Golden Oyster Mushrooms shrivelled and stopped growing.
But the good news is that the Pearl Oyster mushrooms grew rapidly and are ready to pick!
Have a look at the video I produced during the growing process; https://youtu.be/5n5gx9B8kTo
I think it may have had something to do with the way the Golden Oyster mushroom substrate floated on Day 1. It may not have been soaked with water enough, but this wasn’t specified in the instructions.
Tomorrow, I am going to resoak the Golden Oyster Mushroom substrate again, this time placing a weight on top to hold it down for the first 24 hours. This should kick it back into action. I will take a few more photos over coming days to see if it works. I would hate to throw away a perfectly good mushroom kit.
Then I will take a few more photos over coming days to see if it works. I would hate to throw away a perfectly good mushroom kit.
So there you go. My first success growing oyster mushroom kits! Once the Pearl Oysters have finished growing, I am going to resoak that substrate as well to see if I can get another flush. The instructions suggest that this is possible, so I might get two flushes of mushrooms for the price of one.
Have any of you tried this type of kit? What were your results?
I admire your persistence with mushroom growing! I have tried 3 times, and all have been fails or very minimal growth. I hate that all mushrooms except button come wrapped in plastic at the shops, and most are imported.
Is that all you got from the pearl oyster kit? as it doesn’t look like much for the amount of work and cost for the kit.
I felt with the Mr Fothergill’s mushroom kits the instructions are very limited, and there is no help online. Something that company could look into – providing troubleshooting tips online
These are different kits to the one I tried a while ago. That consisted of 2 fibre boards which you soaked and put some granules between. I think they were the spawn. Anyway didn’t work. I’ll see how you go and might try one of these kits. Growing mushrooms isn’t easy! Great video!
Hi Gavin, I have been following your blog for ages and really enjoy your perspective. Imagine my amazement when I read about your oyster mushroom journey especially as I had started Mr Fothergills Golden Oyster Mushrooms at the same time. And success! My oyster mushrooms are fantastic! There are several “branches” in various stages and I can foresee several pickings. I filled the boxes with water and did weight them for the 24 hours. Don’t know if that made a difference. I have some photos but not sure how to add them to this comment. Also glad that Mr Fothergills have included recipes on the box and more information on the web. Would definitely do it again!
I felt with the Mr Fothergill’s mushroom kits the instructions are very limited, and there is no help online. Something that company could look into – providing troubleshooting tips online
We’ve tried similar mushroom growing kits too, and unfortunately I have to confirm the 50% success rate. Out of 6 boxes, 3 grew properly, 1 a little, and from 2 we got nothing. Otherwise the quality of the ones that actually grew was excellent, but if you want to grow mushrooms for sure, get more than 1 box.