Getting Started

• Using a clean knife, cut approximately 1/2 inch deep along the “X” marked on the bag.

Caring for Your Mushrooms

• Using a misting bottle, lightly spray around the cut you made from about 6 inches away. Do this 2-3 times a day.
• Continue to mist this area even after your mushrooms start growing - this keeps them from drying out.
• Keep your kit in a cool place, away from windows and AC/Heating vents and out of direct sunlight. The ideal area is indirectly lit with temperatures between 55-70°F (13-21°C) with no drafts.
• Growth and Harvesting
• Within 10-21, you should see little pinheads forming - these can look like baby mushrooms or bumps. If you do not see pinheads forming within 24 days, please contact us at info@nexusalternatives.com and we’ll get you sorted!
• Once you see pins, your mushrooms will fully develop within 7-14 days.
• Your mushrooms are fully developed when their cap margins begin to turn dark. If they upturn or become wavy, they’ve grow slightly too long and you should harvest immediately. Lion's Mane start to show "teeth" when ready to harvest. Subtle yellowing/browning lion’s mane is normal, but excessive coloration could be the result drying or that your mushrooms are overgrown.
• When your mushrooms are fully developed, gently grab the cluster by the base and twist the cluster off of the grow block.

Second Flush

• To get a second flush, repeat steps 3-5.

Cooking Your Mushrooms

• To cook your mushrooms, snip the caps off where they meet the stems and fry in butter, salt, and any other additional flavoring you desire. See our Recipes and Cooking page here for more cooking insights!

Common Concerns/Questions

Mushrooms drying out

If your mushrooms are drying out, you can place a plastic bag with holes poked in it over your Mushroom kit. Mist the inside of this bag as well as the mushrooms when misting. This will increase the humidity, and help prevent the mushrooms from drying out. Be sure to take the bag off at least once a day for 5-10 minutes to aerate.

My mushrooms aren't pinning

Don't worry, mushrooms can take up to 21 days to start pinning. If you do not see pinheads forming within 24 days, please contact us at info@nexusalternatives.com and we’ll get you sorted!

Orange/yellow/golden liquid forming around cut in the block

Most gourmet mushrooms, especially oysters, secrete a orange, yellow, or sometimes golden colored liquid during the fruiting process called a secondary metabolite. This is completely normal and part of the fruiting process.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@nexusalternatives.com with questions or concerns - we’re happy to help!

Enjoy your homegrown gourmet mushrooms!