A low-spore oyster mushroom grow kit is the perfect introduction to cultivating your own fungi! They are masters of survival - fast, aggressive growers that can adapt to a range of temperatures and humidities. Whether you’re a seasoned myconaut or a complete beginner, in the next fortnight you can look forward to your first flush of home-grown mushrooms

Step 1: open up

Within 24-48 hours of receiving your box, tear open the perforated window on the front to reveal the grow block — a plastic bag full of nutrient-rich woodchips, now colonized by white mycelium (the mushroom “roots”).

Use a clean knife or scissors to cut a large "X" (about 3-5 cm across) into the plastic where the mycelium is visible. A Stanley knife works perfectly. This cut gives your mushrooms room to grow out.

Step 2: Air, warmth, light, water and time

Mushrooms need five things to fruit: fresh air, warmth, light, moisture, and time. Your job is to choose a good spot that provides all five:

  • Air: Mushrooms breathe oxygen (just like us!) and release CO₂. Keep them in a well-ventilated spot, not inside a cupboard or a sealed container.

  • Warmth & Light: They grow best between 15°C and 24°C (standard room temperature is great). A bright room with indirect light is perfect - like a kitchen counter near a window, or a bathroom shelf - but avoid hot direct sunlight.

  • Water: Mist the cut (X) with clean water 2–3 times daily. Aim for light, even moisture — it should stay damp, not soaking wet.

  • Time: Mushrooms grow in stages — and they take the time they need! Be patient and consistent.

Tip: Once you place your kit, try not to move it around too much. Mushrooms are sensitive to their environment and sudden changes can confuse them and slow growth.

Step 3: Watch it grow - knots and pins

Days 7–10: Look for small white clumps forming inside the plastic. These are hyphal knots - early signs of mushrooms starting to form.

Days 10–14: Tiny pinheads (baby mushrooms) should appear near the “X” or along folds in the bag. These are called pins, and they’ll grow rapidly once they appear.

If you see pins away from the “X” don’t be tempted to cut more holes - the mushrooms will find their way out of the bag just fine!

Keep misting regularly and avoid letting the kit dry out - you're almost there!

What If Nothing Happens?

If you don’t see any signs after two full weeks:

  1. Go back to Step 2 and double-check your setup:

    • Is your block getting enough fresh air and indirect light?

    • Are you misting consistently without overwatering?

    • Is it warm enough?

  2. Wait another 5–7 days.

  3. Still nothing? Email woodkinmushrooms@gmail.com so we can help diagnose!

Step 4: Harvest!

Once your pins appear, it can take just 3–5 days for them to grow into full-sized mushrooms. During this time, they'll absorb as much moisture as possible - so keep misting regularly. You can gently mist the mushroom caps directly as they grow - they love the humidity!

Your mushrooms are ready to harvest when:

  • They’ve grown to around 3-5 cm across (our low spore oysters grow a little smaller than their heavy spore releasing cousins)

  • They're forming a dense cluster

  • Their caps are fanned out like petals or umbrellas.

Tip: The best harvest time is just before the edges of the caps start to curl or wrinkle. This is when flavour and texture are at their peak.

To harvest, grasp the whole cluster at the base, then twist and pull gently. Trim off any bits of substrate before storing or cooking.

Storage Tips

  • Eat them as soon as possible for the best flavour and texture.

  • If storing, keep them in an open paper bag or container in your fridge for up to 5 days.

  • Avoid sealing them in plastic - mushrooms like to breathe!