How to get the best out of your mushroom kit -
Whether you’ve picked up one of our Ready-to-Grow kits, a project kit or a log kit, our simple step-by-step instructions are designed to help you grow delicious, gourmet mushrooms in no time.
Unless you’re inoculating log - those take a little longer, but trust us, they’re worth the wait.
Of course, things don’t always go to plan when growing something natural throws and sometimes your mushrooms may now grow as expected, we’re here to help. Our resources are designed to help you understand what’s happening—and how to get the very best from your kit.
Ready-to-Grow kits trouble shooting -
My mushrooms are fruiting at the top of my kit…
If your mushrooms have decided to appear at the top of your kit, and these can take the form of lots of little mushrooms, or a bobble of dense mycelium - this is because they’ve decided this humid space is where they want to grow from.
You can help your mushrooms to grow from this area by opening it up and giving them the space to thrive.
First, tape your original opening closed.
Next open the top of your grow bag and fold the sides down.
Put your kit back in the canvas bag and fold down the sides to the same level.
You will need to keep this area humid with regular misting.
Spray the top of your substrate block 2-3 times a day; more often in warmer weather. This keeps the substrate humid and will encourage growth. Do not let water build within the bag, and make sure any standing water is poured away.
By folding the sides down of your grow bag down, this will allow you to close your kit up after your first harvest and attempt to grow a second harvest after a rest period. So try not to cut your grow bag down too much.
After you have harvested your mushrooms you can seal the top of the bag up and follow the instructions to rest and try for subsequent flushes of mushrooms.
2. When to harvest your mushrooms…
Knowing exactly when to harvest your mushrooms can be tricky, but there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:
Oyster mushroom caps begin to flatten or turn up
Oyster mushrooms are ready to harvest just before their caps begin to turn upwards. The ideal time is when the caps are mostly flat. If they’ve started to curl up, don’t worry - they’re still good to pick, but harvest right away.A spore or white dusting appears under your kit
When mushrooms reach maturity, they begin to release spores - a natural and harmless process. If you notice a white dusting underneath your kit, it’s time to harvest. Just wipe it away with a damp cloth or sponge.Mushrooms start to dry out or change colour
Once mushrooms stop growing, they’ll begin to dry out and fade in colour. Oyster mushrooms may lose their vibrant tone, and Lion’s Mane can start to brown around the edges. This means it’s time to harvest before quality declines.
Log growing trouble-shooting
3. Has my mushroom log inoculated successfully?
Growing mushrooms on logs is a fantastic, long-term and sustainable way to produce delicious varieties with intense, earthy flavour. However, outdoor growing means you're working with nature - so a few environmental factors can affect how well the mycelium takes hold inside your log.
If you're just getting started, make sure to read our Log Growing & Tree Recommendations guide. It covers the best wood types and conditions for success.
After inoculating your logs and allowing at least 12 months for colonisation, there are a few ways to check how well your mycelium is doing:
Look for signs of life.
If your logs are in contact with the ground - either laid flat or stood upright - try gently shifting them and inspect the base. A white, web-like substance (mycelium) near the bark or cut ends is a great sign it’s thriving.Peel back a small section of bark.
You can carefully chip away a small patch of bark to look underneath. If the area beneath is showing white mycelial growth, your log is colonising well.
4. Why hasn’t my log fruited yet?
Even if your log is fully colonised, mushrooms won’t fruit unless the conditions are right. Cool, damp weather typically triggers fruiting.
You can try a 24-hour cold soak in clean water to stimulate growth - especially in dry spells.
5. Is my log too dry?
Logs should be kept damp to prevent them from drying out, especially in warm or windy conditions. To avoid drying out, make sure your log has been positioned out of the sun and away from windy conditions.
A dry log won’t support active mycelium. Check moisture levels by lifting the log - if it feels unusually light, give it a good soak. If its been dry for too long the mycelium may have perished.
Position your logs in a shady, sheltered spot to prevent them drying out too quickly.
If you’re away or the weather is promised warm and dry for a prolonged amount to of time, cover your log/s with a good layer of leaf mulch and water them when you can - if your garden needs watering your mushroom logs will also need watering.
If you have any questions or curiosities during your growing journey, be sure to explore our FAQs and troubleshooting blog. Each post offers insights into the fascinating world of mushroom growing - from the simplicity of our easy-grow kits to helpful advice when nature takes an unexpected turn.
We believe that understanding the basics not only helps you grow more successfully but also deepens your appreciation for the natural world. Growing mushrooms is as much about working with nature as it is about harvesting delicious results.
Happy growing
Ⓒ Caley Brothers 2025
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