*Your blocks are meant to be opened immediately for best results. Ready-to-fruit blocks will begin producing mushrooms quickly after arrival at room temperature, but they can be refrigerated up to 2 months prior to opening.
Lion's Mane ready-to-fruit blocks are a fast and easy option to mushroom production. These blocks are meant to be fruited in a controlled growing room and perform best with ideal temperature and humidity conditions. Depending on the size and format of your growing space, you may also need to supplement lighting and provide fresh air for proper mushroom development.
Fruiting Lion's Mane Mushroom Blocks
1) Select a growing space
The growing area should support conditions ideal for mushroom growing. There are several factors: 1) Have indirect sun or supplemental lighting (at least 8-12hours/day) 2) Temperature control ideally kept between 60-70°F 3) Humidity kept above 70% 4) Regular fresh air exchange. Shelving or other surfaces are ideal for organizing blocks, and the space should be kept clean. Controlling all of these factors will lead to increased mushroom growing success.
2) Setting up your Lion's Mane blocks
Use a knife to cut 1˝ X's into each of the four sides of the block. Fold the top of the bag over, squeeze excess air out of the bag, flip the block upside down and cut two additional X's into the bottom of the block (Figure 1). Place the block on the shelf upside down with the folded excess bag on the bottom. Try to remove the air between the block and the bag by folding the excess top of the bag over tightly and tucking it under the block.
3) Maintaining and monitoring
Your grow room should be a controlled area. Lion's Mane mushrooms require light and fresh air to grow successfully. If the humidity is lower than recommended, mist the blocks daily with fresh water to keep the mushrooms succulent. Mushrooms will start developing out of the cuts 12-18 days after opening. They begin as dense white clusters that resemble cauliflower. If conditions are too dry (the mushrooms will appear dry and begin to yellow), increase the humidity or misting frequency otherwise they may stop growing and abort. Clear plastic can be used to form tents over the blocks to create a humidity chamber, but be sure to lift up the plastic and spray with water underneath the tent. Without sufficient fresh air exchange, mushrooms can appear malformed or long stemmed from excessive CO2.
4) Lion's Mane Mushroom harvest and storage
As the mushrooms mature, downward pointing spines will begin to form. Lion's Mane are fully developed and ready for harvest when the spines begin to elongate (¼˝ length) and the mushroom becomes spongey feeling when squeezed gently. Overly mature mushrooms will quickly release spores which show as white powdery dust or flakes. Mushroom quality, shelf life, and flavor is better if they are picked before this happens. To harvest, simply grab the mushroom, twist, and pull it off the block. Mushrooms need to be stored in a refrigerator until consumed or sold. A breathable container is ideal for reducing condensation and excessive wetness that will reduce the shelf life of your bounty.
5) Second and subsequent crops
After harvesting the mushrooms, keep the block in the grow space and continue maintaining conditions. Lion's Mane mushrooms will spontaneously fruit again after approximately 2-3 weeks rest time, increasing slightly with each subsequent fruiting. Mushroom yield per fruiting will decline over time. The number of fruitings (typically 4-6) is dependent on many variables. Eventually the block will become exhausted and may succumb to green mold or other contamination and cease to fruit. Finished blocks can be tossed onto the compost pile outside. They may continue to produce mushrooms, and will turn into rich compost over time.
*We only guarantee the first fruiting.
Ready to Fruit Mushroom Blocks are available for discounted prices in larger quantities. All mushroom varieties (Shiitake, Pioppini, Grey Dove Oyster, Chestnut, Lion's Mane, and Reishi) have the same pricing structure and can be mixed. A deposit is due upon order placement. Please inquire if interested.
