John Miller
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be cultivated for consumption or medicinal purposes. While individual mushrooms do not regrow after harvest, the mycelium that forms mushrooms can be nearly infinite. This means that with proper care, a mushroom grow kit can continue fruiting for many months and produce multiple crops or flushes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do mushrooms regrow after harvest? | Yes, most mushroom varieties will grow a second and sometimes a third crop or flush after the first harvest. |
| How to harvest mushrooms? | Mushrooms can be harvested by gently twisting and pulling the cluster of mushrooms off with hands or carefully cutting it off with a knife. |
| When to harvest mushrooms? | The ideal time to harvest blue oyster mushrooms is when the edges of the caps of the largest mushrooms in the cluster start to uncurl and flatten out. |
| How to make mushrooms regrow? | To make mushrooms regrow, it is important to care for the grow kits and add nutrition to the bag. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms don't grow from cut stems, but will produce another flush of pins
Mushrooms do not grow from cut stems. When harvesting mushrooms, it is important to cut the cluster off as close to the substrate block as possible without damaging it. If you cut a stem, another mushroom will not regenerate from the cut stipe, just as another apple won't sprout from a cut branch on an apple tree.
However, mushrooms will produce another flush of pins from which new mushrooms will mature. The cycle for mushrooms happens more quickly than with a fruit tree. As long as fruiting conditions are maintained and the substrate is providing enough food, mushrooms will continue to fruit.
To encourage subsequent flushes, you can add some nutrition to the bag. However, do not overdo it as the nitrogen in the fertilizer may damage the mycelium. It is also important to note that the yield may decrease as nutrients are depleted from the substrate of the mushroom fruiting block.
Oyster mushrooms, in particular, are known to produce multiple flushes. To harvest oyster mushrooms, you can gently twist and pull the cluster off with your hands or carefully cut it off with a knife. Oyster mushrooms grow very fast, so there is a small window of time between harvesting too late or too early.
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Oyster mushrooms are the easiest to grow and harvest
Mushrooms do not grow back from a cut stipe, but they will produce another flush of pins from which new mushrooms will mature. Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest varieties to grow and harvest. They are a beginner's favourite for their resilience, fast growth, and ability to grow almost anywhere on just about anything. They can be grown inside the home, in very little space, on chopped straw, cardboard, old cotton clothes, unbleached paper, or a mix of any of these. Coffee grounds can also be used but are more difficult as they easily become mouldy.
Oyster mushrooms grow very fast, so the difference between harvesting too late or too early is often only a matter of hours. The best time to harvest blue oyster mushrooms is when the edges of the caps of the largest mushrooms in the cluster start to uncurl and flatten out. The ideal time to harvest pink oyster mushrooms is when the cap is flat or slightly concave, and the edges are just beginning to curl up. Pink oyster mushrooms are the fastest-growing of all oyster mushrooms and also produce the most spores, so they should be harvested before they cover everything in pink dust.
To harvest oyster mushrooms, you can gently twist and pull the cluster of mushrooms off with your hands or carefully cut it off with a knife. If you harvest with a knife, cut the cluster off as close to the substrate block as possible without damaging the substrate or grow bag.
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How to harvest shiitake mushrooms
Mushrooms do not grow back from a cut stipe, but they will produce another flush of pins from which a new mushroom will mature. The cycle for mushrooms happens more quickly than with a fruit tree. So, mushrooms will continue to fruit as long as fruiting conditions are maintained and the substrate is providing enough food.
Shiitake mushrooms should be harvested while the cap is still slightly curled in or just as the partial veil breaks away. Wide, flattened mushroom caps indicate over-maturity and will not be as valuable as the fresher-looking forms. When temperatures are high, mushrooms grow very fast, and in the course of 24 hours can pass their prime. If temperatures are around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, one harvest per day is sufficient.
The best way to harvest shiitake mushrooms is by cutting them with a knife or scissors as close as possible to the substrate block or log. However, be careful not to damage the substrate as shiitakes produce several flushes, and any damage may limit future growth. If you don't feel comfortable with this method, you can use your hands to twist and pull the mushrooms off the log.
After harvesting, mushrooms should be immediately cooled and kept at around 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Drying shiitake mushrooms allows them to be stored and used for a longer period of time than when fresh. The drying process can be as simple as laying the mushrooms out in the sun to dry, or putting them in a dehydrator overnight at around 115–120°F. They will be properly dried once they become slightly crispy like a chip.
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How to prepare a grow kit for a second flush
Mushrooms do not regrow from a cut stipe, but they will produce another flush of pins from which new mushrooms will mature. The cycle for mushrooms happens more quickly than with a fruit tree. Therefore, mushrooms will continue to fruit as long as fruiting conditions are maintained and the substrate is providing enough food.
Step 1: Soaking or Dunking
Let your substrate soak in water for 12 hours. You can also place it under a running faucet and let the water spill over for 2 to 3 hours. This will equally soak the substrate due to the constantly running water.
Step 2: Draining
After soaking, drain the water from the kit.
Step 3: Airing
Place the kit in an area with lots of airflow. Open it 2 to 3 times a day to let air in.
Step 4: Replicating Fruiting Conditions
Place the kit back in the same fruiting conditions. Ensure that everything is clean and sterile, and use clean water.
Step 5: Waiting
Set aside 2 to 3 weeks for each flush to grow.
It is important to note that the second flush of shiitake mushrooms requires fresh, outdoor air. If the first flush is during the winter, place the block in a cool and dry place, allowing it to dry out. When temperatures are above 30 degrees Celsius at night, you can attempt a second flush outside.
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How to tell when mushrooms are ready to harvest
Knowing when to harvest mushrooms is a skill that comes with practice. Mushrooms are ready to harvest anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks after pinning, but this can vary depending on the variety of mushrooms and environmental conditions. For example, pink oyster mushrooms could be ready to harvest in as little as 4 to 5 days from when the mushroom pins start to form.
The ideal time to harvest is just before the veil tears. The veil is a thin membrane on the underside of the cap that covers the gills and keeps the spores in the mushroom. When the mushroom is mature, the veil tears and releases spores, which are ready to grow the next generation of mushrooms. If you are growing mushrooms indoors, this is undesirable as the spores will cover the mycelium cake, reducing the number of mushrooms in subsequent flushes. Therefore, it is important to harvest before the veil tears. When the time comes for the veil to tear, it often darkens and begins to sag.
Another sign that mushrooms are ready to harvest is when they stop growing in size. For example, the best time to harvest Turkey Tail mushrooms is when the white edge of the mushroom changes colour, indicating that it has stopped growing. You want the bottom of the mushroom to still be a luscious white when you harvest.
Oyster mushrooms are some of the easiest mushrooms to grow and are very popular with beginner mushroom growers. They grow very fast, so the difference between harvesting too late or too early is often only a few hours. As your oysters get closer to maturity, it is a good idea to check on them regularly. If you are not sure, it is better to harvest them a little early to avoid cleaning up mushroom spores. The best time to harvest blue oyster mushrooms is when the edges of the caps of the largest mushrooms in the cluster start to uncurl and flatten out. The best time to harvest pink oyster mushrooms is when the cap is flat or slightly concave, and the edges are just beginning to curl up.
Finally, it is important to note that you should harvest the bigger mushrooms first. This will reserve energy for the smaller pins that are still growing.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, most mushroom varieties will grow a second and sometimes a third crop or flush after the first harvest.
You can gently twist and pull the cluster of mushrooms off with your hands or carefully cut it off with a knife.
You've waited too long if they stop growing in size, start drying out or release a lot of fine, white dust-like spores.
