Emily Johnson
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are a fun and rewarding crop to grow at home, providing you with a fresh and delicious supply. They have a rich, nutty flavour and a meaty texture, making them a great addition to many dishes. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, on logs or in grow bags, and typically take 10–14 days to mature after pinning begins. The ideal time to harvest is when the mushroom caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward, and the gills are exposed but not darkened. To harvest, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms from the substrate or log.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to mature | 10-14 days after pinning begins |
| Ideal time to harvest | When mushroom caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward |
| Cap appearance | Yellow to orange-brown convex caps measuring 2-10 cm across, covered in darker scales |
| Gills exposure | Gills should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores |
| Growth pattern | Mushrooms often grow in dense clusters, so look for uniform maturity across the cluster |
| Harvesting technique | Gently twist the mushroom at its base and pull it out of the substrate |
| Harvesting time | Harvesting before spore release improves storage quality and prevents mushrooms from becoming too soft |
| Storage | Fresh mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag or refrigerated for up to a week. They can also be dried or frozen to extend shelf life. |
| Cleaning | Mushrooms can be gently brushed to remove dirt. Avoid washing if possible, as they absorb water quickly. |
| Contamination prevention | Work in a clean environment to prevent mold growth. |
| Environmental conditions | Temperature, humidity, and air exchange are important factors for successful cultivation. |
| Substrate | Hardwood logs or sawdust made from beech trees are ideal. Other hardwoods like oak, maple, or birch can also be used. |
| Spawn | Chestnut mushroom spawn can be purchased and inoculated into logs or sawdust. |
| Fruiting conditions | Maintain humidity in the fruiting area after harvesting. For logs, soak in cold water for 24 hours between flushes. |
| Challenges | Chestnut mushrooms may take several weeks to harvest and are susceptible to contamination. |
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When to harvest
Chestnut mushrooms can be harvested when the caps have fully opened, exposing the gills underneath, and before the edges of the caps start to curl or flatten out. The gills should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. The ideal time to harvest is when the caps are still slightly curved downward. The mushrooms grow in dense clusters, so it is best to harvest the entire cluster at once by gently twisting and pulling them from the substrate or log.
When grown outdoors on stumps and logs, it can take around a year for the first flush of mushrooms to appear. When grown indoors in a bag or grow kit, the time to harvest is much shorter. It can take anywhere from 12 to 28 days for baby chestnut mushroom pins to form, and then five to ten days later, the mushrooms can be harvested. After the first flush, the bag should be kept in fruiting conditions, and a second flush may form from the same opening. Typically, bags can produce 2-3 flushes of mushrooms, spaced about two weeks apart.
If no pins form after two weeks, try shocking the mycelium with a 24-hour cold-water soak. After harvesting, mist the fruiting area to maintain humidity. For logs, soak them in cold water for 24 hours between flushes to rehydrate. Continue the fruiting cycle until the substrate is exhausted, which typically takes two to three years for logs and two to three months for sawdust.
Chestnut mushrooms are more of a cold-weather variety, and their mycelium can sometimes grow slowly. The ideal incubation temperature is around 68°F (20°C). They typically take 10–14 days to mature after pinning begins, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
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How to harvest
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are a great choice for beginner and experienced growers alike. They have a rich, nutty flavour and a meaty texture, making them a tasty addition to many dishes.
To harvest chestnut mushrooms, you should wait until the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward. The gills under the caps should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. This is usually about 10–14 days after pinning begins, but the timing will depend on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. It's best to harvest the entire cluster at once, rather than picking individual mushrooms. To do this, gently twist each mushroom at its base and pull it out of the substrate or log.
If you're growing your mushrooms indoors in a grow bag, there's no need to wash them. Simply cut off the very bottom of the stems and they're ready to cook. If you've harvested them from logs, they may need a quick rinse to get rid of any insects, dirt and debris. Remember to wash your hands after handling chestnut mushrooms, as they can temporarily stain your hands orange.
After harvesting, mist the fruiting area to maintain humidity. For logs, soak them in cold water for 24 hours between flushes to rehydrate. You can continue the fruiting cycle until the substrate is exhausted, which typically takes two to three years for logs and two to three months for sawdust.
Once harvested, chestnut mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also dry or freeze them to extend their shelf life.
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How to store
Chestnut mushrooms are delicate fungi with a fleeting freshness. To preserve their freshness and flavour, it is important to store them properly. Here are some ways to store harvested chestnut mushrooms:
Refrigerate
Chestnut mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Place them on a shelf in the fridge, preferably in a breathable bag or container, and not in the bottom compartment. Do not slice or rinse the mushrooms before storing them as this can make them go bad faster.
Freeze
If you want to store the mushrooms for longer, you can freeze them. However, freezing may compromise their texture, so it is recommended to use thawed mushrooms in stocks or veggie burgers rather than frying them. For the best colour post-freezing, you can dip the mushrooms in a solution of 1 pint of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice before cooking. Once cooked, place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Dry
Drying the mushrooms is another great way to store them for later use. Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth or soft brush to remove any dirt. Slice the mushrooms into thin, even slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the mushroom slices in a single layer on a dehydrator tray, ensuring they do not overlap. Set the dehydrator to around 130°F (54°C) and allow the mushrooms to dry for about 4-6 hours, checking occasionally. Once completely dry, store them in airtight containers or vacuum seal bags. Alternatively, you can air-dry the mushrooms by placing them in a mesh container with good airflow for about a week, then storing them in an airtight glass jar.
Paper Bag
If you have loose mushrooms, storing them in a paper bag can help keep them fresh. As mushrooms age, they release water, and the paper bag will absorb this moisture, preventing the mushrooms from becoming slimy.
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Where to grow
Chestnut mushrooms can be grown both indoors and outdoors. When growing them indoors, chestnut mushrooms can be grown in a bag, or a table-top farm. The bag should be kept in fruiting conditions and can produce 2-3 flushes of mushrooms, with a gap of about 2 weeks between each flush. The bag should be replaced with a new substrate bag once it stops producing.
When growing chestnut mushrooms outdoors, you can use stumps and logs, or blocks of substrate. If you are using logs, select freshly cut logs from oak, beech, or maple, with a diameter of 3-6 inches and a length of 3-4 feet. Allow the logs to rest for 2-4 weeks after cutting but use them within 1-2 months for the best results. You can also use other hardwoods like oak, maple, or birch, but beech is the preferred choice as chestnut mushrooms grow naturally on beech trees. If you are using blocks of substrate, you can gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms off the block when they are ready to be harvested.
If you are growing chestnut mushrooms for the first time, a chestnut mushroom grow kit can be a good option. These kits come with pre-inoculated substrates, making the process much simpler. If you want a more hands-on approach, you can grow chestnut mushrooms from scratch using chestnut mushroom spawn. This method requires more equipment and attention but allows for a larger harvest.
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How to grow
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are known for their beautiful colours, mild flavour, and wonderful texture. They are slow to pin and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
To grow chestnut mushrooms, you can use a mushroom growing kit, which includes a fruiting block. Chestnut mushrooms grow well on logs, hardwood sawdust fruiting blocks, and straw. They can also be grown on cacao shells, supplemented hardwood sawdust, and Malt Yeast Agar medium. If you live in Europe, you can inoculate some beech or other hardwood logs with chestnut mushroom mycelium and place them in your garden. Chestnut mushrooms grow on beech naturally, but they can also be found on poplars, oaks, and other broadleaf hardwoods. They tend to grow better on dead and decaying wood.
If you are using a fruiting block, it is important to remove the kit from the shipping box as soon as possible and unfold the top of the bag, making room for air space. The ideal temperature for the block is between 55-65°F and humidity between 70-85%. The growing area should have indirect sun or supplemental lighting for at least 8-12 hours a day.
If you are growing chestnut mushrooms outdoors, the ideal temperature is 72°F (22°C) and the humidity should be between 84-93%. CO2 levels should be kept at 900ppm or below. Chestnut mushrooms are more of a cold-weather mushroom and are prone to drying out or stopping their growth if humidity is not maintained when the mushrooms are in their early stages.
Harvest chestnut mushrooms before the veil breaks to prolong shelf life.
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Frequently asked questions
Chestnut mushrooms are ready to harvest when the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward. The edges of the caps should not have started to curl or flatten, as this indicates they are overripe. The gills under the caps should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores.
To harvest chestnut mushrooms, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms from the block or substrate. Be careful not to take too much of the substrate with you.
It typically takes 12-28 days for baby chestnut mushroom pins to form. After that, it takes another 5-10 days until you can harvest your first batch. It may take longer depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
Freshly harvested chestnut mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag or refrigerator for up to a week. You can also extend their shelf life by drying or freezing them.
Chestnut mushrooms grow best on hardwood substrates, particularly from beech trees as they grow naturally on them. You can also use other hardwoods like oak, maple, or birch. They prefer cooler temperatures of around 68°F (20°C).
