Emily Johnson
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are a fascinating species with distinctive appearances, delicious flavours, and nutritional benefits. They are relatively easy to grow, but cultivators must exercise patience and pay careful attention to the environmental conditions. The ideal time to harvest chestnut mushrooms is when the caps are fully opened but before the edges curl and flatten out. This usually occurs within 12 to 28 days after the baby mushroom pins start forming, and they can be harvested by gently twisting and pulling the cluster off the block.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal growing conditions | 55-65°F temperature and 70-85% humidity |
| Harvest time | When the caps are fully opened but before edges curl |
| First harvest time | 12-28 days after pins form |
| Second harvest time | 4 weeks after the first harvest |
| Harvest method | Gently twist and pull the entire cluster |
| Cleaning method | Rinse under running water or gently brush off dirt |
| Storage | Store fresh mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator |
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What You'll Learn
Harvest when caps are fully opened
Chestnut mushrooms are prized for their distinctive appearance, delicious flavour, and nutritional benefits. They are relatively easy to grow, but cultivators may face challenges such as contamination, so it is important to work in a clean environment to prevent mould growth.
When growing chestnut mushrooms, it is best to harvest them when their caps are fully opened but before the edges curl. This is typically when the mushrooms are still young, and before their caps start to flatten out and release their spores. If you wait too long and the caps flatten out, they are still edible but may not stay fresh for as long.
To harvest chestnut mushrooms, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms off the block, being careful not to take too much substrate with you. You can then simply cut off the very bottom of the stems, which can sometimes be tough, and your chestnut mushrooms are ready to cook. If you have harvested them from logs, they may need a quick rinse to get rid of any insects, dirt, and debris.
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, typically 2-3 years for logs or 2-3 months for sawdust.
To ensure another harvest, remove the mushrooms and any leftover pieces from the holes so that the substrate is exposed again. Soak the substrate in a bowl of cold water for 3-6 hours to provide enough water for further mushroom growth. Once soaked, drain the excess water and resume your misting schedule.
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Before edges curl
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are considered challenging to cultivate, requiring patience and careful attention to environmental conditions. They are more of a cold-weather mushroom, thriving in cooler climates and lower temperatures. Their distinctive yellow to orange-brown convex caps, measuring 2-10 cm across, are covered in darker scales. The ideal time to harvest is when the caps are fully opened but before the edges start to curl or flatten, typically 3-5 days after pinning.
To achieve the best flavour and texture, harvesting before the caps flatten out and release their spores is crucial. The gills underneath the caps should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. Harvesting before spore release improves storage quality and prevents the mushrooms from becoming too soft. The mushrooms often grow in dense clusters, so it is generally recommended to harvest the entire cluster at once rather than picking individual mushrooms.
To initiate pinning and mushroom formation, exposing the grow bags to cooler temperatures of 60-65°F (15-20°C) is advised. Mushrooms produce carbon dioxide and require adequate oxygen, moisture, and humidity to grow. A humidity level of 85-100% is recommended, and spraying the mushrooms with water 2-4 times per day is critical for their unique shape formation. After pinning begins, checking the grow bags daily is essential to monitor the progress and identify the ideal harvest time.
The time from pinning to harvest depends on environmental conditions and can vary from 7 to 14 days. Once the pinheads have formed, the mushrooms should be ready for harvest within a week. Chestnut mushrooms typically produce multiple flushes, and the fruiting cycle can continue for several months with proper care. To promote subsequent flushes, it is important to maintain humidity by misting the fruiting area after harvesting.
In summary, harvesting chestnut mushrooms before the edges curl requires careful monitoring of the caps' development. The ideal harvest time is when the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward, and the gills are visible without being overly darkened. Daily checks and timely harvesting are crucial to ensure the best quality and flavour of the mushrooms.
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Mist the fruiting area after harvesting
Chestnut mushrooms are typically harvested when the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward, and before the edges curl or flatten out. This usually happens 10-14 days after pinning begins, depending on the temperature and humidity.
After harvesting chestnut mushrooms, it is important to maintain the right conditions in the fruiting area to encourage further flushes. Misting the exposed substrate 2-4 times per day helps to maintain high humidity, which is essential for mushroom growth. This is especially important if you are growing the mushrooms in a bag, as the humidity inside the bag can drop quickly after harvesting.
If you are using a grow bag, cut a 4-inch slit or an "X" on the side of the bag, or remove the top of the bag completely. Arrange the bags on a shelf with the cut side facing outwards. Misting the exposed substrate regularly keeps it moist. You can also cover 3/4 of the bag with plastic wrap to help maintain humidity while still allowing airflow.
If you are growing the mushrooms in a more open area, such as on a shelf or table, misting the area around the mushrooms will help to raise the humidity. You can also try using a humidifier to maintain the optimal humidity level of 85-90% during fruiting.
In addition to maintaining humidity, it is important to monitor temperature and light levels in the fruiting area. Chestnut mushrooms fruit best at temperatures between 63-70°F (17-21°C), with an ideal range of 64-66°F (18-19°C). Avoid excessive heat, as this can dry out the mushrooms and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
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Harvesting from logs
Chestnut mushrooms are saprophytic fungi that thrive on decaying hardwoods like beech, oak, maple, and elm. They can be identified by their distinctive yellow to orange-brown convex caps measuring 2-10 cm across, covered in darker scales. They grow naturally on beech trees, so their ideal substrate is hardwood logs or sawdust made from a beech tree.
When growing chestnut mushrooms from logs, it is important to select freshly cut logs from oak, beech, or maple, with a diameter of 3-6 inches and a length of 3-4 feet. The logs should be rested for 2-4 weeks after cutting but used within 1-2 months for optimal results. Drilling holes into the logs will allow for the insertion of mushroom spawn. Grain spawn and sawdust spawn are the most commonly used types. Grain spawn is made by growing mycelium (the vegetative part of the mushroom) on nutritious grains like rye or wheat, whereas sawdust spawn is made by mixing sawdust with mushroom mycelium.
Once the logs have been inoculated with spawn, it typically takes around a year for the first flush of mushrooms to appear. However, it is important to note that mushroom growth can vary depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. The ideal time to harvest chestnut mushrooms is when the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward, and the gills underneath are visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. To harvest, gently twist and pull the mushrooms from the log, taking care not to remove too much of the substrate.
After harvesting, it is important to mist the fruiting area to maintain humidity. For logs, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for 24 hours between flushes to rehydrate. The fruiting cycle can be continued for up to 2-3 years for logs, with subsequent flushes of mushrooms appearing every two weeks. However, it is important to monitor the logs for any signs of contamination, such as unusual colours or odours, and remove any affected areas immediately.
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Chestnut mushroom kits
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are a beautiful, rusty brown colour with a distinct nutty flavour. They are a culinary delight that can be incorporated into any dish, adding a crunchy texture even after cooking.
If you're interested in growing your own chestnut mushrooms, you can purchase a mushroom-growing kit. These kits provide ready-to-fruit chestnut mushroom blocks, which can be placed in a fruiting chamber until they are ready to be harvested. It is best to harvest chestnut mushrooms when they are young, before their caps start to flatten out. This will also prolong their shelf life.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using a chestnut mushroom kit. Chestnut mushrooms grow best on amended hardwood substrates, but can also be grown on straw or cardboard. However, using cardboard may result in a smaller harvest as it does not provide as much food for the mushroom mycelium. Chestnut mushrooms also prefer cooler temperatures and can be prone to drying out if humidity is not maintained. It is important to maintain humidity, especially when the mushrooms are in their early stages.
Once you see baby mushroom pins forming, it will take another five to ten days before you can harvest your first batch of mushrooms. To harvest, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms off the block. You will be able to get one or two more flushes of mushrooms, although they will be smaller in size.
Remember to always cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly, and if it is your first time consuming this species, start with a small amount to check for allergies.
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Frequently asked questions
It can take anywhere from 12 to 28 days to see baby chestnut mushroom pins forming, and 5 to 10 days later, you can harvest your first batch.
Chestnut mushrooms are ready to be harvested when their caps are fully opened but before the edges curl and before they flatten out and release their spores.
To harvest chestnut mushrooms, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms off the block, being careful not to take too much of the substrate with you.
Freshly harvested chestnut mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
