Blue Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) is used in the Culinary world for it's nutritional value and beautiful blue color. This mushroom can be consumed both raw and cooked. Blue Oyster pairs well will most meals!
This is one of the best beginner mushrooms because they colonize quickly and are reliable producers. Each block will come already colonized It's important to note that Oyster mushrooms can dry out easily if the humidity is too low, so make sure to water generously by soaking the block in water for 12 hours in between mushroom flushes or grow it in a humidity-controlled environment, such as a monotub or grow tent.
Each 5 pound mushroom block will ship already inoculated, but we cannot guarantee it will be ready-to-fruit if your order is shipped due to stresses during transit.
Scroll down for instructions!
Once you receive your mushroom block, let it sit for a few days in its new environment to repair any damage that occurred during shipping. If your block is not completely colonoized, it will need to sit in the closet to finish its spawn run. This is totally normal, and if you are patient, you should have better results. Then, cut a few 2-3" X, or poke a few pinholes on the ONE side of the bag to start growing the mushrooms. From there you can put a clear plastic container over the block to keep the humidity around 80%. After a few weeks you'll start to notice little pin sets forming where you made the cuts. The mushroom will be ready to pick when it the mushroom cap starts to flatten out, or lose its bluish hue.
The block will need filtered light, a well lit countertop works great! Try to clean your bag exterior with alcohol and the container, or shelf it sits on to reduce contamination.
Tips and tricks:
1. Avoid spraying water directly on the block once you notice the fruitbodies developing (primordial and pinning phases)
2. If you notice any green, pink or fuzzy molds growing near your cuts, treat it quickly with isopropyl alcohol spray and remove the infected portion with a sterile spoon. If you plan to have multiple blocks going, its important to visually inspect them to prevent a contamination outbreak.