Product Description
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Pearl Oyster Grow Kit 1.7kg-2kg
Grow Your Own Delicious and Nutritious Mushrooms at Home
Discover the joy of cultivating your own mushrooms with our Pearl Oyster Grow Kit. These kits are designed for ease and efficiency, producing thick bunches of rich, flavourful Pearl Oyster mushrooms. Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast or seeking a sustainable alternative to meat, these mushrooms are a versatile addition to any kitchen.
Why Choose Our Pearl Oyster Grow Kit?
Superior Quality and Yield
Pearl Oyster mushrooms are known for their robust growth and impressive yield. They thrive in a variety of conditions and are remarkably easy to grow, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced growers. Our kits come with fully colonised blocks, ensuring a strong start and a prolific first flush of fruiting bodies.
Health Benefits
Pearl Oyster mushrooms are not just tasty; they’re also packed with nutrients. They contain significant amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can support overall health. Studies have shown that these mushrooms may have medicinal properties, such as boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol levels, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits .
Easy and Fun to Grow
Our kits come with everything you need to get started, including detailed instructions available online. Simply place the kit in a suitable location with the right temperature and humidity levels, and watch your mushrooms grow! Ideal growing conditions for Pearl Oyster mushrooms are temperatures between 20–30°C and humidity levels of 55%–70%. Ensuring good airflow and maintaining the right humidity are crucial, as mushrooms respire by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
Environmentally Friendly
We strive to make our grow kits as eco-friendly as possible. The substrate used in our kits is mixed on-site to guarantee quality, and the packaging is made from recyclable materials. After your kit has produced several crops, you can recycle the growing block by breaking it up and adding it to your flower beds or burying it in your garden. This not only improves soil health but also attracts beneficial worms, continuing the lifecycle of the mycelium.
Long-Lasting and Versatile
One of the best features of our Pearl Oyster Grow Kits is their longevity. After the first bountiful harvest, you can expect one or two smaller crops before the growing block is spent. Even then, the block continues to be useful in your garden. The cardboard and paper packaging further support the mycelium, and you might even see new mushrooms sprouting from the soil over time.
Storage and Maintenance
For those not ready to start growing immediately, our kits can be stored refrigerated and unopened in a cold, dark place for up to three months. This flexibility ensures you can begin your mushroom-growing adventure at your convenience.
Conclusion
Embrace the sustainability and satisfaction of growing your own Pearl Oyster mushrooms with our easy-to-use grow kits. Perfect for food lovers and health enthusiasts alike, these kits provide a continuous supply of nutritious mushrooms while also benefiting the environment.
Order your Pearl Oyster Grow Kit today and start enjoying the fruits of your labour!
Optimum Fruiting Conditions
Pearl oyster mushrooms thrive in cooler temperatures compared to other varieties, ideally between 15°C and 20°C. Place your growing box in a clean area with good air circulation and away from direct sunlight. Maintaining these conditions will support healthy and steady mushroom growth.
Fruiting Instructions
- Prepare the Fruiting Bag:
- Remove the fruiting bag from the box (keep the box for later use).
- Carefully cut or slice holes along the marked lines on the bag using a sharp knife or scissors. Avoid cutting into the fruiting substrate itself.
- Set Up the Box:
- Place the fruiting bag back into the box. You can either fold in or remove the box’s folding flaps.
- Cover the box with the provided bag (optional, see below).
- Misting and Air Exchange:
- Pearl oyster mushrooms generally do not need to be covered with the bag. They perform well when left uncovered in a shaded, humid corner of the house, simplifying their care. However, if the humidity is low, using the bag can help retain the necessary moisture levels.
- Mist inside the box 2-4 times a day using the provided misting spray bottle. For optimal results, boil and cool the water first to eliminate any bacteria. Avoid spraying the mushrooms directly to prevent contamination; mist the air around the box instead.
- Mushrooms require good oxygen flow to grow. Remove the bag a few times daily to allow fresh air to circulate within the box.
- Patience and Harvesting:
- Within 2-3 weeks, you should start to see pearl oyster mushrooms emerging. These mushrooms generally grow at a steady pace, so patience is important.
- Harvest the mushrooms when they start to develop full caps and before they begin to curl or dry out.
- Second Flush:
- For a second flush, soak the fruiting bag in water overnight, then drain it. Cut new holes in the fruiting substrate bag and repeat the process from the beginning. Note that second flushes usually produce less yield than the first, and third flushes are rare and often not worth the effort.
We are committed to making our mushroom growing kits as environmentally friendly as possible. The plastic bag provided is compostable, and the misting bottle is made from PET plastic, which can be reused multiple times.
FAQ on Contamination and Common Issues
Q: What should I do if I see mould or other contaminants on the substrate?
A: If you spot mould or contaminants such as trichoderma (the dreaded green mould), act promptly. Trichoderma can spread rapidly and damage your crop. Carefully remove the affected area with a clean knife or spoon, ensuring you also remove some of the surrounding healthy substrate. Maintain cleanliness and use sterilized water for misting to prevent further contamination.
Q: How can I deal with fungus gnats?
A: Fungus gnats can be a common problem. To manage them:
- Prevention: Keep the growing area clean and free of decaying organic matter.
- Traps: Use sticky traps to catch adult gnats.
- Air Flow: Increase air circulation to make the environment less favourable for gnats.
Q: Why are my mushrooms not growing?
A: Several factors could affect growth:
- Temperature: Ensure the temperature is consistently between 15°C and 20°C.
- Humidity: Maintain high humidity by misting regularly.
- Air Exchange: Ensure adequate fresh air exchange by removing the bag a few times a day.
- Light: Keep the box out of direct sunlight but in a well-lit area.
Q: My mushrooms are growing slowly. Is this normal?
A: Yes, growing mushrooms requires patience. While pearl oyster mushrooms typically start appearing within 2-3 weeks, various factors can influence their growth rate. Ensure that you are providing the optimal growing conditions.
Q: The mushrooms are shrivelling before they mature. What should I do?
A: Shrivelling could indicate low humidity or insufficient misting. Increase the frequency of misting and ensure that the growing environment maintains high humidity.
Q: How can I prevent bacterial contamination?
A: Boil and cool the water used for misting to kill bacteria. Avoid spraying the mushrooms directly and keep the growing area clean and free from contaminants.
By following these instructions and tips, you can successfully grow your own pearl oyster mushrooms at home and enjoy a fresh, sustainable food source.
References:
- Jayachandran, M., Xiao, J., & Xu, B. (2017). “A critical review on health promoting benefits of edible mushrooms through gut microbiota.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1934. doi:10.3390/ijms18091934.
- Villares, A., García-Lafuente, A., Guillamón, E., & Ramos, A. (2012). “Medicinal mushrooms: A promising source of bioactive compounds with anti-cancer potential.” Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 12(1), 125-139.
