What should I do if I only get a single flush or a disappointing yield from my mushrooms?

Mycelium can be quite particular, and cultivating it at home may offer valuable lessons rather than an abundant mushroom harvest, often due to suboptimal fruiting conditions. In such cases, troubleshooting the process is key to identifying areas for improvement in subsequent attempts. Focus on the following parameters:

• Temperature: Ensure your environment aligns with the specific temperature range for the mushrooms you're growing. Both excessively cold or warm temperatures can impact fruiting time and quality. Refer to our 'kit troubleshooting' link for additional guidance.

Picture above: Dried out mushrooms

• Humidity: Find the right balance for your substrate's moisture. Insufficient humidity may lead to substrate dryness, if this is the case for you, we suggest trying ‘the soak method’. Simply submerge your substrate bag in cold water for 8 hours or so, then drain and return to the fruiting space once the bag stopped dripping. You can use either tap or boiled-and-then cooled water. Equally, excessive moisture caused by over-spraying the kit can result in waterlogged substrate, which increases the likelihood of mould or the presence of fungus gnats.

Picture above: Fungus gnat

• Mycelial Development: Proper substrate incubation is crucial for healthy mycelial growth and subsequent mushroom flushes. Ensure the substrate is fully colonised before transitioning the kit to the fruiting stage. Look for visible, fairly dense white Mycelium formation through the cut crosses of the bag. Undeveloped mycelium may provide small harvests and also invite bacterial contamination.

• Light: Mushrooms are light-sensitive, and their appearance will be affected by the amount of light available. Inadequate light can lead to deformities, while direct or intense light can cause drying and shrivelling. Opt for an indirect and bright fruiting spot for the best results.

Picture above: Deformity due to insufficient light

• Air Exchange: Fresh air circulation is necessary for adequate fruit formation, so a shortage or an excess of it may cause issues. As Mycelium develops, it releases CO2, it’s important to prevent the CO2 from pooling within the growing environment as this can lead to deformities. On the other hand, placing the kit in a draughty spot may cause the mushrooms or the substrate to dry out, so a happy middle is recommended.

Picture above: Deformity due to poor air exchange