Growing king oyster mushroom

Growing King Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) is just as easy as growing Gray Oyster Mushrooms. Unlike many of our other species, the King Oyster mushroom grows on both straw and wood.

Supplies

• King oyster mushroom brood (150 grams)
• At least one kilo of straw (substrate)
• Plastic buckets with lids or grow bags
• Hygrometer (optional)
• (Pressure cooker) pan
• Sterile gloves
• Sterile working environment

Steps

Substrate preparation

Soak the straw in water for several hours and let it drain. Cook the substrate under pressure (pressure cooker) for at least one hour to reduce possible competition from other microorganisms and to sterilize the substrate. You can also cook it in a normal pan, but cook for at least 2 hours. Allow the substrate to cool to room temperature before continuing.

Inoculation

Put on sterile gloves and work in a clean environment to minimize contamination. Mix all the brood with the cooled substrate. The brood should be evenly distributed to promote good growth. Incubation: Place the inoculated substrate in culture bags or buckets. Close the bags or buckets tightly, but ensure some air circulation. With a bucket this can be done by drilling some small holes around it. The grow bags are already equipped with a breathable filter. Store the bags or buckets in a warm and dark place (about 20-25°C) with high humidity (around 90%). This is the incubation phase where the mycelium will spread and colonize the substrate.

Growth and fruiting

After a few weeks the mycelium will have completely colonized the substrate and possible buds or small mushrooms will appear. Move the bags or buckets to a brighter area with indirect light. Keep the humidity around 80-90% and the temperature between 18-22°C to promote mushroom growth. Within a few weeks, fully grown King Oyster mushrooms should appear and be ready to harvest.

Harvest

Harvest the king oyster mushrooms when they are fully grown, but before the edges of the caps begin to curl. Carefully cut the mushrooms from the substrate so as not to damage the block of mycelium.

Repeat or refresh

After the first harvest, you can often let the substrate grow one or two more times to obtain more harvests. However, if the substrate begins to break down or shows signs of contamination, it is time to use new substrate and brood. Keep in mind that every growing environment and situation can be different, so it is important to monitor conditions closely and adjust as necessary to achieve the best results.