Gourmet mushrooms can now be grown at home with mushroom fruiting bags, which are very popular. These pre-inoculated blocks have mushroom spawn mixed in with a base material like straw, sawdust, or wood chips. With some simple care and the right conditions, the mycelium will grow on the substrate and make flushes of mushrooms. Even though fruiting bags make it easy to grow mushrooms, there are still some important things you should know to get the best results. This full guide will tell you everything you need to know to take good care of mushroom fruiting bags from the beginning to the end.
Choosing the Right Location
The first thing you need to do to take care of your mushroom fruiting bags is to put them in the best place. Most gourmet mushroom varieties perform best at temperatures between 55-75°F. King oyster and pearl oyster mushrooms can grow in slightly warmer temperatures, but shiitake mushrooms like it cooler. Avoid areas that get over 80°F or under 50°F. High humidity is also essential, between 80-100%. Find a place inside that doesn’t get direct airflow but does have good airflow. A garage, basement, or insulated shed are good options. You can also grow plants outside in the shade when it’s cooler. If it gets below 50°F at night, just bring the bags inside.
Maintaining Proper Moisture Levels
Keeping your mushroom fruiting bags properly hydrated is crucial. The mycelium and developing mushrooms need constant moisture. Check the bags daily by lifting them and feeling the weight Adequately hydrated bags should feel heavy. If light, it’s time to mist them or soak the blocks Bags may need misting 1-3 times per day depending on humidity levels. Spray them with clean water in a fine mist to avoid over-saturating. If the substrate dries out completely, you’ll need to soak the bags in cool water for 4-8 hours to rehydrate thoroughly. Don’t let them sit in water logged. Proper moisture encourages mushroom growth and prevents contamination.
Providing Good Air Exchange
To grow well, mushrooms need fresh air, so it’s important that there is enough air flow. Avoid tightly enclosing the fruiting bags. Leave space between them if cultivating multiple bags together. You can put the bags on wire racks or wooden blocks to make room for air flow below them. Small fans and light breezes can also help move the air around, but don’t point the fans right at the bags. Rotate the bags daily so all sides get exposure. A short window opening to air out the growing area can also help bring in fresh air. Just don’t let temperatures drop too low. Remember that gourmet mushrooms like still air but need oxygen exchanges every so often.
Introducing Light to Initiate Fruiting
Exposing your mushroom bags to light is what triggers the formation of mushrooms. Keep the bags in complete darkness during the mycelium colonization period which takes 2-4 weeks. Once fully colonized, move the bags to a lightly lit area to initiate fruiting. Bright, indirect sunlight or fluorescent light about 12 hours daily is ideal. You should see primordia (baby mushrooms) develop within a week. If growing indoors, set up a simple grow light on a timer to control exposure. Avoid direct hot sunlight which can dry out the bags. Gentle natural light is best for mushroom development.
Harvesting Mushrooms at Peak Maturity
Now for the rewarding part—harvesting your homegrown mushrooms! Check your fruiting bags often as mushrooms mature rapidly, sometimes overnight. Harvest each mushroom by twisting gently until removed from the substrate. Use a knife to cut away any stubborn stems. Pick mushrooms before the caps flatten out for best flavor and texture. They’re optimally mature when the caps just start to curl under. You can harvest mushrooms of any size based on your preference. Try to handle the mushrooms gently to avoid bruising. After the first flush, repeat steps to maintain ideal conditions for additional flushes. Rehydrate and rest bags between flushes.
Caring for mushroom fruiting bags requires attention but very little effort. Following this guide will help you create the right environment for your bags and maximize your mushroom yields. With a bit of practice, you’ll discover how to produce flush after flush of delicious, nutritious gourmet mushrooms!
How to Seal and Inject the Mushroom Grow Bag
After adding the spawn to the grow bag, you should close the top and put it on a shelf so the mycelium can start to colonize. There are a couple easy ways to do this:
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Use small pieces of wire to tightly twist the top of the bag closed Steel wire found at any hardware store works well
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Zip ties are quick and easy to seal the bag, but more costly than wire.
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Impulse sealers are the best option for high volume grows, sealing bags quickly and efficiently.
When ready to inject, sterilize the injection point and needle. Insert the sterile needle through the injection port. Use 2.5-5 ccs of spore or liquid culture per bag. Higher inoculation rates speed up colonization and reduce contamination risks.
After inoculation, avoid shaking spawn bags to prevent disrupting fungal spore germination. Let the bag sit undisturbed while the mycelium colonizes over the next 4-8 weeks.
Uses for Mushroom Grow Bags
There are many great ways to use mushroom grow bags:
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As spawn bags to expand grain spawn, easily break up for faster colonization.
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For creating supplemented sawdust fruiting blocks. The bag’s filter patch provides needed air exchange.
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Alternative to poly tubing for making mini mushroom-growing straw logs.
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Small fruiting chambers since the bag creates a humid dome for mushrooms to grow in.
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Reishi mushrooms will grow long antlers inside the high CO2 environment of a sealed bag.
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Cooking casing layers by filling used bags with substrate and hot water.
Used bags can often be used again for spawn or blocks after being cleaned properly. But old bags should be thrown away after a few uses to lower the risk of contamination.
Choosing the Right Mushroom Grow Bags
When purchasing spawn bags, pay attention to the micron rating of the filter patch. 0.2-0.5 microns is best for spawn and fruiting blocks, protecting against contaminants.
Larger bags around 8″ x 5″ x 18″ comfortably hold 5 lbs of substrate, fitting 6 bags in a standard pressure canner. Thicker 4 mil bags are more durable but pricier than 2.2 mil bags.
Start with new bags for sterile cultivation. After multiple uses, old bags become less reliable even with sterilization. New filter patches and substrate eliminate variables.
Caring for Spent Mushroom Bags
Once your fruiting bags stop producing mushrooms, you can:
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Compost the nutritious substrate in your garden.
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Reuse or recycle the bags if possible after thorough cleaning and sterilization.
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Safely dispose of any contaminated bags sealed tightly to contain spores.
Don’t toss unused mushroom bags in the trash. Look for sustainable ways to repurpose or compost the materials.
Tips for Success with Mushroom Fruiting Bags
Follow these tips for the best experience with mushroom grow bags:
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Start with easy oyster mushroom varieties if new to growing.
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Track temperature, humidity, and other conditions in a journal to improve results over time.
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Give fresh harvested mushrooms as gifts to share the joy and satisfaction of DIY cultivation.
With some basic care and optimal conditions, mushroom fruiting bags provide a fun, rewarding way to grow your own gourmet mushrooms right at home.
Different types of growing bags
There are many brands and types, but all good grow bags share certain features. Below we list a few popular features of mushroom growing bags:
- Polypropylene: Grow bags are made of high-temperature-resistant polypropylene plastic. The material lasts a long time, is flexible, and is clear enough to make it easy to see growth. It’s also reasonably inexpensive.
- This type of bag has folds in the sides that make it possible for a big, roomy bag to lie flat when not in use. The gusseted part of the grow bags doesn’t matter to the mushrooms, but it does help farmers keep things in order.
- Filter patch: A filter patch is a small hole in the bag that lets air in through a fine mesh. Weed germs and spores that are carried through the air can’t get through because the mesh is so small. Unlike a vegetable garden, a mushroom grow setup can’t be weeded. Weeds have to be kept out from the beginning or the batch has to be thrown away because it’s contaminated. Not only do weeds need to be kept out of mushroom grow bags, but the mycelium also needs to be able to breathe.
Autoclavable: The term “autoclavable” simply signifies that the bag can be used safely in an autoclave. Temperature resistance is very important because both the substrate and the inside of the bag need to be clean before the inoculation. Sticking the bag and its contents in an autoclave is a convenient sterilising option – most plastic bags would melt in such conditions.
Pasteurising your substrate in the growing bag
Begin by soaking your straw pellets in cold water. You can use hot or boiling water to further pasteurise the pellets if desired, however, this is not required.
After adding water, let the pellets sit for 30 minutes to make sure they’re fully wet. If you use hot water, let the mixture cool to room temperature before moving on.
Fill up the grow bag with the substrate mix. Add the oyster mushroom spawn to the pellets that have been soaked in water. Mix everything together and put it in the grow bag.
Leave the top third of our straw pellet bags vacant to allow for air exchange through the filter when utilised using straw pellets. However, if you use chopped straw, you can fill the bag all the way to the top. The bigger straw particles allow for much-improved air exchange.
Mushroom fruiting blocks 3: top fruiting for great pinset
FAQ
How to take care of a mushroom grow bag?
Allow your bag to colonize undisturbed and out of direct sunlight. Temperature for incubation shouldn’t exceed 75 degrees F or dip below 55 degrees F. Keeping your bag at the higher end of the temperature range will encourage faster colonization.
Do mushroom bags need to breathe?
Yes, mushroom grow bags do need to breathe. Like humans, fungi consume oxygen and release CO2 and need fresh air to survive. Mushroom mycelium tolerates higher levels of CO2 during colonization, so the breathable filter patches or micro-perforations in mushroom growing bags allow sufficient air exchange.
How often should I mist my mushroom grow bag?
You should mist your grow kit 3 times daily with about 3-5 sprays each time. However, everyone’s environment is different and the amount of misting may vary. If your mushrooms look a little dry, consider increasing the amount of misting.
When to cut holes in mushroom bag?
When the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate is when you should open your mushroom grow bag. This is usually clear when the bag looks white and fluffy with mycelium.
How to grow mushrooms in a fruiting bag?
Use a sterilized knife or scissors to cut open the bag. Dip the blade of your knife or scissors into rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution, and then let it dry completely before using it. 3. Cut open the fruiting bag Carefully cut open the top of the fruiting bag, making sure not to touch the substrate or any part of the mushroom growing inside.
What are mushroom grow bags used for?
Mushroom grow bags are an essential tool for cultivation, both for the professional cultivator and the enthusiastic hobbyist. They can be used as spawn bags, which are used to sterilize grain and spread mushroom cultures, or they can be used to make mushroom raising blocks with added sawdust for growing gourmet mushrooms.
When should I open mushroom fruiting bags?
The timing for opening mushroom fruiting bags depends on several factors, including the growth stage of the mushrooms. With the right timing, you’ll be able to maximize your harvest and have a bountiful crop of mushrooms.
Can a mushroom bag be kept closed during fruiting?
While it is possible to keep the mushroom bag closed during fruiting, the bag must be only partially filled to provide enough space for the mushrooms to grow. The bag works like a small fruit room in this case, making it easier to control the humidity and other factors.
How can you reuse a mushroom grow bag?
You can reuse the bag to make mini straw logs instead of using poly tubing. Just fill the cleaned bag with pasteurized straw and grain spawn and you normally would when growing mushrooms on straw.
When do oyster mushroom fruiting bags open?
Once the substrate is fully colonized, the fruiting bags should be opened and placed in a fruiting chamber with high humidity and moderate to low light. The mushrooms will usually begin to fruit within a few days of being exposed to these conditions. 2. Oyster mushroom fruiting bags should be ready to open after 10–14 days