Oyster Log Kit Instructions
How to grow your mushroom log kit
We offer several varieties of oyster log kits, though we don’t always have more than the gray oyster.
Each has different color mushrooms and often different times that they grow!
The log should fruit for two to four years.
These kits may not be very productive right away, but we hope you’ll be patient and not give it up to your firewood pile if you don’t get any results in the first year!
Gray Oyster
have a gray, blue, or beige color, and will grow mushrooms (fruit) in the late summer and fall, and sometimes in the spring.
PHOTO BY: SCOTT STREBLE
Polar White Oyster
will have a white color, and will grow mushrooms (fruit) in the late summer and fall, and sometimes in the spring.
PHOTO BY: SCOTT STREBLE
Summer White Oyster
will have a vanilla color, and will grow mushrooms (fruit) in the summer.
PHOTO BY: SCOTT STREBLE
Gray Oyster:
have a gray, blue, or beige color, and will grow mushrooms (fruit) in the late summer and fall, and sometimes in the spring.
PHOTO BY: SCOTT STREBLE
Golden Oyster
will have a yellow color, and will grow mushrooms (fruit) in the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this mushroom log kit ready for fruiting?
Yes, it has started to grow mushrooms, and should continue to do so for a few years in the fall if it has gotten sufficient watering.
Can I keep the log in my basement?
We don’t recommend it; mushroom logs perform better outside. They thrive with moisture and humidity - which you don't want in your basement!
Do mushrooms fruit in the winter?
No, the gray oyster will not fruit in cold temperatures, or even temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Will squirrels, deer, or rabbits eat the mushrooms?
Yes, they will; we recommend placing a wire mesh cage around your log.
Do bugs or slugs like mushrooms?
Yes, they do; you may want to remove or kill slugs.
A “oyster” beetle of the Coleoptera order especially like oysters. They lay eggs in the base of the stem, which hatch into larvae. They will eat into the mushroom if given the chance. Harvest mushrooms early to minimize damage, and note that they are not dangerous to eat!
My log smells moldy, or it has white or blue/green stuff growing on it. Should I do something about it?
Yes, you should put it in a more open place – so that the log gets a chance to dry off – inhibiting mold. If the white stuff is close to the ground and smells mushroomy, it’s probably mushroom mycelium!
When should I harvest oyster mushrooms?
You should harvest the clusters when caps are concave underneath. The mushrooms should be firm and slightly paler than they were when they first started to grow.
How do I know that the mushrooms growing on the log are oyster?
Compare with some store-bought oysters.
If you still aren’t sure, ask an experienced mushroom grower or mycologist for help.