Grow Your Own Mushrooms - Kit Instructions…
Welcome.
We’re excited to help you grow your very own crop of delicious oyster mushrooms!
Our kits are super easy to set up and a fantastic way to learn not just how to grow mushrooms - but how mushrooms grow.
Designed for indoor growing.
How It Works…
Your grow kit has two simple stages, within this page is all you need - scroll down for a full set of instructions - you can download your instructions too at the end of this page.
Stage 1: Preparing Your Mushroom Kit
First, we need to inoculate the substrate - or in simpler terms, plant the mushroom seeds (spawn) and grow the roots (mycelium).
Order Your Fresh Spawn
Since mushroom spawn is alive, it needs to be fresh and healthy to grow. We keep it chilled at the farm until you’re ready. Use the link below to order your fresh spawn.What is Mycelium?
Mycelium is the root system of a mushroom. It looks like a fine white network that spreads and binds its growing environment together. Your fresh mushroom spawn will arrive inoculated with mycelium, appearing as white, seed-like clusters.Mix & Hydrate
When your spawn arrives, simply:
1. Mix it with your sawdust pellets
2. Add fresh, clean water
3. Let nature do the rest!
Over the next three weeks, the mycelium will completely colonise the mixture, turning it white and binding everything together.
Stage 2: Time to Grow!
Once your mycelium is fully developed, it’s as simple as OPEN – WATER – GROW!
Choose Your Variety
Oyster mushrooms come in a variety of beautiful colours and flavours. Before ordering your spawn, explore the different types and find the perfect one for you.
Ready to start growing? Order your fresh spawn today and let’s get growing!
Choosing your spawn…
Here’s a bit more about the different types of mushrooms you can choose to grow.
Grey Oyster mushrooms - A classic and versatile mushroom, Grey Oysters are one of the easiest varieties to grow, producing generous harvests with minimal effort. Their flavour is mild, earthy and subtly nutty. Grey Oysters have a delicate texture that absorbs marinades and cooking flavours well.
Pink Oyster Mushrooms -are as beautiful as they are delicious. Their bold colour fades when cooked but their rich, savoury flavour remains. Their flavour delivers a deep umami taste with a hint of smokiness.
Yellow Oyster Mushrooms - With golden-yellow caps, Yellow Oyster mushrooms are a showstopper, adding colour and flavour to any dish - a stunning and rewarding variety to grow at home. They have a mildly nutty with a hint of cashew and develop a light, buttery texture when cooked.
Storing your spawn once delivered:
Grey Oyster Spawn - to be kept chilled till used, around 5 degrees. Use within one month of receipt.
Pink oyster Spawn - to be kept cool, but not chilled below 8 degrees. Use within 3 days of receipt.
Yellow Oyster Spawn - to be kept chilled till used, around 5 degrees. Use within one month of receipt.
Choose your spawn:
Inside your kit:
Spawn redemption card and unique code.
1x Caley Brothers Sticker
Instruction card
350g hardwood sawdust pellets in a paper bag.
Stage 1. Getting Started…
What you need:
Stage 2 - ready to grow (14 days)
- clean pair of scissors
- Mister/spray bottle - to water your kit.
Stage 1 - make your kit (21 days)
- Clean hands and surfaces
- XXXg Fresh tap water
Before you begin, wash your hands and clean any surrounding surfaces to keep everything as sterile as possible.
About Your Fresh Spawn
Your spawn arrives in a clear plastic grow bag with a white filter patch near the middle. This patch ensures a clean air supply to help your spawn thrive. This bag will also serve as the grow bag for your kit.
Your spawn is made up of a seed mixture and mycelium (the white, web-like substance). Sometimes, the spawn may form a solid white mass. If this happens, simply gently squeeze the bag to break it up into a loose mix of seeds and mycelium. Don’t worry if some clumps remain—just do your best without damaging the bag.
Step 1: Add the Hardwood Pellets
Unseal the top of your grow bag and pour in the hardwood pellets from the paper bag.
Hold the top closed and gently shake and shuffle the bag to evenly mix the spawn with the pellets.
Step 2: Add Water & Seal
Place the bag on a steady surface and slowly add the water.
Fold the top of the bag over twice and seal it using the sticker provided. Do not cover the white filter patch.
Let the bag stand upright for 30 minutes to allow the pellets to absorb the water.
Step 3: Let It Settle
Lay the kit on its back with the filter patch facing up for another 30 minutes to ensure full water absorption. No need to shuffle or move the contents around - this is just to make sure all the water is absorbed by the hard-wood pellets.
After 30 minutes, stand the bag upright again, ensuring the mixture is not compacted and that there is an air gap at the top to allow the mycelium to breathe.
Step 4: Storing Your Kit
Place the bag back into its box and store it upright at a steady temperature of 17-20°C.
Do not close the top completely - fresh air is essential for growth.
Avoid temperature fluctuations as this can lead to unwanted mould.
Look to store your kit in a quiet corner in your kitchen or in a dark cupboard away from dishwashers, ovens, direct sunlight and windows.
Store in the dark for 21 days. After 21 days your kit will become a fully colonised substrate block, covered in lovely white mycelium. Your kit will also feel firm, and possibly warm to touch.
What to Expect
For the next 21 days, store your kit in darkness while the mycelium grows.
If you check on your kit, you’ll see the mycelium quickly spreading and binding the mixture together - just like it would in nature, inside decaying logs or deep in the soil.
After 21 days, your kit will become a fully colonised substrate block covered in white mycelium. It will also feel firm and possibly warm to the touch - a sign that it’s ready for the next stage!
Next stage: Time to Grow…
Stage 2. Getting Growing…
Step 1. Bring Your Kit into the Light
Take your kit out of the box (the box can now be recycled).
Fold down the top of the grow bag, flush with the substrate inside, making sure to cover the filter patch - this helps prevent mushrooms from growing in unwanted areas.
Step 2. Prepare the Growing Area
With clean scissors, cut an 8 cm ‘X’ shape in the front of the plastic bag (see illustration below).
Do not remove or peel away the plastic - this keeps moisture in, creating the perfect environment for your mushrooms to grow.
Place your kit in a bright, airy location, but out of direct sunlight and away from strong heat sources.
3. Daily Care & Watering
Mist the opening 3-4 times a day (more in warmer weather) to keep the area humid and encourage growth.
Don’t feel you need to water the substrate inside the bag - your mushrooms will grow towards the moisture on the outside of the plastic.
If excess water drips down, place your kit on a saucer or in a shallow bowl.
4. Extra Moisture Tips
If you can’t mist regularly or notice the substrate drying out, dampen a clean tea towel and lay it over your kit during the day or night.
Be sure to re-soak the towel daily to maintain humidity.
Water 3-4 times a day.
Growing…
Stay patient, keep misting, and enjoy watching your mushrooms grow.
In 10-14 days, you’ll start to see tiny mushroom pins emerging!
They will need to be sprayed 3-4 times a day to keep them hydrated and to stop them from drying out.
Your mushrooms will grow rapidly over the following 1-2 weeks.
When to harvest…
Your mushrooms will be ready to harvest 10-14 days after they first appear.
When to Harvest:
Pick your mushrooms when their caps begin to flatten out.
If you notice a white dusting (spores) under your kit, it means they are fully mature. This can be wiped away with soapy water and is harmless.
If the mushrooms start to dry out, it’s a sign they’re ready to be picked.
How to Harvest:
Pinch and twist the cluster at the base to remove them.
Some small bits of substrate may come away—this is normal and can be discarded.
Storage Tips:
Store your harvested mushrooms in a paper bag or on a plate in the fridge.
Avoid plastic bags or Tupperware—this will make them sweat and turn soggy within days.
How to get more mushrooms from your kit:
You can try for a second flush by allowing your kit to rest and then rehydrating it. This gives the mycelium a chance to regrow.
Rest Phase:
Store your kit in a dark cupboard at a stable temperature.
Tape the original opening closed to reduce the risk of contamination.
Let it rest for at least one week before restarting the process.
Rehydrating & Restarting Growth:
Reopen the bag and soak your substrate block in clean, cold water for 4-6 hours.
Drain any standing water before returning the kit to its growing spot.
Repeat the spraying and care process as before.
Each cycle increases the chance of contamination, so watch for any green spots inside the bag. If contamination appears, it’s best to discard the kit and start fresh.
Happy growing!
When you have finished growing:
Remove your substrate from the plastic bag - you can recycle the plastic at any large supermarket facility.
Your fruiting block can be crumbled into your garden, put into your compost bin or where you discard of your food waste.
Ⓒ Caley Brothers 2025
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