Chestnut Mushroom Kit

[dragnlaw]

June 2nd. Chestnut mushroom kit. this block of sawdust is about 5" x 7". Took forever for these little guys to pop out. I always begin to think maybe I got a dud.

but then 4 days later, June 6th I have this

and today, 1 day later, the gills have gone from white to brown!

notice the foil that the cube is sitting on. It is all brown from what I believe are dropped spores. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!
Above is only half of the grouping. Took other half upstairs. Will be having mushrooms with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chestnuts are mild tasting. I've beeb discarding the stems although they don't seem to be as tough as shiitaki stems.

Unless I get a 2nd group growth, which I often do. I figure these cost almost triple the store? If I get more growth it will cut the cost dramatically. But that OK, it's sort of fun. You worry then suddenly see them pop up and poof! you get to eat!
Makes me smile every time! Ain't that what life's about?

 

[GinnyPNW]

It is always nice to have your own, fresh grown stuff to put on your plate. Congrats! Good job.

 

[dragnlaw]

Not a very hard job, but I thank you.
You make a slit in the bag and mist a couple of times a day - and try not to forget, which I have, and still succeed in the end. LOL love it!

 

[larry_stewart]

I love the chestnut mushrooms . The first time I grew them, the conditions must have been perfect cause the block kept producing. The second time I didnt get as much. I once grew them outside, and Im pretty sure I cooked them while there was a slug on them. I dont grow them outside anymore.

 

[dragnlaw]

I was contemplating putiing them outside, slugs, eh? Think I'll keep them indoors.
I didn't start these until quite late. I stored the block in the basement but think I did it a disservice. Should have put them in the garage, slightly cooler at the time. Not sure whether I'll get another crop or not.
I gotten 2 crops from the others I've done. My very first one I actually got 3.

I should remember that those kits would make a nice gift. Just need to remember far enough in advance for the mailings.
My first one was a Christmas present.

 

[HeyItsSara]

Nice!!!

 

[taxlady]

I was contemplating putiing them outside, slugs, eh? Think I'll keep them indoors.
I didn't start these until quite late. I stored the block in the basement but think I did it a disservice. Should have put them in the garage, slightly cooler at the time. Not sure whether I'll get another crop or not.
I gotten 2 crops from the others I've done. My very first one I actually got 3.

I should remember that those kits would make a nice gift. Just need to remember far enough in advance for the mailings.
My first one was a Christmas present.

Do you have a Canadian source for the kits? I'm pretty sure I asked you where you got the kits before, but here we are. If you get them from Canada, would you please share the link or the name of the company?

 

[dragnlaw]

Grow Mushrooms Canada Yeah, I have posted a couple of articles I've gotten from them. So here you go, they're really great, but not cheap. As I've said, it is more for the fun of it.

 

[taxlady]

Grow Mushrooms Canada Yeah, I have posted a couple of articles I've gotten from them. So here you go, they're really great, but not cheap. As I've said, it is more for the fun of it.

Thank you. Yeah, I remember you posted links before, but I forgot to bookmark the sites. I did bookmark this one. I think I will need to share an order, so at least I can get the free shipping.

 

[dragnlaw]

I think my shipping costs were about $7 or $8, don't think they were exorbitant. I did once order two kits, but found timing of for starting difficult as I couldn't judge when they would produce.
Free shipping starts at 150$ with kits in the $30 range is an awful lot of mushrooms kits.

 

[taxlady]

I think my shipping costs were about $7 or $8, don't think they were exorbitant. I did once order two kits, but found timing of for starting difficult as I couldn't judge when they would produce.
Free shipping starts at 150$ with kits in the $30 range is an awful lot of mushrooms kits.

Even with reasonable shipping, that makes for some very expensive mushrooms and entertainment. So, sharing a shipment wouldn't save much. Hmm, I might decide at some point that it is worth it for the experience.

That won't be for a while. I just got some more homework relating to Stirling's estate.

 

[larry_stewart]

The only way to truly get your return on your investment with mushrooms is either growing them outside on logs ( assuming it's a variety that grows on logs). As you can get several flushes a year, and I have a log that has been producing since Covid. Or, investing in a mushroom tent that can control humidity, temperature and light to make an ideal environment for the mushrooms ( and even this is unpredictable). Other than that, just chalk it up as a cool, fun experiment that you can eat .
- Most productive are my Shiitake logs
- Second is my Wine Cap Beds ( outsides). They also produce for a few years
- Third would be my gray oyster mushrooms in the tent.

 

[taxlady]

The only way to truly get your return on your investment with mushrooms is either growing them outside on logs ( assuming it's a variety that grows on logs). As you can get several flushes a year, and I have a log that has been producing since Covid. Or, investing in a mushroom tent that can control humidity, temperature and light to make an ideal environment for the mushrooms ( and even this is unpredictable). Other than that, just chalk it up as a cool, fun experiment that you can eat .
- Most productive are my Shiitake logs
- Second is my Wine Cap Beds ( outsides). They also produce for a few years
- Third would be my gray oyster mushrooms in the tent.

I hadn't even considered outside on a log, but maybe. What are the requirements for the log? Does it have to have been cut for some minimum amount of time before starting. Does it need to be a minimum diameter and length? What are the trees that are best and what are passable trees to get logs from? Do some types of mushrooms do best on logs from specific types of trees?

 

[larry_stewart]

All great questions! This is where I get the majority of my info from.

Learn About How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs

Growing Mushrooms on Logs There are many mushroom varieties that grow on logs - Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail. Cultivating mushrooms on natural logs is a wonderful long-term method for mushroom production. A prime Shiitake...

www.fieldforest.net

 

[dragnlaw]

Yes, I've been to that site, many interesting things. (And another rabbit hole).

 

[taxlady]

All great questions! This is where I get the majority of my info from.

Learn About How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs

Growing Mushrooms on Logs There are many mushroom varieties that grow on logs - Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail. Cultivating mushrooms on natural logs is a wonderful long-term method for mushroom production. A prime Shiitake...

www.fieldforest.net

Thank you for that link. Sounds like more effort that I'm interested in. I'll see if I ever get around to trying the other kind of kit and how much I enjoy doing that.

 

[larry_stewart]

Thank you for that link. Sounds like more effort that I'm interested in. I'll see if I ever get around to trying the other kind of kit and how much I enjoy doing that.

Yeah, it's a little bit of a process. I usually take advantage of the fallen trees during hurricane season. Not that I want a hurricane , but If I pass a pile of logs on the side of the road, the first thing that pops into my head is what kind of tree is it and what kind of mushroom can I grow on it.

 

[Kathleen]

I have a space where trees do not wish to grow, but trees ring about it. I wonder if it might be good for a mushroom bed. It does not get much sunlight and is protected from wind. Hmm. Sounds like it could be a fun experiment.

Out of curiosity, what has more versatility: Chestnut or wine cap mushrooms?

 

[dragnlaw]

Tree Rings are more specialer than even fairy rings. Fairy rings are so magical. You'll probably get magic mushrooms.

 

[dragnlaw]

Flavor and Texture:

• Chestnut Mushrooms: Mild, nutty, earthy, and buttery with a slightly peppery finish. The cap has a silky texture when cooked, and the stem is crunchy, similar to lightly cooked celery or asparagus.
  Wine Cap Mushrooms: Meaty, robust flavor with a firm, meaty texture.
  
  Growth and Cultivation:

• Chestnut Mushrooms: Can be grown on wood chips or sawdust.
  
  
• Wine Cap Mushrooms: Thrive on wood chips, straw, or a combination of both.

Above copied from AI - which it (it's an it) copied it from multiple sources - as it is an artificial entity there are no copyrights to worry about.