🎉 Welcome to the World of King Oyster Mushrooms!
Congratulations on your new grow kit! You’re about to experience the joy of cultivating King Oyster mushrooms—a prized gourmet variety known for its meaty texture, rich umami flavour, and impressive versatility in the kitchen.
Whether you're a green-fingered gardener or a total beginner, this kit makes it easy and exciting to grow your own fresh, organic mushrooms at home.
With a little care and patience, you’ll be harvesting beautiful King Oysters in no time. Here’s how to get started:
🌱 Step 1: Unbox and Prepare Your Kit
Inside your King Oyster Mushroom Kit, you’ll find:
✅ A fully colonised grow block
✅ A cotton stopper
✅ A humidity tent or bag
Choose a spot in your home with indirect light and good airflow—kitchen counters or open shelves are ideal. Avoid places with direct sun, draughts, or poor ventilation.
💧 Step 2: Activate Your Grow Block
1️⃣ Open the Lid – Carefully remove the top of the container to expose the grow block.
2️⃣ Stand the Block Upright – Place it on a plate or tray in your chosen location.
3️⃣ Remove the Cotton Stopper – This allows the block to breathe and absorb moisture.
4️⃣ Hydrate – Pour cold water into the hole and let it soak for 5–10 minutes. Drain any excess water.
✂️ Step 3: Prepare the Block for Fruiting
King Oysters fruit best when they have space and airflow. To help them along:
🔪 Make Slits – Use a clean knife to create two or three vertical slits (about 2–3 cm deep) down the sides of the block. These slits encourage mushroom growth.
💦 Mist the Block – Lightly spray the surface with water.
🛍️ Cover with the Humidity Tent – Place the humidity bag over the block, leaving the bottom open to allow air exchange.
⏳ Step 4: Watch Them Grow
In 7–14 days, you’ll start to see thick, stubby mushroom stems emerging through the slits. Once pinheads form:
✅ Remove the Humidity Bag – This allows the mushrooms to develop their signature tall stems.
✅ Keep Misting – Mist lightly once or twice a day to maintain moisture. Avoid over-wetting.
🍽️ Step 5: Harvest Time!
Your King Oyster mushrooms are ready to harvest when the stems are thick and the caps are just beginning to flatten. They won’t grow wide like other mushrooms—the real magic is in their dense, savoury stems!
✂️ To harvest: Gently twist or cut the mushrooms at the base. Avoid pulling too hard so you don't damage the grow block.
🌱 Repeat: After harvesting, rest the block for a few days, then rehydrate it to encourage a second flush!
🌟 Why Grow King Oyster Mushrooms?
There’s nothing quite like homegrown mushrooms—fresher, tastier, and more satisfying than anything from the supermarket. Plus, King Oysters offer some seriously impressive benefits:
💪 Plant-Based Powerhouse – Rich in protein, perfect for meat-free meals
🧠 Brain-Boosting B Vitamins – Natural energy and mental clarity
🫀 Cholesterol-Friendly – Full of beta-glucans to support heart health
🍽️ Culinary Hero – Roast, grill, fry, or slice into thick "steaks"—a true gourmet treat
And let’s be honest—watching them grow is pretty magical too. 🌿
👨🌾 We’re Here to Help
We hope you love the experience of growing your own King Oyster mushrooms! If you have any questions, or just want to show off your harvest, drop us a message—we’re always happy to hear from our fellow fungi fans.
Happy growing!
The Gardening.co.za Team 🍄🌱
