Spray and Grow Kits
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Are these the right mushrooms?
Your kit was inoculated in a sterile environment with a selected mushroom culture. It is incredibly unlikely you would ever have a competing species grow from your kit. However, if you'd like to make sure what is growing from your kit is indeed the correct species, simply take a photograph and em... -
Can I turn my kit around and cut open the other side?
If you’ve already fruited your kit once, it’s definitely possible to fruit it again! We recommend following the instructions below for the best success. While you certainly can cut a second X into the block, you should either seal up the first side or continue spraying both sides to make sure the... -
We get this question most often with the golden oyster kits. As goldens begin to form pins (baby mushrooms) they can sometimes resemble lion’s mane mushrooms. They start out completely white and a little blob-like. As they mature, the caps develop their signature yellow hue and more shelf-like st...
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Do the mushrooms all grow at the same time?
Usually, the mushrooms come in flushes all at once. If some mushrooms seem to be maturing at a faster rate than the rest, harvest those before their caps flatten, and wait a day or two to harvest the remaining mushrooms. -
Getting a second flush from your kit
We guarantee your first flush of mushrooms, but with a little patience and skill you can often get a second, third, maybe even fourth fruiting! After you’ve harvested your first flush of mushrooms, continue spraying your kit as you were. If it's looking a bit dry, you can cover it with a humidity... -
Humans aren’t the only organisms that love mushrooms! It’s possible the bag broke in transit, and these opportunistic creatures decided to make a home. Get in touch with some photos and we’ll replace it for you. It still may be possible to fruit it outside - you can try these tricks while waiting...
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Learn all about growing mushrooms from a kit in our complete guide featuring two videos to walk you through every step. We cover: Unboxing Setting up your kit Maintenance How and when to harvest your mushrooms Cooking techniques Getting a 2nd flush Tips and troubleshooting And reusing your kit o...
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For Oysters, Lion's Mane, Nameko, Chestnut, and Pioppino, you can usually just twist the mushroom clusters from the kit. Hold the cluster near the base and spin them. If you'd rather use a knife and cut them, that's fine too! For Shiitake, it's easiest to use clippers or scissors. Cut at the base...
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How many mushrooms your kit will produce
We guarantee at least one fruiting of mushrooms from your kit, but depending on the species you choose to grow it is likely you will get a second, third, fourth, or even fifth fruiting with care and patience. Your first flush can produce anywhere between 1/2 lb. to 2 lbs. of mushrooms depending o... -
Chances are, that's not mold - it's mycelium! Your kit includes an amended sawdust block with mushroom mycelium growing through it. The block may appear covered with a soft, white, mold-like substance. That's the mushroom mycelium, and it's totally normal and healthy for your mushroom block. The ...
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We recommend using a humidity tent in dry conditions, when blocks have been broken up, or if you can’t water your block one day. It creates a moist microclimate that your block should thrive in. Take a semi-transparent trash bag or other loose-fitting plastic bag and put plenty of 1/2 inch holes...
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Mushrooms started growing, then stoppped
Usually, mushroom pins abort when there isn't enough humidity around the block. Don't panic! Your mushroom kit still has all the food needed to produce mushrooms. Simply pick off the dried-up pins, wait one week, letting the block dry out on a plate. Then, soak the block for 20 minutes in cold wa... -
My kit doesn't look quite right
You just got your Spray and Grow Kit, but something isn’t quite right. To make sure you successfully fruit some mushrooms, we’ll help you troubleshoot through hiccups along the way. First, inspect your kit upon arrival and keep the packaging. Each kit is packaged with a batch-specific sticker, l... -
If your mushroom block looks “dead” or like nothing is happening, there are a few possible causes. Lion’s Mane mycelium is notoriously fine and often appears very light or unnoticeable- especially compared to oyster kits. If you have an intact lion’s mane kit, the mycelium may be difficult to see...
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North Spore Spray and Grow Kits contain a living organism, so they have a limited shelf life. The sooner you start or activate your kit the better. You don't want the fungi to run out of food! If you need to wait, you can store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight or in a refrigerator...
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Shiitakes grow a little differently from most other mushrooms that we cultivate. Before opening up your shiitake kit, it should be properly aged. The mycelium will begin to take on a popcorn-like texture and turn brown, that's a cue that it'll be ready soon to start pinning. This is a great examp...
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Our Spray and Grow Kits (Blue Oyster, Pink Oyster, Golden Oyster, and Lion's Mane) should stay in the bag inside the box while they grow. After removing the front panel along the perforated lines, cut an X into the exposed plastic. Enough oxygen gets to the block through this cut and it directs t...
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Should I take the block out of the bag for a second flush?
Do not take the block out of the bag. After you’ve harvested your first flush of mushrooms, continue spraying your kit. If you don’t see any baby mushrooms (pins) forming after a week or two, it’s a good idea to soak your block. It’s possible during the first flush the kit got a little too dry. T... -
Taking Care of Your Lion's Mane Kit
You just got your Lion's Mane Spray and Grow Kit - congrats and welcome to the mushroom family! First, inspect your kit upon arrival and keep the packaging. Each kit is packaged with a batch-specific sticker, located somewhere on the substrate bag. We track quality control with these numbers, so... -
Taking Care of Your Oyster Kit
You just got your Oyster Mushroom Spray and Grow Kit - congrats and welcome to the mushroom family! First, inspect your kit upon arrival and keep the packaging. Each kit is packaged with a batch-specific sticker, located somewhere on the substrate bag. We track quality control with these numbers... -
If you live in an area where it is safe to drink tap water, it’s totally fine to use tap water for your mushrooms. Many municipalities add chlorine or chlorine compounds to drinking water to kill microbes and prevent disease. These compounds may inhibit mushroom growth to some degree, but the con...
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Troubleshooting Your Spray and Grow Kit and Other Common Questions
Troubleshooting your Spray and Grow Kit and other Common Questions You just got your Spray and Grow Kit, but something isn’t quite right. To make sure you successfully fruit some mushrooms, we’ll help you troubleshoot through hiccups along the way. First, inspect your kit upon arrival and k... -
Watering your Spray and Grow Kit
If your mushroom block seems dry and hasn't produced any mushrooms yet, try using a humidity tent. Take a trash bag or other large loose bag and cut lots of ½” holes throughout - mushrooms need fresh air to form correctly! Drape the bag over your block and mist the inside of the bag every day. Wh... -
Sometimes the caps of mushrooms look bizarre and wonky when they’re little and starting to emerge. As they grow, if there’s not enough oxygen or moisture, the mushrooms can deform. Leggy, stringy, or sparse mushrooms need more airflow; let 'em breathe! Try moving them to a more open place or put ...
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What are those amber color beads on my kit?
This is mycelial exudate; a byproduct of the mycelium's metabolic process. It is natural and harmless. Fungi digest outside of their body, so the release enzymes into their environment to help break down materials so they can more easily absorb them. Those amber beads are sort of like digestive j... -
What do I do if my kit is dry?
If your mushroom block seems dry and hasn't produced any mushrooms yet, try using a humidity tent. Take a trash bag or other large loose bag and cut lots of ½” holes throughout - mushrooms need fresh air to form correctly! Drape the bag over your block and mist the inside of the bag every day. Wh... -
What is the shelf life of my Spray and Grow Kit?
North Spore Spray and Grow Kits contain a living organism, so they have a limited shelf life. The sooner you start or activate your kit the better. You don't want the fungi to run out of food! If you need to wait, you can store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight or in a refrigerator... -
There’s hope yet! We often see this as a result of jostling around in transport, sometimes a kit's journey to you is a little rough. While it’s still in the bag, we recommend gently pressing the block back together and allowing it some extra time to bounce back before cutting it open to start the...
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What type of bag should I use for a humidity tent?
Use a large plastic bag with plenty of 1/2 inch holes or slices placed in it. We use a pair of scissors and cut some slices into grocery store bags or large produce bags. It can be helpful to have a clear or semi-transparent bag to keep an eye on the progress of our mushrooms. You may choose to u... -
When I opened my kit it already had mushrooms in it. What do I do?
This is totally normal. Sounds like you've got a very vigorous kit! If you're growing Oysters, Lion's Mane, Pioppino, or Chestnut you can ignore the mushrooms that may be fruiting inside your bag. If they're easily accessible you can break them off and compost them, so you can start fresh. If you... -
When to harvest your mushrooms.
The image on the front of your Spray and Grow Kit box or the sticker on your Advanced Kit shows the mushrooms at their ideal stage of growth for harvesting. The general rule is that mushrooms should be harvested before their caps flatten or become concave. In the case of Lion's Mane, before they ... -
Why do my pink oyster mushrooms look pale or brown?
Pink oysters are such a special mushroom. Their color is most vibrant on the underside of their caps or their gills, while the caps tend to be paler, sometimes with a brown hue. Younger mushrooms tend to have the best color, mellowing out with age and in cooking. Variance in color is totally norm...