Ever since my little episode, which we don't speak about, I was banned from cultivating fungi.
Over the years, however, the authority figures have gotten more lenient and I've gained their trust again. I've even planted an outdoor wine cap bed this spring (still no developments).
And then, just last month on my birthday, I was gifted an oyster mushroom grow kit by one of my dear sisters. Had I bought it, there would have been concerns but I still works have gotten away with it. This was a gift, though. So no questions asked!
How exciting!
Seems simple enough. All I had to do was cut an X into the spawn bag and gently scrape the block a little to stimulate fruiting. The flaps created by the X cuts allow respiration but also keep moisture in. The scraped off bits and funky yellow water from the soaks I applied to my dying maple tree in hopes that its remains will be converted into food for us. We shall see...
I took this picture on the morning. It's true that once the primordia (pins) appear, they will double in size day by day. (I waited until the entire process was complete, documenting all along the way!)
The photo above is later that day. Below is the next morning.
By now, peering under the flap was unnecessary as the developing flush emerged all on its own.
Soon after, it was time to harvest.
I plucked the flush off of the mycelial block, chopped it up, and put it into my egg scramble. Delicious!
It seems to not be doing anything anymore, even after several baths. I think what I'll do is break it up and mix it with some fresh used coffee grounds and see if I can get some more mushies out of it!
If all goes well, I shall have more stories to share later! Until next time!