Hobby mushroom growing has surged in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Growing your mushrooms at home can be both fun and rewarding. One of the most popular and easy-to-grow varieties in New Zealand is the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.), which is delicious, nutritious, and grows relatively quickly.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or starting oyster mushrooms are forgiving and accessible to beginner mushroom growers.
What Are Oyster Mushrooms?
Oyster mushrooms are a versatile and tasty variety of fungi known for their mild flavour and attractive, fan-shaped caps. Common varieties in New Zealand include:
- Italian Oyster: Light brown with a rich taste and texture that rivals button mushrooms.
- Pink Oyster: A striking light pink mushroom with a flavour like bacon.
- Native Velvet Oyster: A New Zealand native with a soft, velvety cap.
Though oyster mushrooms have a short shelf life, making them unsuitable for supermarket shelves, they are incredibly easy to grow at home. This makes them ideal for hobbyists looking to enjoy fresh, homegrown mushrooms.
How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms at Home
Growing oyster mushrooms is simpler than you might think. With a mushroom growing kit, like those offered by Oak and Spore Mushroom Farm, most of the hard work is already done for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow them:
- Choose a Mushroom Kit: Many kits come pre-inoculated with mushroom spores, so you don’t need to worry about sterilisation or inoculation yourself.
- Find the Right Spot: Unlike some mushrooms, oyster mushrooms require light to grow. Place your mushroom kit in a well-lit spot, such as a kitchen, laundry, or bathroom. Avoid putting it in a dark cupboard.
- Maintain Humidity: Mist the kit daily to ensure the mushrooms have the ideal humidity and temperature. Oyster mushrooms thrive in warm, moist conditions.
- Watch Them Grow: In just a few days or weeks, tiny “pins” (baby mushrooms) will appear on the kit. These will quickly grow into full-sized mushrooms, known as a flush in mushroom terminology.
When to Harvest Oyster Mushrooms
The best time to harvest oyster mushrooms is when the caps have fully opened and you can see the gills underneath. At this stage, the mushrooms will have the best flavour and texture. If you leave them too long, they may release spores, which can degrade their quality and affect their taste.
About Oak and Spore Mushroom Farm
Tom, the founder of Oak and Spore, grew mushrooms after watching YouTube videos. What began as a small venture in his garage in 2018 soon became a successful commercial mushroom farm in Christchurch. With his wife Nicky, Tom is passionate about making mushroom growing accessible to everyone and helping others enjoy growing fresh mushrooms right at home.
Why Grow Oyster Mushrooms at Home?
- Easy to Grow: With mushroom kits available, growing oyster mushrooms is simple and requires minimal effort from beginners.
- Quick Harvest: You can harvest your mushrooms in 2–3 weeks.
- Fresh and Flavourful: Homegrown oyster mushrooms offer a unique taste and texture that store-bought mushrooms can't match.
- Fun and Rewarding: Growing mushrooms is fun and educational, perfect for anyone looking to expand their gardening skills or try something new.
By growing mushrooms, you can enjoy fresh, flavourful fungi from your kitchen—no need for a trip to the supermarket.
