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Organic Reishi Mushroom Grow Kit Fruiting Block
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Indoors |
Grow speed | 1 to 3 months |
Shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Kit dimensions | 6in H x 9in W x 6in D |
Kit weight | 5 lbs |
Fruiting temps | 65-80°F |
Our reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) fruiting block features a strain that is widely cultivated in Asia. Reishi is an edible medicinal mushroom known as “Ling Zhi” in China and “Reishi" or "Manetake” in Japan. Reishi mushrooms are one of the easiest of all of our fruiting block kits, as they are very reliable producers and require next to no upkeep. That's because they can live their entire life cycle within an unopened bag!
Reishi take their time and grow very slowly. Depending on your needs, you can harvest your kit early when the mushrooms resemble antlers and are only a few inches tall. Or, you can allow the mushrooms several more months in the bag to form more interesting growth patterns. You can also try for mature mushroom caps, which requires more supervision as well as opening the bag (which is described in the directions section below). This is a more challenging method, but can be very rewarding for those who have some prior experience with reishi kits.
Upon receiving your kit:
Remove kit from the shipping box as soon as possible. Then, unfold the top of the bag, making room for air space. It's also important to check and confirm that the filter patch is not obstructed. This will help the organism breathe and continue to thrive until you are ready to grow your fruiting block!
Scroll down for guides on growing, storage, cooking, and more.
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For the majority of mushroom species, all that is needed to initiate fruiting (or begin the growth cycle) is a change in environmental conditions -- specifically humidity, light, temperature, and changes to oxygen and CO2 levels.
For best results:
If you are interested in growing reishi antlers, a fruiting chamber is not necessary. However, if you are interested in growing reishi conks (caps) we recommend growing your reishi block in a fruiting chamber (like a monotub or martha tent) as a controlled environment will decrease the risk of contamination and increase the chances of success.
Creating optimal conditions:
For reishi antlers, there are no special parameters (as the entire growth cycle happens within the bag.) The environmental parameters for reishi conks (caps) can be found on this page under "Temp, Humidity & CO2 guide" and on page 8 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.
Preparing your block:
Unfold the top of the bag, making room for air space. It's also important to check and confirm that the filter patch is not obstructed.
How to initiate fruiting:
For reishi antlers:
- DO NOT open the bag. Reishi needs the high humidity and CO2 environment of a closed bag in order to form antlers.
- Place closed bag in a spot with ambient light and rotate occasionally until ready to harvest.
For reishi conks (caps):
- DO NOT open the bag until antlers are greater than 4” in height.
- Once antlers are greater than 4" in height, open the top of the bag.
- Return to fruiting chamber until ready to harvest.
Special considerations:
- Reishi mushrooms are very slow growing.
- Because of the slow growth rate, there is greater risk of contamination when opened and placed in a fruiting chamber.
Harvesting your mushrooms:
Mushrooms can be harvested by twisting the base and then trimming away any substrate and dried in the open air.
Growing different blocks together:
With some compromise, many different species of mushrooms can be grown together in a fruiting chamber. First, consider the temperature range of the mushrooms you desire to grow, and second, the CO2 sensitivity. Humidity ranges overlap for the majority of species. We encourage you to experiment with many different groupings!
Troubleshooting:
Having issues with unusual growth, stunted growth, or no growth at all? Refer to pages 16-18 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.
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Temperature 65-80°F | 18-26°C Humidity (Phase 1: Primordia) 95-100% Humidity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) 85-95% CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 1: Primordia) High CO2, keep in bag CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) <2,000 ppm | keep bag closed for antlers, open bag for caps - Primordia - The earliest recognizable stage of fruitbody development. Also known as “baby mushrooms” or “mushroom pins.”
- Fruitbody - A fully grown mushroom, the reproductive structure of the organism in which the spores are produced.
- CO2 sensitivity - When CO2 levels are too high, yields will decrease, stems will become long and stringy, caps will be small, and/or growth will halt.
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If you don't plan to use your reishi kit immediately, store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. If left at room temperature, it will continue to grow.
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Reishi mushrooms are intensely bitter and woody and usually aren't considered culinary unless harvested very young. However, we do recommend throwing a slice or two of dried reishi into soup stock, much like you'd use a bay leaf, to infuse the broth with its medicinal properties. You may also choose to incorporate reishi into medicinal teas tinctures.
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If you’re going to consume home-grown mushrooms, make sure to cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly with heat. If it is your first time eating this species, it is best to start with a small amount to check for allergies, even if cooked.
Mushrooms grow spores as they develop. This is a natural means of reproduction. This is when people with allergies or compromised immune systems may want to consider putting fruiting mushroom kits outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Spores in mushrooms sometimes cause respiratory irritation. In rare cases, spores may also cause irritation for some non-allergic or non-immunocompromised mushroom growers. If you are one of them, it is recommended to reduce the overall spore load by harvesting mushrooms while they are still in their younger growth stages.
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- Reviews
- Questions
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
First flush is coming in nice.
First flush is coming in nicely, can't wait to use this medicine.
North Spore
How exciting, Kevin! If you need help with anything, please reach out.
First Grow
Awesome so far. The finger are starting to reach half up the grow bag and starting to show nice color.
North Spore
Thanks so much, Corey! We're so glad you're enjoying the experience so far. The team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Antler resihi
Amazing for sure
North Spore
Great pic, Lola! We’re so happy you’re enjoying the experience! Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Reishi Blocks are SO Different!
With the Reishi blocks, you keep the bags sealed while the conks form, to hold the humidity & co2 levels where they need to be. Everything else I have done so far has been a “cut the bag open” once it has colonized. These blocks are like watching a slow motion movie compared to anything else & I am so glad I was expecting that. It’s been a pretty messed up few weeks for me & I haven’t really checked on these as often as I should have but it’s been so much fun watching the slow changes taking over the bag. I think I like it better than the “I can see it growing!” of the oysters! I can’t wait to see how they form up but waiting IS what I’ll have to do, isn’t it?!?! Haha!
North Spore
Your review made our day, Cyndi! Please reach out if you ever need anything!
Kids loved watching them grow
We ordered the Reishi mushroom growing kit. It arrived in great condition and we just sat back and watched them grow. The kids loved them!
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Brandy! We really appreciate the kind review.
Intriguing
I've only read about and seen pictures of reishi, so it was intriguing to watch the antlers grow for the first time. Although touted as being slow growing, the antlers have reached the top of the bag in 26 days, so it wasn't that much of a wait. NorthSpore is the best! Customer service can answer any questions and resolve any issues or concerns, and is the best customer service I have ever found!
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, James! We couldn't do it without customers like you.
First fruiting block
Have never grown mushrooms before and it has been a great experience so far! Totally worth it!!
North Spore
Thanks, Collin! We're so happy you're enjoying the experience. Our team is here if you need anything!
Highly reccomended!
This was effortless and so much fun to watch!!
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Benjamin! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Impressive
Impressive yield, quote pleased.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Michael! We're so happy you had a great experience. The team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Growing Fast
So far it’s doing wonderful. They’re growing in and looking amazing.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Logan! If you need help with anything, please reach out.