Your fruiting block kit is an amended sawdust block that has been colonized by mushroom mycelium. Mushrooms need adequate humidity and ventilation to survive and thrive, so proper care is important.

1. Your pioppino mushroom fruiting block is an amended sawdust block that has been completely colonized by pioppino mycelium. Before opening your bag at all, you should observe your block closely through the plastic. You want to watch for the development of baby pioppino mushrooms (called pinsets by mushroom growers). Let your block pin extensively on top before opening the bag. When pins are 1-2 inches tall, cut off the top of the bag leaving a 4-6 inch collar.

2. Place your sliced bag in your BoomRoom or the most humid part of your home and outside of direct sunlight (ie. on a kitchen counter somewhat close to a sink). If you are not using a humidification system, maintain humidity by spraying the outside of your block with water at least once per day.

3. If your home is very dry, and you do not have a humidity-controlled grow chamber, you may need to make a humidity tent to place over the over fruiting block. To do this, find a loose-fitting plastic bag and make plenty of ½-inch holes all over it. Then place it over the fruiting block (that is still inside it’s original bag). Once you’ve made the humidity tent, be sure to spray the inside of it a minimum of once per day.

4. With proper care, after 5 to 10 days of pin formation, your mushrooms should be ready to harvest.

5. Watch to make sure that your mushrooms don’t begin look “stringy” while growing. If this happens, they require more oxygen. Make sure they are in a spot with adequate ventilation and aren’t too close to other mushroom fruiting blocks or kits.

6. Harvest your mushrooms when they resemble the mushrooms in the photographs, before the caps flatten out and become concave.

Each subsequent harvest will be smaller in size, but can still produce a nice flush. Before trying for another flush,  give your block a one-week break from spraying, then soak it in cold water for 20 minutes, and re-start daily water spraying.

If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your block for up to 6 months.

Both the cap and stem are firm and develop a crisp and crunchy texture when cooked. They also produce a mild and nutty flavor when cooked. 

Spawn used in our fruiting blocks is grown on USDA certified organic grain and made with organic cultures from our own culture bank. Our fruiting blocks are handmade from a blend of locally sourced, all-natural, organic, and non-GMO woods and supplements from farms and forests in New England and North America.

If your home is really dry you may want to make a humidity tent to place over your bag. Simply take a trash bag or other loosely fitting plastic bag, put PLENTY of 1/2 inch holes in it. (THIS IS IMPORTANT mushrooms exhale CO2 and inhale Oxygen. They will suffocate themselves if there isn’t adequate airflow! Pioppino that look stringy or strange are usually growing that way because they need more air!) If you choose to use a humidity tent make sure to spray the inside of the tent once per day to maintain humidity.

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.

Fruiting Block Kit FAQ

Martha Tent Set Up & Grow Guide