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Organic Italian Oyster Mushroom Grain Spawn
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Indoor & outdoor |
Spawn shelf life | 4 months (refrigerated) |
Certifications | USDA certified organic |
Bag weight | 6 lbs |
Fruiting temps | 65-75°F |
Our USDA-certified organic Italian oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius) grain spawn features a strain with a deliciously mild flavor and earthy aroma. Italian oyster mushrooms are thicker and meatier than blue oyster mushrooms, and their brown frilled caps can grow quite large.
Italian oysters are great for beginners and are reliable indoor year-round producers. If kept in the right conditions, they will yield substantial first, second, and even third harvests (making them an ideal commercial variety!)
Italian oyster grain spawn can be used for indoor cultivation year round. When used for outdoor cultivation, Italian oysters are generally cold tolerant and fruit prolifically in early spring or late fall.
Recommended use:
- Italian oyster grain spawn can be used for indoor production using sawdust or straw or outdoor garden beds using straw or wood chips. It is also ideal for growing in buckets.
- Do not use grain spawn for log inoculation.
- This is not a mushroom grow kit. Italian oyster grain spawn must be combined with a substrate in order to fruit.
Upon receiving your spawn:
Remove it 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!
Scroll down for specifications, growing, and storage guides.
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- Weight: Approximately 6 lbs
- Hydration: Average of 47%
- Bags: Gusseted 2.2 mil polypropylene
- Filter: High efficiency .2 micron
- Inoculation Rates: 6 lb. bag of grain will inoculate between 120-165 lb. sterilized sawdust, and 100-130 lb. pasteurized straw
- Sterilization method: Commercial grade autoclave sterilized
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Temperature 65-75°F | 18-24°C Humidity (Phase 1: Primordia) 95-100% Humidity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) 85-95% CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 1: Primordia) <800 ppm CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) <800 ppm - 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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Oyster mushroom grain spawn can be mixed into sterilized or lime pasteurized substrates including but not limited to hardwood sawdust, straw, and coffee grounds.
Note: Grain spawn must be mixed with bulk substrate before you can fruit it. If you are new to growing mushrooms, we recommend purchasing a book on mushroom cultivation.
Recommended reading:
'Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms' by Paul Stamets
'Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation' by Tradd Cotter
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Oyster spawn can be spread in chopped straw or wood chips as shown in the video below! Making outdoor beds is one of the easiest methods for growing any type of oyster mushroom.
For our complete mushroom beds pamphlet, click here.
Be sure to use clean, untreated products when making outdoor beds.
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If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 4 months.
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Italian Oysters can easily replace button mushrooms in most recipes and pair well with many cuisines and flavors. Like all oyster mushrooms, they retain water and may develop a viscous texture when undercooked. If you prefer a firm or dryer texture, continue to cook them until their liquid has reduced and cooked off and they begin to brown.
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Our grain spawn is USDA certified organic and made using organic cultures from our own culture bank. It contains a blend of locally sourced, organic, and non-GMO ingredients from farms in New England and North America.
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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.
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
Fruiting quickly
First, let me say it is now August and all my oysters from March's spray and grow boxes have been happily fruiting in my yard for months (those boxes are basically a gateway drug lol). I added fruiting blocks to expand the species and those fruited quickly and before long I was realizing I needed mycelium sitters to take care of things for me when I traveled so...out in the woods with those as well! We have a wooded acre. Half my body weight is now oyster mushrooms, I think. Because the little soil bugs and slugs really like them also (coffee grounds help) I thought I would try container growing in straw so that's why I purchased this spawn and I'm already harvesting and so far the slugs have not caught on to my game. Delish!
North Spore
Your review made our day, Laura! Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Third harvest
Allentown Pennsylvania area is where we live. I established two beds of this product at the end of April. This week we have our third harvest of Oysters! We had to protect it from slug damage using small containers of cheap beer. That took care of the slugs that ate our second harvest before we could gather much. This third harvest filled two large mixing bowls, and the taste is wonderful. Highly recommended. Using straw and wood chips in an existing shaded landscaping bed that has a mix of river birch and low light plants.
North Spore
We're so happy the Italian oysters worked out, Robert! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
Love these mushrooms, so tasty!
These mushrooms are a real gourmet experience; they are mild and delicious.
North Spore
Congratulations on your Italian Oysters! We appreciate your review.
Oysters Italian
This was easy and fun to grow. I placed in a bed by itself with minimal sun. 2 weeks in I started to get one or two here and there. Now after some rainfall they have taken off! Couldn't be more happier with the product!
North Spore
Awesome photos, Kim! Congrats on your successful grow.
Great Flush
Grew them in my garden. Two weeks to harvest.
North Spore
Great harvest in great time! Congrats, Justin.