Organic Italian Oyster Mushroom Grain Spawn

$29.99

Get Ahead on Holiday Shopping!

Give the gift of growth this season and save automatically at checkout:

Save 10%

on orders $50 - $100

Save 15%

on orders $100 –$300

Save 20%

on orders over $300

No code needed – discounts apply automatically at checkout. Offer valid through November 17th.

In Stock. Ships in 2-5 business days.

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. They 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 production using straw or wood chips.
  • 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.

Specifications
  • 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
Temp, Humidity & CO2 guide
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.
Indoor cultivation

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

Outdoor cultivation

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.

Storing

If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 4 months.

Cooking

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.

Ingredients

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.

Cautions & considerations

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.

FAQs

Grain Spawn FAQs

Related Articles

Upgrade Your Grow
7 pc. Stainless Steel Mycology Set
7 pc. Stainless Steel Mycology Set (+$29.99)

Everything you need to grow like a pro

Boom Room II
Boom Room II (+$449.99)

Grow in style

Frequently Asked Questions

No, grain spawn is not an all-in-one kit and cannot be used to fruit mushrooms out of the bag. Grain spawn must be mixed with bulk substrate before you can fruit it.

Grain spawn can be used in a wide variety of ways including indoor growing, outdoor growing, or to make more grain spawn. (Grain spawn can be used to make plug or sawdust spawn, not just other grain spawn.)

  • Indoors, you can mix grain spawn with bulk substrate to grow in bags, in containers, or to create fruiting cakes.
  • Outdoors, you can mix grain spawn with straw or wood chips to make beds and containers. (Note: Grain spawn can not be used for logs.)
  • A grain-to-grain transfer allows you to extend the life of your grain and create more grain spawn.

Our grain spawn is a proprietary blend that features nutrient-rich organic millet and wheat berries.

Cluster of brown-capped mushrooms with long, light-colored stems against a white background.

Your Trusted Source for Premium Mushroom Growing Supplies

Whether you’re growing mushrooms at home, in your garden, or at a commercial scale, we offer everything you need to cultivate success. We start with the highest-quality OMRI-listed ingredients, mix them in our state-of-the-art facility, and inoculate them in our custom-built lab, so you can rest easy knowing your product will yield the best results.

Reviews