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Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Grow Kit Fruiting Block
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Indoors |
Grow speed | 1.5 to 2 weeks |
Kit shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Kit dimensions | 6in H x 9in W x 6in D |
Kit weight | 5 lbs |
Fruiting temps | 55-70°F |
Our lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) fruiting block features a strain that produces plump, dense, shaggy mushroom clusters. Lion's mane mushrooms are highly versatile and can be enjoyed cooked, dried, extracted, or even steeped as tea! In addition to making an amazing meat substitute, it is an absolute culinary dream both in texture and flavor. That’s because, when cooked, it has a consistency and flavor similar to crab meat.
Though slightly harder to get flushes than oysters or shiitake, lion's mane fruiting blocks are still a great mushroom for confident beginners. They colonize quickly and are relatively reliable producers. It's important to note that Lion's mane can be prone to drying out if the ambient humidity is too low, so we recommend that you water it generously or grow your fruiting block in a humidity-controlled chamber, like a monotub or martha tent.
“5 of the Best Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes”
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:
We recommend growing your lion’s mane 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:
The environmental parameters for lion’s mane can be found on this page under "Temp, Humidity & CO2 guide" and on page 9 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.
Preparing your block:
Tightly fold excess plastic back and place the block face up.
How to initiate fruiting:
- Making small holes in the plastic encourages even growth which can be harvested easily and cleanly. We recommend cutting 3-4 small X’s on one plane of the bag.
- Lion’s mane can be top or side fruited depending on preference; side fruiting can encourage elongated spines.
Special considerations:
- Lion’s mane is prone to fruiting within the bag before being exposed to air; we do not recommend cutting holes where these fruits have begun to form.
- Avoid direct moisture (during pinning and fruitbody phases) and excess humidity (during fruitbody phase) to prevent rot.
Harvesting your mushrooms:
Mushrooms should be harvested after teeth have formed but before they elongate. Good shelf life; will begin to yellow as they dry out.
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 55-70°F | 13-21°C Humidity (Phase 1: Primordia) 90-95% Humidity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) 80-90% CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 1: Primordia) 500-700 ppm CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) <1,000 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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If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your block for up to 6 months.
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"5 of the Best Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipes"
Its unique flavor and consistency make it ideal as a seafood substitute in recipes. We like to slice it into rounds and pan-fry it in olive oil or butter. We also recommend ripping it up and making vegan or vegetarian crab cakes with it. You can find some amazing recipes online!
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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!
So good. So easy.
Great. The fruiting block is healthy and grows very easily. Love it.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Michael! We're so glad to hear you're enjoying the experience.
Beautiful lions mane.
It fruited right away and I got some nice flushes. It's was also delicious.
North Spore
We're so happy you're enjoying the experience, Kevin! Our team is here if you need anything.
Incredible Block
Fantastic fruiting block. Producing huge poms and on its third flush.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Stephanie! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Delicious
I harvested my lion's mane after 17 days, I used a grocery bag with several holes to tent over the box they arrived in. They were delicious and I am hoping to get another harvest-looks to be starting again!
North Spore
Thanks so much, Kameron! We really appreciate the kind review. The team is here if you ever need anything!
A new favorite mushroom!
This was our first time tasting (and growing, of course) lion's mane mushroom and I've found a new favorite. The flavor and texture are both so unique! Mine turned pinkish, and I immediately thought I did something wrong, but apparently this happens relatively frequently. We're getting ready to harvest a second flush and I just came back here to order another block!
North Spore
Hello Kristen! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! We're so glad you've found a new favorite - it's one of ours too. We appreciate your business! Best of luck with your next grow.
Great first flush
So far excellent
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Janel! Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Giant puffy beautiful Lions Mane!
Fruited beautifully! Waiting and hoping for a second flush now. Fingers crossed.
North Spore
We're so happy everything is going well for you, Daniel! Our team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Lions mane
Very happy with my fruiting block experience. I’m a novice & I’m on my 5th flush from the lions mane . 3rd on the blue & golden oyster blocks . I’m waiting on the 2nd flush from my Italian oyster , but the block is now completely white again . Doing good in Oklahoma . I’m about to try wine cap in an outside garden . I got a sawdust spawn & it looks ready .
North Spore
Your review made our day, John! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Our team is here to help if you ever need anything!
Lions Mane
Good experience. Yielded first flush after 3 weeks.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Donald! We're so glad you're enjoying the experience.
Good Kit
Nice big flush, good tasting mushroom.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Jonathan! We're so glad you're enjoying the experience.