Shiitake

**This is an intermediate grow. Therefore, this is not recommended for your first attempt at growing mushrooms at home. We recommend another variety to get you oriented to some of the basic concepts into the world of mushroom growing first and once you succeed with those then this is LEVEL 2.**

HOW TO GROW:

a) Entirely remove the brick from the bag

b) Soak the brick by submerging underwater for ~4 hours. Since shiitake grow bricks are naturally buoyant, it may be required to put a small weight on top of it to keep it submerged. Also note, that the shiitake grow brick soaks up water, so fill a few inches above the brick.

c) The brick will fruit once taken out of the water after about 1 week. You may simple leave it to rest and you will get some fruits. However, if you want to get a bountiful, lush fruiting, then it is suggested you follow the following tips.

After 2 “flushes” it is possible to get a 3rd fruiting if you want to get a few more mushrooms, however, yields were diminish and become susceptible to molds.

TEMPERATURE: 65-80 degrees fahrenheit

LIGHTING: Keep out of direct sunlight! If you are going to fruit these outside, put them in a shaded area. If you are putting them inside they do not need any special lighting, any ambient lighting will do with minimum recommended exposure being 4 hours a day. You don’t want to keep in total darkness,

TIP:

Keep the humidity of the surrounding area of your brick high. This is achieved by putting the brick in a container of sorts, such as a tupperware container or plastic storage bin. You may use aquariums or even plastic bags. Anything that walls off the outside drafts and keeps the moisture contained within the immediate environment will suffice. It is also recommended that you keep air going in the room that it’s in. These bricks produce over 1 pound on the first flush if done properly and may be rehydrated (repeat step B) after your first harvest and grown a second time! The second flush can achieve an even greater yield.