Inside your grow box is a sterilized bag of nutrient-rich substrate, specially prepared to support healthy mushroom growth. This clean, sealed environment provides the ideal conditions for mycelium to thrive and produce mushrooms.

FULLY COLONIZED BAG

Place your grow kit on a countertop or shelf in a spot with good airflow and ambient light—it grows best in indirect, natural light. Avoid direct sunlight, but don’t keep it in the dark either, as light helps trigger mushroom formation. Mist the exposed area 2–3 times per day to maintain humidity and support healthy growth. You should get your first harvest 6-7 days after cutting open the bag.

LOCATION / LIGHTING / MIST

This image shows a partially colonized bag of mushroom substrate. The substrate is contained in a clear plastic bag, with visible white patches of mycelium beginning to spread but not yet covering the entire surface. Some areas remain uncolonized, showing the original color and texture of the substrate—often a light brown or tan. The mycelium growth appears healthy but incomplete, indicating that the bag is still in the colonization phase and not yet ready to be cut open or exposed to fresh air. —————>

Harvest mushrooms with a clean, sharp knife by cutting them at the base where they attach to the block or substrate. Trim off any bits of substrate that may stick to the bottom to keep your mushrooms clean and ready for use. Each grow kit is designed to produce three flushes (harvests). You can expect to get around 1–2 pounds of mushrooms per kit. That’s why we use 5-pound blocks—they support more mushroom growth and provide a better overall growing experience.

1 2 3 4

HARVEST

TIME TO CUT OPEN

CUT ONE LARGE X or TWO SMALL X’s

When you're ready to start growing, sterilize the knife, the bag surface, and the viewing window before making any cuts. This helps prevent contamination and gives your mushrooms the best chance to grow strong and healthy. YOU CAN ALSO: Wipe the window down with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then use a sterile knife to cut open the bag where indicated.

WARNING:

Lion’s Mane is unique among mushrooms because its colonized substrate doesn't always turn fully white, even when it's ready. Unlike other species like oysters, which clearly cover the entire bag in thick white mycelium, Lion’s Mane can look patchy or uneven, with dense white areas mixed with visible substrate. This is normal—Lion’s Mane mycelium tends to grow more internally and in strands rather than forming a thick, fluffy surface layer. So even if the bag doesn’t look completely white, it may still be fully colonized and ready to fruit.