Getting Started with Gourmet Mushroom Growing

Why Grow Mushrooms at Home

Fresh gourmet mushrooms are one of the most rewarding things you can grow indoors. Unlike plants, they do not need sunlight. Unlike herbs, they produce a harvest in days, not months. And unlike anything you will find at the grocery store, home-grown mushrooms have flavors and textures that are genuinely transformative.

There are practical reasons too. A pound of fresh Lion's Mane costs $14 to $20 retail. A single substrate block can produce multiple flushes totaling well over a pound, for a fraction of that cost. Medicinal species like Reishi, which sell for premium prices as dried supplements, can be grown fresh at home for pennies per dose.

And then there is the simple satisfaction of watching a cluster of Pink Oyster mushrooms emerge from a substrate block in less than a week. It never gets old.

The Four Fundamentals

Mushroom cultivation comes down to four environmental factors:

Humidity -- This is the most important factor. Fruiting mushrooms need 80-95% relative humidity, depending on the species. Too low and the pins dry out before they can develop. Too high without air movement and you risk bacterial contamination.

Fresh Air Exchange (FAE) -- Mushrooms breathe. They consume oxygen and produce CO2, just like we do. If CO2 builds up around the substrate, the mushrooms will grow long, leggy stems reaching for fresh air. Regular air exchange keeps growth compact and healthy.

Temperature -- Most gourmet species fruit between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit (15-24 degrees Celsius). Some species like Pink Oyster prefer warmer conditions, while others like Blue Oyster can handle cooler temperatures. Room temperature works for most beginner-friendly species.

Light -- Mushrooms do not photosynthesize, but they do use light as a directional cue. Ambient room light or a gentle LED is enough to encourage uniform growth. Direct sunlight is not needed and can actually dry out your substrate.

Choosing Your First Species

For your first grow, we strongly recommend starting with one of these two species:

Pink Oyster (Pleurotus djamor) -- The fastest grower in the mushroom kingdom. Pink Oysters can go from pin to harvest in 5-7 days under good conditions. They are incredibly forgiving of imperfect humidity and produce stunning bright pink clusters that look almost too beautiful to eat. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, with a texture reminiscent of bacon when pan-fried.

Blue Oyster (Pleurotus columbinus) -- The most resilient beginner species. Blue Oysters tolerate a wider temperature range than almost any other gourmet mushroom, fruiting happily from 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. They produce large, dense clusters with a rich, savory flavor. If your growing environment is not perfectly dialed in, Blue Oysters will forgive you.

Both species are available as ready-to-fruit substrate blocks from numerous suppliers. Check out our species guides for detailed profiles on every species we have validated in the Void.

Understanding Substrate Blocks

A substrate block is the growing medium for your mushrooms -- think of it as the "soil" equivalent. For gourmet mushrooms, this is typically a mix of hardwood sawdust and wheat bran that has been sterilized and inoculated with mushroom mycelium.

When you receive a ready-to-fruit block, the mycelium has already colonized the entire substrate. The block should be firm, mostly white throughout, and smell earthy. All you need to do is provide the right fruiting conditions and the mushrooms will emerge.

Most suppliers ship blocks ready to fruit. You simply cut an X-shaped opening in the bag, place it in a humid environment, and wait. With a Void dome, you do not even need to think about humidity -- the dome maintains optimal conditions automatically.

The Growing Cycle

Here is what a typical grow looks like from start to finish:

Day 1-2: Introduction -- Place your substrate block in the dome. Cut an opening in the bag if not already done. The mycelium begins responding to fresh air and light.

Day 3-5: Pinning -- Tiny bumps called "pins" appear at the opening. These are the beginnings of mushroom fruit bodies. This is the most critical phase -- consistent humidity is essential.

Day 5-10: Growth -- The pins develop rapidly into recognizable mushroom clusters. You can practically watch them grow hour by hour. Maintain humidity and FAE.

Day 7-14: Harvest -- When the caps begin to flatten or slightly curl upward (depending on species), it is time to harvest. Twist gently at the base or cut with a clean knife. Use immediately for the best flavor, or store in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Day 14-21: Rest and Second Flush -- After harvest, let the block rest for a few days. Re-soak by submerging in water for several hours, then return to fruiting conditions. Most blocks will produce 2-3 flushes before the nutrients are depleted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Low humidity -- By far the most common issue. If your pins are drying out and turning brown before developing, humidity is too low. A fruiting chamber (or a Void dome) solves this completely.

Not enough fresh air -- If your mushrooms are growing extremely long stems with tiny caps, they are reaching for fresh air. Increase ventilation. The Void's automated FAE fan handles this automatically.

Over-handling -- Resist the urge to touch developing mushrooms. The oils on your skin can damage young pins. Handle only at harvest.

Growing near contaminant sources -- Keep your grow away from compost bins, garbage cans, and soil-based houseplants. These are sources of mold spores that can contaminate your substrate.

Harvesting too late -- Mushrooms release spores as they mature. Harvesting before the caps fully flatten prevents spore drops, which leave a white powder on everything nearby and reduce shelf life.

How The Void Simplifies Everything

The Void Grows dome was designed specifically to remove the guesswork from home cultivation. The automated humidity system maintains 85-95% RH without manual misting. The FAE fan cycles fresh air on a schedule tuned for each species. The UV-C sterilization (Void Core) helps prevent contamination.

Choose your species, load a substrate block, select a profile, and let the dome do the work.

Ready to find your perfect first species? Take our species quiz to get a personalized recommendation, or browse the full species guides to explore your options.

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Happy growing. The mycelium is waiting.