🍄 Shiitake Fruiting Guide (Lentinula edodes)
For 10 lb Supplemented Hardwood Substrate Blocks
Phases, Environmental Control & Harvesting
Shiitake mushrooms fruit in distinct biological phases that require specific changes to temperature, humidity, light, and fresh air exchange (FAE). Managing these phases properly ensures strong flushes, dense fruit bodies, and multiple successful harvests.
🌱 PHASE 1: Browning & Consolidation (Pre-Fruiting)
Duration: ~4–6 weeks after full colonization
Environment: 70–75°F (21–24°C), dark or low light
What's happening:
- Mycelium finishes internal colonization
- Surface transforms from white to golden-brown (“skin” forms)
- Block densifies and builds fruiting potential
✅ Key Signs to Wait For Before Fruiting:
- Surface fully browned and hardened
- No white mycelial regrowth or exposed substrate
- Block has a firm, leathery feel
- Colonization period complete (minimum 40–45 days)
⏳ Patience is key — premature fruiting = weak or aborted mushrooms.
❄️ PHASE 2: Cold Shock & Soaking (Initiation Trigger)
Timing: After browning is fully complete
Trigger Method: Cold water soak
Procedure:
- Remove block from the bag (or cut large slits if bag-fruiting)
- Submerge in cold clean water (36–45°F / 2–7°C) for 4–12 hours
- Weigh down if necessary to ensure full contact
- Drain thoroughly and allow excess moisture to drip off for 15–30 min
Purpose:
- Simulates rainfall and seasonal drop in temperature
- Triggers primordial (pin) formation
💧 Do not soak early — it may lead to rot or contaminate the block.
🍄 PHASE 3: Pinning & Fruiting
Duration: ~5–10 days
Environment:
- Temp: 55–70°F (ideal: 60–65°F / 16–18°C)
- Humidity: 85–95% RH
- Light: 12 hours/day of indirect light, 6500K (avoid total darkness or direct sun)
- FAE: High — shiitake needs clean, moving air to fruit properly
What to watch for:
- Dark brown bumps appearing across the block (primordia)
- Rapid development into button-sized caps
- Mushrooms double in size every 24–48 hours during peak growth
✅ Keep the block moist, but not soaked. Mist walls or air above the block as needed.
✂️ PHASE 4: Harvesting
Ideal Harvest Time:
- Cap is expanded and slightly convex, not fully flat
- Veil under the cap is torn, but spore drop hasn’t started
- Mushroom feels firm and heavy
- Color is rich brown (strain-dependent)
Harvesting technique:
- Twist and pull gently from the base
- OR cut cleanly with a sanitized knife or scissors
- Avoid damaging nearby pins — harvest in clusters where possible
⛔ Overmature shiitake become spongy, release spores, and are prone to rot.
🔁 PHASE 5: Rest & Re-soak for Future Flushes
After harvest:
- Remove stem stubs and surface debris
- Let the block rest in fresh air for 7–10 days (no soak)
- Re-soak in cold water for another 4–12 hours
- Resume fruiting conditions
📦 A healthy shiitake block can produce 2–4 flushes, with second and third flushes often larger and more attractive than the first.
🧪 Common Issues & Fixes
Issue | Cause / Fix |
---|
No pins after soaking | Block not mature enough – wait longer before next soak |
Mushrooms abort or are misshapen | Insufficient FAE or excess CO₂ — increase airflow |
White fuzz on caps | High humidity and low airflow — adjust FAE |
Mushrooms too pale | Not enough light — ensure indirect 6500K exposure |
Mushrooms drying out early | Low RH — mist more or use humidity tent |
Comments
Hey Josh, thanks for the awesome guide on growing Enoki mushrooms! I've always been fascinated by these little guys, but didn’t know where to start. Your step-by-step instructions made the process way less intimidating. I particularly appreciated the tips on temperature and humidity control—those details can really make or break a harvest. I also love that you emphasized the importance of substrate choice; I wasn't aware that it could affect the flavor profile of the Shrooms! I followed your suggestions and set up a mini-grow area in my kitchen. It’s so rewarding to watch them sprout. Can't wait to taste my very first batch! Do you have any additional tips for troubleshooting if things don’t go as planned? I guess I'm a bit nervous about pest issues, too. Overall, this guide has been super helpful, and I'm looking forward to sharing my delicious home-grown Enoki with friends and family. Keep up the great work—I’ll be eagerly awaiting your next guide! Cheers, Zack
I recently followed Josh Shearer's guide to growing Enoki mushrooms at home, and I must say, it was a delightful journey! The step-by-step instructions were clear and easy to follow, even for someone like me who has never grown mushrooms before. I particularly appreciated the tips on temperature and humidity control, as creating the right environment made a huge difference in my yield. The first time I harvested my Enoki, I felt like a proud parent! Not to mention the amazing flavor they added to my dishes—they're perfect in soups and stir-fries. I never knew how rewarding it could be to cultivate my own food. Just remember, patience is key! It took a couple of tries to get everything just right, but it was totally worth it. Big thanks to ShroomSpy and Josh for sharing this awesome guide! If you're considering giving it a shot, I highly recommend it. Can't wait to experiment with other types of mushrooms next. Cheers to home-grown fungi adventures!
Hey Josh, thanks for the detailed guide on growing Enoki mushrooms! I’ve always been curious about these little guys, especially since they pack a serious punch in the umami department. Your step-by-step instructions make it seem way less intimidating than I thought it would be. I also appreciate the tips on maintaining the right humidity and temperature—I tend to overthink those things! I’m excited to try it out in my basement, which has a pretty stable climate for growing. I've been using a few of your other guides, and they've really helped me get started with mushroom cultivation. It’s surprisingly gratifying to see them grow and know I’m crafting something nutritious at home. Looking forward to posting my first batch pictures here! If I run into any hiccups, would it be okay to reach out for advice? Keep up the great work with these guides; it's awesome to have a resource like ShroomSpy that’s educational yet approachable. Happy shrooming! 🍄