🍄 Fruiting Guide
For 10 lb Supplemented Hardwood Substrate Blocks
Growth Phases, Environmental Control & Harvesting
Lion’s Mane mushrooms fruit in a continuous progression rather than distinct biological phases. Instead of browning or cold shocking like shiitake, successful cultivation relies on watching surface colonization, managing airflow and humidity, and harvesting at the right texture and stage.
🌱 PHASE 1: Full Colonization & Fruiting Readiness
Duration: ~2–3 weeks after inoculation
Environment: 70–75°F (21–24°C), dark or low light
What’s happening:
- Mycelium spreads visibly and rapidly across and through the block
- The surface becomes thick, bright white, and fluffy
- Block feels dense and solid, with no raw substrate visible
✅ Before initiating fruiting:
- The entire surface should be colonized and bright white
- No visible contamination or discoloration
- Block emits a mild mushroom scent and appears firm
⏳ No need to wait for browning or crust formation — Lion’s Mane is ready as soon as colonization is complete.
💨 PHASE 2: Fruiting Initiation (No Cold Shock Needed)
Timing: Once colonization is complete
Trigger Method: Environmental shift
Procedure:
- Cut X-shaped slits or small openings in the grow bag where primordia can emerge
- Alternatively, remove the bag entirely in a high-humidity chamber
- Begin fruiting conditions:
- Temperature: 60–70°F (15–21°C)
- Humidity: 85–95% RH
- Light: 12 hours/day, indirect or 6500K daylight bulb
- Fresh Air Exchange (FAE): High — Lion’s Mane is very sensitive to CO₂ buildup
💡 Tip: Use a fan or cracked chamber lid for passive airflow — avoid stagnant environments.
🍄 PHASE 3: Pin Formation & Fruiting Development
Duration: ~4–10 days from fruiting trigger
What to expect:
- Small white tufts or bulbs begin emerging from the cuts/openings
- Rapid transformation into branched, “icicle-like” clusters
- Mushrooms grow dense and meaty, nearly doubling in size every 24–48 hours
✅ Maintain ideal surface moisture — light misting is okay, but avoid drenching fruit bodies
✅ FAE is crucial: insufficient airflow can cause coral-like, stubby, or fuzzy growth
✂️ PHASE 4: Harvesting
Best time to harvest:
- Spines (teeth) are elongated but still short and firm (typically ¼" to ½" long)
- Texture is dense and springy, not soft or spongy
- Color remains bright white to off-white — avoid yellowing or browning
Harvesting technique:
- Twist and pull gently at the base
- OR cut cleanly with a sterile blade close to the block
- Avoid tearing the block or damaging nearby growth sites
⛔ Overripe Lion’s Mane becomes bitter, watery, and prone to bacterial rot. Spines elongating past ¾" is often a sign to harvest immediately.
🔁 PHASE 5: Resting & Subsequent Flushes
After harvesting:
- Remove any base remnants or spent tissue
- Allow the block to rest for 5–7 days in fresh air (bag closed or loosely covered)
- Then reinitiate fruiting conditions as before
- If needed, light misting or bag hydration can help with second flushes
📦 Healthy Lion’s Mane blocks produce 2–3 flushes, often with similar or slightly reduced yields
🧪 Common Issues & Solutions
Issue | Cause / Solution |
---|
No pins forming | Inadequate airflow — increase FAE, check CO₂ levels |
Coral-like or fuzzy growth | High CO₂ — increase ventilation |
Yellow or brown fruit bodies | Low humidity or overripe — harvest earlier, mist more |
Mushrooms drying out or cracking | Low RH — increase misting or humidity control |
Waterlogged or spongy texture | Excess misting or standing water — reduce humidity |
Comments
Hey Josh! I just wanted to say thank you for this fantastic guide on growing Lion's Mane at home. I’ve been looking to start my own little mushroom farm for a while now, and your step-by-step approach made it seem way less daunting. The tips on substrate preparation were especially helpful, and I hadn’t realized how essential it is to use the right kind. I’ve always loved Lion's Mane for its unique flavor and all the health benefits, so I can't wait to try it in my dishes once I successfully cultivate my own! I appreciate the links to resources for sourcing spores and the troubleshooting section. It really gives me confidence to get started. For someone like me, who's just starting out, the clarity of your instructions is priceless. Can’t wait to share my progress and hopefully some delicious recipes once I harvest! Keep the mushroom knowledge coming! Cheers, Noah
I've always been fascinated by mushrooms, but I never thought I could grow my own at home until I read Josh Shearer's guide on Lion's Mane. The step-by-step instructions were super clear, and I loved how he broke down the science behind mycelium. I decided to give it a shot, and I can honestly say it was easier than I expected! The part about creating the right environment was key for me—my kitchen turned into a tiny mushroom lab! I've been checking in on my little 'crop' every day, and it’s so rewarding to see those white, fluffy spines starting to form. Can’t wait to cook with them and explore all the health benefits! Plus, knowing that I grew them myself makes it even better. Thanks, Josh, for such an accessible and informative guide. For anyone on the fence about trying to grow Lion's Mane, I say go for it! The experience has been incredibly satisfying, and I'm already looking forward to my next mushroom growing project. Who knew that cultivating delicious, healthy goodies could also be such a fun hobby?
Wow, Josh! I just finished reading your guide on growing Lion's Mane at home, and I have to say it’s incredibly thorough and easy to follow. I’ve always been fascinated by this unique mushroom but felt overwhelmed at the thought of cultivating it myself. Your step-by-step instructions demystified the entire process! I loved the part about the optimal conditions for growth, especially how light plays a role. It’s interesting to think that something so beautiful can be just as delicious! I’m planning to start my own little mushroom corner in the kitchen, and I feel way more confident knowing the best substrates to use and when to harvest. It’s also great to know the health benefits of Lion's Mane—I’ve heard about its cognitive support and can’t wait to experience that for myself. The photos you included made it so visually compelling too. I already have all my supplies lined up and can’t wait to share my progress. Thank you for sharing your expertise in such a friendly way; it really feels like I have a knowledgeable friend guiding me through my first mushroom-growing adventure. Can’t wait to enjoy some fresh Lion's Mane in my next stir-fry!