• North American Mycological Association

    Promoting, pursuing and advancing mycology

  • Asociación Micológica de América del Norte

    Perseguir y hacer avanzar la micología

  • Association Mycologique d'Amérique du Nord

    Poursuivre et faire progresser la mycologie

Creating Conditions for Fruiting

  • High humidity. Most species like 80 to 95% humidity.
  • Ideal temperature for fruiting — varies with species and strain.
    • Oyster and shiitake have cold and warm weather strain
    • See Stamets, The Mushroom Cultivator, for growth parameters of various mushroom species
  • Good air exchange — ventilation or fan, low CO2 levels
  • Enough light. Indirect sunlight for most species. The button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus an exception — prefers darkness

Some Ways to Create the Conditions for Fruiting

  • Build a "Grow Room" or house
    grow room shelves

$100 Basement grow room made from 2x2s, plastic sheeting, humidifier, fan. © Photo by Léger Michel

banana leaf grow house

Banana leaf grow house in Florida. Banana leaves are also a substrate for Oyster mushrooms. © Photo: Jeremy Davis

  • Portable Greenhouse
    portable greenhouse

© Photo by Ron Spinosa

  • Terrarium: Sterlite bin with holes and layer of moist Perlite. There are also holes in the bottom of the bin. The whole terrarium would be elevated off the ground while fruiting the mushrooms on the substrate of choice.
    Perlite terrarium

© Photo courtesy Rico_U www.shroomery.org

  • Humidity tent: clear plastic "umbrella" with holes for air flow; chopsticks for support. Mist twice daily.
    humidity tent before

© Photos by Ron Spinosa

humitity tent covered
  • Fans, humidifiers, misters, heating or air conditioning are often needed for larger grow rooms or grow houses.