Mushroom Species Database — Growing Parameters

Growing parameters for cultivated gourmet and medicinal mushrooms — colonization and fruiting temperatures, humidity, substrate, timing to harvest and biological efficiency. Figures are typical literature ranges; confirm them for your own strain and setup.

Pearl / Grey Oyster

Pleurotus ostreatus

CulinaryBeginner

Fruits 13–18 °CHumidity 85–95%Colonization 10–14 dBE 75–150%

Full parameters

Climate

Colonization temp22–24 °CFruiting temp13–18 °C (to 24)Incubation RH~70%Fruiting RH85–95%Fresh airHighLightBright indirect

Timing & substrate

Colonization~10–14 daysPinning3–5 daysMaturation4–7 daysFlush interval12–16 daysSubstratePasteurised strawOptionsPasteurised straw, Sawdust

Yield

Biological efficiencyhigh · range 75–150%Flushes3NotesMist 2–3 times per day during fruiting.

Practical

Best methodsGrow bags, Straw beds, MonotubWatch forGreen Mold (Trichoderma), Cobweb Mold (Dactylium), Bacterial Blotch (Pseudomonas), Long Stems, Small Caps (high CO2), Aborted Pins

Data literature-range

Grow Bag Calculator Substrate Recipe Climate & Humidity Yield & Efficiency Timeline Planner

Open the full Pearl / Grey Oyster page →

Blue Oyster

Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus

CulinaryBeginner

Fruits 13–18 °CHumidity 85–95%Colonization 10–14 dBE 75–150%

Full parameters

Climate

Colonization temp22–24 °CFruiting temp13–18 °CIncubation RH~70%Fruiting RH85–95%Fresh airHighLightBright indirect

Timing & substrate

Colonization~10–14 daysPinning3–5 daysMaturation4–7 daysFlush interval12–16 daysSubstratePasteurised strawOptionsPasteurised straw, Sawdust

Yield

Biological efficiencyhigh · range 75–150%Flushes3

Practical

Best methodsGrow bags, Straw beds, MonotubWatch forGreen Mold (Trichoderma), Cobweb Mold (Dactylium), Bacterial Blotch (Pseudomonas), Long Stems, Small Caps (high CO2), Aborted Pins

Data literature-range

Grow Bag Calculator Substrate Recipe Climate & Humidity Yield & Efficiency Timeline Planner

Open the full Blue Oyster page →

Shiitake

Lentinula edodes

CulinaryIntermediateCold shock

Fruits 13–21 °CHumidity 85–90%Colonization 50–70 dBE 75–125%

Full parameters

Climate

Colonization temp20–24 °CFruiting temp13–21 °CIncubation RH85–90%Fruiting RH85–90%Fresh airMediumLightLow indirectCold shock4 °C for 24 h, or a 10–15 °C drop, to trigger fruiting

Timing & substrate

Colonization50–70 daysPinning5–8 daysMaturation7–10 daysFlush interval14–21 daysFirst flush~60 days on sawdust; 9–12 months on logs.SubstrateHardwood sawdustOptionsHardwood sawdust, Logs

Yield

Biological efficiency~63% · range 75–125%Flushes2–3, roughly every 2 weeks

Practical

Best methodsSawdust blocks, Outdoor bedWatch forGreen Mold (Trichoderma), Black Mold (Aspergillus / Rhizopus), Colonization Stall, Mycelial Overlay / Stroma

Data literature-range

Grow Bag Calculator Substrate Recipe Climate & Humidity Yield & Efficiency Timeline Planner

Open the full Shiitake page →

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

CulinaryMedicinalIntermediate

Fruits 16–21 °CHumidity 85–95%Colonization 12–18 dBE 50–100%

Full parameters

Climate

Colonization temp21–24 °CFruiting temp16–21 °CIncubation RH85–95%Fruiting RH85–95%Fresh airMediumLightLow indirect

Timing & substrate

Colonization12–18 daysPinning5–7 daysMaturation7–10 daysFlush interval12–16 daysFirst flush~1 month after inoculation.SubstrateSupplemented hardwood sawdustOptionsSupplemented hardwood sawdust

Yield

Biological efficiencyrange 50–100%Flushes3NotesFragile; handle gently.

Practical

Best methodsGrow bags, Sawdust blocks, Grow kitWatch forGreen Mold (Trichoderma), Cobweb Mold (Dactylium), Dry / Blob Growth (low humidity), Aborted Pins

Data literature-range

Grow Bag Calculator Substrate Recipe Climate & Humidity Yield & Efficiency Timeline Planner

Open the full Lion's Mane page →

King Oyster

Pleurotus eryngii

CulinaryIntermediate

Fruits 15–18 °CHumidity 80–95%Colonization 12–18 dBE 50–90%

Full parameters

Climate

Colonization temp20–22 °CFruiting temp15–18 °CIncubation RH85–95%Fruiting RH80–95%Fresh airMediumLightLow indirect

Timing & substrate

Colonization12–18 daysPinning5–8 daysMaturation7–10 daysFlush interval16–21 daysSubstrateHardwood sawdustOptionsHardwood sawdust

Yield

Biological efficiencyrange 50–90%Flushes2NotesHardwood sawdust outperforms straw on texture and shelf life.

Practical

Best methodsGrow bags, Sawdust blocks, Climate chamberWatch forGreen Mold (Trichoderma), Bacterial Blotch (Pseudomonas), Long Stems, Small Caps (high CO2), Aborted Pins

Data literature-range

Grow Bag Calculator Substrate Recipe Climate & Humidity Yield & Efficiency Timeline Planner

Open the full King Oyster page →