Mushroom Grow Kit – Nameko (Pholiota Microspora)

Description

🍗 Nameko Ready-to-Fruit Mushroom Kit Guide

Nameko (Pholiota microspora) is an absolute must-grow for culinary enthusiasts! This unique mushroom is famous for one incredible reason: when cooked right, people swear it tastes just like KFC chicken skin! Need we say more? They produce stunning brown and orange-coloured fruitbodies that look beautiful as they grow.

Please note: Nameko is an advanced mushroom kit. Because they require a bit more dialled-in environmental control (specifically constant high humidity and colder temps), we recommend this kit for growers who have moved past the novice stage!

🛠️ Getting Started: Two Ways to Grow Namekos fruit very similarly to our Enoki kits. They are top-fruiters, meaning they grow straight up! Depending on your setup, you have two distinct ways to fruit them:

Option 1: The Terrarium Method (Highly Recommended) Nameko thrives in constant humidity, making a Mushroom Terrarium the absolute best way to grow them!

• Step 1: Cut the Bag – Cut a teacup-sized hole in the side of the plastic bag (or cut the top of the bag straight across).

• Step 2: Fold & Position – Fold any excess plastic bag tightly underneath the substrate block and place it into your terrarium so that the cut opening is facing directly upwards.

• Step 3: Keep it Humid – Mist the inside walls of your terrarium 1 to 3 times per day to keep the humidity high and constant. Check out our easy video guide on how to build your own DIY terrarium here: 👉 https://youtu.be/bhzfG0aaLw4?si=8QVAY6PRcd6H_DiQ

Option 2: The “In-Bag” Method (No terrarium needed)

• Step 1: Clean the Bag – Open the bag and wipe the inside plastic clean with a damp paper towel to remove any loose sawdust (otherwise, it will get stuck all over your growing mushrooms!).

• Step 2: Inflate & Peg – “Inflate” the bag to create a nice open pocket of air for the mushrooms to grow into. Fold the top of the bag over and use a peg or clip to keep it tightly shut.

• Step 3: Let it Breathe – Keep the bag pegged shut! The built-in filter patch will allow the block to breathe while naturally creating its own perfect, humid microclimate inside the bag.

• Step 4: Minimal Misting – Because the bag is closed, it traps moisture perfectly. You only need to mist very lightly maybe 1 or 2 times a week. Crucial tip: Do not over-spray! Adding too much water into the sealed bag will cause bacterial issues.

🌤️ Ideal Growing Environment

• Temperature: Namekos love the chill! They require a wide but cold range of 10-16°C to trigger fruiting successfully.

• Light: Mushrooms need enough natural, indirect light to know which way to grow. Don’t lock them in a dark cupboard!

• Humidity: Keep it high and constant! Whether in a terrarium or pegged bag, they need consistent environmental moisture to thrive.

🍄 Tips & Troubleshooting

• Texture Check: Don’t panic if the mushroom caps feel slimy or gelatinous! Nameko naturally produces a slippery, gelatinous coating on its caps. This is completely normal, gives them their unique culinary texture, and acts as a natural thickener in soups and sauces.

• Watch the watering: Once your pins start forming into recognisable mushrooms, ensure you are only misting the walls of your terrarium to avoid getting the caps soaking wet.

• Dont let the block dry out: if you keep the nameko block humid enough and don’t let it dry out, we have had reports of 6+ flushes off nameko mushrooms, so keep it moist but don’t overdo it ;)

🔪 Harvesting

• When to pick: The best time to harvest is when the caps have opened up, but before the veil completely breaks and they start to drop their spores.

• How to pick: Harvest the entire bunch at once! Grab the cluster near the base and gently twist and pull it away from the substrate.

• Clean up: Make sure you remove all smaller leftover bits of mushroom flesh from the substrate so nothing is left behind to spoil.

♻️ Preparing for Later Flushes

• Rest Period: After your first harvest, let the block rest for 2 to 3 weeks. If you are using the in-bag method, simply peg the bag shut again and let it sit.

• Rehydrating: If your block feels really light after that first flush, submerge it in cold water for 5-12 hours to rehydrate it. Drain completely, return it to your terrarium (or peg the bag back up), and resume misting!

Please note this culture is sold with our Mushroom Spawn and Cultures sale agreement. By purchasing you agree to this agreement