Mycelium produce mushrooms (fruiting bodies) in order to produce spores.

Exposed mycelium needs ambient light and fresh air to produce mushrooms.

As mycelium spreads across the surface of the block, small white dots appear called primordia.

Primordia become pins (baby mushrooms) within a week.

Pins become mushrooms, doubling in size every 24 hrs.

Grain is a food source for mycelium.

Spawn is grain with mycelium growing on it.

Popular grains include: Rye berries, wheat berries, whole oats, wild bird seed, and popcorn.

Harvest mushrooms before veils break, 3-5 days from pinning (sprouting). 

Pluck mushrooms before veils break, dropping spores which looks like a black dust. 

Expect to yield1 oz (28 g) dried mushrooms.

Fresh mushrooms contain 85-95% water – therefore they should be dried out for 4-5 days before consuming. Drying mushrooms prevents spoilage.

Store dried mushrooms in the freezer, or at room temperature with a silica packet.

- A crop of harvested mushrooms is commonly called a flush
- Grow blocks regularly produce 2-3 full flushes, followed by rogue giants
- Flushes diminish as resources are depleted (nutrients, water)
- Early flushes often produce many, smaller mushrooms
- Later flushes often produce fewer, larger mushrooms
- Mushrooms double in size every 24 hrs
- Once fruiting begins, expect to harvest within 3-5 days
- Pluck mushrooms by pinching the base and twisting
- Mushrooms easily bruise blue-green when handled
- Bruising indicates psilocybin content 

- Mushrooms breathe in oxygen (O2), and breathe out carbon dioxide (CO2)
- CO2 is heavier than O2 and will build up at the surface over time
- Pins grow upwards in search of fresh air
- Unusually long stems indicate too much CO2 build up

- Light merely provides direction for mushroom growth (above ground)
- Mushrooms grow in the shadows, artificial lighting can be avoided in most cases
- Indirect sunlight, or ambient indoor lighting is sufficient (lights on around the house)
- Direct lighting is only needed in complete darkness (a closet, etc.)
- Minimal LED lighting is recommended (low intensity, low heat)
- If using a timer, set timer to ON 8-12 hrs 

- Mushrooms tolerate a wide range of temperatures 15-30 C (55-85 F)
- Lower temperatures slow growth and encourage denser fruiting bodies
- Higher temperatures accelerate growth but can be lethal over 30 C (85 F)
- Perfect temperature control is not required
- Comfortable room temperature is sufficient