Christopher Snell

Sadly they didn’t go very well, they grew a bit more but generally not worthwhile. After doing some more research and reading a bunch of forums I realised that my method was all wrong. Kings aren’t really suited to a monotub because it ends up producing lots of mushrooms that don’t have the energy to get to a large size. There is too much surface area exposed to fruiting conditions so there are lots of little ones.

Your approach with a bottle tek is what I’m going to try next as it should produce fewer but bigger kings.

Good luck, would love to see updates of how you get on.

Hi Dean,

You do need to case King Oyster mushrooms, but you don't need to case the other oysters (Yellow, Pink, Grey etc). No, they are not magic. Yes they are Kings.

Hi Pete,

Sorry, clarification would help! They’re king oysters. 

I ended up adding to the casing layer as I felt it might not have been thick enough. Here is an updated picture, think they have responded positively to it.

Hi All, beginner mushroom grower here doing my first mono for kings. I have a feeling they may have aborted but I'm not quite sure why.

Setup is:

Grain spawn mixed with rehydrated straw pellets in a monotub.

5x 3/4in holes along top and side ends so 20x in total (no polyfil)

100% verm casing layer

Temp fluctuates from 15-19C

RH according to my hygrometer is 95+ but it doesn't really have condensation on the sides which is weird.

I fan twice a day, its been in fruiting conditions for 8 days.

Any ideas on if/why they have aborted?

Thanks both, I harvested the yellow oysters (wasn't a lot tbh) as they had some powder on them which I took for spores (see pics).

The Kings haven't started fruiting yet, I've kept them outside so temps have been between 15-20C and I've given them a lot of fresh air, from what I perceive anyway; I've left two sides open on the fruiting chamber but that also drops the humidity down to like ~75%.

The large chamber was just a DIY extension with chopsticks in each corner and some clingfilm to cover the sides. I've literally just remade it for the yellow oyster flush that's now going.

I had a hygrometer delivered today but it doesn't really fit in the chamber(s) sadly. I need to build bigger ones really.

That's a good point about the seasonality of the mushrooms, something I'll definitely take into account going forward!

Re your comment about the mycelium overlay, are you referring to pic IMG_1245.jpg where it has protruding nodules?

I don't have a probe thermometer but I think I will invest in one now It drops temp at night so hopefully that will have an impact and I'll use the ice pack trick tomorrow to keep the temp down during the day and see what happens.

Hi Dean,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply, I really appreciate your advice!

I have removed the plastic bags from both the king and the grey and turned them on their side (see pics). Sadly I couldn't stand them the other way as they wouldn't stay in position. I've read these mushrooms need 15-18C for fruiting which is proving challenging as its quite warm here in Kent atm (~24C) but we'll see what happens.

I've just got my second flush of the yellow oysters coming so I've removed the bag and stood it on its side as best I could (see pic).

With all of them, I had a concern that they wouldn't have the required RH so I was overly generous with the misting, I'll calm down a bit with that! The fruiting chambers have 3 large holes at the top for air, but I'll try opening a crack as well. As the chambers are quite small, once the mushrooms start growing I need to extend the lids (DIY-style with chopsticks) which gives them more fresh air as well. I'll be doing lots of trial and error over the coming months, I have definitely caught the mushroom-growing bug!

I'll keep you updated on the grow and how they progress. I've also attached a pic of the first flush I got from the yellow oysters, they were delicious, can't wait for these next ones!

Hi All,

I've just discovered the joy of growing mushrooms through a couple of grow kits, specifically yellow oyster, grey oyster and king oyster. I had my first flush of the yellow oysters about a week ago, absolutely delicious. I'm looking forward to some further flushes.

Q: A second flush should be expected in 10-14 days?


The king oysters haven't started yet and after doing lots of reading I don't think I gave them enough water initially. I think this as they require the same temp as the grey oysters which have started fruiting. I've just dunked them for the last 5 hours and hoping that helps them out. I have attached a pic.

Q: Should I be concerned by the yellow/orange colouration on the mycelium though?


I have attached a picture of the grey oysters which have been fruiting for the last ~4 days.

Q: Can anyone give me some info on why they have grown individually rather than as a cluster?

Q: Are the fat stalks and small heads due to a lack of FAE?

Q: Why have the caps on some closed in on themselves?

Any help and advice is much appreciated, thanks!