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What Are Blue Oyster Mushrooms?
The stunning bivalve-like blue oyster mushroom belongs to the genus, pleurotus. These mushrooms are found growing in clusters on dead and decaying hardwood during Spring & Autumn.
Although the blue oyster mushroom is an excellent candidate for beginners, it should be noted that it requires high levels of humidity and fresh air exchange to successfully trigger the formation of primordia.
This thick and meaty fungi will develop from deep, midnight blue pins into large, pale blue grey caps. Increased exposure to indirect sunlight may result in more vibrantly coloured caps.
What Do Blue Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?
Blue oyster mushrooms are gifted with thick and meaty stems and cap. Perfect for making into mushroom steaks on the grill or for adding to a rich broth for that extra dimension. Richer and more distinctive in flavour than the standard button mushroom, these blue oyster mushrooms aren’t overpowering making them incredibly versatile and appealing to most palates.
What Do Blue Oyster Mushrooms Grow On?
The blue oyster mushroom is a saprotroph that acts as a primary decomposer. It’s often found on decaying on dying trees consuming the dead wood. They benefit the forest by decomposing dead and decaying matter and returning vital elements and minerals to the ecosystem.
In terms of commercial production the blue oyster mushroom is grown on a supplemented hardwood substrate which is often sterilised.
Alternatively, it is grown on a wide range of cellulose rich materials such as sugar cane mulch, straw, and corn cob which has been pasteurised. Buckets or poly-tubing can be used to grow in.
Learn How To Grow Oyster Mushrooms
Growing oyster mushrooms in buckets is a great project for first timers and more experienced cultivators alike. You can grow your own mushrooms at home using sugar cane mulch, straw or the cellulose rich material of your choice in conjunction with either cold or hot water pasteurisation.
Simple and easy to do using a few household items.
Using A Humidifier
Humidity can be managed through a diligent misting and fanning regime, however the introduction of a humidifier and humidity controller can help automate the process and ensure consistency.
Adding a 6L humidifier and controller to a greenhouse with the addition of a USB fan is a quick and easy way to make a low cost fruiting chamber that delivers excellent results.
Making A Fruiting Chamber
Mushrooms require humidity to grow. We recommend using a mini-greenhouse. Spraying the inside walls of the greenhouse will help raise humidity. A cheap humidifier can be used to automate the process.
It’s important to ensure that the grow kit has fresh air exchange. Mushrooms produce carbon dioxide and will grow long and leggy in search of more oxygen.
Check the product pages for species specific requirements.
Alternatively you can build a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC) from a few common items found easily in your local hardware store.
Blue Oyster Mushroom Spawn Run
Full colonisation can often expected within 14 – 21 days. Store at room temperature at approximately 26 degrees Celsius (77f) for optimum colonisation speeds.
Blue Oyster Mushroom
Pinning Conditions
Reduce temperature to 15 degree Celsius or below. High humidity (95%RH) and fresh air exchange is required to trigger the formation of primordia.
Blue Oyster Mushroom Fruiting Conditions
Maintain the mushrooms at temperatures between 15 – 20 degrees Celsius (59 – 68f) for fruiting body development. Humidity may be reduced to 85%RH. Excessive humidity may cause the accumulation of droplets resulting in discoloration or deformation.
Who We Are
I’m Luke and I’m mad about mushrooms. I operate a small scale family run business located 40 minutes west of Brisbane. We’re passionate about fungi and we look forwarding to sharing our experiences with you.
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