Frequently Asked Questions

What are Myqo grow kits made from?

We make all of our kits by hand in Brooklyn from spent coffee grounds from local cafes, agricultural byproducts like 100% additive-free hardwood sawdust, straw, and soybean hulls, and grain that's been inoculated with mushroom spores. This is the food for the mushrooms, and it allows the mycelium (sort of like the "roots" of the mushroom) to spread through the kit. The mycelium breaks down the tough substrate, turning it into nutrients that, when combined with moisture and oxygen, help the mushrooms fruit into a "flush" (that's mushroom-speak for a cluster)

Can I grow more than one crop of mushrooms from a Myqo grow kit?

Absolutely! Your kit should produce at least 2 or 3 flushes of mushrooms, although each flush will get a bit smaller. To produce additional flushes, let the grow kit sit for a few days after your harvest, then just repeat the process, spraying the cut slit in the bag and keeping it in a well-ventilated area. If, after your first harvest, the mycelium under the slit doesn't look full and white and healthy, you can also cut another slit in the back of the bag for additional flushes to grow from.

What should I do with the kit when it's done?

Once you've had your fill of mushrooms and it stops producing new flushes, the contents of the kit make a great additive to compost, helping break down the other items. You might even notice some mushrooms growing from it eventually! If your local facilities allow, please recycle the plastic bag and shipping box.

Why do my mushrooms have very long stems?

The most common cause for small mushroom caps and very long stems is a lack of fresh air exchange. For the best flush of mushrooms, keep your kit in a well-ventilated area that gets plenty of oxygen. Mushrooms are like us; they take in oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, so they need fresh air to thrive!

Providing enough moisture is also important, and a very dry, hot environment can also cause your mushrooms to get a little "leggy." Mushrooms like a humid environment, so make sure you spray the mushrooms to keep them moist. If you live in a particularly dry area, you can also make a simple humidity tent by cutting a few holes in a large plastic bag, spraying the inside of the bag, and then draping it over the kit. This can help create a more humid environment, but it can also decrease the amount of fresh air exchange, so make sure you lift the bag and get the air around the kit moving regularly.

Our personal favorite way to keep our mushroom kits happy is with an inexpensive, mini humidifier that you can get online for about $20.

I noticed some yellowish liquid in the grow kit bag. What is it?

This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. It's called metabolite, and it's just a byproduct of the mycelium growing in the bag and mixing with some moisture.

How do I know when to harvest my mushrooms?

You should harvest your mushrooms when the caps look big and full but haven't completely flattened out or turned up yet. The best time to harvest is right before this, when the caps are still just a bit curled under, but still well-formed and full. Mushrooms grow fast, so they can go from a little underripe to overripe in a matter of hours! If you notice the caps turn up, start splitting, or dropping the spores, it's definitely time to harvest!

I'm not ready to use my grow kit. How long can I store it?

As long as you don't peel the sticker off the cut in the kit, your kit will last a good bit of time. It's fine for the kit to sit unopened at room temperature for a week or two, but if you want to store it longer, you can keep it in the refrigerator for a few months. However you store it, try to avoid exposing it to light.

I noticed some whitish powder buildup around the kit. What is it?

Those are spores dropping from the mushrooms. This means the mushrooms are a little bit past prime, and you should harvest them a bit sooner. You can just wipe up the spores with a damp towel.

What's your favorite way to cook mushrooms?

We really love all manners or cooking mushrooms, whether we're sautéing them, frying them, braising them, roasting them, or grilling them. Right now, our absolute favorite way to eat them is probably treating them like BBQ pulled pork, and and stuffing them into fresh steamed bao. But they really are so versatile. Check out this article for some basic techniques.

What if I have a less frequently asked question?

Please let us know! Use our contact page, or email us at hello@growmyqo.com.