The $30 mushroom log I bought off Etsy was a total bust

I saw this cute shiitake mushroom log kit on Etsy for $30 and thought it would be perfect for my Animal Crossing inspired backyard setup. Followed the instructions exactly, kept it damp in the shade for like 8 weeks. All I got was this weird white fuzz that wasn't mushrooms. Has anyone else had luck with those grow kits or do they just look good in pictures?

2 comments

2 Comments

blair_martin11d ago

Did you poke holes in the bag for air or just keep it sealed up the whole time?

the_linda10d ago

@blair_martin brings up a good point but I gotta ask - did you actually see any pins before the white fuzz took over? Because that fuzz is usually either mycelium trying to colonize or mold from too much moisture. The kits can work but they're super finicky about air flow. I've had two different oyster mushroom logs and the one I left sealed up tighter got moldy while the one with more air holes actually fruited. Maybe check if your Etsy seller has a guide specific to shiitake since they're wood lovers and need different conditions than oysters. If it was completely sealed the whole 8 weeks that fuzz was probably your mushrooms suffocating.