Manual: Maitake (Hen of the Woods) Grow Kit
Introduction
The maitake (Grifola frondosa), also known as hen of the woods, is an edible mushroom with an earthy flavour and medicinal properties. With this manual from Samzwam you grow this species yourself. Keep in mind that this is a slow-growing mushroom that takes plenty of time and patience.
What you need
Depending on the method you choose, you need the following:
- A clean surface or table.
- A plate and a clean cloth (for example a dishcloth or tea towel) OR a growing setup with controlled humidity.
- Water.
- A sharp, clean knife.
Phase 1: Delivery and recovery period
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before you touch the grow kit, to prevent contamination.
The grow kits are shipped fairly fresh. The mycelium (the root network) first has to recover from the transport. So do the following straight after you receive it:
Take the growing block out of the box. Pull the flap of the plastic bag all the way up, so the bag stands upright. This lets the mycelium breathe through the small white filter and recover. Do not cut any slits in the plastic at this stage. Put the kit in a quiet spot out of direct sunlight, at a temperature between 16 and 24°C.
Phase 2: The resting phase and spider eyes
Over the coming weeks you do not have to do anything. It can take 2 to 3 months before the grow kit becomes active. During this period the mycelium develops further inside the block.
After a while the top of the block turns darker and black beads appear, also called 'spider eyes' (the primordia). Once you see these, you can wait a little longer. The maitakes eventually grow out of these dark spots. You can now choose between three growing methods.
Phase 3: Growing methods
Choose one of the following three options to let the mushrooms grow out:
Option A: Growing in the closed bag
You leave the bag completely closed and do nothing else. The mushrooms grow inside the bag. They develop normally, but the texture often stays a bit softer because there is less oxygen exchange.
Option B: The plate method (for a firmer texture)
Use a clean knife to make horizontal slits in the bag, about 5 cm above the substrate. The extra oxygen makes the mushrooms firmer. After the recovery period, stand the block upright on a plate. Soak a cloth thoroughly and lay it on the plate around or underneath the bottom of the block. The evaporating water provides the right humidity around the slits you made.
Option C: Growing setup with controlled humidity
If you have a growing room or growing box with controlled humidity, cut crosses of about 4 cm in the side of the bag. Preferably do this close to the spots where you see the spider eyes. The mushrooms then grow out through these openings.
Phase 4: Care during growth
With Option B or C, a high humidity (70-85%) is necessary during growth. With the plate method, keep the cloth wet at all times to provide enough evaporation.
Harvesting
The maitake grows in a rosette shape with overlapping caps. Pay attention to the following points when harvesting:
- Wait until the edges of the caps start to curl up slightly.
- Also harvest when growth seems to stop completely.
- Harvest before the mushroom becomes soft or turns dark.
- Take hold of the mushroom at the base and pull it off the substrate in one piece.
Storing
Keep harvested mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge. They will stay good for up to a week. Do not use plastic bags; in these the mushrooms sweat and spoil faster. Always check the smell and colour before use.
Need help?
If you have questions or doubts about the progress, you can send a photo of the growing block via WhatsApp to 0630615633 for advice.