Take the grow kit out of the box. The block often needs a few days to recover from the journey.
STEP 2
Use a sharp knife or a pair of scissors to cut a cross of about 4 by 4 cm in the plastic, or open the top of the bag. The shiitake will grow out of that opening.
STEP 3
Do not put the block in direct sunlight and not too close to the heating. Donko is a cold weather strain: it forms its thickest, darkest caps at 14 to 17 degrees. The warmer it gets, the thinner and paler the caps become. Shiitake also needs daylight, fresh air and a high humidity. Standing the block on a wet cloth raises the humidity right around it. Keep the surface at the opening moist with a plant sprayer.
If nothing has happened after two weeks, submerge the block in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. For shiitake, that cold shock is the usual way to start fruiting.
STEP 4
Harvest when the cap has opened about three quarters of the way and the rim still curls inward. Cut or twist the mushroom off at the base. Fresh shiitake keeps for a good week in a paper bag in the fridge, and it dries excellently.
STEP 5
After harvesting, let the block rest for two to three weeks and keep it moist. If nothing comes, submerge it in cold water again. That usually gives you three to five harvests. Once the block is exhausted it serves excellently as compost.
