{"product_id":"shiitake-mushroom-grow-kit-5lbs","title":"Shiitake Mushroom Grow Kit (5lbs)","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n\/* ===== MGK PDP core — type inherits; text black, green used as accent only ===== *\/\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp { color:#1a1a1a !important; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp p,\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp li,\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp td,\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp th,\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp span,\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp summary,\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp div { font-size:inherit; font-family:inherit; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp p { color:#1a1a1a !important; margin:0 0 1em; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp h2 { color:#1a1a1a !important; margin:1.8em 0 .5em; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp h3 { color:#1a1a1a !important; margin:1.2em 0 .4em; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp a { color:#1a6b3a !important; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp .b { font-weight:600 !important; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp ul { columns:unset !important; -webkit-columns:unset !important; margin:0 0 1em; padding-left:1.3em; }\n.mgk-pdp.mgk-pdp li { margin:0 0 .45em; }\n\n\/* rule *\/\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-rule { border:0; 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max-width:100%; overflow-x:auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch; margin:0 0 1.5em; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table { width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table th, .mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table td { border:1px solid #e2e2e2; padding:.65em .85em; text-align:left; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table th { background:#f0f2f0; color:#1a1a1a !important; font-weight:600 !important;\n  border-bottom:2px solid #1a6b3a; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table td:first-child { font-weight:600 !important; width:38%; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background:#fafbfa; }\n\n\/* FAQ accordion — GREEN ACCENT on the toggle button *\/\n.mgk-pdp details { border:1px solid #e2e2e2; border-radius:.4em; margin:0 0 .6em; background:#fff; overflow:hidden; }\n.mgk-pdp details[open] { background:#fafbfa; }\n.mgk-pdp summary.mgk-faq { list-style:none; cursor:pointer; padding:.9em 3.2em .9em 1.05em; position:relative;\n  color:#1a1a1a !important; font-weight:600 !important; transition:background .18s ease; }\n.mgk-pdp summary.mgk-faq::-webkit-details-marker { display:none; }\n.mgk-pdp summary.mgk-faq:hover { background:#f7f8f7; }\n.mgk-pdp summary.mgk-faq:focus-visible { outline:2px solid #1a6b3a; outline-offset:-2px; }\n.mgk-pdp summary.mgk-faq::after { content:\"+\"; position:absolute; right:.85em; top:50%; transform:translateY(-50%);\n  width:1.55em; height:1.55em; line-height:1.5em; text-align:center; border-radius:50%;\n  background:#1a6b3a; color:#fff !important; font-weight:600 !important; transition:transform .22s ease; }\n.mgk-pdp details[open] summary.mgk-faq::after { content:\"\\00d7\"; transform:translateY(-50%) rotate(180deg); }\n.mgk-pdp details .mgk-faq-body { padding:0 1.05em 1em; animation:mgkfade .22s ease; }\n@keyframes mgkfade { from { opacity:0; } to { opacity:1; } }\n\n\/* recommendation card — neutral, green only on the link *\/\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-rec { display:block; border:1px solid #e2e2e2; border-radius:.45em; background:#f7f8f7;\n  padding:1em 1.15em; margin:1.5em 0; box-sizing:border-box; max-width:100%; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-rec p:last-child { margin-bottom:0; }\n\n\/* CTA pills — GREEN ACCENT *\/\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-ctas { display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:.6em; margin:1.6em 0 0; padding:0; list-style:none; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-ctas li { margin:0; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-ctas a { display:inline-block; padding:.6em 1.15em; border-radius:2em; background:#1a6b3a;\n  color:#fff !important; text-decoration:none !important; font-weight:600 !important; transition:background .18s ease; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-ctas a:hover { background:#155830; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-ctas a.mgk-cta-alt { background:#fff; color:#1a1a1a !important; border:1px solid #c9c9c9; }\n.mgk-pdp .mgk-ctas a.mgk-cta-alt:hover { background:#f4f5f4; }\n\n@media (max-width:600px) {\n  .mgk-pdp .mgk-facts li { flex:1 1 45%; }\n  .mgk-pdp .mgk-spec-table td:first-child { width:auto; }\n}\n@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce) {\n  .mgk-pdp *, .mgk-pdp *::after { transition:none !important; animation:none !important; }\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-pdp\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"mgk-lead\"\u003eThis \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eShiitake mushroom grow kit\u003c\/span\u003e is a 5 lb block already fully colonized with \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eLentinula edodes\u003c\/span\u003e mycelium. No sterile work, no incubation, no equipment beyond the mister in the box. Cut or unwrap the block as directed, mist it daily, and thick brown caps start forming on your counter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiitake behaves differently from oyster kits, and that difference is the reason people love it: instead of one fast burst, a shiitake block works in cycles. It fruits, rests, gets soaked, and fruits again — commonly three to four times across four to five months. It is the longest-producing kit we sell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"mgk-tags\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep umami\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirm, meaty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLongest-running kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeginner-friendly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"mgk-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-k\"\u003e5 lbs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-v\"\u003eColonized block\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-k\"\u003e2.5–3 lbs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-v\"\u003eTypical yield\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-k\"\u003e65–80°F\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-v\"\u003eFruiting temp\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-k\"\u003e3–4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-v\"\u003eFlushes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-k\"\u003e4–5 months\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-facts-v\"\u003eProductive life\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"mgk-rule\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat comes in the kit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 lb pre-colonized shiitake block on hardwood-based substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUltra-fine pump mister for daily misting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinted step-by-step growing instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow a shiitake block works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-eyebrow\"\u003eThe short version\u003c\/span\u003eShiitake takes one extra beat that oyster kits don't. The block browns first, then fruits — and between flushes it gets soaked rather than simply misted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col class=\"mgk-steps\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eLet it brown.\u003c\/span\u003e A healthy shiitake block develops a firm, bumpy, chocolate-brown skin across its surface. This is the mycelium maturing, not contamination, and it is a required stage. If your block arrives white or partly white, give it time in a warm room until the brown layer forms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eOpen the block as directed.\u003c\/span\u003e Shiitake is usually taken fully out of its bag rather than slit like an oyster kit, so the whole surface can fruit. Follow the included instructions for this block.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eMist daily and keep it cool at night.\u003c\/span\u003e Light passes over the surface once or twice a day. Shiitake responds strongly to a temperature drop, so a spot that cools overnight helps trigger pinning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eHarvest before the caps flatten.\u003c\/span\u003e Pick while the cap edges are still curled under. Twist and pull the whole mushroom rather than cutting the stem flush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eSoak, then repeat.\u003c\/span\u003e After a flush, let the block rest for one to two weeks, then submerge it in cold water for several hours to rehydrate and shock it. Drain it and set it back out. That soak is what starts the next cycle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eThe single most common shiitake question:\u003c\/span\u003e \"My block turned dark brown and lumpy — is it moldy?\" Almost always, no. That brown skin is exactly what a mature shiitake block is supposed to look like, and it forms before any mushrooms appear. Green, black, or fuzzy patches with a sour smell are a different matter — that is contamination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"mgk-rule\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-table-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mgk-spec-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLentinula edodes (Shiitake, Black Forest Mushroom)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlock weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 lbs, fully colonized\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpected yield\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5–3 lbs wet weight across all flushes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFruiting temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e65–80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–12 hours indirect light per day\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity method\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMist 1–2× daily; cold-water soak between flushes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlushes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 over roughly 4–5 months\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSkill level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner — no sterile technique required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFlavor, texture, and cooking\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiitake is the most savory mushroom most people will ever grow at home. It carries a concentrated, almost broth-like depth that comes from naturally occurring glutamates, which is why it anchors so much of East Asian cooking — dashi, hot pot broths, stir-fries, braises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe texture is what sets a home-grown shiitake apart from a supermarket one. Fresh caps are dense and slightly springy, and they hold their shape through high heat instead of collapsing. Slice the caps and sear them hard in a dry pan until the moisture cooks off, then add fat. Save the stems: they are too fibrous to eat whole, but they make an excellent stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiitake also dries better than almost any other gourmet species. Dried caps rehydrate with even deeper flavor, and the soaking liquid becomes a broth base in its own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-rec\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mgk-eyebrow\"\u003eWorth adding\u003c\/span\u003eIf you are fruiting a block out in the open on a counter or shelf, a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/products\/portable-mushroom-humidity-tent\"\u003eportable humidity tent\u003c\/a\u003e makes a real difference for very little money. It holds moisture around the block so you mist less often and get fuller caps, and it matters most in winter when forced-air heat drops indoor humidity well below what a fruiting block wants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"mgk-rule\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003eHow long until my shiitake grow kit starts producing mushrooms?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-faq-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiitake is slower to start than oyster kits and rewards patience. The block must first develop its brown outer skin, and only then will pins begin to form. Once pinning starts, mushrooms size up over roughly a week. If the block is fully browned and several weeks have passed with nothing forming, a cold-water soak is usually what it needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003eMy block turned dark brown and bumpy. Is something wrong?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-faq-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — that is the normal and necessary maturation stage for shiitake. The mycelium forms a tough brown skin across the block before it fruits, and the surface often looks lumpy or wrinkled. Real contamination looks different: green, black, or fuzzy growth, usually with a sour or musty smell. Brown and firm is healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003eWhy do I need to soak a shiitake block between flushes?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-faq-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo reasons. The block loses substantial water weight producing a flush, and soaking restores it. The cold water also delivers a temperature shock, which is one of the natural signals that triggers shiitake to fruit again. Submerge the block in cold water for several hours, drain it thoroughly, and return it to its growing spot. This soak-and-rest cycle is what lets one block produce for months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003eHow is a shiitake kit different from an oyster kit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-faq-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree practical differences. Shiitake takes longer to get going, since the block must brown before it fruits. It is typically unwrapped entirely rather than slit through one face. And it is soaked between flushes rather than simply misted. In exchange, it produces over a much longer window — months rather than weeks — and delivers a denser, more savory mushroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003eWhen should I harvest shiitake?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-faq-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick while the cap edges are still curled under and have not flattened out. A flat or upturned cap means the mushroom is mature and starting to release spores; it is still edible but the texture softens. Twist and pull the whole mushroom, stem included, rather than cutting it — leftover stem stubs can rot on the block surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003eWhat's the difference between this kit and shiitake grain spawn?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-faq-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit is a finished fruiting block — ready to produce mushrooms with nothing else required. Grain spawn is an ingredient: colonized grain you mix into bulk substrate or use to inoculate logs and sawdust blocks for a much larger grow. If you want mushrooms on the counter, take the kit. If you are scaling up, start with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/pre-colonized-grain-spawn-bags\"\u003epre-colonized grain spawn bags\u003c\/a\u003e instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"mgk-ctas\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/spray-grow-gourmet-kits\"\u003eBrowse all gourmet grow kits\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/pre-colonized-grain-spawn-bags\" class=\"mgk-cta-alt\"\u003eScale up with grain spawn\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Midwest Grow Kits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44595532693607,"sku":"SHT1","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0690\/3699\/8759\/files\/Shiitake_grow_kit_web.jpg?v=1789057519","url":"https:\/\/fernprairiemycosupplies.com\/products\/shiitake-mushroom-grow-kit-5lbs","provider":"Fern Prairie Myco Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}