How Long Does it Take to Grow Mushrooms?

Mushroom Growing Basics

• The general stages of mushroom growing are: spawn production, spawn run, initiation and fruiting. Once spawn run is complete, mushrooms can be induced in a few weeks to a month.

Mushroom Kits

• Kits of preinoculated substrate are available for most popular mushroom varieties. The spawn run is done by the manufacturer, and mushrooms can appear in as little as two weeks.

Growing on Compost

• Compost-grown species require an additional casing step; if a lot of spawn is used, the first mushrooms can be produced in about six weeks. A typical commercial cycle takes 12 to 15 weeks.

Growing on Logs

• Log culture is suitable for wood inhabiting species such as shiitake (Lentinula). Spawn run takes from 6 to 18 months; an advantage is that mushrooms can continue to appear for several years afterward.

Growing on Woodchips/Sawdust

• Wood inhabiting species can be grown in bags of wood chips and sawdust. Since the medium is less dense than solid wood, spawn run time is shortened. Fruiting can be induced within three to six weeks of inoculation.

Growing in Natural Settings

• Mushroom spawn can be buried in the ground or used to inoculate tree stumps or piles of wood chips. Mushrooms may appear within months, years, or never.