Oyster Mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus
beginner difficulty
high contamination resistance
Medicinal
Culinary
Family
Pleurotaceae
Genus
Pleurotus
Growing Parameters
Temperature Requirements
Colonization 60°F - 86°F
(Optimal: 75°F)
Fruiting 50°F - 80°F
(Optimal: 65°F)
Humidity Requirements
Colonization 85% - 95%
(Optimal: 90%)
Fruiting 80% - 95%
(Optimal: 90%)
Total Time
2-3 weeks
Expected Yield
1.5-2 lbs per 5 lb substrate block
Flushes
3 flushes
Substrate Options
Preferred Substrates
Straw
Coffee grounds
Hardwood sawdust
Cardboard
Alternative Substrates
Corn cobs
Sugar cane bagasse
Cotton waste
Paper products
Appearance & Characteristics
Physical Appearance
- Cap Color:
- White to gray-brown
- Cap Shape:
- Fan or oyster shell shaped
- Stem:
- White
- Spore Print:
- White to lilac-gray
Culinary & Medicinal
- Flavor:
- Mild, slightly sweet with anise notes
- Texture:
- Tender and velvety when young, firm when mature
- Light Needs:
- 200-500 lux for 12 hours daily for proper cap formation
- CO2:
- High CO2 tolerance but requires fresh air for normal cap development
Medicinal Properties
- Cholesterol reduction
- Immune system support
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant properties
Nutritional Highlights
- High in protein (25-30% dry weight)
- Rich in B vitamins
- Contains lovastatin
- Good source of potassium and iron
Common Problems
Long stems with small caps (insufficient fresh air)
Yellowing (bacterial contamination)
Slow colonization (temperature too low)
Spore drop (harvested too late)
Important Notes
- Very aggressive colonizer
- Tolerates wide temperature range
- Excellent for beginners
- Can fruit through small holes
- Spores can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Quick Stats
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Colonization
- 7-14 days
- Fruiting
- 5-7 days
- Efficiency
- 75-125%
- Cultivation
- indoor, outdoor