Species Database

Mushroom species growing guides

Optimal cultivation parameters, substrate preferences, and difficulty ratings for 16 gourmet and medicinal mushroom species — from beginner-friendly oysters to the more demanding specialty species.

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Blue Oyster

Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus

Beginner

Fruiting: 4565°F

strawhardwood sawdustmasters mix+2
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Chestnut

Pholiota adiposa

Intermediate

Fruiting: 6070°F

supplemented hardwood sawdusthardwood logs
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Chicken of the Woods

Laetiporus sulphureus

Expert

Fruiting: 6075°F

hardwood logs (oak preferred)sterilized log sections
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Cubensis

Psilocybe cubensis

Beginner

Fruiting: 7080°F

brown rice flour + vermiculite (BRF/PF Tek)rye berrieswhole oats+2
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Enoki

Flammulina velutipes

Advanced

Fruiting: 4055°F

hardwood sawdustsupplemented hardwood sawdust
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Golden Oyster

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Beginner

Fruiting: 6580°F

strawhardwood sawdustmasters mix
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King Oyster

Pleurotus eryngii

Intermediate

Fruiting: 5065°F

supplemented hardwood sawdustmasters mix
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Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

Intermediate

Fruiting: 5570°F

supplemented hardwood sawdustmasters mix
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Maitake

Grifola frondosa

Advanced

Fruiting: 5565°F

heavily supplemented hardwood sawdusthardwood logs/stumps
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Pearl Oyster

Pleurotus ostreatus

Beginner

Fruiting: 6575°F

strawhardwood sawdustmasters mix+2
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Phoenix Oyster

Pleurotus pulmonarius

Beginner

Fruiting: 6580°F

strawhardwood sawdustmasters mix+1
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Pink Oyster

Pleurotus djamor

Beginner

Fruiting: 7080°F

strawhardwood sawdustmasters mix+1
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Pioppino

Cyclocybe aegerita

Intermediate

Fruiting: 5565°F

supplemented hardwood sawdust
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Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

Advanced

Fruiting: 6580°F

hardwood sawdust + 5% rice branhardwood logs
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Shiitake

Lentinula edodes

Intermediate

Fruiting: 5570°F

supplemented hardwood sawdusthardwood logs (oak preferred)
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Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor

Intermediate

Fruiting: 6075°F

hardwood logshardwood sawduststraw
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Wine Cap

Stropharia rugosoannulata

Beginner

Fruiting: 5575°F

wood chipsstrawgarden beds

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