Oyster Bucket Kit Instructions
So you’ve got one of our famous oyster mushroom kits! With a little patience and curiosity you’ll be eating mushrooms for dinner in no time!
Place your bucket in a location with indirect sunlight, good airflow, and temperatures between 16–24°C. A kitchen counter or laundry often work well. Avoid direct sunlight, closed dark spaces, or anywhere too hot or cold. Choose an area you will see every day as mushrooms grow fast!
After about 2-4 weeks from the date on the top of the bucket, mushrooms will begin emerging from the taped holes. You don’t need to remove this tape, the mushrooms will push through. Once you notice growth at these holes you will need to mist 5+ times a day with the provided spray bottle. Keeping the area moist but not soaking. Mushrooms love humidity!
Once the little mushrooms “pins” start forming they’ll double in size daily so keep a close eye on them. When the mushroom caps begin to flatten out (usually 3–5 days after pinning), it’s harvest time.
Twist or cut the cluster off at the base. You might notice some dropped spores under the mushrooms, these wipe away easily.
After harvesting, continue misting daily. You may get a second or even third flush within a few weeks! These kits have been known to throw up to 5 flushes but generally they get smaller each time. You can rehydrate the bucket after the first 2 flushes in a larger bucket or sink overnight, then lay on its side to drain out.
Keep harvested mushrooms in the fridge in a paper bag for up to a week. If growth stalls, try placing the bucket in a slightly cooler or more humid spot. In the warmer months, placing the bucket in the fridge for 24-48 hours may help induce fruiting.
Enjoy your homegrown oyster mushrooms!
Have questions or want to share your harvest?
Contact us at hello@mattshroom.com.au or visit our instagram @matt.shroom.
You can return your bucket once it’s finished to the place of purchase for $5 off your next kit or $1 cash back. We sterilise and recycle these buckets into new kits for endless mushrooms!
If you’ve got a garden or compost bin you can spread the mycelium block through the garden or pop it in the compost. You might even get some extra outdoor mushrooms if the season is right!
Too long? Here are some more concise instructions.
Set it up: Pop your bucket somewhere with indirect light, fresh air, and temps between 16–24°C. Kitchen bench? Perfect.
Wait a bit: Mushrooms will start growing from the taped holes about 2–4 weeks after the date on the lid. Don’t remove the tape — they’ll bust through!
Spray like a champ: Once you see mushrooms, mist the area 5+ times a day. Keep it moist (not drenched) — humidity is key!
Harvest time: When the caps start to flatten (usually 3–5 days after they appear), twist or snip them off.
Encore? Keep misting! You could get 2–5 flushes. Rehydrate the block after the second flush to keep the party going.
Store 'em right: Fridge + paper bag = happy mushrooms for up to a week.
Trouble growing? Try a cooler, more humid spot. A quick fridge nap (24–48 hrs) can help too.