SHIITAKE
GARDEN BLOCK INSTRUCTIONS
Choose Your Growing Environment
Best in spring/fall when temps are 55–75°F
Shiitake loves cool-to-moderate temperatures and indirect light. Place your block in a shady spot where it gets morning sun but is protected from hot afternoon rays.
Unlike oysters, Shiitake responds beautifully to natural temperature swings between day and night — this is actually one of the best triggers for pinning outdoors. Spring and fall are ideal seasons for outdoor growing.
Outdoor rain and natural humidity often provide enough moisture, but mist manually if there's no rain for more than a few days.
Basement, bathroom, or greenhouse
Shiitake does well in cooler, humid spaces like basements, bathrooms, or greenhouses maintained at 55–75°F.
Consistent humidity helps, but Shiitake is less humidity-dependent than oyster varieties. A room with 60–80% humidity is comfortable for Shiitake.
Avoid hot, dry spaces. If your room is very dry (below 50% humidity), you'll need to mist more frequently — 2–3 times daily during fruiting.
SGFC or humidity tent
Two options — both give excellent results:
- Humidity Tent — Simple, cheap, great for first-timers. How to build a humidity tent →
- Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC) — More consistent results across multiple flushes. How to build a shotgun chamber →
- Shiitake benefits from natural temperature swings — leave the lid slightly ajar overnight if possible.
Prepare Your Block
For Shiitake, remove the block entirely from the bag. Place the bare block on a clean plate or small rack. Shiitake fruits best when the block surface is fully exposed to air.
If you're growing in a dry environment, you can place the block on a damp towel or in a shallow water-filled tray (without the block touching water directly) to maintain humidity around it.
Note: Unlike oyster mushrooms which fruit from a cut in the bag, Shiitake will fruit from the entire exposed surface of the block.
Using scissors or a sharp knife, cut the top of the bag off — just above the top of the block. Fill the bag above the block with cool water so the top surface of the block is submerged. Let the block soak overnight (8–12 hours). This cold soak shocks the mycelium into fruiting.
After soaking, carefully pour off the excess water.
After draining the soak water, completely remove the block from the bag. Place the bare block back in the green tray.
Place the humidity dome over the green tray and block. Make sure all 4 vent holes on top are completely open. Mist the inside of the humidity dome so that it's completely covered in condensation.
Your Shiitakes should begin pinning (the first signs of growth) within 7 to 14 days after the cold soak. You'll see small brown bumps forming on the surface of the block. Once your mushrooms begin to grow, remove the humidity dome for the rest of the grow. If your home is especially dry, ease the transition by removing the dome during the day and leaving it on at night for 1 to 2 days.
Mist the inside of the humidity dome 2 to 3 times daily. You want to keep a layer of condensation on the inside of the dome at all times.
Once the dome is off, mist your growing Shiitakes directly 2 to 3 times daily.
Shiitakes are ready to harvest when the caps have opened up and flattened but are still slightly rounded — you want to catch them before the caps go fully flat. The edges of the cap will still be slightly curled under. Gently twist individual mushrooms or cut them at the base with a sharp knife.
Shiitakes tend to grow in smaller clusters or individually rather than the large bunches you see with oysters.
Store your fresh Shiitakes in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Shiitakes have a longer shelf life than most fresh mushrooms. Always wash and cook your mushrooms before eating.
Shiitakes are great for multiple flushes. After your first harvest, let the block rest for 1 to 2 weeks. Then repeat the cold water soak — submerge the bare block in cool water overnight. Place it back in the tray, dome on, and start misting again. You can often get 2 to 4 flushes from a single block.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when Shiitakes are ready to harvest?
Shiitakes are ready to harvest when the caps have opened and flattened but still have a slight curve — the edges should still be slightly rolled under. Don't wait until the caps go fully flat.
How do I harvest Shiitakes?
Gently twist your mushrooms from the base to harvest, or cut at the base with a sharp knife. All mushrooms should be washed and cooked before consumption.
Why is the cold water soak important?
The cold water soak is essential for Shiitakes — it triggers fruiting. Don't skip it. Submerge the block in cold water (40–50°F) for 8–12 hours before starting. Re-soak between flushes for consistent results.
Why do I remove the entire bag for Shiitakes?
The bag comes off completely for Shiitakes, unlike oyster and Lion's Mane kits. Shiitake naturally fruits from all surfaces, so removing the bag exposes the entire surface and maximizes yield.
My block has a bumpy, popcorn-like texture. Is that normal?
Shiitake blocks often develop a bumpy, popcorn-like texture on the surface as the mycelium matures. This is completely normal and is actually a sign that the block is ready to fruit.
How do I get a second or third flush?
For second and third flushes, let the block rest 1–2 weeks between harvests, then re-soak overnight in cool water. You can often get 2 to 4 flushes from a single block.
What temperature do Shiitakes prefer?
Shiitakes fruit best at 60–75°F. If your home is warmer, try a cooler spot. Avoid placing your block near direct heat or air conditioning.
Where can I learn more?
Check out our Strain Catalog page for variety-specific information. You can also read our blog post on what to do with your block after it's done fruiting, or visit our FAQ page for even more information.
Keep Growing
Loved your Shiitakes? We grow kits for a bunch of different varieties — Blue Oyster, Pink Oyster, Lion's Mane, Chestnut, and more. Each one grows a little differently and tastes completely unique.
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