PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Requires low indirect light for fruiting; complete darkness allows mycelium growth but inhibits cap development
Watering
Maintain consistent moisture in growing medium; avoid overwatering to prevent mold and bacterial growth
Temperature
Optimal mycelium growth at 20–24℃; fruiting triggered by a 5–10℃ temperature drop to 12–18℃
Characteristics
- Fruiting Body: Young caps are round, white to light brown; mature caps flatten to 10–15 cm wide.
- Gills: Initially pale pink, darkening to brown then black as spores mature.
- Stem: Thick, smooth white stem with a partial veil remnant ring near the cap.
Care Guide
Watering
Keep growing medium evenly moist; mist daily to maintain 80–90% humidity
Fertilization
No additional fertilization required; growing medium provides sufficient nutrients. Do not add synthetic fertilizers as they can harm mycelium growth
Composted spent tea leaves：Mix fully composted spent tea leaves into the growing medium before inoculation to boost organic matter content and support mycelium establishmentPruning
- Harvest mature caps when gills are still pale pink to prevent spore dispersal and extend fruiting cycles.
- Remove moldy or contaminated fruiting bodies immediately to prevent spread to healthy mycelium.
- Flush growing medium with clean, filtered water if mold appears to reset growing conditions.
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: Non-toxic; safe for cats if ingested in small quantities
Humans: Edible when fully mature and cooked; no toxic compounds present
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Symbolizes nourishment and earthy simplicity in global culinary traditions
Usage: Edible culinary mushroom; used in soups, stir-fries, grilled dishes, and as a meat substitute
