Description
Nameko Mushroom Grow Kit
Pholiota microspora
Scientific Name: Pholiota microspora
Common Name: Nameko
Skill Level: Intermediate
Growing Time: 6 weeks
Ideal Fruiting Temp: 10°C–20°C
Fruiting Style: Top Fruiting
Important: Check your fruiting temperature before purchasing and ensure you can provide the temperature this species needs.
3 kg
Yield: 900g–1,530g
Our 3 kg kits are made fresh to order, the same way real mushroom farms do it. No fancy box, no endless sitting in cold storage. We prepare it and send it when its ready to be shipped.
The lead time shown above the “Add to Cart” button is the time needed to prepare your order. A product showing as “in stock” means it can be prepared within that lead time, not that it is ready to ship immediately.
What’s Inside
Everything you need is included — just spray water and follow the simple instructions.
Our substrate is a special Master’s Mix: a blend of sawdust and lupin hulls, inoculated with 300g of millet grain spawn to give your mushrooms the best possible start.
Microplastic Free
Soy Allergen Free
Gluten Free
Our bags: We use Unicorn grow bags, made in the USA. Unicorn is the only grow bag in the world independently tested by Eurofins (a third party lab in Europe) and certified to EN 1186 and USFDA 1520 standards for plastic migration into substrate. Tested at 121°C for 3.5 hours. No other PP or PE bag manufacturer has achieved this food safety standard.
About Nameko Mushrooms
Nameko (Pholiota microspora) is a classic Japanese cultivar prized for its silky, slightly gelatinous caps, nutty flavour, and excellent texture in soups and stir-fries. The characteristic glossy coating on the caps is what sets Nameko apart from other species — it develops naturally under high humidity conditions and gives the mushroom its signature look and mouthfeel.
Shelf life: Best used fresh for texture. Dries and rehydrates well for longer storage.
Growing Conditions
Humidity: 90–98%. Nameko needs very high and steady moisture during pinning and early fruiting to develop its characteristic gelatinous caps. Mist gently 2–3 times daily or use a humidifier.
Light: Indirect diffuse light on a normal day/night cycle. Avoid direct sunlight.
Air: Good fresh air exchange after pins form. Avoid CO₂ buildup but also avoid strong drafts that dry the surface.
Temperature: 10°C–20°C.
More Than One Harvest?
Yes. Expect 2 flushes. After each harvest, remove all remaining fruit bodies, allow the block to rest 3–4 days, then soak in cold water for 2–3 hours before resuming misting.
Need to Wait?
If you are not ready to start fruiting after full colonisation, store the bag in the fridge for up to one month. Do not refrigerate until the bag is fully colonised.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Fruiting too early: Starting fruiting before full colonisation increases contamination risk and produces poor clusters. Wait until colonisation is well advanced.
💡 Tip for First-Timers: If your block isn’t fully colonised by week 3, that is normal for Nameko — wait until colonisation is well advanced before triggering fruiting. Rushing this step is the most common mistake with this species.
All mushrooms produce spores as part of their natural growth cycle. Some people may be sensitive or allergic to spores, so be mindful of where you grow them. Harvesting earlier — as the caps begin to flatten — will help you avoid heavy sporulation.
Download your full step-by-step growing instructions from the link above. We recommend saving these before your kit arrives so you are ready to go.
This kit introduces you to Stage 3: Fruiting — the final step in mushroom growing. To explore all three stages (from spores to harvest), check out our Educational Mushroom Growing Kit.
Checkout all our Spray and grow kits.
Checkout out our fine Misting Spray Bottle to produce tiny droplets and keep humidity high. The size of droplets formed can easily be evaporated , this constant evaporation signals mycelium to pin.
Could not fruit the bag, or was it contaminated? Send us a photo or call us, and we will help you resolve the issue.
