Growing enoki (velvet shank)
Enoki is a cold-loving mushroom. A Belgian 'Golden Enoki' kit works at 10 to 18 °C and gets its golden colour from light. Harvest the whole bunch when the stems are 10 to 15 cm long, and always eat enoki thoroughly heated.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-26Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-32Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (VS) · BS-59According to taxonomic research, the long white enoki from the supermarket is usually a different, East Asian species (Flammulina filiformis) from industrial cultivation. The kit gives the golden form.
Springer · BS-63Which temperature?
The Mushroom Mania kit gives 10–18 °C. The grow pack gives 7–16 °C, Field & Forest 7.2–15.6 °C. A cellar of 20 °C is therefore too warm.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-26Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-32Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-14Cold shock
After full colonisation, enoki needs a cold shock below 12 °C to fruit.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-32Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-14Harvesting
The kit gives a first harvest about 2 weeks after activation. Harvest the whole bunch at once when the stems are 10 to 15 cm and the caps stay small. The kit gives up to 3 flushes, the pack 2 to 3. The 5 kg pack gives 0.75–1.0 kg.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-26Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-32Long stems are good here
In most species, long stems point to too little fresh air. In enoki, long, thin stems are exactly the aim of cultivation.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-26Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-32Always heat thoroughly
Enoki has been linked to Listeria outbreaks several times. The CDC advises heating enoki thoroughly, keeping raw enoki separate from ready-to-eat food and cleaning hands and utensils. The Voedingscentrum (Dutch Nutrition Centre) advises against raw mushrooms and names enoki explicitly.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (VS) · BS-59Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (VS) · BP-07Voedingscentrum · BO-02Source
- Kan je champignons/paddenstoelen rauw eten? — Voedingscentrum
- 2020 Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Enoki Mushrooms (archief) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (VS)
- Enoki Grain Spawn (Flammulina velutipes) — Field & Forest Products (VS)
- Golden Enoki – Growkit — Mushroom Mania (BE)
- Golden Enoki – Kweekpakket — Mushroom Mania (BE)
- Listeria outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms (2022; bijgewerkt 30-01-2025) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (VS)
- Taxonomy of Flammulina: F. filiformis vs F. velutipes (Wang et al. 2018, Mycological Progress) — Springer
Checked on:
This is general growing information from the sources listed. Always follow the instructions of your kit or supplier. Only eat what demonstrably grows from your own culture of the bought, named species; if in doubt about colour, smell or shape, do not eat it.
Always cook mushrooms thoroughly. This is general public guidance, not personal nutrition or medical advice.
Pick your species and your space; the tool shows what fits, with sources. No account needed.