Growing maitake (hen of the woods)

Maitake or hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa) is not a beginner species. Colonisation takes 6 to 10 weeks, and fruiting needs 16 to 18 °C, plenty of moisture and little CO₂. The Belgian pack gives a first result after 8 to 12 weeks.

GroCycle (VK) · BS-42 Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-30 Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-15

Field & Forest calls precise environmental control essential, GroCycle considers maitake something for experienced growers and Mushroom Mania advises beginners against it.

Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-15 GroCycle (VK) · BS-42 Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-30

Colonisation

GroCycle gives 20–23 °C for 6 to 10 weeks, Field & Forest 6 to 8 weeks. The mycelium does not become thick and white; that is normal and not a sign of bad spawn.

GroCycle (VK) · BS-42 Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-15

Fruiting

After full colonisation, open the bag in a cooler spot of 16–18 °C, with 85–95 % humidity. Keep CO₂ below 1,000 ppm: above 1,500 ppm you get small, thin caps. GroCycle gives 500–1,000 lux, the Belgian pack speaks of a dark spot.

GroCycle (VK) · BS-42 Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-30

Harvest and yield

From the 'finger stage' to mature takes 1 to 2 weeks. The 5 kg pack gives 0.8–1.2 kg in 2 to 3 flushes; the first is the largest.

GroCycle (VK) · BS-42 Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-30

Outdoors on a log

You can bury a colonised log upright. The first fruits then come at the end of summer or in autumn, about a year later, and according to GroCycle a log can keep fruiting for 7 years or longer.

GroCycle (VK) · BS-42

Growing and eating safely

Allergic lung reactions to inhaled spores have been described in professional growers of, among others, oyster mushroom and shiitake. No risk measure is known for this species or for a single hobby pack. Harvest on time, do not grow in a bedroom, ventilate and always eat the harvest cooked.

PubMed PMID 3169217 · BS-61 PubMed PMID 22329454 · BS-75 NCBI Bookshelf · BS-60 GroCycle (VK) · BS-43 Voedingscentrum · BO-02

Source

Kan je champignons/paddenstoelen rauw eten? — Voedingscentrum
Maitake Grain Spawn (Grifola frondosa) — Field & Forest Products (VS)
Maitake – 5 kg kweekpakket — Mushroom Mania (BE)
How to Grow Maitake Mushrooms — GroCycle (VK)
How to harvest mushrooms — GroCycle (VK)
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (StatPearls, Chandra & Cherian, bijgewerkt 10-07-2023) — NCBI Bookshelf
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis in oyster mushroom growers (Eur Respir J 1988) — PubMed PMID 3169217
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Shiitake mushroom spores (Med Mycol 2012) — PubMed PMID 22329454

Checked on: 2026-09-24

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.

This is not medical advice. If you repeatedly get a fever, a cough or shortness of breath while growing indoors, remove the culture and see your doctor.

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