Growing nameko
Nameko (Pholiota microspora, also Pholiota nameko) is a more difficult species. Indoors it needs 10 to 18 °C and at least 90 % humidity, and the first harvest follows 4 to 8 weeks after inoculation. On a log outdoors you only harvest in autumn, a year after inoculation.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-33Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-13J-STAGE · BS-64The Belgian supplier calls nameko indoors 'a difficult species' that may need a grow tent. In a cellar of 20 °C it is too warm for fruiting.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-33Indoors: the grow pack
The 5 kg pack gives 0.9–1.0 kg, in 2 to 3 flushes with about 20 days in between. For fruiting you need 10–18 °C and 90 % humidity or more.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-33Outdoors on a log
Let a freshly felled log rest for at least 2 weeks; after 6 weeks the risk of contamination rises. The first mushrooms come in autumn, a year after inoculation, when it is about 10 °C during the day and after heavy rain.
Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-13Water for the logs
Logs must not dry out. The source counts on about 2.5 cm of rain per week; if less falls, spray them.
Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-13Storing
Field & Forest writes that chilled nameko keeps for up to 14 days. The general guideline from the Voedingscentrum and Penn State for mushrooms is 2 to 3 days.
Field & Forest Products (VS) · BS-13Voedingscentrum · BO-01Penn State Extension · BO-04The name
Mushroom Mania sells it as Pholiota nameko; according to a taxonomic study that is a synonym of Pholiota microspora.
Mushroom Mania (BE) · BS-33J-STAGE · BS-64Growing 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-61PubMed PMID 22329454 · BS-75NCBI Bookshelf · BS-60GroCycle (VK) · BS-43Voedingscentrum · BO-02Source
- Hoelang kun je champignons, rauw bewaren? — Voedingscentrum
- Kan je champignons/paddenstoelen rauw eten? — Voedingscentrum
- Preparing and Preserving Mushrooms — Penn State Extension
- How to Grow Nameko Mushrooms on Logs — Field & Forest Products (VS)
- Nameko – Kweekpakket — Mushroom Mania (BE)
- 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
- Correct name for 'nameko' (Neda 2008, Mycoscience) — J-STAGE
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Shiitake mushroom spores (Med Mycol 2012) — PubMed PMID 22329454
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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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