Growing antler reishi mushrooms at home starts with a simple rule: keep the grow block inside its bag while the antlers develop. With the Midwest Grow Kits Antler Reishi Mushroom Grow Kit (5lbs), the early fruiting stage happens inside the bag. Once the antlers are tall and well formed, clip the top corners to provide more fresh air and room for continued growth.
This guide follows the printed instructions included with our 5 lb kit, from choosing a location to harvesting and resting the block.
Antler Reishi Growing Conditions at a Glance
| Condition or stage | What to aim for |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–75°F (18–24°C) |
| Light | Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sunlight |
| Early humidity | Keep the block and developing antlers inside the intact grow bag |
| First pins | Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on the block and conditions |
| When to clip corners | When antlers are well formed, typically 3–6 inches tall |
| After clipping corners | The guide lists 50–70% ambient humidity as usually sufficient |
| Harvest | Typically 6–10 weeks; desired height usually 4–10 inches |
| Rest after harvest | 1–2 weeks; additional flushes may follow |
These are planning ranges, not deadlines. Use the development of your mushrooms to decide when to move to the next stage.
Step 1: Keep the Grow Kit in Its Bag
Set the bag upright on a clean, stable surface in a room that stays between 65–75°F. Choose bright, indirect light from a window or grow light, keeping the bag away from direct sun and extreme temperatures.
Leave the bag intact throughout colonization and early fruiting. The enclosure helps hold moisture around the block. Do not remove the block, cut a slit in its face, or repeatedly open the bag during this stage. Keep the filter patch unobstructed.
Step 2: Watch for the First Antler Reishi Pins
Small antler-like growths typically begin appearing inside the bag within 2–4 weeks. Look for emerging stems on the top of the block, rather than expecting the familiar caps of oyster or shiitake mushrooms.
Keep the kit in its bag as these young antlers develop. Check the room temperature and lighting without opening the enclosure. If your kit arrives with visible growth, judge its stage by the antlers rather than restarting the timeline.
Step 3: Let the Antlers Grow Inside the Bag
Allow the antlers to grow several inches tall, typically 3–6 inches, before changing the bag. Keeping the enclosure intact during this period helps maintain humidity.
The characteristic appearance is upright, branching growth with reddish-brown stems and pale growing tips. Give the antlers room above the block, and avoid pressing the plastic against them. Resist the urge to open the bag just because you see the first pins.
Step 4: Cut the Top Two Corners
Once the antlers are tall and well developed, use clean scissors to clip off the top two corners of the bag. Make the openings above the mushrooms so you do not cut or damage the antlers.
This provides more fresh air and room for further growth while retaining most of the surrounding bag. The guide calls for clipping the corners rather than removing the entire enclosure. Continue bright, indirect light and steady temperatures. Afterward, ambient humidity of 50–70% is usually sufficient according to the kit guide; avoid placing the bag in a drying draft.
Step 5: Harvest and Rest the Block
Harvest when the antlers reach your desired height, usually 4–10 inches. The printed guide gives a typical harvest window of 6–10 weeks, with timing varying by conditions.
Use clean scissors to cut the antlers at their base. Support the cluster gently instead of pulling or twisting it out of the block. Mushroom harvesting scissors can help make controlled cuts.
After harvesting, give the block a short rest of 1–2 weeks. Additional flushes are possible, but are not guaranteed. Keep the block in a clean location and follow the instructions included with your kit for ongoing care.
Common Antler Reishi Growing Mistakes
- Opening the bag too early: keep it intact until the antlers are well developed.
- Putting the kit in direct sunlight: choose bright, indirect light and monitor room temperature.
- Removing the whole bag when clipping corners: retain the enclosure and make openings at the upper corners.
- Using the calendar alone: 2–4 weeks to pins and 6–10 weeks to harvest are typical ranges; development matters more than a fixed date.
- Expecting a culinary mushroom: reishi has a firm, woody texture and is typically dried for preparations such as tea rather than cooked like oyster mushrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Antler Reishi
Do I take the reishi block out of the bag?
No. For this kit, leave the block inside the bag during colonization and early fruiting. Once the antlers are well formed and several inches tall, cut the top two corners.
When should I cut the bag?
Wait until the antlers are typically 3–6 inches tall and well developed. First pins alone are not the signal to cut.
How long does antler reishi take to grow?
The kit guide lists first pins at approximately 2–4 weeks and harvest at approximately 6–10 weeks. Conditions and the stage of the block when it arrives can change that schedule.
Do I need a humidity tent or monotub?
The kit's own bag serves as the enclosure during early growth. The printed guide does not require a separate chamber and lists ambient humidity of 50–70% as usually sufficient after clipping the corners.
Should I mist inside the closed bag every day?
The printed guide's early-stage method is to retain the intact bag to maintain humidity. It does not call for opening it for daily misting. Follow the guide supplied with your kit.
Can the block produce another harvest?
Multiple flushes are possible. Allow a 1–2 week rest after harvesting; another flush depends on the block's condition and remaining resources.
What if my kit has not produced pins after four weeks?
Check that the bag is upright, the room stays around 65–75°F, and the kit receives indirect light. Keep the bag intact during early fruiting. If growth remains stalled or you notice suspicious discoloration, contact Midwest Grow Kits with clear photos before changing the setup.
Is antler reishi eaten like other mushrooms?
Its woody texture makes it different from culinary mushrooms. Reishi is commonly dried for tea or other preparations. This article focuses on cultivation and makes no health-treatment claims.
Start Your Antler Reishi Grow
Explore the 5 lb Antler Reishi Mushroom Grow Kit and our ready-to-grow mushroom kits. For another species with a different fruiting process, read our shiitake growing guide.