Pleurotus ostreatus - Cold Blue Oyster Genetics

Scientific Name: Pleurotus ostreatus

Common Names: Blue Oyster, Wood Oyster, Tree Oyster, Oyster Shelf, Straw Mushroom, Hiratake, Tamogitake

Description:  A large, tender, delicious mushroom with a beautiful blue colored cap.  Blue oyster and other P. ostreatus species are some of the easiest to grow because they fruit using many substrates over a wide range of temperatures:  Hardwood, straw, and coffee grinds can produce huge yields of beautiful fruitbodies.  Blue Oyster is the best choice for the beginner.  Lower temperatures and higher light increase the bright blue pigmentation of the cap.  This cold temperature variety is a good choice for spring/fall outdoors or winter in the greenhouse.

Growth Conditions

Petri Dish, Slant, or Liquid Culture
Growth Medium: Malt extract or potato water agar
Temperature: 21 deg C

Spawn Run
Growth Medium:  supplemented hardwood sawdust
Temperature: 21 deg C
Bag Filter Type: "A"

Primordia Formation
Temperature:  10-16 deg C
Humidity: 95-100 %
Time (days): 3-5 days
Light (Lux): 1000-2000 lux

Fruit-body Growth
Temperature:  10-21 deg C
Humidity: 80-95 %
Time: 3-5 days
Light: 1000-2000 lux

Harvest Hint: With a moderately high humidity primordia will form at the location slits are cut in the bag.  Alternatively the bag can be opened from the top and rolled down for top-fruiting.    Harvest the mushroom before the cap edges turn upward and spore release begins.  Color will be more vibrant if harvested early.  If the light level and airflow are too low the mushrooms will form an undesirable coral-like form.