Pink Oyster Mushroom

Pleurotus flabellatus

is a tropical mushroom that fruits in two weeks at room temperature. These make so many spores that you would not want to have them in the house with your family. Most hobby growers of these pink beauties use a plastic tent in a heated room.

Another mushroom that needs heat is Ganoderma lucidum, also called Ling Chi or Reishi. I have offered these for sale at $20 when captured and $50 when fruiting. This is a woody conk that tastes awful. It doesn't sell well. I don't keep them on hand, but I will produce them when there is enough demand from members of the KPMS cultivation group. Most who taste this mushroom, or a tincture made from it, do not like the flavor. Both of these tropical mushrooms grow well in the summer here in the Pacific Northwest. I have grown them in an un-insulated, un-heated garage and garden shed. I also have Maitaki and shiitaki, but I haven't had enough experience growing them to know what to recommend.

People who want to cultivate mushrooms outdoors may want one of the terrestrial species our group is growing. We have members growing shaggy manes, black morels, and the garden giant.