Why is my kit drying out?
- CheckEnsure kit is not located in an enclosed space or within direct sunlight. Avoid nearby heat sources, cupboards, wardrobes and within cabinets.
Diagnosing a dry topsoil.
If your kit is suffering from shrinkage around the edges and/or the topsoil is beginning to lighten off in colour, it is important to tweak the care of this product to ensure it remains healthy/ This is very important to fix ASAP should this be occurring.
Risk factors for shrinkage and the topsoil drying out includes, close proximity to heat sources, ie radiators. A lack of water being sprayed onto the topsoil and draughts / dry air.
Examples of underwatered topsoil
What should I do if my topsoil is too dry?
- CheckKeep the topsoil damp and keep an eye on the edges as these are often neglected and begin to show light speckles within the topsoil.
Resolving a dry topsoil.
If the topsoil is grey or containing light speckles and/or the compost is coming away from the sides it is losing hydration and his needs to be replaced.
To address this, with your spray bottle spray multiple times through the day, little and often until the topsoil is the correct colour again, then maintain this new level of hydration.
It is also important to fix any other factors, so move away from heat sources or direct sunlight. Ensure side flaps are raised up and you are not growing these above 21'c.
What to do if my topsoil is too wet?
- CheckEnsure there is never any pooling water on the topsoil.
Example of a kit that is over watered.
To address this, reduce the water and dab away excess water with paper towel. Then maintain this new level of hydration.
The mushrooms cannot grow if in contact with pooling water, so this needs to be avoided at all times. The water should be fully absorbed by the topsoil, spray only enough to keep it deep black in colour.
If the topsoil is no longer absorbing the water, you are likely using too much.
Correct Hydration
- CheckKeep the topsoil damp and keep an eye on the edges as these are often neglected and begin to show light speckles within the topsoil.
Correct Hydration example.
The mushrooms require the correct level of hydration in order to fruit effectively. Spray bottles are best used to avoid over watering and pooling water
However if you use a spray bottle ensure you are using enough volume of water each day to ensure the topsoil remains the correct colour (deep black) and level of hydration.
The amount of water will vary upon conditions such as temperature and room humidity / draughts.
Location + Troubleshooting Checklist
- Ensure kit is not located in an enclosed space or within direct sunlight. Avoid nearby heat sources, cupboards, wardrobes and within cabinets.
- Topsoil should be deep black in colour, 90% of it should be black with veins of mycelium, it should never been the dominant feature.
- Always keep this product below 21'c and ideally between 17-18'c
- Keep the topsoil damp and keep an eye on the edges as these are often neglected and begin to show light speckles within the topsoil.
- After this tweak you may have to wait a few weeks for the kit to recover and attempt to grow the next crop.