Using the Mushroom Machine

Setting Parameters:
If you plan to grow oyster mushrooms, you can use the default code available for download from the GitHub link. At the beginning of the code, you'll find parameters to adjust misting and fan frequencies. Based on our limited knowledge of mushroom growing, we believe humidity settings are generally consistent across fungi types and likely won’t require changes. However, oxygen levels may need adjustment depending on the mushroom type. You can find information about these settings on forums or from the sellers of mycelium cakes.

Ordering Mycelium Cake:
Mycelium can be purchased at different life stages. Ensure you order mycelium that is ready to fruit, often labeled as "Ready to Fruit," "Mycelium Cake," or "Mushroom Fruiting Block." Avoid purchasing substrate with spores or seeds, as it will require significantly more effort before it’s ready for Shroomy.
If you wish to grow substrate from scratch, refer to our Growing Mushrooms section.

Examples of ready-to-fruit cakes:

Filling the Water Tank:
Lift the humidifier unit out of the water tank and fill the tank with water, but not to the very edge to avoid spillage when replacing the humidifier unit. If you leave the default humidifier parameters in the code, the tank holds enough water to last over 7 days, sufficient for a full growing cycle.

If you want to expand the lifespan of the humidifier electronic part, you can use demineralized water to fill the tank up. No lime scale issues now.

Temperature:
Check online for the ideal temperature range for your mushroom type. Fungi can be sensitive to incorrect temperatures. During testing, we found that fruiting (mushroom growth) can stall or fail completely if temperatures are outside the optimal range, even if mycelium growth appears fine.

  • For example, Grey Oysters struggled to grow above 23°C, while Yellow Oysters failed to grow below 20°C.
    Monitor the room temperature and adjust the location of Shroomy if necessary.

Pod Filling:

  1. Sanitize the pod with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or warm water and soap. Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry.
  2. Break off segments of the mycelium cake and fill the pod as much as possible.
    • Be gentle to avoid pulverizing the substrate, as this can delay recovery and deplete energy needed for fruiting.
  3. Fill empty spaces between substrate blocks with pulverized substrate.
  4. Briefly wet the substrate with a small amount of water before closing the lid.
  5. Close the lid, place the pod back on the Shroomy base, and cover it with the glass dome.

Light Show:
Press Button 3 (right) to activate the lights. Enjoy the various animations during misting, resting, and venting phases!

Mycelium Growth Mode:
Press Button 1 (left) to start the mycelium growth phase. This process typically takes a few days (e.g., 3–4 days for Yellow Oysters). Monitor the substrate through the pod holes for signs of white mycelium or small white bumps, which indicate it’s time to begin the fruiting phase.

Fruiting Phase Mode:
Reset Button 1 (left) and press Button 2 (middle) to begin the fruiting phase. This increases oxygen levels to encourage mushroom growth. Sit back and relax as your mushrooms grow!

  • Harvest them when growth slows or when visual cues (found online) indicate they are ready.

Side Note:
If fruiting takes unusually long, try jump-starting it by placing the pod in the fridge overnight and then returning it to Shroomy. The transition from cold to warmer temperatures can trigger fruiting.

Repeat:
You can often grow a second batch of mushrooms without replacing the mycelium substrate. Leave Shroomy in "fruiting mode" for the second cycle. A third cycle is less likely due to resource depletion in the pod. Mycelium cakes may normally fruit up to 3+ times, bit due to the limited volume of the pod, this is unlikely when using Shroomy.
When the substrate is exhausted, remove it, clean the pod, refill with fresh mycelium cake, refill the water tank, and restart in substrate grow mode.

Maintenance and Care:

  • Clean Shroomy regularly with a damp towel (optionally with a dash of soap) or isopropyl alcohol.
  • Wash the pod thoroughly between mycelium substrate swaps.
  • Avoid using hot water on PLA parts, as this can warp and destroy them. Warm water will suffice.
  • In case of poor misting: Reapply pressure on cotton bar - humidifier contact to assure proper misting
  • In case of poor misting: Humidifier might clog due to limescale build up. First try to dissolve the limescale in vinegar solution. If this does not help, buy a new one and replace

Troubleshooting:
If you encounter issues, reach out to the Shroomy community for assistance.

7. How to use shroomy