Looked up "button mushroom mycellium" on image search. Still don't know.

[palominocorn]

Is my portabello mushroom box growing mycellium? Or am I incubating a big moldy contamination in my closet?

Who knows? Not me!

Comments

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Early on, it is really hard to tell. Mycellium does look a lot like mold. It can be chunky-looking with a sort of frosted appearance, or fibrous-looking with white threadlike growths. Also frustrating, it can grow lightning-fast or very slowly depending on the conditions. I've seen a new mulch pile hit apex development in 3 days, filled not only with fungus fibers everywhere but also pillbugs, centipedes, even a toad! If your culture seems to be lagging, check the humidity in your closet. If it's low, try storing an open jug of water in there.

Re: Well ...

[palominocorn]

It's in an automated system that keeps the humidity cranked way up, so that's not the issue. I'm just waiting and letting it do its thing until I know for sure.

I didn't have as much mushroom stem to as I wanted for a box this size, so I figured it would take longer to colonize.