Thanks for buying a Hodgins Harvest Grow-Your-Own kit! You'll want to make sure that the substrate is full colonized before you start the process of fruiting the kit. When we say "fully colonized", it doesn't necessarily mean that every single inch of the grow bag is full of mycelium. It's fine to fruit the bag when it's 80-90% covered in white.
It's common for the bottom of the bag colonize last. This is because the top part of the substrate has easier access to air via the filter patch. We often fruit our blocks here at Hodgins Harvest even when there's a thin layer of uncolonized substrate along the bottom of the bag.
Lion's mane mycelium is much wispier than oyster mycelium. You'll need to inspect the bag a little closer to see it. Here's an example of a lion's mane grow bag that is well on it's way to full colonization but not quite there yet:
Oyster and Pink Oyster mycelium is a much brighter white than Lion's Mane. There will be no confusing colonizedanduncolonized substrate with Oyster variety grow kits. Here's an example of a pink oyster grow kit that is mostly colonized but not quite done yet (oyster will look similar):
If your grow kit isn't fully colonized, please store it between 65 and 75°F (18-24°C) and check on the mycelium every few days until at least 80% of the bag is covered. It's a good idea to place the most colonized size towards the circular cutout in the box before following the rest of the directions.
If you ended up with a grow bag that looks fully colonized but has broken apart in the bag while being shipped, please store the bag at room temp for 3-4 days and allow the mycelium to "heal up" and stick back together before starting the kit.
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us here.
