Harvest soon?

Hey all. I've got some APE that seems to be doing well, but I'm not quite sure when to harvest. Some look like they may be ready, but I'm just not sure. Advice would be appreciated!

Hey, great APEs! You can already pick a few shrooms with opened caps, like this one:

APE for harvest

And let the rest grow... I think they will be ready in the nearest 3-5 days or so. Hope to see updates ;-)

By the way, APEs may look so different, just check the gallery here: https://shroomok.com/gallery/albino-penis-envy

Thanks very much for the quick reply, I'm very excited to start harvesting! I'll be sure to post a reply here with how much I got from this first flush when it's all harvested.

My pleasure!

Is it just a coco coir layer on the top? Did you add additional layer (pseudo/true casing layer)?

Just wondering, because the top of the cake isn't covered with mycelium, but shrooms popping up through this layer so nicely

Can’t wait to see your progress! Don't forget to add some photos of your beauties ;-)

Good luck ✊️

Yea, it's just coco coir as a top layer. In all honesty I'm not sure of the best way to do things (I'm still working my way through your guides, haha) but my husband has been doing most of the research and set up stuff, and he said he read somewhere that the coir should be put on when you see the first pinning, so that's what we did! If nothing else it is visually appealing, haha

Yes, this technique works wonders! This layer is called “casing”, and it came from Agaricus bisporus mushroom farmers.

There are 2 types of casing in amateur growing. True casing layer is based on pH-adjusted peat moss, while a pseudo-casing layer is just an additional thin layer of coco coir (or a CVG mix) – as you did. Each option has its pros and cons.

The best time to add it is right after the top layer has colonized. So, a lil bit earlier, before pinning.

Casing is a source of additional moisture, creates a favorable microclimate, and helps trigger pinning. It’s especially beneficial for mutant strains like your APE or for tomentose (fluffy or cloudy looking) mycelium that tends to overlay or is already overlaid. pH-adjusted casing layer also plays a protective role against green mold (Trichoderma).

By the way, some species can’t produce fruits without a casing layer at all, while it’s optional for Cubensis.

More info here:

Casing

Casing & Overlay

Casing & Trichoderma - see the paragraph 'How soil pH affect Trichoderma'

Great teamwork, guys! Well done!

Keep going, keep growing :-)