Gumelo - Certified Organic Grow Your Own Kit - Pearl Oyster Mushroom

Bought this as a Warehouse Deal. Didn't seem to be any reason for it being cheaper when it arrived still well within date, no sign of box damage. I paid £12.45. The usual price seems to be £17.99.I followed the instructions closely. They are pretty easy. You just push out the perforated rectangle in the front of the box, cut an X shape in the plastic bag, peel that back a bit and spray with water twice a day. (There is a tiny spray bottle provided).You do need to put the box on a waterproof tray as the box does get a bit soggy.Sure enough within about 7 days we had a lovely crop of delicious mushrooms. It was fascinating to see them grow. They grow very fast, you can almost see them growing. We got enough mushrooms for 4 generous portions. I didn't weigh the mushrooms but I guess there was about half a pound total.The instructions say that you can get maybe 3 crops out of the box by continuing to water after you have harvested the first batch. I have been diligently watering but there is no sign whatsoever of this happening. In fact the surface where the mushrooms should appear seems dry and hard. I actually water more often because of this but nothing is happening.The thing is, when you start it off you have to allow for the first 7 days and then about another 15-20 days before a next crop might possibly appear and then another 15-20 days before a third crop might possibly appear. They say 3 crops 'on average' maybe you could get more, who knows. However you do have to make sure you are around to water for all those days. If you are going away during the possible 47 days it might take to get 3 crops you would have to take the kit with you to keep an eye on it.In conclusion I would say that this is more interesting than practical. As an educational item for children it is very good. However I think that £12.45 for about half a pound of very nice mushrooms is a little steep. At £17.99 it is even more expensive.Would make a nice gift for someone but not very practical as a means of producing mushrooms for everyday use. Probably better to buy ready grown mushrooms in the shops.I did enjoy growing and eating these but I don't think I would buy a kit again. Might look into growing mushrooms with spawn instead.

This was a gift to a family with young kids. Last time I visited there were oystermushroom pushing out of the box. The children had been excited to see them grow and eager to try them

Fantastic present for my forager partner!