Arizona Cultivated Varieties 

Despite extremes in temperature and an arid climate, there are varieties of mushrooms will flourish for growers in Arizona. These species have a wider temperature tolerance range than other mushrooms and can be grown successfully throughout the state. The AZMGA has spawn and grow bags of all of these species available - you can order them here if interested in growing your own!

Pearl Oyster Pleurotus ostreatus

The pearl oyster mushroom is the easiest mushroom to grow under cultivation. It has a wide tolerance of temperatures and humidity, and grows on many different substrates. In its natural habitat it grows on hardwoods in forests globally. Pleurotus is a saprophyte, but has been known to consume the dead tissue of a living host under stress. Here in Arizona we grow Pleurotus on a substrate combination of straw and cotton.  Their flavor is mild but satisfying and absorbs other flavors well. A great mushroom for the beginning grower to attempt and an easy sell for even the fungi-phobic.

Blue Oyster Pleurotus ostreatus var. ​columbinus

The blue oyster is a variety of Pleurotus with a  distinctive grey-blue color. It is as easy to grow as the Pearl Oyster, and is a bit easier to harvest, as it is not quite so delicate. It has a flavor  profile comparable to the Blue and is a great market draw because of its visual appeal.  

Pink Oyster  Pleurotus djamor

A mushroom that is even more tolerant of high heat and humidity than the Pearls and Blues, the Pink Oyster has a distinctive seafood-like flavor. It is not as prolific as the Pearl or Blue, but its dramatic pink color is attractive at market.

Shiitake Lentinula edodes

The Shiitake grows in the wild on hardwoods, and is harder to cultivate on the commonly available straw and cotton substrate. Its mycelium grows more slowly than Pleurotus' and its time to fruiting is longer. Some Arizona growers have had success with Shiitakes, however.