Pink Oyster
Pleurotus djamor
A vivid, fast, warm-weather oyster that thrives in Indian heat. It fruits quickly and looks striking, though it has a short shelf life.
Growing requirements at a glance
- Scientific name
- Pleurotus djamor
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Colonisation temp
- 24 to 30°C
- Fruiting temp
- 20 to 30°C
- Substrate
- Straw or supplemented sawdust
- Shelf life
- Short, use fresh
Overview
Pink oyster (Pleurotus djamor) is a warm-climate favourite with bright pink clusters. It is one of the few gourmet mushrooms that fruits happily through an Indian summer, and it grows fast enough to reward beginners quickly.
Growing conditions
Colonise at 24 to 30°C and fruit at about 20 to 30°C on pasteurised straw or sawdust. It needs high humidity and generous fresh air. Because it grows so fast, watch it closely near harvest so the caps do not overmature.
In the kitchen
Pink oyster has a bold, slightly meaty taste that some compare to bacon when cooked crisp. The colour fades with cooking. Eat it fresh and well cooked, as it does not keep long.
Grower tips
It has a short shelf life, so plan to use or sell it within a couple of days of harvest. Its speed and heat tolerance make it the standout summer crop in warm parts of India.
