The first crop of mushrooms can usually be harvested ten days after planting. This first growth normally supplies enough of a crop to require three successive days of harvesting, and 65 - 75 per cent of the expected yield is obtained. During the ensuing rest period of three to five days watering of boxes may be resumed; proper conditions in the growing room must be carefully maintained.
The second crop also takes two to three days to harvest, but the yield will be much less, supplying 25 to 35 per cent balance of the total 1 kg per box produced over a period of 18 to 22 days.
It should be noted that box-cultivated mushrooms are less likely to grow in clusters than are spawn planted in beds.
Because of the semi-controlled conditions in the growing houses, pests and diseases are more easily controlled. Boxes showing contamination can be removed right after the incubation period to prevent spreading of contamination in the growing house
A target production of 1 kg per box per growing cycle can be attained with a high degree of certainty through better management of the mushroom farm. Some boxes have produced only about 350 9 per cycle, but a production of more than 2,000 9 through the end of the s