I knew about the light just gives them direction… I have a small LED light that I run on its lowest setting…I just never could find any info on how long to have a small light on near them…
next time I will run for just 8 hours on each day…
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Doesn’t seem like overkill, though the light is pretty close. I just run a 60 watt table lamp that is placed 10 to 15 feet away from the tubs.
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so next grow I will hang the light up as well as reduce the time on… thanks for your input…
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Had to go refill my coffee.
@MidwestGuy is right on, ambient indirect light is best and only needs to be on a few hours. As you pointed out, shrooms dont need light but a little light is good for growth direction.
Side cake or all over, still a good harvest GrowBro 
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I grow the shrooms in my old office room… it gets light so maybe I don’t even need to use the LED light next grow…
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Interesting! I asked AI (Grok) the question “How does light help mushroom growth.” Here’s what it said:
Light plays a complex role in mushroom growth, varying by species, as mushrooms lack chlorophyll and don’t rely on photosynthesis like plants. Instead, light acts as a signal for developmental processes, influencing growth stages, morphology, and reproduction. Here’s a concise breakdown based on current understanding:
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Initiation of Fruiting Bodies: Many mushroom species, like oyster (Pleurotus spp.) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes), require light to trigger the formation of fruiting bodies (the visible mushroom). Specific wavelengths, particularly blue light (400-500 nm), stimulate primordia formation by activating photoreceptors in the mycelium. For example, studies show blue light promotes pinhead formation in oyster mushrooms, while darkness can delay or inhibit it.
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Morphology and Quality: Light influences the shape, size, and color of mushrooms. For instance, inadequate light can lead to elongated, pale stems (etiolation) in species like Agaricus bisporus (button mushrooms), while optimal light exposure results in well-formed caps and better pigmentation. Shiitake mushrooms develop darker, thicker caps under higher light intensity (100-200 lux).
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Spore Production: Light regulates sporulation in some species. For example, in Coprinus cinereus, light exposure is critical for spore release, with specific light cycles enhancing reproductive success. Insufficient light may reduce spore production or delay release.
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Species-Specific Requirements: Light needs vary. Morels (Morchella spp.) prefer low light (50-100 lux), while enoki (Flammulina velutipes) thrive in near-darkness for long, thin stems but need light for cap development. Conversely, some species, like certain Ganoderma (reishi), are less light-dependent but still benefit from minimal exposure for proper growth.
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Intensity and Duration: Light intensity typically ranges from 50-1000 lux, depending on the species, with 6-12 hours of exposure often ideal. Excessive light, especially UV or high-intensity, can damage mycelium or inhibit growth, while too little light may prevent fruiting entirely.
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Mycelial Growth: The vegetative stage (mycelium) generally doesn’t require light and often thrives in darkness. However, some species show enhanced mycelial growth under low light, possibly due to indirect effects on metabolism.
In practice, growers use controlled lighting (often LED for precise wavelengths) to optimize yield and quality. For example, commercial oyster mushroom cultivation often employs blue LED lights at 200 lux for 8 hours daily to maximize fruiting body formation. If you’re growing mushrooms, check the specific light needs of your species, as requirements differ widely.
If you have a particular mushroom species in mind or need cultivation tips, let me know!
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thanks for this info… remind me again why we want to harvest before the veil breaks… having a senior moment this morning…
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You want to harvest just as the veil breaks and the cap isnt fully open. They are at their prime in this moment for potency and havent released spores.
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so after the cap opens their potency starts to decrease…
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Great info on the blue light. Its what I use and have had mixed results in my experience. Both with culinary and psychedelic, some strains really like it and seems to boost yield. Others could do without it.
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I use the “daylight” variety of table lamp bulb. The version leans more heavily blue.
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Only slighty during fruiting and not enough to really notice. Heating while drying can have a more detrimental impact on their potency.
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so my 113F in the dehydrator … is this ok or do you have another suggestion…
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I set my dehydrator about 15°f over room temperature and maintain rh levels around 40% in the drying closet.
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thanks for your setup… I have the same dehydrator… never thought about the outside temp/humidity while it is dehydrating… how long do you let it go for…
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Depends. Thicker stems take awhile, 24+ hours. Most dry in 18-24 hours.
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just checked and mine are dry but soft… I also noticed the bigger ones are hollow…probably cause I let them grow too long… last grow I ran 135F for 24 hrs and they were like rocks when I grinded them up… that is when midwestguy suggested the lower 113F setting…
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I don’t care a whole lot about maximizing strength, so I dry at 113F. It takes a half-day, give or take, depending on how thick the shrooms are.
They should be dry like crackers.
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Brother! Robert Trujillo is a FN beast on the guitar. Thar place was definitely ROCKING that night. Hopefully you enjoyed it to the max. 
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