Technical Guides

Wood Ear (Jelly Ear): Complete Growing Guide

05 February 2026 Updated on 05 February 2026

The Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) is a gelatinous mushroom widely used in Asian cuisine and medicine.

Characteristics

  • Color: Dark brown to black
  • Flavor: Neutral, absorbs flavors
  • Texture: Gelatinous, crunchy
  • Size: 3-12 cm "ears"

Medicinal Properties

Traditionally used for blood circulation and as a natural anti-coagulant.

Optimal Conditions

Very tolerant of growing conditions. Can be grown outdoors on wooden logs.

Harvesting Tips

Harvest when the "ears" are well developed but still flexible. Dries and rehydrates easily.

Culinary Uses

Essential in Chinese cuisine! Perfect in soups, salads, and stir-fries for its unique texture.

Growing Technical Data

Ideal Substrate Wood sawdust
Phase 1: Colonization 20 - 30 days
Phase 2: Initiation 7 - 10 days
Phase 3: Growth 10 - 15 days
Total Cycle Duration 37 - 55 days
Flushes & Spacing 2 flushes (15 days)
Colonization Temp 22-28ยฐC
Fruiting Temp 18-25ยฐC
Relative Humidity 85-95%

Manage your crops effectively: With MycoGest, automatically track each development phase and receive alerts at the right time to optimize your harvests.

Consult our comparison table of all varieties to compare growing cycles.