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MushroomRabiSpawn (species/strain)Updated 23 September 2026

Ostreatus (Pleurotus ostreatus — Winter Oyster)

The cold-tolerant oyster mushroom species, fruiting well at lower temperatures than Florida or sajor-caju — the natural choice for growers in the hill states and for cropping through the coldest winter weeks in the plains without extra heating.

SeasonRabi
Maturity period3–4 weeks to first flush
Expected yield600–800 g fresh mushroom/kg dry straw
Suitable soilGrown on pasteurised wheat or paddy straw, not soil

Quick facts

Crop
Mushroom
Type
Spawn (species/strain)
Season
Rabi
Maturity period
3–4 weeks to first flush
Expected yield
600–800 g fresh mushroom/kg dry straw
Suitable soil
Grown on pasteurised wheat or paddy straw, not soil
Release
A long-cultivated cold-tolerant oyster mushroom species in India, supplied through ICAR-DMR Solan and hill-state mushroom units

About this variety

Pleurotus ostreatus (sometimes distinguished as the "winter" or "cold" oyster mushroom in Indian growers' terminology, as opposed to the somewhat more common Florida strain) fruits well at lower temperatures than most other cultivated oyster species, making it the preferred choice in the hill states and for cropping through the coldest part of the plains winter, when Florida and sajor-caju can slow down. Cultivation method — pasteurised straw, no compost, 3–4 week cycle — is identical to the other oyster species.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeSpawn (species/strain)
    Maturity3–4 weeks to first flush
    Yield potential600–800 g fresh mushroom/kg dry straw
    Disease resistanceGenerally hardy; the most cold-tolerant of the commonly grown oyster species, but slows in genuine summer heat
    SoilGrown on pasteurised wheat or paddy straw, not soil
    SeasonRabi

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

3–4 weeks to first flush

Expected yield

600–800 g fresh mushroom/kg dry straw

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Generally hardy; the most cold-tolerant of the commonly grown oyster species, but slows in genuine summer heat

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Fruits well at lower temperatures than other oyster species — extends the cropping window into the coldest weeks
  • Same low-cost, no-compost, short-cycle cultivation as any oyster mushroom

Things to consider

  • Slows noticeably in genuine summer heat — pair with a heat-tolerant species like pink oyster or milky mushroom for a year-round shed

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir
  • Uttarakhand
  • Punjab