Help & Tutorials

Everything you need to get started and make the most of MushBloom.

🚀 Getting Started

Creating Your First Grow

Open MushBloom and tap the + button in the top right
Choose "New Grow"
Enter a name for your grow (e.g., "Blue Oyster Batch 1")
Select the mushroom strain from the library
Choose your substrate type (grain, straw, sawdust, etc.)
Set the inoculation date
Optionally add a cover photo and notes
Tap Save — your grow is now being tracked!

Understanding Grow Stages

MushBloom tracks your grow through these stages:

🧫 Inoculation — Spawn or culture has been added to substrate
🌿 Colonization — Mycelium is spreading through the substrate
🍄 Fruiting — Pins are forming and mushrooms are growing
✂️ Harvesting — Mushrooms are ready to pick
✅ Completed — Grow cycle finished
⚠️ Contaminated — Issue detected

💡 Tip: Tap a grow stage in the progress bar to quickly update it. You can also change stages from the grow's detail view.

📝 Tracking Your Grows

Adding Progress Entries

From a grow's detail view, tap "Add Entry" to log progress. Include a photo, description, and date. These entries form your grow timeline — a visual journal of your cultivation journey.

Logging Harvests

Open your grow's detail page
Tap "Log Harvest"
Enter the flush number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
Enter the weight in grams
Add any notes about quality or appearance
Tap Save

⭐ Advanced Features

Environmental Logging

Track temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, and light conditions for each grow. Tap the thermometer icon in quick actions to open the environment log. Add readings manually and view trend charts to keep your growing environment optimal.

AI Contamination Scanner

Tap the "Scan" button to open your camera. Point it at your grow to get an AI analysis. The scanner looks for common contamination patterns like green mold (Trichoderma), cobweb mold, black mold, and bacterial blotch.

⚠️ Important: The AI scanner is a helpful tool but should not replace expert knowledge. Always consult experienced growers or mycologists for definitive contamination identification.

Grow Templates

Save a successful grow's configuration as a template: tap the ⋯ menu → "Save as Template". Next time you start a grow, choose "From Template" to auto-fill all settings.

Export Reports

Generate PDF or CSV reports from the ⋯ menu → "Export Report". PDFs include photos, timeline entries, harvest data, and environmental charts.

Smart Reminders

Set reminders for misting, fresh air exchange, checking colonization, or custom tasks. Tap the bell icon in quick actions to add a reminder for any grow.

📚 Using the Library

The Library tab contains:

26+ Mushroom Strains — Browse by difficulty (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). Each strain has detailed growing parameters, substrate recommendations, harvest signs, and medicinal benefits.
Growing Guides — Learn about substrates, environments, harvesting techniques, and advanced methods like agar work and liquid culture.
Contamination Guide — Identify common contaminants and learn prevention strategies.
Tips — Quick, actionable tips for better grows.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many grows can I track for free?

Free users can track up to 2 active grows simultaneously. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited grows.

How does the free trial work?

New subscribers get a 1-week free trial. You can cancel anytime during the trial and won't be charged. After the trial, your chosen plan begins automatically.

Can I switch between monthly and yearly plans?

Yes! Go to your iPhone's Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → MushBloom to change or manage your plan.

Is my data backed up?

Data is stored locally on your device. With Premium, you can enable iCloud Sync to back up and access your data across all Apple devices.

Can I transfer my data to a new phone?

If you use iCloud Sync (Premium), your data transfers automatically. Without it, you can transfer data by restoring an iPhone backup on your new device.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

You keep Premium access until the end of your current billing period. After that, you return to the free tier. Your data is never deleted — you just can't access premium features.

Does the AI scanner work offline?

Yes! The AI contamination scanner processes images entirely on your device. No internet connection is required.

I restored a purchase but Premium isn't showing.

Go to Settings → tap your Premium card → "Restore Purchases". If it still doesn't work, make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID that made the purchase.

Still Need Help?

Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help.

📧 mip@gmx.biz

We typically respond within 24 hours.