How long will my colonized jars live?

 If you wait too long the cakes will begin to dry out and sometimes fruit in the jars, diminishing future yields. 

In a pinch you can wait up to a week or two extra, but any longer may lead to stunted flushes. If you're going to invest the time and money in growing mushrooms, it is recommended that you plan to be available so you can attend to your setup.