so I have 3 cakes growing right now and one of the cakes is doing much better but that one has almost all the mushrooms on it turned black and look almost rotted. They smell completely fine and are still connected to the cake. I am wondering if this needs to be picked or are they safe to eat or is the whole cake bruised and needs to be trashed?
I tried to take some pictures of the cake using the camera on my computer so hopefully that helps.

My initial guess is that they need to be tossed.



Could you take clearer pictures? it looks like you cast a shadow over most of the cake while you were taking a the pics. It's really difficult to see whats going on.

Put them under a bright light, a white background, and take close-up shots.

ok just a sec. Ill try to get clearer pictures

there just covered in spores, they should have been picked a few days ago.

from now on pick as soon as or right before the veil breaks.

allowing the substrate to become covered in spores triggers the mycelium to stop producing because as far as its concerned its mission accomplished.

so there ok to eat?

they should be, try to gently wipe a cap with a qtip if you get a dark purple/black bit rub off its just spores and fine to eat.