larry_stewart
Master Chef
I know I've touched on this , over the years many times in various threads, but Im starting the process over again so I figured I'd just document it from the very beginning process.
I was driving around a few weeks ago, and saw some cut logs ( looked like oak, which is preferable for Shiitake mushrooms to grow on). Also, logs cut in late fall are preferred due to there nutrient content making it ideal for mushroom growth. Anyway, knowing I had a log available ( me sneaking out n the middle of the night and tossing it in my car),I ordered some inoculated mushroom dowels .
The process goes as follows:
1) Drill holes in log, about 6 inches from each other in a 6 inch, triangular pattern.
- The drill bur is matched to the size of the dowel ( both length and circumference )
2) Place the dowels in the drilled holes
3) Tap them into the log until flush with the surface
4) Apply wax over each dowel to prevent log from drying out
5) Apply wax to the cut ends, and any other nicks that may have penetrate the outer bark, to prevent drying out
6) Ideally place off the ground ( layered on other logs, stone, barrier) to prevent other fungi from inoculating the log.
7) Wait . Could take 6 months to a year to. produce , when the weather conditions are right.
8) Keep in shade, or out of direct sunlight
9) Keep moist, especially during the dry months
***Once starting to produce, the logs can produce for 3 to 5 years , multiple times a year when conditions are right***
Also included is a pic of a log I inoculated 2 years ago. I have one log, inoculated in 2020 which still is producing..
I was driving around a few weeks ago, and saw some cut logs ( looked like oak, which is preferable for Shiitake mushrooms to grow on). Also, logs cut in late fall are preferred due to there nutrient content making it ideal for mushroom growth. Anyway, knowing I had a log available ( me sneaking out n the middle of the night and tossing it in my car),I ordered some inoculated mushroom dowels .
The process goes as follows:
1) Drill holes in log, about 6 inches from each other in a 6 inch, triangular pattern.
- The drill bur is matched to the size of the dowel ( both length and circumference )
2) Place the dowels in the drilled holes
3) Tap them into the log until flush with the surface
4) Apply wax over each dowel to prevent log from drying out
5) Apply wax to the cut ends, and any other nicks that may have penetrate the outer bark, to prevent drying out
6) Ideally place off the ground ( layered on other logs, stone, barrier) to prevent other fungi from inoculating the log.
7) Wait . Could take 6 months to a year to. produce , when the weather conditions are right.
8) Keep in shade, or out of direct sunlight
9) Keep moist, especially during the dry months
***Once starting to produce, the logs can produce for 3 to 5 years , multiple times a year when conditions are right***
Also included is a pic of a log I inoculated 2 years ago. I have one log, inoculated in 2020 which still is producing..
The perfect adventure.
