Shittake Mushrooms Go Wild!
A good friend of mine called a few weeks back and asked it I wanted some Shittake spore plugs. Yes, I said! I only have 3 logs in place now and thought it would be a good time to start several more logs…
When I got off the phone I realized I needed to check on my existing logs; they are out of sight, hence, out of mind most of the year, until someone or something reminds me it’s a good time to “force” them.
I’ve dabbled with Shittakes off and on for a few years and have come to learn the best way to get a lot of mushrooms, consistently, in a short amount of time, is to force them into fruiting/flushing. How do I do this?
My logs are adjacent to the creek in a very shady and damp area. Left on their own they will produce some mushrooms when they’re ready, but if conditions are not perfect the harvest isn’t much to write home about. So, I have started forcing them every spring and fall. Basically, I submerge them in the creek for 3-4 days and then put them back on the bank in the shady area. Another 3-4 days later they are popping with mushrooms – like this photo!
shittake mushroom log cabin
I’m getting so many mushrooms, from only 3 logs, I can’t keep up with them. I’ve given several away to neighbors and have eaten a lions share myself. I was at the local farmer’s market recently and saw that they go for $12 a pound! So, I guess when all 8 logs start flushing semi-annually I could probably sell enough to buy those tires I spoke of in the last blog!
shittake mushrooms
more shittake mushrooms
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Category: Food, How-To, TreeStone Farm
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Wow! That is incredible! I guess I am still not understanding the process though.
SD,
Yeah, I really didn’t go into it, but here are the basics:
Cut fresh oak logs about 3 foot in length and 6-10 inches in diameter.
Drill 5/16 holes about 1 1/2 inches long – Approx 12-15 per holes per log in a star pattern.
Hammer in prefabed shittake spore plugs(sold at various mushroom stores online).
Some people melt wax and cover the plugs, some folks don’t – a do a little of both.
Put them in a shady damp spot, watering them occasionally in the beginning, then forget about them. About 6 months later you can “force” them to fruit, but you will get a much better harvest in about a year and then every 6 months or so.
Thank you for the info. I had no idea.
My husband and I enjoy growing things. We currently live in the city but we are VERY hopefully we will soon be able to get out of the city and get off the grid. What part of the country do you live in?
Good ole Floyd County, Virginia!
Thanks for posting the photos… I started some logs this spring and was wondering if I’d know for sure any mushrooms I saw would be shiitakes
How long after inoculation did your logs start producing? Have you noticed any difference between logs that get the wax vs. don’t get it?
De,
You should get some if you started them in spring. Did you water them lately? The sure fire way is to submerge them totally for a few days, take them out and in about 3 days you’ll see them burst out in fruit. On the wax, not sure. The batch I innoculated last week I did the wax/no wax test. We’ll see come spring and next fall. If you submerge them and get mushrooms let me know!
Tommy, I have not tried submerging but I’m thinking this past week’s 7″+ of rain (we’re “next door” in Carroll Cty) counts as that… I’ve asked a friend to go over and check on them, as we’re weekenders. I sent the link to your photos to make sure he eats the right kind of mushroom
I am inspired now to try submerging them next time we’re up for a whole week.