Care of your Shiitake Mushroom Log |
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Inoculation
The oak logs are cut in the winter, and then inoculated (freshly
inoculated logs). Mycelium from the Shiitake mushroom is grown on
sawdust under laboratory conditions to avoid cross contamination, and
it is this mycelium laden sawdust that is pushed into holes drilled
into the oak logs. A cap of wax is placed over each hole to prevent
desication and stop the birds eating the sawdust! Then follows a period
of 'benign neglect' This is called the spawn run and last for up to
two years. In the photo you can see the white mycelium of the shiitake
showing on the end grain of the log.
Buy
a log
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Fruiting
Our stocks of mature Shiitake logs are now available.
These logs are ready to fruit. 'Shock' the logs to initiate fruiting
by (i) knocking one end of the log sharply on hard ground and (ii) totally
immersing it in COLD water (the icier the better!) for 48 hours. The
water should be non-chlorinated, ie rainwater or tap water left to stand
overnight. Place the log in a sheltered, shady spot. Logs should start
fruiting within 1 - 3 weeks, forming in 'flushes' (as in the photo).
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Picking
Cut the mushrooms off the log when the
cap is 3 - 4 inches across, after 4 - 8 days of growing (they'll grow
quicker in warmer temperatures). Shiitake have a brown cap and white gills
- see the photos for positive identification. It's important to cut them
off the log rather than picking them - this could reduce the chances of
further fruitings. Trim off the stalks before eating.
Shiitake are best cooked slowly and gently
- remember you are dealing with a vibrant fresh organic health food! You
can also dry them (thread on a piece of string and leave in a dark airy
place), and then reconstitute them when you are ready to use.
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Resting
After picking the mushrooms leave the log outside on the earth in a
damp place for six months to 'recuperate', then soak the log to start
the second fruiting flush. Frost and snow are no problem. This resting
period is for the mycelium to recolonise the sapwood of the log, and
extract more nutrient for the shiitake mushrooms.
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Extensive
cultivation
It is also possible to simply leave the log outside in a shady place
and it will fruit when the outside temperature is warm and wet. This
is the easiest way of growing mushrooms, but not so productive and predictable!
The log should fruit for up to five years.
You should look for a shaded, damp area
sheltered from the wind. The log will need rainfall on it unless you are
regularly soaking it. A north facing wall out of the wind is a good place,
alternatively under a shady tree. Watch out for cats scratching and dog
pee! Slugs can also be a problem - you may need to bring the log in to
a slug free area while it is fruiting. The most important thing is to
put the log somewhere easy to see! Most 'failures' are due to the log
fruiting happily away at the bottom of the garden out of sight and mind.
Please note: DO NOT hang up the log - its handle is just for
carrying! Place the log on its cut end rather than laying it down.
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The small print
Log cultivation of mushrooms
is a practice that is subject to the whims of nature. With careful management,
each log should produce around 2lbs of mushrooms over its lifetime, but
success factors such as wind, temperature and humidity are uncontrollable.
Log cultivation is not an exact science and requires patience, time and
a little luck. Please persevere!
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