Emily Johnson
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, have been cultivated in Japan for thousands of years. The mushrooms grow on logs in a warm, moist environment. The process of growing shiitake mushrooms can be broken down into six phases: preparing the substrate, inoculating the substrate, the incubation period, fruiting, pinning, and harvesting. The first signs of growth appear when the mycelium has colonized the outer cylinder of available sapwood. The mushrooms are then ready to be harvested within six to twenty-four months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of cultivation | Japan, thousands of years ago |
| Natural habitat | "Shii" trees |
| Traditional cultivation method | Placing cut logs in areas where shiitake grew naturally |
| Modern cultivation methods | Logs, sawdust blocks |
| Mushroom substrate | Growing medium for mushroom mycelium to develop and grow |
| Fruiting | Occurs when shiitake colonizes the outer cylinder of sapwood |
| Harvesting | Mushrooms are vulnerable to cold and windy conditions |
| Optimum temperature for pinning | 55–65 F with relative humidity of at least 85% |
| Forcing | Triggering mycelium to produce fruiting bodies within 7–14 days |
| Shocking/Forcing | Soaking logs in cold water to induce fruiting |
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What You'll Learn
- Shiitake mushrooms grow best on logs or dense wood-based substrates
- Logs are soaked in cold water to induce fruiting
- Fruiting occurs when the shiitake colonises the outer cylinder of sapwood
- Optimum temperatures for pinning are between 55–65 F with relative humidity of 85%
- Harvesting and storage follow fruiting
Shiitake mushrooms grow best on logs or dense wood-based substrates
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, have been cultivated in Japan for thousands of years. They are often found growing on
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown on logs or dense wood-based substrates. Logs are ready for fruiting when the shiitake has colonized the outer cylinder of available sapwood, which typically occurs six to 24 months after inoculation. At this point, the mycelium has stored enough nutrients to form mushrooms. Before a log begins producing mushrooms, growers often notice elastic and spongy bark, logs that no longer make a ringing sound when struck, and the appearance of white mycelium on log ends.
Logs are often soaked in cold water for 12 to 24 hours to induce fruiting, a process known as "shocking" or "forcing". After shocking, the logs are stacked for fruiting, typically using the high A-frame or lean-to configuration. The stacking arrangement should facilitate easy access to all sides of each log for harvest. Logs stacked outdoors may be covered to minimize wind and rain exposure, stabilize temperatures, and localize humidity.
Pinning, or early mushroom development, typically occurs three to five days after shocking, but it can also happen naturally after a week. During this stage, mushrooms are highly vulnerable to cold and windy conditions. Pinning requires a log moisture content of 35% to 60%, with optimum temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 °F and relative humidity above 85%. Light is also necessary during this stage. Once the pins emerge, the protective covering over the logs should be removed to promote the growth of dry, firm mushrooms.
While logs are the traditional method for growing shiitake mushrooms, some modern growers use dense wood-based substrates such as sawdust blocks. This method involves mixing nutrients with the sawdust, allowing the mycelium to access the nutrients more efficiently. The mixture is then placed into bags or containers, making indoor storage and control of growing conditions more convenient. The sawdust method results in shorter mushroom growing cycles, with mushrooms available for harvest in about six months.
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Logs are soaked in cold water to induce fruiting
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown on logs, which is where they are naturally found. To induce fruiting, the logs are soaked in cold water for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours. This process is known as "shocking" or "forcing", and it triggers the mycelium to produce fruiting bodies (mushrooms). The logs are then stacked for fruiting, usually in an A-frame or lean-to configuration. This step is crucial as it allows easy access to all sides of the log for harvesting.
The stacking arrangement and the moisture content of the logs are essential for successful shiitake mushroom growth. The logs should be protected from excessive wind and rain, and the temperature and humidity should be stabilised. Well-colonized soaked logs can have moisture contents as high as 80-90%pinning stage, which occurs as the logs dry, requires a lower moisture content of 35-60%.
To achieve optimal moisture and temperature conditions, growers often use fruiting (humidity) blankets. These are porous, white, synthetic, felted materials that retain water, allow airflow, and provide insulation. Additionally, light is necessary during the fruiting stage, and the amount of light should be sufficient to read a newspaper at arm's length.
After the logs have been shocked and stacked, the pinning stage occurs. This is the early development of mushrooms, and it typically happens three to five days after shocking. Once the pinning stage is complete, the protective covering or fruiting blanket over the logs can be removed to expose more of the log surface, promoting the growth of dry, firm mushrooms. This process usually takes seven to ten days following the initial shocking of the logs.
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Fruiting occurs when the shiitake colonises the outer cylinder of sapwood
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown on logs or sawdust blocks, with logs being the preferred method for hobbyists and newcomers. The logs are usually placed in a laying yard and soaked in cold water for 12 to 24 hours to induce fruiting. This process, known as "shocking" or "forcing", triggers the mycelium to produce mushrooms within 7 to 14 days.
After the logs have been shocked, they are stacked for fruiting, typically using the high A-frame or lean-to configuration. The stacking arrangement should allow easy access to all sides of each log for harvest. Logs stacked outdoors may be covered to minimise wind and rain, stabilise temperatures, and localise humidity. However, it is important to avoid rain during the pinning stage, as shiitake mushrooms can soak up rainwater, reducing their value.
The optimum conditions for pinning, or early mushroom development, are temperatures between 55–65 °F and a relative humidity of at least 85%. Light is also required during this stage. Once the "pins" have emerged, the protective covering or fruiting blanket over the logs should be removed to expose more of each log, producing dry, firm mushrooms. This typically takes seven to ten days following the shock. Depending on the temperature and shiitake strain, the fruiting period usually lasts from one to two weeks.
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Optimum temperatures for pinning are between 55–65 F with relative humidity of 85%
Shiitake mushrooms require a warm, moist environment to grow. Pinning refers to the early development of mushrooms, which often occurs as the logs dry out. Optimum temperatures for pinning are between 55–65 °F (12.7–18.3 °C) with a relative humidity of at least 85%protective covering or fruiting blanket to stabilize temperatures and localize humidity around the logs. While burlap and plastic are options, they are recommended only for experienced growers. Instead, a porous, white, synthetic fruiting blanket is a better choice as it holds water, allows air movement, and provides some insulation.
It is important to avoid rain during the pinning period, as shiitake mushrooms can act like sponges and soak up rainwater, reducing their value. Therefore, growers should plan the timing of log shocking (or soaking) accordingly. Logs stacked outdoors can be covered to minimize the impact of wind and rain.
Once the pins have emerged, the protective covering or fruiting blanket over the logs should be removed. Exposing more of each log will produce dry, firm mushrooms. This typically takes seven to ten days following shocking, and the fruiting period usually lasts from one to two weeks, depending on the temperature and shiitake strain.
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Harvesting and storage follow fruiting
Harvesting shiitake mushrooms is a delicate process. The mushrooms are highly vulnerable to cold and windy conditions, which may inhibit growth. Therefore, it is important to maintain a temperature between 55–65 F with a relative humidity of at least 85%. Additionally, shiitake mushrooms can act as sponges, soaking up rainwater, which reduces their value. To prevent this, it is recommended to cover logs stacked outdoors with a protective covering to minimize wind and rain while stabilizing temperatures and localizing humidity.
Once the "pins" have emerged, the protective covering or fruiting blanket over the logs should be removed. Exposing more of each log produces dry, firm mushrooms. This typically takes seven to ten days following shocking. Depending on the temperature and shiitake strain, the fruiting period usually lasts from one to two weeks.
After harvesting, shiitake mushrooms are graded based on various factors, including size, flavour, aroma, and overall quality. The grading system ranges from AA (highest quality) to C (lowest ranking). Donko shiitake, for example, are high-quality mushrooms harvested in the winter or spring. They develop a thick texture and a savoury umami flavour due to the lack of sunlight and colder weather.
When storing shiitake mushrooms, it is important to consider the growing medium and environmental conditions. Shiitake mushrooms grown on logs can be stored for extended periods, while those grown on sawdust blocks may require more immediate consumption or preservation. Proper storage techniques, such as refrigeration or dehydration, can extend the shelf life of shiitake mushrooms, ensuring they remain fresh and safe for consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown on logs or sawdust blocks, with the former being the more traditional method. The logs are soaked in cold water for 12 to 24 hours to induce fruiting, after which they are stacked in a way that allows easy access to all sides for harvesting. The shiitake mushrooms are then left to grow for seven to 14 days.
Shiitake mushrooms require a warm and moist environment to grow. The optimum temperature for pinning, which is the early stage of mushroom development, is between 55–65 F with a relative humidity of at least 85%. It is important to avoid rain during this period as shiitake mushrooms can soak up rainwater, reducing their value.
The logs are ready to fruit at six to 24 months post-inoculation. The fruiting period usually lasts from one to two weeks. The sawdust method of growing shiitake mushrooms results in shorter growing cycles, with mushrooms available for harvest in about six months.
