Michael Davis
Growing mushrooms from logs is a popular hobby, with some people even managing 30-40 logs for their home needs. The number of flushes of mushrooms a log can produce depends on a variety of factors, including the type of wood, the moisture level, and the presence of other fungi. Logs can be placed directly on the ground, partially buried, or propped up against an object, and should be soaked at the beginning and end of each season to ensure adequate moisture content. While there is no exact number of flushes a log can produce, growers can usually achieve three good flushes from one grow kit, with some people reporting up to five flushes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of flushes | 3-5 |
| Average number of flushes | 4 |
| Time taken for each flush to grow | 2-3 weeks |
| Time taken for three full harvests | 9 weeks |
| Type of mushrooms | Oyster, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Hen of the Woods, Comb Tooth, Witch's Butter, Golden Oyster, Bulgaria inquinans, Schizophyllum commune |
| Type of log | Oak, elm, birch, maple |
| Log position | Partially buried lengthwise, upright, placed directly on the ground, propped up on an object, or leaning against a tree, fence, or building |
| Moisture | Logs should be soaked at the beginning and end of each season and after harvest; logs should be placed in a shaded area or area with dappled sunlight |
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What You'll Learn
Logs can get too dry to fruit mushrooms
Logs can indeed get too dry to fruit mushrooms. The mycelium inside the log needs moisture to move, and if it senses that the baby mushrooms are not getting enough moisture, it will abort their growth to prevent too much energy expenditure. This can happen very quickly, especially if the log is in direct sunlight.
To prevent this, logs should be kept in a shady spot, out of direct sunlight, and checked regularly to ensure they are not drying out. Ideally, the logs should be placed somewhere with a temperature of between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, such as an unheated garage, closet, or basement. Logs should be stood on their end or laid flat on a plate or tray to prevent them from drying out.
If your logs are drying out, you can soak them in water for 3-6 hours to promote fruiting. It is important to let tap water sit for about two days to allow the chlorine to evaporate before soaking logs in it. Soaking for more than 24 hours will cause the bark to come off, and for longer than 48 hours will cause the mycelium to drown, so the log should be monitored. After soaking, the log should be patted dry and placed in the fridge overnight to simulate a cool fall or spring night and create a temperature change, which can also induce fruiting.
If you are unable to soak your logs, you can also water them with a hose or sprinkler, especially if the log is touching the ground and can wick moisture from it. Watering during fruiting can increase the yield and overall health of the mushrooms. However, care must be taken not to water the mushrooms themselves, as they do not like to be soggy and will rot quickly in storage if they are too wet.
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Soaking logs in water can help them produce mushrooms
When it comes to growing mushrooms on logs, it is important to keep them adequately hydrated. Soaking logs in water can help initiate the fruiting process and maintain the necessary moisture levels for mushroom growth. Here's a detailed guide on the topic:
Soaking Logs to Initiate Fruiting
Before a log starts producing mushrooms, it needs to be prepared for fruiting. This process involves "shocking" the log by knocking one end on the ground and then submerging it in cold, non-chlorinated water for 24 hours. The shock and soaking trigger the log to start producing mushrooms. The pins, or the beginning stages of mushrooms, should appear within 4 to 10 days after soaking, depending on environmental factors such as location, rainfall, and time of year.
Maintaining Hydration for Mushroom Growth
Once the log has been inoculated with mushroom spawn, it is crucial to ensure it remains well-hydrated. Logs cut from fresh wood and properly waxed can retain moisture for 7-9 months. However, it is essential to check their moisture content regularly by hefting the log and comparing its weight to other logs of similar size. If the log feels light, it may need to be soaked to rehydrate. Soak the log in non-chlorinated water, fully submerging it for 24 to 48 hours. This process ensures the log has sufficient moisture to support mushroom growth.
Placement and Care of Mushroom Logs
Mushroom logs should be placed in an area that receives no direct sunlight, has access to water, and is in the open air. They can be kept either indoors or outdoors, as long as they are not exposed to drying conditions like direct sun or heater vents. If the log is kept outdoors, natural rainfall can provide the necessary hydration, eliminating the need for soaking. However, if the log is in a dry location or the climate is arid, regular soaking may be required.
Harvesting and Resting Period
Once the pins start to pop out of the log, the mushrooms will be ready to harvest within 5 to 10 days. After harvesting, it is essential to let the logs rest for 8 to 12 weeks. During this resting period, the mycelium can extract more nutrients from the log to support subsequent mushroom growth. After the resting period, repeat the soaking, drying, and refrigeration steps to initiate another fruiting cycle. With proper care, you can expect several flushes of mushrooms over the lifetime of the log.
Number of Flushes
The number of flushes a log can produce depends on various factors, and it may differ for wild logs. On average, 3 to 5 flushes can be expected, but some people have reported up to 4 or 5 flushes. The log may continue to produce mushrooms from new areas that the fungi have not previously digested. Additionally, different mushroom strains may successively infect the same log, allowing for multiple flushes of different mushroom species.
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The number of flushes depends on the species of mushroom
The number of flushes of mushrooms from a log depends on several factors, one of which is the species of mushroom. Different species have different growth rates and life spans. For example, faster-growing trees like birch and elm will produce mushrooms with shorter lives and quicker production rates, while slower-growing trees like oak and maple will result in longer-lived mushrooms with more consistent production.
Oyster mushrooms, for instance, can grow on a variety of logs, including elm, birch, and oak. Golden oyster mushrooms have been known to produce a good flush every time it rains. Lion's Mane mushrooms are also commonly grown on logs, specifically sugar maple.
Shiitake mushrooms are another popular variety grown on logs. They require a shady or dappled area and should be kept off the ground, leaning against a tree, fence, or building. Unlike oyster logs, shiitake logs benefit from periodic soaking to trigger fruiting, a technique known as force fruiting.
The longevity of mushroom logs also depends on their moisture content. Logs should be soaked at the beginning and end of each season to ensure adequate hydration. Burying the logs can also help retain moisture, although this practice is not recommended for shiitake logs.
In addition to species and moisture, the presence of competing fungi can influence the number of flushes. Log cultivation always carries the risk of pre-existing fungi, which may grow in combination with the introduced species. While the introduced fungus typically outcompetes other species over time, it is important to be able to identify the characteristics of the desired edible species.
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Mushrooms grow from fungi infecting logs
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can grow from infected logs. The fungi infect wood (a log) and consume the woody part until it has been completely digested. Once the fungi have digested the wood, they push up mushrooms to release spores and spread to new logs, repeating the process.
The number of flushes of mushrooms a log can produce depends on several factors. These include the species of the mushroom, the moisture content of the log, and the presence of competing fungi. Logs with higher moisture content tend to produce more flushes of mushrooms. This can be achieved by soaking the logs or placing them in shaded areas to retain moisture.
Additionally, the type of tree the log comes from can impact the number of flushes. Slower-growing trees like oak and maple tend to produce longer-lasting logs with more consistent flushes, while faster-growing trees like birch and elm may result in shorter-lived logs with quicker production.
On average, a log can produce around three to five flushes of mushrooms. However, with proper care and favourable conditions, some growers have achieved up to five or even more flushes.
It is important to note that logs can also become infected by competing fungi, which may reduce the number of flushes or result in the growth of different mushroom species. To maximize the number of flushes, it is recommended to keep logs well-hydrated, provide adequate shading, and familiarize oneself with the characteristics of the desired mushroom species.
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Oyster mushrooms grow well on elm logs
Oyster mushrooms are flexible organisms that can grow on a variety of logs, including elm. In fact, elm oyster mushrooms are perfect for growing indoors and have larger fruiting bodies than other oyster mushrooms.
When growing elm oyster mushrooms, it is important to note that the incubation period is much longer if you decide to grow them on logs. It will take approximately 7 months for elm oysters to fruit on poplar logs and up to 12 months on beech logs. However, your logs will provide mushrooms for several years instead of just one season. Elm oyster mushrooms also continue to increase in mass even after their convex caps flatten. Therefore, to get larger yields, leave elm oysters a little longer and don't harvest them too early.
To grow oyster mushrooms on logs, it is recommended to match the mushroom to its preferred type of wood. While mushrooms can grow on most deciduous tree species, oaks and hard maples are the preferred wood types for most mushroom species. This is because they are very dense and offer plenty of nutrition for a longer, sustained fruiting period.
When it comes to the number of flushes of mushrooms from a log, it seems that there is no definite limit. On average, you can expect to get around 3 to 5 flushes. However, some people have reported getting up to 5 flushes or more by crumbling their old cakes and placing them in a shaded area of the garden.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no exact number, but you can expect around three to four flushes of mushrooms from one log.
Logs can be partially buried lengthwise, with two-thirds above the ground, or upright, with a third beneath the surface. They can also be placed directly on the ground or propped up against an object.
Logs should be soaked at the beginning and end of each season, as well as after harvest. Soak them for 24 hours at the start of the year after the thaw and at the end of the season after all fruits have been harvested.
Look out for healthy white mycelium. The ends of the logs will have white patches, and mycelium can also be visible around the inoculation points. If the log is buried, dig around the soil to see white strands of mycelium expanding outward.
Yes, you can get multiple flushes from the same species of mushroom. However, there is a chance that competitive fungi may also grow in combination with the introduced species.
