John Miller
Growing mushrooms on logs is a great way to produce a crop of mushrooms for personal consumption. The number of mushroom plugs per log depends on the size of the log and the type of mushroom. As a general rule, 300g to 1 kg of mushrooms can be expected per log per year. A 4-inch diameter log usually requires 40 to 50 plugs, while a 6-inch diameter log may need up to 100 plugs. The number of plugs used per log also affects the speed of colonisation, with more plugs resulting in faster colonisation by mushroom mycelium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plugs per log | 40-50 for a 4-inch log; 50 for a 4-8 inch log; 100 plugs for 3-4 logs |
| Log diameter | 4-8 inches |
| Log length | 3-4 feet |
| Log weight | 300g to 1 kg per log per year |
| Log type | Oak, poplar, aspen, sugar maple, willow, alder, birch, hemlock, fir, spruce |
| Drilling instructions | Drill 1 1/4-1 1/2 inch deep holes 3-4 inches apart within a row; leave 3-4 inches between rows |
| Waxing instructions | Melt wax at 300o F and apply with a foam paint brush or cotton dauber; seal holes and ends of logs |
| Yield | 2.5-4 lb over the log's lifetime; 25 lb of mushrooms from 10 logs per year |
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What You'll Learn
A 4-inch log usually requires 40-50 plugs
The number of mushroom plugs required per log depends on the size of the log and the mushroom species. A 4-inch log typically requires 40 to 50 plugs. The number of plugs per log influences the colonisation rate; the more plugs used, the faster the wood will be colonised by mushroom mycelium.
Log size
Logs used for mushroom cultivation are typically 3 to 4 feet long and 4 to 8 inches in diameter. The ideal log diameter depends on the mushroom species, with some preferring wider logs and others favouring narrower ones. For example, a 12 cm wide Oak log can produce mushrooms for 5 to 7 years, while the same-sized Poplar log will only produce for 3 to 5 years.
Plug spawn
Mushroom plug spawn is mycelium grown into hardwood dowels that are tapped into holes drilled into the log. Plug spawn is a good option for small projects as it is easy to use, requires no special tools, and is available in small quantities. It is also durable and suitable for cold climates and stump inoculation.
Inoculation process
After drilling holes in the log, the plugs are inserted and then sealed with wax. This wax layer helps retain moisture, creating optimal growing conditions for the mushroom mycelium. It also prevents contamination by keeping other fungi out. The wax can be applied with a foam paintbrush, cotton dauber, or wool dauber.
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A 5-inch log will need 7 rows of plugs
The number of mushroom plugs needed per log depends on the size of the log and the mushroom species. For a 5-inch diameter log, you will need 7 rows of plugs, with about 40-50 plugs in total. The more plugs you use per log, the faster the wood will be colonized by mushroom mycelium.
Selecting the right log
The ideal log for mushroom cultivation should be 3-4 feet in length and 4-8 inches in diameter. Logs can be either 50 cm or 1 meter in length, with a diameter ranging from 10 to 30 cm. Some mushrooms prefer wider logs, while others favor narrower ones. Oak is an excellent choice for cultivating most mushroom species, but other varieties such as poplar, aspen, sugar maple, willow, alder, and birch are also suitable. It is important to ensure that the log is recently cut from a healthy tree, with all its bark intact.
Plug spawn and inoculation process
Mushroom plug spawn is mycelium grown into hardwood dowels that can be easily tapped into holes drilled into the log. This method is beginner-friendly and ideal for small projects, requiring no special tools. To inoculate your log, follow these steps:
- Drill 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch deep holes into the log, spacing the holes about 3-4 inches apart within each row and leaving approximately 3-4 inches between the rows. The holes should be offset to form a diamond or hexagonal pattern, which allows for even coverage and mycelium spread along the grain of the wood.
- Insert a plug into each hole, tapping them in with a rubber mallet or hammer.
- Cover the plugs with cheese wax to seal the holes and protect the spawn from drying out and contamination. Melt the wax in a pan maintained at 300°F, and apply it with a foam paintbrush or cotton dauber.
- Place the inoculated log in a shady location and water it occasionally.
With proper care and depending on the mushroom species, your log should produce a crop of mushrooms within its lifetime, providing you with a bountiful harvest of fresh mushrooms.
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100 plugs are needed for 3-4 logs
Growing mushrooms from plugs is a great way to get started on cultivating your own mushrooms. The number of mushroom plugs needed per log depends on the size of the log and the type of mushroom. For a 4-inch diameter log, 40-50 plugs are usually used, while a 6-inch diameter log will need 60-70 plugs. A larger stump will require about 100 plugs.
Assuming you have logs that are 4-6 inches in diameter, you will need approximately 100 plugs to inoculate 3-4 logs. The number of plugs per log can vary depending on how quickly you want the wood to be colonized by the mushroom mycelium. The more plugs you use, the faster the colonization will occur.
It's important to select the right type of log for the mushrooms you want to grow. Oak is a good choice for most mushrooms, but other species such as poplar, aspen, sugar maple, willow, alder, and birch can also be used. Conifers, eucalyptus, hackberry, beech, and dogwood should be avoided for most mushroom species. However, for certain mushrooms like Reishi, these tree species can be suitable.
Once you have your logs and plugs, you will need to drill holes into the logs using a 5/16-inch drill bit. The holes should be drilled about 3-4 inches apart within a row, and you should leave about 3-4 inches between the rows. This will create a diamond or hexagonal pattern that allows the mycelium to spread along the grain of the wood. After drilling the holes, insert a plug into each hole and seal them with cheese wax to prevent the spawn from drying out and to keep out other fungi.
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Logs should be 3-4 feet long
Logs used for mushroom cultivation should ideally be 3-4 feet long and 4-8 inches in diameter. The number of plugs needed depends on the diameter of the log. A 4-inch diameter log will need 6 rows, a 5-inch diameter log will need 7 rows, and a 6-inch diameter log will need 9 rows. A 4-inch log is usually given about 40-50 plugs, while a 6-inch diameter log will need about 100 plugs. The more plugs you use per log, the faster the wood will be colonized by mushroom mycelium.
The length of the log is important for a few reasons. Firstly, longer logs provide more surface area for the mushrooms to grow. Secondly, longer logs can accommodate more plugs, which means more mushrooms will grow. Finally, longer logs can be more easily stacked and stored, which is important for efficient use of space.
When drilling holes for the plugs, it is important to space the holes about 3-4 inches apart within a row. Leave approximately 3 to 4 inches between the rows and offset the holes so that they form a diamond or hexagonal pattern. This pattern allows the mycelium to spread evenly along the grain of the wood.
It's important to note that the number of mushrooms produced per log will vary depending on the log's size, the mushroom species, and environmental factors. However, on average, each log usually produces 2.5-4 lb of mushrooms over its lifetime, and you can expect to harvest up to 25 pounds of fresh mushrooms per year by inoculating just 10 logs.
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Seal the plugs with wax
Sealing mushroom plugs with wax is an important step in the cultivation process. While some sources claim that waxing is not strictly necessary, it is still recommended to ensure a higher success rate. The wax helps to seal in moisture, creating optimal growing conditions, especially in drier climates. It also acts as a barrier, keeping out unwanted fungi and pests that may compete for resources or damage the crop.
To seal the plugs with wax, you will need cheese wax, a pan, a heat source, and a tool for application. First, melt the wax in the pan over the heat source, maintaining a temperature of 300°F. An electric frying pan with a thermostat control is ideal for this, but a camp stove can also be used, especially when inoculating outdoors away from electricity. It is important to ensure that the wax is hot enough when applying it, as this will ensure a tight seal.
Once the wax is melted, you can apply it to the plugs and log. Use a foam paintbrush or a cotton dauber to “paint” a thin layer of wax onto the exposed areas. Cover the holes where the plugs have been inserted, as well as any areas where the bark is damaged or missing, including the cut ends of the log. One pound of wax should be sufficient to cover up to 600 plugs and the ends of the logs, assuming they are around 3-4 feet long and 4-8 inches in diameter.
Some people choose to use alternative types of wax, such as canning wax (paraffin) with mineral oil, or beeswax. It is also possible to use candles as a source of wax, melting them in a rice cooker or similar vessel. Regardless of the type of wax chosen, the application process remains the same, and the wax will play a crucial role in moisture retention and protection.
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Frequently asked questions
A 4-inch log usually requires 40 to 50 plugs.
A 5-inch log usually requires 50 plugs.
A 6-inch log usually requires 50 to 100 plugs.
A 1-metre log can take 100 plugs or more, depending on the mushroom species and desired yield.
