Emily Johnson
Mushroom plug cultivation is a fun and low-maintenance way to grow mushrooms at home. It is a traditional method of mushroom cultivation that mimics how mushrooms thrive in the wild. Mushroom plugs are small wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mushroom spawn. They are inserted into logs to grow mushrooms. This method is ideal for smaller projects or for those who don't want to invest in equipment. While it takes longer than growing mushrooms from sawdust, it saves space as mushrooms grow vertically. This introduction will cover the process of planting mushroom plugs, from preparing the logs to sealing the holes with wax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom plug type | Plug spawn |
| Mushroom species | Shiitake, Oyster, Reishi, Lion's Mane |
| Log type | Hardwood, freshly-cut |
| Tools required | Drill, 5/16″ bit, mallet/hammer, sealing wax/beeswax, paintbrush |
| Plug preparation | Drill holes 2 inches from the end of the log, 6-8 inches apart, tap plugs into holes, seal with wax |
| Log preparation | Soak logs for 12-24 hours, dry bark, cut logs within 0-2 months of felling |
| Log placement | Shady area, off the ground, stacked |
| Time to grow | 9 months to 1 year |
| Yield | Seasonal crops for up to 5 years |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Preparing the logs
Before plugging the logs with spawn, soak them for 12-24 hours, but allow the bark to dry out first. If the logs are less than ten days old, soaking is not necessary. Drill holes starting about 2 inches from the end of the log and spacing them about 6 to 8 inches apart. Make the rows of holes 3 to 4 inches apart along the girth of each log. Use a 5/16-inch bit for plug spawn and drill the holes about 1 inch deep.
Once you have inserted and tapped in the plugs, immediately seal the holes with wax to protect the spawn from drying out and from contamination. You can use beeswax or soy wax, melting it in a crockpot or an old pot, and apply it with a paintbrush. Also, wax over the ends of the logs, anywhere the bark was damaged, and where branches were cut off. Waxing the log helps retain moisture and keeps out bugs, bacteria, and competing fungi.
Mushroom Ondule: The Curly Hair Trend
You may want to see also
Drilling holes in the logs
First, select the appropriate logs for your project. Logs should be freshly cut, ideally from healthy living trees, as this will ensure they retain the necessary moisture levels. The bark should be kept intact to further preserve moisture. Choose logs that are large enough to accommodate multiple plugs but small enough to be easily manoeuvred and stacked.
Next, prepare your drilling equipment. You will need a drill with a 5/16-inch drill bit, set to approximately one inch in depth. This specific size is important to ensure the plugs fit snugly. Before drilling, it is recommended to soak the logs for 12-24 hours to hydrate them, mimicking the natural conditions of freshly fallen trees. Allow the bark to dry before drilling.
Now you are ready to begin drilling. Starting about two inches from the end of the log, carefully drill holes in a straight line down the length of the log. Space the holes about six to eight inches apart. Repeat this process, creating multiple rows of holes around the girth of the log. Each row should be approximately three to four inches apart from the next, forming a grid or diamond pattern across the surface of the log. Drill holes that are about one and a quarter inches deep, providing enough space for the plugs to be inserted and tapped into place.
Once you have finished drilling, gently tap the mushroom plugs into the holes using a mallet or hammer. Ensure the plugs are flush with the surface of the log, leaving some space for sealing. At this point, you may also need to coat the ends of the logs and any nicks or damaged areas with wax to prevent insect infestations and competing fungi from affecting the growth of your mushroom spawn.
Unveiling the Jawbreaker: A Mushroom Mystery
You may want to see also
Inserting the plugs
The first step to growing mushrooms on logs is to inoculate it with mushroom mycelium, and the best way to do that is by using fully colonized mushroom plugs. You can buy pre-made mushroom plugs from various vendors online. If you haven't grown mushrooms before, buying plugs is the best place to start.
Logs can be taken from standing or newly fallen trees. The wood should be full of moisture and free from rot. Keep the bark on the wood to help retain moisture. Drill holes starting about 2 inches from the end of the log and spacing them about 6 to 8 inches apart. Make a line of holes every 3 to 4 inches around the log. This will make a grid of holes in a diamond pattern around the log's surface.
Place one mushroom plug into each hole in the log and use a hammer or mallet to gently tap it in until it's flush with the surface of the log. You want the plugs to sit just below the bark, flush with the wood of the log, so there's space left for sealing the holes.
Once your wax is melted, use an old paintbrush to brush it over each plugged hole. Waxing the log helps it retain moisture and keeps the wood from being infiltrated by bugs, bacteria, or competing fungi while the mushroom spawn is growing.
Selling Chanterelles: A Beginner's Guide to Foraging and Marketing
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sealing the logs with wax
To seal the logs with wax, you will need to melt the wax. Different types of wax are available for this purpose, such as paraffin wax blocks, soy wax, cheese wax, and beeswax. Granules tend to melt more quickly and smoothly than wax blocks. The wax can be melted in a crockpot or an old pot, but keep in mind that the pot will be ruined for future cooking. It is best to melt the wax at the site of the logs, as melted beeswax can re-harden in less than a minute away from the flame. A low-tech solution is to use an empty tuna can balanced on two pieces of wood with a lit votive candle underneath.
Once the wax is melted, use an old paintbrush to apply it over the holes with the plugs in them. Make sure the plugs are tapped in snugly with a hammer or mallet and are flush with the surface of the log so there is space for sealing. You will also need to coat the ends of the logs with a thick coat of wax.
The wax will help the log retain moisture and protect it from bugs, bacteria, and competing fungi while the mushrooms are growing.
A Beginner's Guide to Shrooming with Psilocybin Mushrooms
You may want to see also
Storing the logs
Firstly, it is important to select the right logs for your mushroom garden. Choose freshly cut hardwood logs such as oak, maple, or alder, as these are ideal for most mushroom varieties. Logs should be cut during the dormant season, specifically in the winter, and used within a month to ensure the highest sugar concentration, which is beneficial for mushroom growth.
Before inoculating the logs, it is recommended to allow them to rest for about 2-3 weeks. This resting period helps prevent the growth of other fungi, as logs older than 6 months are more likely to have other fungal species present.
When storing the logs, it is crucial to keep them away from direct sunlight to minimize drying. Clean snow can be used to cover the logs and maintain moisture. Alternatively, you can stack the logs in crisscrossed piles, known as "ricks," which also helps conserve moisture and space. Covering the stacked logs with burlap or shade cloth is another effective way to retain moisture, but avoid using plastic as it may encourage the growth of mold or bacteria.
If you are storing the logs for an extended period before inoculation, it is best to store them in a shady location. You can lay them down in a forest-like setting, ensuring they are not exposed to direct sunlight, or you can dig small holes in the ground and stand the logs upright. Regularly check on the logs and water them occasionally to maintain moisture.
In addition to proper storage, it is essential to select the right type of spawn for inoculation. Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects or home-scale grows, while sawdust spawn is more suitable for inoculating a larger number of logs and offers faster colonization. However, sawdust spawn requires additional tools and might be more expensive.
Fish and Mushrooms: A Tasty Combo?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mushroom plugs are small wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mushroom spawn. They are inserted into logs with the intention of growing mushrooms at home.
You can buy pre-made mushroom plugs from various vendors online. If you are new to the hobby, buying plugs is the best place to start. However, making your own mushroom plug spawn is also an option if you have some experience.
First, you will need to drill holes in your log, starting two inches from the end of the log and spacing them around six to eight inches apart. Then, tap your mushroom plugs into the holes using a mallet or hammer. Finally, seal the holes with wax to protect the spawn from drying out and from contamination.
Any hardwood-loving species can be grown on logs. This includes Shiitake, Oysters, Reishi, and Lion's Mane.
