Mushroom Sawdust Spawn: An Effective Growing Technique

Mushroom sawdust spawn is a type of mushroom spawn, which is a material that helps transfer a particular kind of mushroom mycelium (the vegetative part of a fungus) into a growing medium. It is created by inoculating sawdust with live mycelium. Sawdust spawn is usually sold in special plastic bags with a filter patch, allowing the mycelia to breathe without being contaminated. It is the least expensive type of spawn, especially in larger quantities, and is easy to use for inoculation. It is also versatile, as it can be used for logs, stumps, wood chips, mulch, coffee grounds, and pasteurized agricultural byproducts.

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Sawdust spawn is sawdust inoculated with mycelia

Sawdust spawn is sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelia. It is one of the two main kinds of spawn used to grow mushrooms, the other being plug spawn. Sawdust spawn is created by combining a small amount of grain spawn with hydrated hardwood sawdust. This process gives rise to the small particle size of sawdust spawn, which enables fast growth onto the inoculated substrate.

Sawdust spawn is typically sold in plastic bags with a filter patch, allowing the mycelia to "breathe" while preventing contaminants from entering and spoiling the spawn. It is the least expensive kind of spawn, especially in larger quantities, and is commonly used by large-scale commercial growers. Sawdust spawn is also versatile and can be used for logs, stumps, wood chips, mulch, coffee grounds, and pasteurised agricultural byproducts.

Sawdust spawn is ideal for outdoor inoculations, including logs, totems, and wood chips. It is well-suited for use in garden beds due to its resistance to contamination and predation compared to grain spawn. When using sawdust spawn for logs, a specialised tool called a palm inoculator is required to fill the holes created by a drill bit. The spawn is broken up into small pieces and used to fill the palm inoculator, ensuring that the holes are completely filled.

Sawdust spawn is available for various mushroom species, including shiitake, blue oyster, yellow oyster, wine cap, and lion's mane mushrooms. It is important to note that sawdust spawn has a faster spawn run time than grain spawn, allowing it to colonise logs more quickly and resulting in a shorter time to harvest. However, it dries out more rapidly than plug spawn and needs to be kept moist and used promptly to prevent contamination.

It's the least expensive spawn option

Mushroom sawdust spawn is the least expensive spawn option, especially when purchased in larger quantities. Sawdust spawn is sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelia, the stringy white substance found in and around the growth of wild mushrooms. It is usually sold in plastic bags with a filter patch to allow the mycelia to "breathe" without being contaminated.

Sawdust spawn is versatile and can be used for logs, stumps, wood chips, mulch, coffee grounds, and pasteurised agricultural byproducts. It is also suitable for larger log projects that require the traditional "drill and fill" cultivation method, as well as the pillar method and in garden beds. It is recommended for garden beds because it is less susceptible to contamination and predation than grain spawn.

Sawdust spawn is easy to use for inoculation, although it does require some specialised tools such as a drill or angle grinder with an adapter, a special drill bit, an inoculation tool, wax, and an applicator. The inoculation process can be mechanised on a large scale. It is important to note that sawdust spawn dries out more quickly than plug spawn and needs to be kept moist and used quickly to avoid contamination.

Overall, mushroom sawdust spawn is a cost-effective option for those looking to cultivate mushrooms on a larger scale or for those with gardens who want to inoculate parts of their garden beds or walking paths.

It's versatile and can be used for logs, stumps, wood chips and more

Sawdust spawn is a versatile and cost-effective option for mushroom cultivation. It is created by inoculating sawdust with live mycelium, the vegetative, growing body of fungi. This process involves introducing mycelium to a growing medium, such as logs, stumps, or wood chips, to cultivate mushrooms.

Sawdust spawn is particularly well-suited for larger projects and outdoor cultivation. When using it for logs, it is recommended to drill holes into the logs and fill them with the spawn. This method is known as the "'drill and fill' technique and is commonly used for larger log projects. Sawdust spawn is also suitable for the pillar method of log cultivation, where it is mixed with substrates like wood chips or straw.

In addition to logs, sawdust spawn can be used for stumps and wood chips. It offers a cost-effective way to inoculate larger substrates or fruiting blocks. Sawdust spawn is also versatile in terms of the types of mushrooms it can grow. Oyster mushrooms are a great option for beginners, but you can also cultivate lion's mane, king oyster, shiitake, and various other gourmet mushrooms.

The versatility of sawdust spawn extends beyond traditional cultivation methods. It can be used for garden beds, buckets, and containers, often in combination with substrates like straw or wood chips. Sawdust spawn is also suitable for pasteurized agricultural byproducts, coffee grounds, and mulch, showcasing its adaptability to different growing mediums.

Overall, sawdust spawn is a flexible and affordable option for mushroom cultivation. Its versatility in terms of growing mediums, methods, and mushroom types makes it a popular choice for both commercial growers and hobbyists alike. With its ease of use and good results, sawdust spawn is an excellent entry point into the world of mushroom cultivation.

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It's easy to use for inoculation, but requires some specialised tools

Sawdust spawn is sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelia. It is usually sold in special plastic bags with a filter patch to allow the mycelia to "breathe" while also preventing contaminants from entering and spoiling the spawn. This type of spawn is commonly used by large-scale commercial growers because it is the least expensive option, especially in larger quantities.

Sawdust spawn is easy to use for inoculation and can be a fun project for people of all ages. However, it does require some specialised tools. To inoculate logs with sawdust spawn, you will need a palm inoculator, a drill, and wax. The drill should be fitted with a 12 mm drill bit, and if you are inoculating a large number of logs, it is recommended to use a modified angle grinder, which operates at a much higher rpm than a standard drill, making the process faster and easier.

The inoculation process involves drilling holes into the logs, breaking up the sawdust spawn into small pieces, filling the holes with spawn, and then sealing the holes with melted wax. The wax helps to protect the spawn and prevent it from drying out. Cheese wax or beeswax are commonly used as they hold their form during temperature fluctuations and are less prone to cracking compared to other types of wax.

While sawdust spawn is easy to use for inoculation, it is important to note that it dries out more quickly than other types of spawn, such as plug spawn. Therefore, it needs to be kept moist and used promptly to avoid contamination. Overall, sawdust spawn is a cost-effective and versatile option for mushroom cultivation, especially for larger projects and outdoor applications.

It dries out more quickly than plug spawn and needs to be kept moist

Sawdust spawn is sawdust that has been inoculated with mycelia. It is usually sold in plastic bags with a filter patch, allowing the mycelia to "breathe" while keeping out contaminants. Sawdust spawn is versatile, affordable, and can be used for logs, stumps, wood chips, mulch, coffee grounds, and pasteurised agricultural by-products. It is the least expensive kind of spawn, especially in larger quantities, and it is commonly used by large-scale commercial growers.

Sawdust spawn has a faster spawn run time than grain spawn, meaning it will colonise logs more quickly and lead to a shorter time to harvest. It is easy to use for inoculation with a few specialised tools, such as a drill or angle grinder with an adapter, a special drill bit, an inoculation tool, wax, and an applicator. However, one of the challenges of using sawdust spawn is that it dries out more quickly than plug spawn and needs to be kept moist. It also needs to be used quickly to avoid the possibility of contamination if the whole bag isn't used promptly.

The process of inoculating logs with sawdust spawn involves breaking up the spawn with your fists or open palm and working it into small pieces that can easily fill the palm inoculator. The drill holes in the logs should be filled completely with spawn, and the spawn should be slightly sunken below the surface to create a nice area for the wax to pool and seal. Cheese wax or beeswax is commonly used for sealing the holes, as these waxes hold their form better during temperature fluctuations and provide longer-lasting protection compared to clay or paraffin wax, which tend to crack.

Sawdust spawn is ideal for larger log projects that require the traditional "drill and fill" cultivation method, as well as the pillar method and garden beds. It is recommended for outdoor use because grain spawn tends to be consumed by insects and other critters. Sawdust spawn is available for various mushroom species, including shiitake, lion's mane, blue oyster, yellow oyster, and wine cap mushrooms.

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