Emily Johnson
Mushroom dowels, also known as mushroom plugs, are hardwood dowels laced with mushroom mycelium. They are used to inoculate logs and stumps to grow mushrooms. The best time to place mushroom dowels is in the late winter, when logs have higher concentrations of sugar. Logs should be inoculated within 1-2 weeks of being cut, as this is when the cells in the tree have died but have not yet dried out. The ideal diameter for the holes drilled into the logs is 21/64 of an inch, and they should be 1 1/4 inches deep. The dowels should be gently tapped into the holes until they are flush or below the surface of the bark. After inoculation, logs should be placed in a shady place out of the wind and maintained in an environment above 40% moisture.
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What You'll Learn
Timing: late winter, pre-leaf bloom, or early spring
The best time to place mushroom dowels is late winter, pre-leaf bloom, or early spring. This is because, during these periods, the trees' cells have died, but they have not yet dried out. In addition, trees felled in the winter will have higher sugar concentrations, which is beneficial for mushroom growth.
If you fell trees for mushroom logs during the winter, it is best to inoculate them in early spring. You can usually begin to inoculate logs one month before the average last frost date, as long as daytime temperatures are above 40°F (4.4°C). If you cut logs during the summer, it is best to inoculate them within three weeks after they have been cut so that the logs will still have an adequate moisture content.
It is not recommended to fell trees for mushroom logs in the spring during the time between buds swelling and full leaf bloom. During this period, the trees focus their energy on developing foliage and flowers, leaving less nutrition in the stem for mushrooms to grow.
If you live in a cold climate, such as the Nordics, and want to inoculate logs during the fall, it is recommended to protect the logs from freezing temperatures.
After inoculating the logs, they should be placed in a shady place out of the wind. The logs must be maintained in an environment above 40% moisture and kept fully shaded in the summer.
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Tree species: hardwoods like beech, aspen, and birch
If you're looking to grow mushrooms on hardwoods like beech, aspen, and birch, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's recommended to use freshly cut logs with intact bark, as this provides the ideal environment for mushroom growth. The logs should be cut into manageable lengths of around 50-100 cm, and it's best if they are cut in the autumn before the trees drop their leaves or during the winter dormancy period.
Once you have your logs, the next step is to drill holes in the wood. The holes should be spaced about 10 cm apart in a diamond pattern. The depth of the holes should match the length of your dowels. After drilling, it's a good idea to soak the logs in water for a day to ensure they have the right amount of moisture for colonization. You can also soak your dowels for 24 hours before inserting them into the holes.
When it comes to choosing the right mushroom species for your hardwood logs, there are a few options. Shiitake and Lion's Mane perform best on beech logs and also grow well on birch logs. Aspen is the ideal choice for Oyster mushrooms, but they also grow well on birch. It's important to note that different mushroom species have specific preferences for wood types, so matching the mushroom to the correct log species will result in a higher and more consistent yield.
After drilling the holes and inserting the dowels, it's recommended to seal the holes with wax to prevent contamination and moisture loss. Then, incubate the logs in a shaded, humid environment until they are fully colonized. With proper care and patience, you can expect to harvest your first mushrooms in as little as six months, and the logs can continue producing mushrooms for several years.
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Drill holes: 10 cm apart, 1 1/4 inches deep
To grow mushrooms outside using dowels, you'll need to follow these steps:
First, cut logs that are 10-20 cm in diameter into pieces of 50 cm to 1 meter long to make them easier to handle. Store the logs in a sheltered place away from soil and leaves, and ensure they don't dry out. Ideally, use freshly cut wood, as the fresher the wood, the higher your chances of success.
Next, drill holes in the sawing surfaces of the log about 10 cm apart, and 1 1/4 inches deep. The holes should be spaced evenly in a diamond pattern. Drill the holes on the day of inoculation and not before.
Then, gently tap a dowel into each hole until it is flush or slightly below the surface of the bark. The dowels should fit snugly, so when they swell, they will be tight in the hole. You can use a hammer or mallet to push the dowels completely into the log. If you wish, you can drip a couple of drops of melted candle wax over the dowel to prevent it from drying out.
Finally, seal the holes with wax or put the log in a plastic bag to prevent contaminants or spores from other fungi from entering. Keep the logs in a dark and warm place (10-20°C) until the white mycelium is visible at the ends of the log. At this point, you can remove the logs from the bags and take them to their final location.
It's important to note that the timing of drilling and inserting the dowels is crucial. Ideally, you should insert the dowels within 1-2 weeks of felling the tree. During this time frame, the cells in the tree have died, but they have not yet dried out, and competing fungi strains are less likely to have taken hold. If you're using older logs, you can submerge them in a water bath overnight before inserting the dowels.
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Insert dowels: flush or below the bark
When inserting mushroom dowels, it is important to ensure that the bark is intact and that the dowels are inserted either flush or slightly below the bark's surface. This is because the bark creates a microclimate necessary for the mushrooms to form and grow.
To achieve this, you should drill holes in the log that are slightly larger than the dowels themselves. The recommended diameter of the holes is 21/64 of an inch, and they should be drilled to a depth of 1 1/4 inches. Space the holes about 6 to 12 inches apart, or about 10 cm apart, in a diamond pattern.
Once the holes are drilled, gently tap a dowel into each hole until it is flush or just below the surface of the bark. You can use a hammer or a mallet to gently tap the dowels into place, being careful not to damage the bark or the dowel itself. It is important to ensure that the dowels are secure and will not fall out, as this may impact the growth of your mushrooms.
After inserting the dowels, you may optionally apply a small amount of melted candle wax, garden wax, or Vaseline over the dowels and the surrounding area. This will help prevent the dowels from drying out and will also seal the holes, protecting the wood from other spores and contaminants. However, if you use beeswax or hot wax, be careful not to overheat it as it may kill or dry out the mycelium.
By following these steps and ensuring that the dowels are flush or slightly below the bark's surface, you will create the ideal conditions for your mushrooms to grow and thrive.
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Seal with wax: to prevent drying out
When growing mushrooms outside using dowels, it is important to seal the holes with wax to prevent the mycelium on the dowels from drying out. While sealing the holes is not mandatory, it can help your mushroom grow successfully. The growth of mycelium can be difficult to see as it occurs mainly inside the log, but it may appear at the ends of the log as white, yellowish, or reddish spots.
To seal the holes, you can use garden wax, Vaseline, tape, plastic film, or beeswax. Garden wax or Vaseline should be applied with clean fingers to cover the hole and the dowel. Tape or plastic film does not need to be airtight as long as the hole and its immediate surroundings are covered. If using beeswax, be careful not to overheat it as hot wax may kill or dry the mycelium.
You can also prevent mushroom dowels from drying out by following certain practices. Firstly, use fresh wood whenever possible as the fresher the wood, the higher the chances of success. Logs with a diameter of 10-20 cm are ideal, and they should be cut into pieces of 50 cm to 1 meter to make them easier to handle. Store the logs in a sheltered place away from soil and leaves, and ensure they do not dry out.
Additionally, it is recommended to fell trees for mushroom logs in early fall or late winter to early spring, avoiding the period between buds swelling and full leaf bloom. During this period, the trees' energy is focused on developing foliage and flowers, leaving less nutrition in the stem for mushroom growth. If you live in a cold climate, protect the logs from freezing temperatures.
Finally, it is important to keep the logs wet and moist for 8-12 weeks to allow the mycelium to grow. You can accomplish this by leaving the logs outdoors in the rain and dew, or by stacking them under a tree in a shaded area. Following these practices, along with sealing the holes with wax, will help prevent your mushroom dowels from drying out.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to place mushroom dowels is in the early spring if the logs have been cut during the winter. You can also begin to inoculate logs a month before the average last frost date, as long as daytime temperatures are above 40°F.
If you cut logs during the summer, it is best to inoculate them within 3 weeks so that the logs will still have an adequate moisture content.
It is recommended to insert mushroom dowels 2-12 weeks after felling a tree. The fresher the wood, the higher the chances of success.
The best time of year to inoculate logs with mushroom dowels is late winter, when logs have higher concentrations of sugar.
