Sarah Brown
Shiitake mushrooms are among the most popular edible mushrooms in the world, and they can be grown outdoors on logs. To grow shiitake mushrooms, you need to inoculate logs with live shiitake spawn. Before placing the log, it is recommended to give it a good bump or thump, which stimulates the mycelium to proceed into a state that will result in a later 'flush' or blooming of mushrooms. This practice simulates the natural process of branches falling off trees and trunks falling to the ground, activating the mycelium. It is important to maintain the moisture content of the logs above 30% to ensure speedy and vigorous mushroom growth, and to protect them from abrupt drying, which can cause shrinkage or cracking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To stimulate the mycelium to proceed into a state that will result in a later 'flush' (blooming of mushrooms) |
| Placement | In a location with good airflow, preferably in semi-shade, and with a base that prevents the log ends from coming into contact with the ground |
| Moisture | Moisture content should be maintained above 30% to ensure speedy, vigorous, and uniform colonization; if moisture drops below 25%, mycelial death may occur |
| Protection | Logs should be protected from abrupt or severe drying, which causes shrinkage, cracking, or lengthwise cracks on log surfaces |
| Timing | Logs should not be used for shiitake production if they were cut from trees that seasoned during the summer months |
| Spawn | Use sawdust, plug, or thimble spawn—avoid grain spawn, which is intended for indoor cultivation on sterilized bulk substrates |
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What You'll Learn
- Thumping stimulates the mycelium to produce mushrooms
- Logs should be inoculated with spawn to grow shiitake mushrooms
- Freshly cut logs from the right tree species help with colonisation and fruiting
- Keep logs watered, but not too much
- Protect logs from drying out and from the elements with tarps or fruiting blankets
Thumping stimulates the mycelium to produce mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms for beginners to learn the cycles of mushroom production. They are also one of the most satisfying and sustainable means of cultivating mushrooms. The process for log inoculation is relatively simple. Drill holes in a freshly cut hardwood log, preferably oak, fill the holes with sawdust or plug spawn, and seal the holes with melted wax. Logs with thin bark do not need to be de-barked. The optimum temperature for spawn growth is 72–77 degrees Fahrenheit (log temperature).
Before you site your log, give it a good bump and a whack. This process is known as the knock-on effect. This simulates the activation of mycelium that occurs when a branch or trunk falls to the ground. This stimulation causes the mycelium to proceed into a state that will result in a later 'flush' or blooming of mushrooms.
The shiitake grower’s objectives are to maintain log moisture content above at least 30% to ensure speedy, vigorous, uniform colonisation, and to provide an environment with enough ventilation to inhibit excessive growth of weed fungi. If the moisture content drops below 25%, mycelial death may occur. Logs should be adequately protected from abrupt or severe drying, which causes shrinkage, cracking, or checking (lengthwise cracks) on log surfaces.
After all the holes are spawned and waxed, the log is done spawning. Water logs occasionally, every week if it doesn’t rain, and after 8-10 months the mushrooms should have colonised and begun to fruit. The log should yield 5-6 flushes or harvests following its first.
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Logs should be inoculated with spawn to grow shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown on logs using spawn, which are actively growing mycelia that retain the genetics of the contributing fungus. This method is preferred over growing from spores, as the latter may produce unpredictable strains. Spawn are produced by inoculating media such as grains or sawdust with pieces of mycelium from a fungal culture.
Logs used for shiitake production should be cut from live, healthy trees or recently harvested healthy trees. The optimum log size is 4–6 inches in diameter and 3–4 feet in length, with high-density wood and a smooth bark being ideal. Logs should be freshly cut, within the last 72 hours, to prevent colonisation by other fungi.
To inoculate the logs, holes are drilled into the log, spaced 4-5 inches apart, and filled with either plug or sawdust spawn. A general rule of thumb is that a bag of 100 plugs will inoculate about 10 linear feet or three logs about 3 feet long, while one bag of sawdust spawn can inoculate around 100 linear feet or 30-40 logs. The spawn is then sealed with wax to prevent it from drying out and to protect it from bugs and birds.
After inoculation, the spawn run begins, which is the incubation period until the fungus begins to fruit. This can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on various factors such as temperature, moisture content, and ventilation. During this time, it is important to maintain log moisture content above 30% to ensure uniform colonisation and prevent mycelial death. The choice of location and stacking method for the logs can also impact the need for additional management activities such as irrigation and the use of temporary covers.
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Freshly cut logs from the right tree species help with colonisation and fruiting
When it comes to cultivating shiitake mushrooms, the choice of log species and its freshness are critical factors that influence colonisation and fruiting. Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are aptly named, as they grow natively on the shii tree. However, other tree species can also be utilised for successful cultivation.
Freshly cut logs from the right tree species are essential to mitigate potential issues with colonisation and fruiting. The shiitake grower aims to maintain a log moisture content of at least 30% to ensure rapid, vigorous, and uniform colonisation. Fresh logs help achieve this by reducing the risk of contamination from weed fungi, which can outcompete the shiitake during colonisation.
White oaks removed as part of forest management are ideal candidates for shiitake log production. Additionally, growers have reported success with sugar maple (Acer saccharum), beech (Fagus grandifolia), and American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). These species provide relatively quick fruitings, although for a shorter duration. Thin-barked, low-density hardwood tree species tend to exhibit these characteristics.
It is important to note that logs cut from trees that seasoned during the summer months should be avoided for shiitake production. Summer-felled trees produce a lower dry weight of mushrooms at harvest. Therefore, the best logs for shiitake cultivation are freshly cut, utilising specific tree species that promote rapid colonisation and abundant fruiting.
Once the logs are prepared, they should be placed in an area with good airflow and semi-shade, mimicking the natural environment of shiitake mushrooms. Maintaining the right moisture content and protecting the logs from abrupt drying are crucial to ensuring the success of colonisation and fruiting.
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Keep logs watered, but not too much
Keeping your mushroom logs watered is important, but it's also crucial not to overwater them. The logs should be kept in an area with access to water, but not standing in water. Soak your logs once a month, or more if you live in a dry area, and keep them out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause the logs to dry out and crack, which creates new sites for weed fungi to enter. If the logs do become cracked, soak them for 24-48 hours before inoculation to rehydrate them.
The ideal moisture content for mushroom logs is above 30%. If the moisture drops below 25%, mycelial death may occur. However, it's important to note that shiitake mushrooms will still fruit if the log is not constantly moist, it will just take longer.
When the mushrooms start to pop out of the logs, mist them frequently to prevent them from drying out. Baby mushrooms are particularly susceptible to stopping their growth if they don't have enough moisture. However, don't water your mushrooms on the day of picking, as they will become soggy and rot quickly in storage.
If you are force-fruiting your mushrooms by soaking the logs for about 6 hours, you can get more fruitings. However, this will also shorten the lifespan of the log.
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Protect logs from drying out and from the elements with tarps or fruiting blankets
Protecting your shiitake mushroom logs from drying out and from the elements is crucial for successful cultivation. Tarps or fruiting blankets are effective tools to achieve this. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:
Firstly, it's important to select an appropriate location for your shiitake mushroom logs. Choose a spot with good airflow and preferably in semi-shade. While shiitake mushrooms can fruit even if the log is not constantly moist, maintaining moisture is beneficial. Consider placing your log off the ground to improve aeration and reduce pest pressure. Additionally, if you have a tree, you can put the log up in its branches or close by.
When it comes to using tarps, there are a few options. Plastic tarps are particularly useful for shielding your logs from rain and preventing mushrooms from becoming soggy and waterlogged. This is important because wet mushrooms are less valuable and may need to be discounted if sold. You can also use nursery-grade shade cloth, which provides effective shelter from the rain while being less oppressive than tarps.
Fruiting blankets are another essential tool for protecting your logs. They help create a warm and moist environment, which is ideal for encouraging the growth of shiitake mushrooms. It is recommended to use fruiting blankets when pins appear, as they can keep moisture and temperature up. However, be cautious as slugs are also attracted to this environment. Once the pins have grown larger, you can switch to using agricultural cloth, which lets in more light while still offering protection from the wind.
In cold weather, it is advisable to cover your logs with a tarp or fruiting blanket in the late afternoon to protect them from freezing temperatures. You can then remove the coverings once the temperature rises. Additionally, if there are steady winds, using agricultural cloth can be beneficial as it protects the developing mushrooms from drying out without affecting their quality.
By following these instructions and using tarps or fruiting blankets, you can effectively protect your shiitake mushroom logs from drying out and adverse weather conditions, creating an optimal environment for mushroom growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Thumping the log stimulates the mycelium to proceed into a state that will result in a later ‘flush’ (blooming of mushrooms).
Mycelium is actively growing and retains the genetics of the contributing fungus. It is intended as inoculum for mushroom cultivation.
Inoculation is the introduction of live shiitake spawn into the log.
White oaks removed as part of forest management are ideal candidates for shiitake log production.
Logs should be located under forest shade or approved shade cloth.
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