The logs available from us were inoculated with a wide temperature range
shiitake mycelium the previous year. They are ready to fruit and with the proper
handling should give you 4-5 years of enjoyment. The logs will produce mushrooms
outdoors from May to November, they can also be fruited in a greenhouse during
the winter months.
Briefly, shiitake is a saprophytic mushroom, that survives by breaking
down the wood in the logs with enzymes and using it as food. The mushroom
organism (mycelium) which was introduced into the log last year has been busy at
work establishing itself in the sapwood under the bark of the log, and will
start digesting the heartwood as well. After it is established it has gathered
enough nutrients to try and reproduce itself, given the proper environmental
stimuli. The mushrooms that the mycelium will produce are its means of
reproduction. They are the fruiting bodies of the organism, like the apples on a
tree. They carry the reproductive spores, which upon maturation will be released
to the wind. They are also quite a treat to eat!
The most important facts to remember are that the mycelium is adversely
affected by lack of moisture inside the log, and high temperature. To prevent
those things from happening the logs must be kept in the shade and must be
prevented from drying out inside. Shade can be natural, as under trees or
bushes, or man-made as under a porch. Dehydration can be prevented if there is
enough rainfall on the logs or by manually watering them. The integrity of the
bark must also be maintained. The bark is like the skin of the log, it keeps
moisture in and other organisms out. The logs should be handled with care
especially as they age and the bark becomes more fragile. The outside of the log
must be allowed to dry to prevent molds from growing. Therefore the logs need to
be in well ventilated area and not in standing water such as a swamp. Ideally
your logs should be stood, with one end on the ground, leaning against a tree,
or you can string a rope or wire between two trees or posts and lean the logs on
that. This prevents the mushrooms from getting squashed or dirty when they come
out and lets the log absorb some moisture from the ground.
Generally a log will fruit spontaneously in the spring producing a few
mushrooms. To get larger and predictable fruitings the logs must be
"forced". This forcing is achieved by adding moisture to the log.
Soaking the whole log in cold water for 6-18 hours (older logs require less
soaking as they are more porous) is the best way to achieve this. However
irrigation with a sprinkler for about 24-48 hours also works. The logs must also
be "shocked". This is achieved by moving the log if you soak them, or
if you sprinkle drop the log to the ground. The logs should be turned end over
end periodically as well.
Approximately a week after soaking or irrigation the logs will start to
"flush" with mushrooms. From the time you see little mushroom pins
coming out, to maturity depends on the ambient temperature. Spring and fall are
usually slow, summer fruitings can mature in a couple of days. The mushrooms
should be harvested shortly after the veil has broken under the cap revealing
the gills. After the harvesting the logs should be left alone so the mycelium
can re-energize itself. This means six to eight weeks rest, then the soaking can
be repeated. Three to four harvests can be produced in one season producing in
total 1-2 kg. of mushrooms. Less frequent soakings thus allowing the mycelium to
store more nutrients will generally produce larger mushrooms.
The total yield from each log will be about 8 lbs or 4 kg.
The above is a very short description of the process. If you are
interested in more in-depth information the following books in our catalogue are
excellent:
For More Information Contact:
Contact Information
Mobile Telephone:
416-402-9755
Office Telephone :
416-963-5520
Office/Postal address: 21 Maple Avenue, Toronto ON
Canada M4W 2T5
Farm Address:
R.R. 1, Goodwood ON, Canada L0C 1A0
Farm Telephone: 905 642 3014
- Electronic mail
- General Information:
office@mycosource.com
Sales: office@mycosource.com
Customer Support:
office@mycosource.com
Webmaster: office@mycosource.com
