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SAWDUST
PLUG SPAWN USE INSTRUCTIONS Each tray contains 520 plugs. The spawn is at its peak.
If you do not intend to use it within the next few days store in the plastic bag
in the refrigerator at 2-50C. Refrigerated, the spawn will keep for a few weeks. However,
immediate use is recommended. Bring it to room temperature for a day or two
before using. Use the following rules to protect the spawn from contamination: ·
clean your hands periodically; ·
cut the sheet up into smaller pieces to make it more manageable, we
suggest strips of two rows each. Pop
the plugs out with finger pressure and insert them into pre-drilled holes. ·
close the bag after removing individual pieces of the sheet to prevent
dehydration, and keep it in the shade in a cool spot. Ideally your logs were cut this past winter and have
been kept in a shady spot. If they were cut during the previous summer the
success rate will be lower. The moisture content of the log cannot be below 25%.
Ideally it should be above 35%. If
there are any concerns that it might be below 25% the logs should be soaked for
at least 24 hours or sprinkled for a few days prior to inoculation. If your logs
have a lot of lichen or moss growth on them, brushing them off before drilling
is a good idea. Do not pre-drill the logs – plan your project so that the
drilling & inoculating are done in single sessions. Use a 12 mm or 12.5 mm
(1/2 inch) wood drill bit. The depth of the hole should be 2.5 to 3 cm or 1 to 1 1/8”.
The hole should be ¼ to 1/8” deeper than the length of the plug so
that a small space remains after the plug has been inserted. Do not push the
plug to the bottom of the hole – leave the cap of the plug flush with the
surface of the bark. For Shiitake or Oyster, drill your holes 10-15 cm (4-6
inches) apart, in offset rows 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inches) apart. The holes should form
a diamond pattern as in the diagram below. o
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For Maitake or Reishi space the holes and rows closer
together for a higher inoculation rate. This will achieve a faster spawn run but
requires more spawn. Since these logs will be buried following the spawn run, a
quick spawn run is desirable.
After drilling the rows of holes,
pop the plugs out from the sheet by pushing the bottom of the plastic well.
Manually insert the plugs into the pre-drilled holes so that the Styrofoam cap
is flush with the bark. Stack your logs in a shaded area. The ideal location is
well drained with some air movement. It is recommended that you water the logs
thoroughly (sprinkle for 4-6 hours) once a week unless there is sufficient
rainfall. The idea is to keep the moisture inside the logs high (40-50% or
higher) but allow the outside to dry to discourage moulds from rotting the bark
off the logs. After a few months you should see
the white mycelium showing at the ends of the logs, which indicates
a complete spawn run.
At this stage bury your Maitake or Reishi logs under 3
cm. (1 ½ in.) of soil and cover with leaves. The Shiitake logs are left in
their stack (re-stacking once is recommended to vary the exposure) until the
following spring. In the spring
stand the Shiitake logs against a wire (barbed wire works well) or rope strung
between two posts or trees, or lean them against a support. This should be done
early enough in the spring to prevent the mushrooms growing out on the ground
and to allow them to emerge unobstructed. Check our web site www.mycosource.com
for frequently asked questions (FAQ). For long-term log management we highly recommend one of
the following books on Shiitake production listed in our catalogue. They contain
detailed information on all aspects of log management. The techniques described
in them are applicable to other species of mushrooms that are grown on logs such
as Maitake and Oysters. Growing Shiitake Mushrooms in a Continental Climate By Kozak, M.& J.Krawcyk CDN$30.00 (USD22.50) Shiitake Grower's Handbook (outdoor
and indoor cultivation) by Przybylowicz,P. & J.Donaghue CDN$ 35.00 (USD
26.25) |
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