Growing Shitake Mushrooms (Lentinula Edodes) on Logs
These expensive gourmet mushrooms can be grown in the garden and will be productive for several years.
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Growing shitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms is easy – provided you’re patient. You’ll need recently felled hardwood logs to start with. Theses must be untreated and the wood should be moist. If it has dried out, soak in water for 24 hours before using. There will be a period of several months before the first mushrooms are produced. After that they will be produced in flushes.
It’s best to buy the spawn rather than trying to introduce it from the wild as that way you can be confident you are growing the desired species. The spawn can be obtained in two different forms, either as grains or short pieces of dowel.
If grain spawn is used, saw a 3-4 inch slice off each end of the log, spread grain over the cut surface before replacing the slice and securing with a nail. Wrap the log in plastic to retain moisture until the fungus establishes.
If dowel spawn is used then drill holes about 6 inches apart all over the log and then insert the spawn. Sealing with hot wax helps retain moisture and keeps out other types of fungi which might compete with the shitake.
Once the logs have been inoculated with spawn they should be placed in a shady part of the garden. If several logs are used, they can be stacked. They must remain damp, so either water when required, or cover with plastic.
Harvest the mushrooms when young as otherwise they may be damaged by slugs.
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Published in: Gardening
D Crockett | Jul 31, 2011 | Reply
Quite the mushroom. How long do they take to mature?
Pаtsy Collins | Jul 31, 2011 | Reply
That is the down side – it can take anything from a few months to a couple of years before mushrooms are produced.