Shiitake - Mycelium on organic wood dowels

Lentinula Edodes var.3790

For more information, we recommend reading our guide: "Log Cultivation"

How to inoculate logs with mycelium on wooden dowels?

The optimal periods to inoculate the logs are autumn, winter, and early spring, before the sap rises.

Warning: the main enemy of this cultivation is dryness. Therefore, cover the wood with a tarp or a veil if necessary to maintain the moisture of the logs, especially during incubation.

Regarding wood species, prioritize the following: maple, native oak, linden, chestnut, hornbeam.

Since shiitake mycelium mainly feeds on the sapwood of the wood, it is rather recommended to use sections with a diameter ranging from 8 to 15 cm. A larger diameter can also be suitable but it also makes handling less easy.

Necessary equipment

• Log or recently cut block of wood (max 3 months). Avoid resinous woods. Most hardwoods are suitable. Contact us if you want more specific information. Log diameter: between 10 and 25 cm. Length: between 50 and 150 cm.
• Mycelium on dowels: For a length of 1 m, multiply the diameter of a log by 2.5. Example: a log 1 m long and 20 cm wide requires 20 x 2.5 = 50 dowels.
• Drill and 8-9 mm bit
• Hammer
• Optional : vegetable wax, beeswax, paraffin, or green clay to cover the holes.

Instructions

* Store your dowels in the fridge until use (maximum 3 months);

* Wash your hands before touching the mycelium to maximize the chances of success;

* Make holes in your log. The holes should be slightly deeper than the height of the dowel. Space the holes about 10 cm apart. A 1 m long log requires about ±50 dowels;

* Insert the dowels into the holes using a hammer. The dowels should not protrude from the holes;

* Cover with wax. The wax protects the mycelium from insects and diseases as well as from drying out. Alternatively, you can also use paraffin, cheese wax, or green clay;

* Be patient: Place your logs in a shaded area sheltered from the wind. Avoid direct contact with the ground which could bring small insects and contamination. You can, for example, place them on a pallet covered with a tarp. In case of heat, occasionally pour a watering can of water on the logs to prevent them from drying out. For this first incubation phase of 12 to 18 months, the logs can be stacked. Shiitakes generally appear in spring and autumn. They do not like dryness. To speed up new fruiting, you can soak your logs overnight in fresh water, which should trigger the appearance of new mushrooms between 5 and 15 days later.

* Harvest and enjoy your production. A log made under good conditions can produce mushrooms for 3 to 5 years. 

For more information, we recommend reading our guide: "Cultivating on logs"

Notes

The optimal periods to inoculate the logs are autumn, winter, and early spring, before the sap rises.

The main enemy of this cultivation is dryness: cover the wood with a tarp or veil if necessary to maintain the moisture of the logs, especially during incubation.

We prepare our bags by weight, so there may be slight variations compared to the indicated number.

We inoculate the dowels with a mixture of grains and wood shavings. It is therefore normal to have some sawdust mixed with the dowels. This remaining sawdust can also serve as inoculum.

All our products are certified organic farming "BE-BIO-01".

 Our myceliums are produced under laboratory conditions, which ensures the purity of the varieties and optimal quality.

For large quantity orders, contact us for a quote: contact@lamycosphere.com