Making a shitake mushroom log (forum)

snottiegobble starts with ...
http://milkwood.net/2011/07/20/making-a-shiitake-mushroom-log/

Hi guys, i have just read this & find it very intriguing. I know some of you will want to try it too!

Time: 26th April 2012 11:22am

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micarle says...
Hey snotty i have tried it with a large stump of Acer negundo, the stump was very big! Its at one of my apprentices house i must ask how its going

Time: 26th April 2012 1:24pm

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snottiegobble says...
Yes its intriquing isnt it micarle? They were using eucalypt logs, & they had to be "fresh". I like the idea of the 'thump' used to activate the mycelium) & represents a falling branch, ingenious!

Time: 26th April 2012 10:09pm

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Gus says...
Great article SG.
I have seen some interesting things on growing mushrooms with the hydrogen peroxide method, but this is possibly more simple

Time: 26th April 2012 11:40pm

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About the Author gus
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John Mc says...
Very interesting article SG. Bags of mushroom compost will sprout a swag of mushrooms if you leave them laying around. I'm about to remove some large eucalypts for my poly tunnel so I'll keep it in mind when I'm cutting the limbs up. I wonder what species they are using in the pic? It's hard to tell because the bark is removed. They say about 150mm in diameter and no less than 600- 750mm long. I'm assuming that's just for handling issues.
I'd better get my order in before I start on the trees.

Time: 27th April 2012 9:00am

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amanda says...
Gee - I wouldn't have expected Eucalypt logs!? They are traditionally grown on oak aren't they?
Speedy knows a bit about this. I would love to be able to grow these and porcini mushrooms..!? The stupor market mushies have no flavour at all..?

Time: 27th April 2012 9:18am

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John Mc says...
Well, the orders in for a Shitake plug kit. Besides the innoculated plugs (don't know how many but apparently you need around a dozen per log) they also send some beeswax to seal the plugs and ends of the logs and a drill bit to match the plug diameter.

Time: 27th April 2012 4:57pm

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snottiegobble says...
John Mc you beat me to it! Where did you source the plugs from & how much?? I must admit I prefer the plug idea over the sawdust!

Time: 27th April 2012 10:17pm

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John Mc says...
Below is the link to the actual item I ordered. It's a complete kit apart from the logs, excellent idea. I meant to ring them yesterday to find out what species of Eucalyptus they use. I have an abundance of spotted gum here.
The spawn only colonises the sap wood, so if your sapwood is nice and thick you should get years worth of Shitake's. They say the logs should be very fresh, up to three days or so, which will make it difficult to remove the thick bark that surrounds typical spotted gum limbs.

http://www.fungi.net.au/grow_your_own_mushrooms/shop/shiitake-mushroom-plugs.html

EDIT: Actually, I overlooked a contradiction on their web site. On the home page they recommend freshly cut logs of up to 3 days or so, then on the order page they recommend seasoning the logs for no less than two months? I'd better ring them on Monday and sort that anomaly out.

Time: 28th April 2012 8:54am

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M Nash says...
This is cool, I wonder if it will work on Macadamia wood? Its timber is similar in appearance to oak. It has "blood" but not the strong eucalyptus smell.
John Mc, How many logs will that pack inoculate?

Time: 28th April 2012 10:20am

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snottiegobble says...
It looks as though any tree can be used, but those with fibrous thick bark must have it removed. Probably this is to ensure that the plugs go in full depth & also to deny any wild spores within the bark access to the sap wood.

Time: 28th April 2012 11:09am

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M Nash says...
I ordered that kit, Now to find out if the logs are to be seasoned or fresh, Half sun or cool dark place as the conflicting sites above suggest.

Time: 29th April 2012 11:35am

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snottiegobble says...
Anyone see Gardening Australia last night? There was a mushroom farm segment & the shitake were growing out of big dried blobs of barley porridge ( I think).The spawn must have been put in at mixing stage because the 'blobs' were well covered in mushrooms!

Time: 29th April 2012 12:32pm

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M Nash says...
I did see that but didnt get any trade secrets from it. I like the old GA :(
I mean what is the point of showing us a mushroom factory(an advert) and not showing us HOW to grow mushrooms?
Costa has lost me, Even my nine year old gardener son is dissapointed in GA and wants the old one back

Time: 29th April 2012 2:52pm

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John Mc says...
Hey M Nash, I think what they're looking for is a nice thick sapwood, it's where the mycellium feed and congregate. I'm going to phone them tomorrow and sort out a couple of anomalys.
I'm wondering if it would grow through less dense timber faster? and fruit sooner, like Paulownia? I cut down a massive one last week, but unfortunately took it all to the tip before I read this article. The timber in Paulownia is nearly as light as balsa, but is classed as a hardwood. (So is Balsa FYI)

Time: 29th April 2012 7:49pm

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Mike T says...
I must admit that I get a mushy about fungi.John Mc I was loaded with good intentions this weekend but my 'get up and go',got up and went and it might be a couple of days until the chick leaves the nest.Did I send little jaboticabas or yellow gramichamas before?

Time: 29th April 2012 8:34pm

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M Nash says...
I appreciate that John. I have a rain forest behind my place and am thinking of infecting a few massive old turp mango trees.
as to sap wood, I understand that. I shall go to the wood bible (K Bootle) and see if I can find a suitable timber with a good sapwood that isn't poisonous (like mango)

Time: 29th April 2012 9:57pm

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John Mc says...
Yellow Grumis Mike. And they are all growing well, about half doz or so. My largest jab must be right on the cusp of flowering for the first time.
All of the gingers are growing well, one even flowered recently. I've got them all in pots so they can be moved back into the poly house if need be. One more tree and I can start construction on the big one, can't wait.

Time: 29th April 2012 10:11pm

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Mike T says...
Ok I need to get some stuff off my hands and get Mary,David,BJ and yourself one last assortment before winter sets in.I'll shake off the laziness soon.

Time: 29th April 2012 10:40pm

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Speedy says...
Yes, definitely age the fresh cut logs for about a month before inoculating.

Macadamia should be great for Shiitake.

Wood ear (Auricularia spp.) grow very well on Mango wood ... and they love growing on wild tobacco (Solanum mauritianum) an various ficus spp.
but you'd have to find some and clone them yourself as they're not easy to find spawn for in Aust.

re. growing fungi with peroxide.
I've done it many times with minimal contamination.
It works well and makes it a very low cost way to grow your own spawn without high-tech equipment.

Will's site (the guy that ran the mushroom workshops at Milkwood) has plenty of good info on Mush cultivation
http://www.forestfungi.com.au/
He also sells sterile cultures and spawn if you dont want to make your own.
its easy to clone wood eating mushrooms (oysters, 'shimeji' ,shiitake etc) from the ones you buy in the supermarket.
They're easier and less fuss to grow than button mushies.


Time: 30th April 2012 9:10am

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Phil@Tyalgum says...
Hey Speedy, how do you reckon Paulownia wood would go? Have some aged, dampish logs around the garden, the timber is pale and light...

Time: 30th April 2012 9:48am

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John Mc says...
I'm looking for info on peroxide decontamination techniques if anyone can steer me in the right direction? I understand it's used instead of the pressure cooker method.

Time: 30th April 2012 6:19pm

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M Nash says...
John, there is a bit in that link that Speedy placed. Here is the page;
http://www.forestfungi.com.au/page12.htm

Time: 30th April 2012 6:33pm

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snottiegobble says...
I think the reason they insist on hard wood is because it doesnt dry out so quick. As far as I know all fungi must have some moisture or it dies!
Love the link M Nash,& who would have thought, another use for vegemite !!


Time: 30th April 2012 7:32pm

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Speedy says...
Paulownia logs would be good for oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) or Elm oysters (Hypsizygus ulmarius) I reckon.
always wanted to try growing some on Paulownia coz they're fast growing and mycelium would rip through them pretty quickly.
if they've been laying around on the ground for a few months , more than likely something is already eating them especially with plenty of moisture.

Time: 30th April 2012 10:24pm

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M Nash says...
John Mc, Did you get your order? I ordered on the 28TH April but have not heard anything other then a payment conformation.

Time: 17th May 2012 2:37pm

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gus says...
I ordered on the 28th of April too and am still waiting. I sent them an email and they said they were out of wax plugs and were expecting a delivery soon, so I don't think we will be waiting too much longer M Nash

Time: 17th May 2012 8:39pm

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John Mc says...
Yes I phoned them yesterday and got the same reply. They're waiting for a supply of bees wax.

He said any freshly cut logs should be left to season for two months before innoculating them. I have a pile of wood on the wood-heap I might innoculate the entire wood-heap.

Time: 17th May 2012 9:21pm

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gus says...
What does seasoning them entail?
Any special instructions or just let them rest for a couple of months after cutting them off?


Time: 17th May 2012 10:32pm

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John Mc says...
That's just about it Gus, I'm leaving them somewhere in the shade where they won't dry out.

Time: 17th May 2012 10:45pm

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gus says...
Sounds like a good idea.
Probably not a bad time of year to season the wood with high moisture and lower temps. I better get started myself

Time: 17th May 2012 10:53pm

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gus says...
Sounds like a good idea.
Probably not a bad time of year to season the wood with high moisture and lower temps. I better get started myself

Time: 17th May 2012 10:53pm

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Steven says...
Hi I was wondering if anyone could help me, i am trying to grow Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms. Initially I bought some mushrooms from the supermarket and cut a piece onto a MYA with 3% peroxide solution at 9mL/L and grew lovely cultures of mould. So i thought it'd be best to buy some grain spawn and try again with a new batch of agar plates. The plates contain a little eucalypt sawdust and shiitake grains. Its been a week and a half and so far it looks like nothing has happened? Does anyone know what I am doing wrong, the brand i used is the same as for the Oyster Mushrooms and im reluctant to do anything as yet until i can figure out whats happening?

Thanks :)
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