Top 10 Tips to Inoculate Mushroom Logs in 2019

by James Hayley We have attempted to create the procedure easier b

Inoculating mushroom logs calls for few basics that you need to ace. Every wood has to be immunized in a specific manner so that you can grow varieties on them. Here are the top ten tips that you need to follow not just this year but every that passes by.

1. Selecting the billet

A log has to be cut from only trees that are not just healthy but living as well. You cannot afford to have Mushroom Logs that are rotting. Plugging the billet must happen two to zero months from the tree’s felling date. However, keep in mind that the sooner you fill, the better it is. The best time for cutting the stumps is from winter to spring. It is during this time that big trees are dormant. However, the injection can be done at any time during winters. Keep the stump intact and undamaged.

2. Type of the stump

Some of the suitable species of wood are Black Walnut, Honey Locust, Black Gum, Cherry, River Birch, Poplar, Tulip, Maple, Ironwood, Sweetgum, Red Oak, and White Oak. In general, the best Mushroom Logs have to be the oak ones as almost all varieties can thrive on them. Hemlock, for instance, works best for Shiitake and Reishi but make sure they are free from rotting. Specialists recommend growing oysters on the softer hardwoods. These hardwoods specifically involve tulip poplar.

3. Drilling the log

From the log’s end, start digging holes of about two inches, but the space of each hole must be six inches approximately. The holes rows have to be four to three inches from each other along with the log’s circumference. For instance, a log of 4-inch diameter is going to possess three rows in line, with each of the holes six inches from one another. Drill 1 ¼ inch of deep holes if you are going to use sawdust spawn for inoculation.

4. Plugging the holes

It serves well if you are using a plunger for inoculation for inserting sawdust into drilled holes. Once all the drilled holes have undergone sawdust or plug immunization, you must necessarily cover them. Plugging is the most crucial step. Try to use soy or beeswax immediately. Wax over the log ends and any other part of the stump where the bark has been damaged or nicked.

5. Prepping the billet

Soak your logs for at least twenty-four to twelve hours, after plugging them with spawn. This signifies that right after filling, you have to soak them immediately. A note to keep in mind is that when you are using stumps less than ten days old, try not absorbing them.

6. Storing the stumps

During the period of colonization, stack the logs in a criss-cross fashion. That must be done off the ground preferably. A pallet works well for this. Provide your billets full shade with water access. You can keep them outside within elements and try not covering them. Rainfall is right for them. The stumps must never dry out but during colonization, soaking them is not mandatory.

7. Spawn run

It takes a period of two years to four months, depending on the species of the wood. For instance, oysters on poplar can take a tome of four to six months while shitake on the white oaks can demand close twelve months. At all times, the billets must be hydrated to produce mushrooms eventually.

8. Provide shade

Your house’s north side is convenient for shade but tries not keeping them under eaves as the billets need rain. Keep them under evergreen tree cover or under the bush covers.

9. For shiitake

You can make tastier shiitake when you arrange them vertically, or, stack them in cabin style. Strike ends of the stumps with a wooden mallet or baseball bat. Also, the logs must not touch the ground.

10. For oysters

For oysters, inoculate billets on totem style. The stumps can be inoculated with the spawn of oyster mushrooms.