10 Most Important Shiitake Mushroom Log Instructions
by Delun Kang AgricultureThere are a variety of mushrooms that
are available but the one that is considered iconic is Shiitake. Although it
requires specialized skills and techniques, it is the most widely cultivated
mushrooms in the world. Apart from being tasty and nutritious, it has a longer
shelf life and provides with bountiful yields when grown using the right
tactics. Here are some instructions to get a better yield.
1. Choose the laying yard: You should plan beforehand where to
keep Shiitake mushroom Log when they are inoculated
with spawns. It should be kept under shade to prevent them from drying out. The
ideal place would be beneath the canopy of a coniferous forest.
2. Tree species to be used: Oaktree is considered as the ideal Shiitake mushroom
Log for growing
mushrooms and there are companies which supply best quality logs. Other species
that can be used are sugar maple, American beech, American hornbeam, and
hophornbeam. However, evergreen trees like pine, spruce, hemlock, etc. are not
recommended.
3. Tree to be cut down: Since it is essential to have fresh
logs for inoculation, only living trees should be cut down. Fresh logs have
high moisture content and little wild fungi which is important for producing
mushrooms.
4. Size of logs: A log size of 4-6 inches in diameter is recommended
because larger logs are more difficult to manage. A length of 3 to 4 foot is
recommended as it can be managed easily for transporting and carrying.
5. When to inoculating logs: The logs should not be inoculated
just after cutting. Wood from trees has a natural defense against a fungal
invasion that includes phytoalexin compounds. It accumulates around the wound
and increases in concentration in the following days. It is better to wait for 2
or 4 weeks so that the antifungal agents on the logs subside.
6. Type of log to be used: Both sawdust spawn and plug spawn
can be used to inoculate the logs each having its own advantages and
disadvantages. Plug spawn is simple to use requiring only a hammer but it is a
bit expensive. Though plug spawn is slightly cheaper it requires a special
tool.
7. Fruiting the mushrooms: The substrates are left to fruit
naturally. Sometimes flushing with heavy rain or temperature changes may induce
fruiting. However, in a forced production model, the fruiting is controlled by
the growers according to a log rotation schedule that is preplanned.
8. When to shock: It is the process by which mycelium is forced into
fruiting. This involves soaking the logs in coldest water for about 12 to 14 hours
and then removed. After removing, the logs start fruiting within 3-5 days.
9. Shocking it again: The logs should be allowed to rest
for 6-8 weeks after fruiting to be forced into shocking again.
10. When to harvest: Mushrooms should not be harvested depending on the
size of the mushroom rather it should be determined according to its growth
progress. It should be harvested when gills become visible and the outer edge
gets curled under. Shiitakes generally get ready for harvesting 7-10 days after
shocking. A knife should be used to ensure quick, clean and easy cutting of the
stem without damaging the bark.
Fresh mushrooms should not be stored
in a plastic bag. It should be stored inside paper bags and then refrigerated.
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Created on Aug 27th 2019 01:58. Viewed 434 times.