Tips For Growing Shiitake On Logs In 2019

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

Do you want to grow mushrooms and in the process, earn a reasonable wage? Then the ideal answer in your case is shiitake mushroom. The delectable fungus offers a host of health benefits. If cultivated properly, then you will be able to avail of cash benefits too. The name shiitake is derived from the Japanese language and stands for flattened umbrella-shaped mushrooms on wood.

Making an intelligent selection

You may have come across delicious shiitake mushrooms at some of the specialty stores in the local neighborhood. However, each time you purchase from these stores, you can feel the pocket pinch. The shiitake mushrooms are quite pricey. You can tackle this problem by growing your mushrooms at home. High-Quality Shiitake Logs will reduce the risk of contamination.

1. Choosing the logs

Keep the size of logs in mind while making a purchasing decision. The diameter of Quality Shiitake Logs should vary between three to ten inches. If you are making plans to grow the fungi indoors, then it can be done under controlled conditions. The harvesting can be completed within a span of four months. You can make use of natural logs. Alternatively, you can use the store-bought growing medium. Such a medium is made with a combination of rice hulls and sawdust. The entire process till fruiting will take several months to a year, and it depends on the strain used along with the kind of weather. You should choose strain as per the prevailing conditions in your area.

2. Ideal conditions

You can grow shiitake mushrooms outdoors. In general, you will require two years to fill the entire landscape. You may choose from options of evergreen or hardwood. It is a prudent idea to avoid wood, which is covered by lichen. Small holes are required to be drilled on each of these logs. Wood chips, along with mycelium, are pushed inside these drilled holes. Hot wax is applied on top of the holes to avoid contamination. The length of the log depends on how many holes you need and the distance you want to maintain between them. You have to take special care while stacking. The logs are stacked on raised platforms so that they are not contaminated with other kinds of spores.

3. Incredible investment

One of the advantages of growing shiitake mushrooms outdoors are that they do not require extra labor after the inoculation process. Additional help is again needed during the harvesting season in early fall and spring. Steps are being taken to retain the moisture content of the logs by keeping them in stacks. During unfavorable weather, the logs are kept covered to reduce the extent of the damage. You can earn a tidy sum of money from mushroom farming if you take the necessary training. On top of that, you will not be required to invest much on specialized equipment.

Invest time in making the decision

You can place an order for shiitake spawn online. Check out the reliability of the store by undergoing extensive research using the online medium.