What is a mushroom plug used for?
The plugs are used to inoculate hardwood logs and stumps for the purpose of growing mushrooms outside. Although typically used for growing Shiitake on logs, mushroom plugs can also be used to successfully inoculate any hardwood loving species- including Lion’s Mane mushroom, Reishi, and all types of Oysters.
What is a mushroom plug spawn?
Mushroom plug spawn- also known as dowel spawn or simply “mushroom plugs” – are hardwood dowels that have been inoculated and colonized with mushroom mycelium. The plugs are used to inoculate hardwood logs and stumps for the purpose of growing mushrooms outside.
How do you make mushroom plugs?
It involves first “inoculating” hardwood logs with mushroom mycelium, and then allowing the log to naturally colonize over a period of 6-9 months. When the logs are fully colonized- and the weather conditions are right- the mushrooms will emerge from the log and can be harvested and enjoyed. 1. Making Mushroom Plugs
Can you grow mushrooms from plugs on logs?
Growing mushrooms from plugs on logs tends to take more time than growing them from sawdust, but has the added benefit of growing vertically to save space. What are mushroom plugs? Mushroom plugs are small wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mushroom spawn. They’re inserted into logs with the intention of growing mushrooms at home.
How long do mushroom plugs last?
Plug and sawdust spawn will store for six months to a year in a refrigerator. The fresher the better, but mycelium is pretty resilient. If you don't get around to inoculating right away, tuck it away in your refrigerator until you're ready.
How do I make mushroom plugs spawn?
Let's walk through the process of making your very own plug spawn step by step.Step 1: Soak Plugs for 24 hours. Soak the dowels in clean water for about 24 hours. ... Step 2: Drain and Sterilize. After a 24 hour soak, the dowels should be sufficiently hydrated. ... Step 3: Inoculate Plugs. ... Step 4: Colonize, Then Use or Store.
Can you put mushroom plugs in live trees?
Those mushrooms won't colonize a healthy tree and if you put plugs into them, they should either die or you as the interfering human effectively started to kill the tree because you damaged the tree which may cause local decay.
What are the best logs for mushroom plugs?
Oaks and hard maples are the preferred wood-types for most mushroom species because they're very dense and offer plenty of nutrition for a longer, sustained fruiting period. Poplars and other soft hardwoods will colonize faster and produce mushrooms sooner but generally don't yield as much or produce for as many years.
When should I start mushroom plugs?
When to start mushroom plugs. The best time of year to inoculate logs with mushroom plugs is in the late winter, when your logs have higher concentrations of sugar. Some species are more delicate than others and need to be inoculated after the last frost date in your local area.
What kind of wax do you use for mushroom plugs?
Cheese wax is used to seal in mushroom plugs once the log has been inoculated with mushroom plug spawn. It can be dripped on or applied with a small foam brush, baster, cotton daubers or other such applicators. One pound of cheese wax will cover 8 – 16 logs @ 30 plugs per log.
How long do mushroom logs last?
Your log will produce for approximately one year for each inch of log diameter. A 4" diameter log will likely flush for about four years. The larger your log the longer it takes for the mycelium mat to form, but the longer it lives, and the more mushrooms it will produce.
What size drill bit do I need for mushroom plugs?
8.5mmThe 8.5mm soft steel screw tip drill bit with stop collar is used for plug spawn inoculations.
How do you seal mushroom plugs?
Soy wax is durable yet flexible and much better than using plastic-based paraffin wax. We recommend approximately 5oz of sealing wax per bag of plugs. Soy wax has a low melt temperature (185* F) so take great care in heating wax to avoid over-heating and possible fire hazards.
How do you inoculate logs with mushroom plugs?
1:067:41Inoculating Logs for Gourmet Mushrooms with Mushroom PlugsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's got a spiral cut in it you can see that spiral cut. And they inoculate that with mushroom spawnMoreIt's got a spiral cut in it you can see that spiral cut. And they inoculate that with mushroom spawn this is pearl oyster this is shiitake he's 100 each and a package. And you can afford a 4-foot log
How long does it take for a mushroom log to grow?
Growing mushrooms on logs is a longer-term process than growing them on, for example, coffee grounds. After the logs have been inoculated, most mushrooms will take 1 to 2 years to produce their first crop. But once the mushrooms begin to grow, you should be able to harvest them for 6 or 7 years from the same log.
Where do you place inoculated mushroom logs?
Once inoculated, place your logs in a shaded area, protected from the sun and wind, low to the ground (we lay them on pallets or poles), and where they can receive natural rainfall. Maintaining moisture during this phase is the most critical step to Shiitake production success.
How do you inoculate a plug in Spawn?
Plug Spawn InoculationUse a 5/16'' bit and drill 1'' holes in a diamond pattern all over the perimeter of the log, omitting either end.Place plugs into your holes, using a hammer if the fit is snug.Brush melted paraffin or beeswax over each plugged hole.
How do you spawn chicken of the woods plug?
Prepare plug spawn inoculation sites by drilling 5/16in x 1 1/2in holes in a spiral pattern starting at one end of the log working towards the other. Space each hole approximately 4-6 inches away from the last. Number of holes will vary, for most logs 20-30 is good.
How do you inoculate wood plugs?
1:567:46How to Inoculate Wood Plugs With Shiitake Mushroom Liquid Culture ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou now once your jars are lined up remove the tin foil cap. So once you have your jars lined up inMoreYou now once your jars are lined up remove the tin foil cap. So once you have your jars lined up in front of your flow hood. And the tin foil removed. You can now start to inoculate your wooden dowels
What can you do with sawdust to spawn?
Sawdust spawn is used for cultivating Shiitake, Oyster, Nameko, Maitake, Lion's Mane, Comb Tooth, Olive Oysterling, Chicken of the Woods, Brick Cap, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail mushrooms in logs.
What is a mushroom plug?
Mushroom plug spawn- also known as dowel spawn or simply “mushroom plugs” – are hardwood dowels that have been inoculated and colonized with mushroom mycelium. The plugs are used to inoculate hardwood logs and stumps for the purpose of growing mushrooms outside. Although typically used for growing Shiitake on logs, ...
What is the difference between mushroom plugs and grain spawn?
The only major difference is that you’ll use hardwood dowels instead of sterilized grain.
How to inoculate logs for mushrooms?
These methods include everything from sandwiching sawdust spawn between layers in tree stumps, to cutting wounds into a log or stump with a chainsaw blade covered in “spore oil.”.
How to grow mushrooms on logs?
The first step to growing mushrooms on logs is to inoculate it with mushroom mycelium- and the best way to do that is by using fully colonized mushroom plugs.
What is the best way to grow mushrooms in your backyard?
Growing mushrooms on logs is a low-tech and low maintenance way to have fresh mushrooms in your backyard for years to come.
How to sterilize a jar of water?
The easiest way to do this is to drill a ¼” hole in the lid, and pull through a wad of pillow stuffing to act as a filter. Cover the lid in tinfoil and sterilize at 15 PSI for 30-45 minutes.
What woods are good for mushrooms?
1. Hardwood Logs. Many types of hardwood will work, including aspen, birch, poplar, oak, maple etc. In general, avoid softwoods (spruce, pine, fir) and fruit trees. Different species of trees will work better for different species of mushrooms. 2.
Log Method
Logs should be 3’’ to 8’’ in diameter and can be as long as you would prefer, though they are easiest to relocate when they are 30’’ to 50’’ long.
Stump Method
Any size stumps can be inoculated but they should be located in a shady environment. Make sure you know what species of tree the stump came from!
What is plug spawn?
Mushroom plug spawn is an easy and convenient way to start growing mushrooms at home. Every bag of mushroom plug spawn contains approximately 100 myceliated hardwood dowels or "mushroom plugs" for inoculating logs and stumps and comes with complete instructions. All you need is a drill, a 5/16" drill bit, and some wax.
How to use it
Drill a hole into your log or stump about 1" deep and insert the plug. Mushrooms will start to grow when the log or stump is fully colonized. The log or stump will stop producing mushrooms after several years when it decomposes.
What can I grow?
Mushroom plug spawn is generally used to inoculate hardwood trees for the cultivation of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. Types of mushrooms that are commonly grown on logs include Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Maitake (or hen of the woods), Oyster, Chestnut, Nameko, Wood Ear, Enoki, and Beech.
Wholesale Customers
We offer competitive wholesale pricing for mushroom plug spawn to resellers and farmers. If you are interested in wholesale pricing please contact us today! At Fungi Farm, our products are 100% grown and produced by us, in our own facility, in the USA.
What are mushroom plugs?
Mushroom plugs are small wooden dowels that have been inoculated with mushroom spawn. They’re inserted into logs with the intention of growing mushrooms at home.
What to do if you have a mushroom growing community?
If you’re lucky enough to have a mushroom foraging or growing community in your area, make connections with people in that group.
How to get mushrooms out of logs?
This step is easily the most satisfying, at least up until you actually get mushrooms from your logs! Place one mushroom plug into each hole in the log and use a hammer or mallet to gently tap it snugly into the hole until it’s flush with the surface of the log. Step 4: Apply Beeswax. Melt a few chunks of pure beeswax to use for sealing the logs.
Why wax a log?
Waxing the log helps it to retain moisture and keeps the wood from being infiltrated by bugs, bacteria, or competing fungus while the mushroom spawn is growing.
How to keep wood from getting infiltrated by bugs?
Waxing the log helps it to retain moisture and keeps the wood from being infiltrated by bugs, bacteria, or competing fungus while the mushroom spawn is growing. Step 5: Stack the logs. Decide on a good location for your newly inoculated logs. This will depend entirely on the type of mushroom you’re growing.
How long do you have to wait to see mushrooms growing?
Mushroom growing is a practice in patience, you shouldn’t expect to see any mushrooms for several months or maybe even several years depending on the species.
How long do mushrooms grow?
Mushroom growing is a practice in patience, you shouldn’t expect to see any mushrooms for several months or maybe even several years depending on the species.
How long does it take for a mushroom plug to grow?
Grown throughout the United States, these plugs contain mushroom spores ready for growing and typically produce an abundance of fresh mushrooms within 6 to 18 months, as long as you provide them with the conditions they need to grow.
What wood do mushrooms grow in?
Hardwood, such as oak, maple and elm, is preferred, but the best type depends on the kind mushrooms you are growing. Refer to the information with the spawn plugs if you are unsure of the type of wood your mushrooms prefer. Avoid softwoods as they contains natural antifungal chemicals that may inhibit mushroom growth.
How to keep logs moist?
Water the logs during dry spells to keep them moist; it is important that the entire log stays moist. Moisten logs with a hose or soak them in a bucket or bin of water.
Do you need darkness for mushrooms?
This may be true of some mushrooms, such as button mushrooms (Agaricus sp.), but when it comes to growing Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) or portabello (Agaricus bisporus) and other mushrooms from spawn plugs, darkness isn't required, although a shady area is desired. Grown throughout the United States, these plugs contain mushroom spores ready ...
