The Shiitake mushrooms are the favorite variety for many and for this reason cultivation is most profitable. These fruits are most expensive and would be the best for growing in the commercial periphery. To grow this variety – you will have to get the logs on which to grow the sprout. Find out ways to grow the Shiitake logs at your home.
Shiitake log – materials for use
You will need Shiitake Mushroom Logs of about 100mm in diameter. You will also need Shiitake spawn or the sawdust on which your mycelium will grow. You will need equipment like a hand drill, organic beeswax, mallet, paintbrush and a saucepan with proper heat source will be needed with the Shiitake Logs.
Prepare the Shiitake log
The Mushroom logs for sale will also be available but they should be fresh so that there is no fungus. The log, therefore, would have to be cut within the last 72 hours. When it has no fungus, it will be a good base to grow the sprouts for you. You can use hardwoods for this purpose. The bark should be thick too and you will have to drill holes in the log with the drill. The holes should be evenly spaced all over the log. The width of the holes must be 8.5mm. You can inject a small chunk of the spawn into the hole. You will find all the processes provided in the site Agrinoon for your information.
Spawn for growing mushroom
The mycelium or spawn is filled into the holes. You can grow or colonize the sawdust with Shiitake mycelium and then place this mycelium into the holes. You will find it fun to take the spawn plug and then tap into the hole in the log. You will then have to seal the logs with beeswax. Do this after you have filled all the holes with the spawn. Make sure that you seal the sides where the log is cut and at both ends too. You must also seal the holes.
Soaking of the logs
The spawn or mycelia keeps growing inside the colony and soon they will become Shiitake fruits. You can maintain the internal moisture of the logs by soaking them regularly. The log will use the water and keep growing the fruits. The logs may give you fruit on the first day of soaking them or you may have to wait for a longer time for the fruits to come.
Fruiting of the logs
Sometimes you need to shock the log by knocking one of the ends on to the ground and then immersing it in cold water. Keep the logs in cold water for about 24 to 48 hours. Do not use chlorinated water but only tap water or rainwater. Then place the log in sheltered place and cover with a light plastic. This increases the humidity. The fruits will come within 2 – 3 weeks of this step and you should remove the cover after fruit comes over.
Now you have the mushrooms for your use. You should cut the fruits and not pick them off so that you can use the log for another flush. Place the log out in shades for some time before you start another breeding.
