Commoners and mushroom
cultivators can grow a massive variety of edible fungi species outdoors on the
logs of hardwood trees. If you want to grow them, you need to introduce the
fungus via sawdust spawn or plug. Within six months to a year, the fungus will
colonize. The same thing happens naturally on fallen trees, but it takes
longer. It leads to the growth of multiple species of fungi. Besides, the fungi
may not be edible. Now, if you’re going to replicate the process at home, you
must learn to take care of the growth media.
- Packaging
removal: You have to start by getting rid of the
packaging material from the Mushroom Log for sale. Don’t remove the date
tag or the wax from the
Mushroom Logs purchased from Agrinoon (Fujian). The purpose of
the wax is to retain moisture in the inoculation areas. You don’t have to
worry about the container because you can use anything you like. It can be
a bathtub, a potting tray, a five-gallon bucket, or something similar.
- Soak
it in water: Now, pour water into the
container. Make sure it accommodates the growth media you purchased from Mushroom
Log suppliers. Just make sure that it doesn’t submerge the wood more than
six inches. Tap water is good enough for the process, but once you fill
it, you should leave the set-up alone for at least twenty-four hours.
During this time, the chlorine content of the water will evaporate. If the
growth media floats, put an object on it to submerge it completely. Leave
it for another day.
- Placing
the log: After hydrating the wood for twenty-four
hours, select a shady area in your yard. Keep it leaned against a shady
tree or fence. Remember to elevate the timber off the ground by a few
inches. Inspect it for moisture content every few weeks to see whether
it’s becoming dry. If it feels light, put it back in the water tub for
another day. Once the rehydration process is complete, return the wood
back under shade.
- Fruiting:
Once the spawn run is over, the mycelium will take about six to twelve
months from the date of inoculation to start fruiting. Check the log
frequently for the presence of white fibers or hyphae. If you see them
running through the ends of the wood, you’ll know that the fruiting process
is ongoing.
- Shocking:
Sometimes, you have to take steps to initiate the procedure of fruiting.
You may have to shock the growth media by knocking on one of its ends
sharply on solid ground. After that, submerge the growth media in cold
water for another twenty-four hours. Make sure that you use
non-chlorinated water.
Conclusive statements
The pinning stage
should begin within four to ten days after soaking. Remember that the timeframe
depends on the environment where you reside. You should be able to harvest the
fruits of your labor after five to ten more days. For harvesting, use a sharp blade
to cut the fungi from the block of wood. Just slash them from the base. It’s
best to harvest the edible fungi once the gills get exposed by the caps are
still concave.
