Shiitake on Oak

Who loves Shiitake mushrooms?
I love all mushrooms especially fried with onions.

These mushrooms are grown on oak trunks.
All you need is to buy the spores.

What you need is an oak with a diameter of 4-8 inches, which you cut into 3-4 feet lengths.
This you do in the fall once you are ready with the spores.
You may try three logs to start.
Drill holes 6 inches apart and in rows of 4 inches apart, with a 3/4 inch drill bit.
Cover the logs so they stay moist

When you are ready, push the spores into the holes as deep as you can and seal the holes with melted wax so they do not dry out.
Put the logs into a shady place and wait.
You should see some mushrooms in a few weeks.

Commercially prepared spores to inoculate your logs were available at
Paul Goland of Hardscrabble Enterprises (P.O. Box 1124, Franklin, W. Virgina 26807 or 304-358-2921).
They come either as hardwood plugs or thimble spawn. The plugs are easier to insert into the holes of ten logs. They cost about 13 dollars plus shipping. (about 6 dollars).
I would sure like to try growing them . As long as you do not disturb the root they will regrow.
They need a warm moist environment usually found in spring and fall.
Vancouver weather is always moist and not too cold in the southern part.
Otherwise you may need a warm moist shed and then they will grow all year round and you can enjoy a good breakfast of them with eggs every morning.

:)

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