Shocking your colonised mushroom log into early fruiting.
Shocking your log or substrate is a common technique used to speed up the fruiting process of your mushrooms. This is esentially exposing the growing log to a sudden change in temperature and moisture. For small colonised bags this is usually done by placing them in the fridge but for logs its submerging them in cold water.
Knowing when your log is ready to shock is tricky...
Its not easy to know when your log has fully colonised just by looking at it but a good sign is when the mycelium appears as white patches at the ends of the log but this doesnt mean that its evenly distributed. Still, waiting at least 12 months to be sure your mycelium has fully colonised the log before shocking it is recommended.
Shocking your log...
To shock your colonised mushroom log into fruiting, you will need to submerge it in cold water for 24 hours.
Tubs - Paddling Pools - Water Buts - Bathtubs - Ponds - Rivers - Work with what you have, just try to use relatively clean water.
Once you’ve soaked your mushroom log, put it somewhere similar to where it was incubated and either stand it on its end or stack and raise it for optimal growing surface area.
Once shocked, you should expect to see your first mushrooms beggining to fruit within a few days and a couple of weeks.
Guide to Growing Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, and Pillars
Cultivating mushrooms on wood is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy consistent harvests for years. With minimal maintenance after setup, this method is perfect for growing a variety of mushroom species in the same area.
Key Steps to Mushroom Cultivation
- Choosing spawn
- Selecting suitable wood
- Inoculation techniques
- Log maintenance and fruiting cycles
Selecting Your Mushroom Spawn
There are two common types of spawn for growing mushrooms on wood:
- Plug Spawn: Best suited for small-scale projects or beginners without specialized equipment. Plug spawn comes in ready-to-use kits containing all necessary materials, including spawn plugs, wax, a drill bit, and wax applicator.
- Sawdust Spawn: This option is ideal for larger-scale operations, colonizing logs about 30% faster than plugs. Sawdust spawn requires additional tools like inoculation equipment. A 5lb bag of sawdust spawn can inoculate 10-40 logs.
To estimate how much spawn you need, use a log inoculation calculator to plan your project accurately.
Choosing Wood for Mushroom Cultivation
- Log Size: Any size log works, but smaller-diameter logs colonize faster, while larger logs produce mushrooms for longer periods. A 4-6” diameter and 3-4’ length are ideal for drilling methods. For totem-style setups, logs can be larger in diameter (up to 12”) and shorter in length (6-18”).
- Tree Species: Match your mushroom species to compatible wood types for optimal yields.
- Sustainability: Use sustainably harvested logs or adopt eco-friendly tree-culling practices.
Preparing and Inoculating Logs
Healthy trees felled during fall are ideal for mushroom logs. Avoid harvesting logs in spring when trees expend energy on growth. Use freshly cut logs within two weeks of felling to prevent drying or contamination.
Traditional Log Inoculation Method
- Drilling Holes: Use an 8.5mm (5/16”) bit for plugs or a 12mm (7/16”) bit for sawdust spawn. Drill holes in a diamond pattern around the log, 1” deep and spaced 4” apart in staggered rows.
- Inserting Spawn: Place plugs into holes using a mallet, or use an inoculation tool for sawdust spawn.
- Sealing Holes: Apply melted wax to each hole to protect spawn from drying and contamination. Use a dedicated crockpot or double boiler to melt wax for easy application.
Stump Inoculation Method
- Girdle stumps by removing a 2” wide band of bark.
- Drill holes across the stump's top, sides, and roots.
- Fill holes with spawn and seal with wax.
- Stumps take longer to colonize but can produce mushrooms for up to 10 years.
Pillar (Totem) Inoculation Method
Perfect for species like oyster, lion’s mane, or reishi mushrooms, this method uses stacked log sections for colonization.
- Cut logs into three sections: one 2” long cap and two 6-18” body pieces.
- Assemble pillars in a shady location, layering sawdust spawn between sections and capping the top.
- Cover the setup with a paper bag to retain moisture and prevent pests.
- After 4-12 months of incubation, remove the covering and allow fruiting.
Trenching or Burying Logs
For added moisture retention, partially bury logs in a shaded area. Cover them with soil, wood chips, or sawdust, ensuring the top remains exposed. Water the trench to settle the soil around the logs.
Post-Inoculation Care
- Incubation: Store logs in a shady area above the forest floor to promote airflow and prevent contact with soil. Stack logs horizontally or in crisscross layers.
- Moisture Management: Avoid frequent watering. Instead, soak logs periodically for up to 24 hours to restore hydration.
Fruiting and Maintenance
- Mushrooms naturally fruit after rainfall. You can force fruiting (e.g., with shiitake mushrooms) by soaking logs in cold water. Allow logs to rest for at least a month between forced fruiting attempts.
- After a year of incubation, re-stack logs in a “log cabin” style for better airflow and easier harvesting.
Stacking Patterns
- Year 1 (Incubation): Logs stacked close to the ground retain moisture during winter.
- Year 2 (Fruiting): Taller “log cabin” stacks improve airflow and accessibility for harvesting.
With careful planning and proper care, your mushroom logs, stumps, and pillars will provide a sustainable harvest for years!
How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs, Pillars, and Stumps
Growing mushrooms on logs is a simple, long-term method that requires minimal upkeep once established. Here’s a guide to get started:
Steps to Begin
Select Your Spawn
- Plug Spawn: Great for smaller projects or beginners. Convenient kits include spawn plugs, wax, a drill bit, and a wax applicator.
- Sawdust Spawn: Faster colonization (30% quicker than plugs) but requires additional tools. Ideal for larger projects (10–40 logs per 5lb bag).
Choose the Right Logs
- Logs should be freshly cut and inoculated within 1–4 weeks. Best log size for drilling: 4–6 inches in diameter and 3–4 feet long.
- Avoid cutting logs in spring when trees expend nutrients on foliage. Use sustainable practices when sourcing.
- Larger logs last longer but colonize slower. Small logs are quicker to fruit but produce fewer seasons.
Inoculation Methods
Traditional Log Method (Best for most mushroom varieties):
- Drill 1-inch-deep holes in a diamond pattern, spaced 4 inches apart in rows staggered 2 inches apart.
- Insert plugs or sawdust spawn, sealing each hole with melted wax to protect against drying and contamination.
Stump Method (Great for long-term yields up to 10 years):
- Remove a 2-inch bark band to prevent regrowth. Drill and fill holes with spawn. Seal with wax.
Pillar (Totem) Method (Ideal for oyster, lion's mane, and reishi mushrooms):
- Stack smaller log sections upright with layers of sawdust spawn in between. Cover with a paper bag for 4–12 months to incubate.
Trenching/Burying Logs:
- Partially bury logs in shaded trenches, packing soil or wood chips around them for moisture retention.
Post-Inoculation Care
- Incubate logs in a shady, humid area off the ground (use small branches or scrap wood to elevate).
- Water occasionally if logs become too dry but avoid overwatering. Soak for no more than 24 hours when needed.
- Stack logs in "log cabin" style after the first year for airflow and easier harvesting.
Fruiting & Maintenance
- Fruiting begins 6–24 months after inoculation, depending on species, log size, and conditions.
- Mushrooms naturally fruit after rains or can be stimulated by soaking logs in cold water for 24 hours.
- Harvest mushrooms quickly after they emerge; they mature in days. Logs produce mushrooms for years until they decompose.
By choosing the right spawn and method, you can enjoy fresh mushrooms for multiple years with minimal effort!
