Best video on youtube for inoculation! Without a doubt! Can you inoculate a log as soon as it is cut or is there a proper time frame? And can you inoculate the logs the first of spring or should you wait for a certain temperature? Thanks in advance!
Thank you! We recommend letting the logs rest for two weeks prior to inoculation- they can wait longer however if they are stored in a location out of the sun and wind. As for temperature you're usually in the clear once the day time highs are steadily in the mid-high 40s.
Does a cute puppy come with the starter kit?❤❤❤❤ 🐶 BTW, I had a dead tree take down a healthy tulip popular about two months ago. Can I still cut that tree up now in spring to inoculation?
I’m just learning about this process. Where I am (zone 8a Alabama) our trees are no longer dormant. Can I still cut a tree into logs and use it? If so then I’ll order!
I just received my plug spawn and cut my logs yesterday here in VA. I'm thinking it will still be fine, but the logs may lose the bark and decay quicker than if felled when dormant. I'm hoping to still get a few years out of these logs. I will cut more this winter and be better prepared next time.
Hi! great video. Short and to the point with all the necessary info. To expand upon it, I’d like to know does the type of log make a difference in terms of growth? For example Softwood/hardwood or certain species works good overall? For reference I’m intending on starting out with lions mane plugs mid summer. Any tips greatly appreciated :)))
Yes! Log type certainly matters. For Lion's Mane you would want to use sugar maple or beech, but you can find a full species list here: www.fieldforest.net/category/growing-mushrooms-on-logs
I would opt to use healthy wood. Even half-decayed wood likely has another fungal organism already established in the wood that will likely outcompete what you're trying to grow.
Awesome video! I live in Oregon, sounds like the ideal temperature is most of winter, except for nighttime, but I have a shed, does this affect the time they stay in their humid plastic bag?
As long as the logs are indoors they should stay in the bags to prevent a premature drying out. After the initial 4 weeks however the mycelium will be established and the logs can be moved outside!
If you have logs that are 10 to 12 inches in diameter....can you split them in have and inoculate the side with the bark? Probably a dumb question, but.......tia
Keeping logs intact is fairly essential. Splitting them will cause the bark to fall off prematurely and as soon as that happens the wood can't support mycelium growth.
It’s going to be 2 weeks this Friday when I cut my logs. Do I need to soak them in water for 24 hrs before I inaculate them, just spray water on them or I don’t need to do anything before I start?
Hi there! After inoculating logs they can produce mushrooms from the same spawn for up to 6 years. After that time however, all the available "food" within the log is consumed and new logs will need to be used.
@@FieldandForestProducts omg thank you for answering...I'm actually writing a thesis about this for my undergraduate studies so this means a lot, cheers!
One question, I use Titebond 2 glue to seal limbs that I have pruned and it does a good job, could one also use the glue to seal dowel spawn ends? It would certainly be quicker and easier.
I can't wait to get my starter kit. I have semi-perfect logs cut down and ready to go, but today I notice something is burrowing in it. Any advise, video recommendation on how to proceed. Should I sterilize and if so how can I do this outdoors.
Hi Melissa, thanks for commenting. No need to sterilize them. Can you provide a little more detail on what it might be (insect, rodent, etc.)? Shiitake is quite resilient and can usually out-compete most invaders unless it's a complete takeover
What is the best (organic) method of keeping slugs off our Shiitake mushrooms? Is there a ground surface that is better than others? Should the logs be suspended off the ground? On what? Thanks for any help!
will the mycelium die if you inoculate before winter and they stay outdoors all year? new england here, would like to try some outdoor reishi, turkey tail and chicken of woods, just not sure if i can do so before winter
If using plug spawn you can inoculate the log and put it outside, but you will want to mulch the log in well with snow in order to prevent anything from freeze-drying. Generally we suggest that the log have at least 4 weeks of temperatures above 40 degrees so that the mycelium can establish itself before going dormant. You can place the logs outside without those four weeks, but the mycelium will not start running, increasing the risk that the pockets of spawn will dry out.
They do well enough, but I would suggest choosing (interestingly enough) a cool weather variety such as Snow Cap as that typically does well in your winters.
All I can find for logs is a couple branch pieces of Black Walnut, but I'm pretty sure it was chopped down during summer months, although half dead from a brutal wind storm, it was hanging off the main trunk for months and the leaves were dead or dying on it. . A great size at about 6 inch diameter. It however has been lying in my garden for a couple years in my garden, half buried. No signs of fungal contamination or mycelium. Will that work ? I'd hate to spend my plugs and wait a year to find out otherwise.
I would find something fresh. If it's been a couple of years it's likely already starting to decay from non-visible fungi or is too dry for mycelium to take hold.
I'm in Ontario , Canada and it's pretty wet and humid here. More importantly, it was sheltered in a peat rich space under a raised patio deck. Its certainly not dry. As far as contamination goes, I don't see any mycelium in it . The bark may be lifting off of it though. Oh well. i'm going to try to stretch my wood plugs I bought by doing some agar with what I was sent. If i can get another culture going, I don't have anything to lose by trying this. some nice people on one of the Facebook groups gave me an interesting idea of using liquid culture, squirting some in each hole and then just pounding a new clean plug in after the squirt. I'll maybe give that a try. Thanks for your reply and i will ideally try and find fresh but if I got extra.... why not experiment ?@@FieldandForestProducts
There is likely some other fungus in the log at this point, especially if it sat through the summer where there is natural high fungal activity. For the amount of work that goes into inoculation I wouldn't risk using it.
To clarify: Are you asking if you can use logs that you find freshly cut down? Or are you asking where you may possibly find logs that are freshly cut?
@@ashitaka8633 we source them from a reservation who cuts for forestry management. If you have land you certainly can cut from your yard, but we only recommend cutting trees that need to come down.
It's not totally necessary, but there is always the risk of it being more prone to drying out. Just watch it and if the plugs don't look like they're refuzzing, increase the humidity of the terrarium!
I have a large oak tree that has seemingly died (almost no leaves last year, none this year) Can I chop it down and inoculate the logs? Or does it need to be alive when felled
The tree does need to be healthy when felled. If the tree has died it's likely that the cell structure of the wood has changed and therefore isn't suitable for mushroom production. We have Oak wilt here which kills off oaks and unfortunately there's not even the silver lining of being able to use the wood for mushrooms.
I’m in the north east ozarks . I just got a 100 plugs of these . I know it’s the worst time to cut logs so maybe hit some stumps in my woods what ya think ? Rad vid !
I think you would have better luck cutting an oak limb. The problem with stump cultivation is that you have to use so many plugs to get good results. At least with cutting a limb you'll get a year or two of production. Otherwise pop the spawn in the refrigerator and cut a log later in summer.
We only advise using logs from trees that need to be thinned for healthy forest management. Many trees need to be removed as they are not robust and will only stunt new growth in the forest.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your question! Unfortunately it is much harder than it sounds and, in our experience, it doesn't work. Trees have antifungal properties that fight off invaders, therefore it would be difficult to colonize a living tree. Even for nature, a lot has to happen at the right time for fungi to establish in a scarred or wounded tree, so it is best to inoculate cut trees! :)
Lowell Dietz says in the documentory "mushrooms of the pacific NW" that it is near impossible to grow shitake on logs. Whats the secret ? Is keeping the 40% moisture level inside the logs during innoculation a challange? What else is difficult? On the Pacific Penninsula the climate should be on your side as far as Temp & Humidity
@@FieldandForestProducts yeah, colonization is the difficult part, fruiting is supposed to be easier. I have thought of also injecting the logs with liquid mycelium in addition to the sawdust spawn. It would add a little moisture and a food source for the mycelium.
@@Beinhartwie1chopper If you keep logs in a protected location (out of the sun and wind) you shouldn't have to worry about colonization. I would recommend against inoculating with two different types of spawn as they will likely compete against each other.
@@FieldandForestProducts thank you for the advice! I have run 700 beehives but mycology is a relativ new thing. I will reread Radical MYCOLO, growing g. and m. Mushroom, and trad cotters organic m farming. Always greatful for any input.
Not a stupid question! Believe it or not we get that one a lot! They can fruit from anywhere on the log- you will likely see them first where the bark is the thinnest and easiest for the mushrooms to push through.
@@FieldandForestProducts thank you. I LOVE fungus, I make minimum wage and I grow lbs of mushrooms in a basement and I want with all my heart to have a career with mushrooms and learn more. I appreciate the business side of it AND the life science. People have no idea the untapped market of mushrooms, I feel. I never miss work and I hate my job, if someone gives me any chance what so ever, I would not fail them. Any advice? ...hire me. Please!
You certainly can try, but keep in mind that all trees have an anti-fungal response that will fight off mycelium. Generally living trees are trying to not rot. :)
I just watched this and kept meticulous notes! We’re about to inoculate logs on our homestead and this was a perfect tutorial!
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
@@FieldandForestProducts I may or may not need you to be on speed dial 😉
@@cabincreekhomestead761howd it go?
Just got my 5 log shittake kit. Can’t wait til next spring!
Best video on youtube for inoculation! Without a doubt!
Can you inoculate a log as soon as it is cut or is there a proper time frame? And can you inoculate the logs the first of spring or should you wait for a certain temperature?
Thanks in advance!
Thank you! We recommend letting the logs rest for two weeks prior to inoculation- they can wait longer however if they are stored in a location out of the sun and wind. As for temperature you're usually in the clear once the day time highs are steadily in the mid-high 40s.
Does a cute puppy come with the starter kit?❤❤❤❤ 🐶 BTW, I had a dead tree take down a healthy tulip popular about two months ago. Can I still cut that tree up now in spring to inoculation?
Great info thank you.
I’m just learning about this process. Where I am (zone 8a Alabama) our trees are no longer dormant. Can I still cut a tree into logs and use it? If so then I’ll order!
I just received my plug spawn and cut my logs yesterday here in VA. I'm thinking it will still be fine, but the logs may lose the bark and decay quicker than if felled when dormant. I'm hoping to still get a few years out of these logs. I will cut more this winter and be better prepared next time.
What other mushrooms to u recommend to grow in logs besides shiitake
Hi! great video. Short and to the point with all the necessary info.
To expand upon it, I’d like to know does the type of log make a difference in terms of growth? For example Softwood/hardwood or certain species works good overall?
For reference I’m intending on starting out with lions mane plugs mid summer. Any tips greatly appreciated :)))
Yes! Log type certainly matters. For Lion's Mane you would want to use sugar maple or beech, but you can find a full species list here: www.fieldforest.net/category/growing-mushrooms-on-logs
Thank you for the video😍😍
I have a lot of failed trees half decayed with a high water content. As I’m on the panhandle of Florida. Will moist half decayed trees work?
I would opt to use healthy wood. Even half-decayed wood likely has another fungal organism already established in the wood that will likely outcompete what you're trying to grow.
Awesome video! I live in Oregon, sounds like the ideal temperature is most of winter, except for nighttime, but I have a shed, does this affect the time they stay in their humid plastic bag?
As long as the logs are indoors they should stay in the bags to prevent a premature drying out. After the initial 4 weeks however the mycelium will be established and the logs can be moved outside!
Which type of wood should I use?. Thank you
Hardwoods are best, but it depends on the mushroom. Check out this chart for more details: www.fieldforest.net/category/growing-mushrooms-on-logs
That perfect thank you
If you have logs that are 10 to 12 inches in diameter....can you split them in have and inoculate the side with the bark? Probably a dumb question, but.......tia
Keeping logs intact is fairly essential. Splitting them will cause the bark to fall off prematurely and as soon as that happens the wood can't support mycelium growth.
@@FieldandForestProducts Thanks for this!
But?? ... when did you put the mycelium in the holes,? Before the pluggs or after or did you do it at all?
The mycelium is on the plugs- think of the plugs as a vehicle for the mycelium to enter into the log.
It’s going to be 2 weeks this Friday when I cut my logs. Do I need to soak them in water for 24 hrs before I inaculate them, just spray water on them or I don’t need to do anything before I start?
Could you have a vertical log and rest it in a bucket of water to maintain moisture, or no?
Hello! After harvesting the mushrooms, are the "used" logs can be used again for inoculation? Thanks!
Hi there! After inoculating logs they can produce mushrooms from the same spawn for up to 6 years. After that time however, all the available "food" within the log is consumed and new logs will need to be used.
@@FieldandForestProducts omg thank you for answering...I'm actually writing a thesis about this for my undergraduate studies so this means a lot, cheers!
Who do you order from? What seasons do you do this in ?? Any beginners books you recommend
www.fieldforest.net/
There is a ton of information on the website to help you get started also!
Does the type of wood matter or can I use any type of wood?
Wood type matters! You can find a suitability chart here: www.fieldforest.net/category/growing-mushrooms-on-logs
Any other good mushrooms to grow in logs besides Shittake mushrooms?
One question, I use Titebond 2 glue to seal limbs that I have pruned and it does a good job, could one also use the glue to seal dowel spawn ends? It would certainly be quicker and easier.
I can't wait to get my starter kit. I have semi-perfect logs cut down and ready to go, but today I notice something is burrowing in it. Any advise, video recommendation on how to proceed. Should I sterilize and if so how can I do this outdoors.
Hi Melissa, thanks for commenting. No need to sterilize them. Can you provide a little more detail on what it might be (insect, rodent, etc.)? Shiitake is quite resilient and can usually out-compete most invaders unless it's a complete takeover
What is the best (organic) method of keeping slugs off our Shiitake mushrooms? Is there a ground surface that is better than others? Should the logs be suspended off the ground? On what? Thanks for any help!
salt? i dont know just a suggestion
Here's what we do: ua-cam.com/video/GKK6kfhy588/v-deo.html I would also take a peek at the comments as there are some good suggestions there as well!
Pallets
Does the plug wax need to be beeswax or can you use plain paraffin wax?
You can use plain paraffin, but it is a bit more brittle and might chip off easier.
will the mycelium die if you inoculate before winter and they stay outdoors all year?
new england here, would like to try some outdoor reishi, turkey tail and chicken of woods, just not sure if i can do so before winter
No they go dormant and come back to life when they are warmer and hydrated
If using plug spawn you can inoculate the log and put it outside, but you will want to mulch the log in well with snow in order to prevent anything from freeze-drying. Generally we suggest that the log have at least 4 weeks of temperatures above 40 degrees so that the mycelium can establish itself before going dormant. You can place the logs outside without those four weeks, but the mycelium will not start running, increasing the risk that the pockets of spawn will dry out.
how well would they grow in south florida?
They do well enough, but I would suggest choosing (interestingly enough) a cool weather variety such as Snow Cap as that typically does well in your winters.
This is great video thank you so much
Another trick for setting depth on a drill bit is using an O ring. Cheers.
All I can find for logs is a couple branch pieces of Black Walnut, but I'm pretty sure it was chopped down during summer months, although half dead from a brutal wind storm, it was hanging off the main trunk for months and the leaves were dead or dying on it. . A great size at about 6 inch diameter. It however has been lying in my garden for a couple years in my garden, half buried. No signs of fungal contamination or mycelium. Will that work ? I'd hate to spend my plugs and wait a year to find out otherwise.
I would find something fresh. If it's been a couple of years it's likely already starting to decay from non-visible fungi or is too dry for mycelium to take hold.
I'm in Ontario , Canada and it's pretty wet and humid here. More importantly, it was sheltered in a peat rich space under a raised patio deck. Its certainly not dry. As far as contamination goes, I don't see any mycelium in it . The bark may be lifting off of it though. Oh well. i'm going to try to stretch my wood plugs I bought by doing some agar with what I was sent. If i can get another culture going, I don't have anything to lose by trying this. some nice people on one of the Facebook groups gave me an interesting idea of using liquid culture, squirting some in each hole and then just pounding a new clean plug in after the squirt. I'll maybe give that a try. Thanks for your reply and i will ideally try and find fresh but if I got extra.... why not experiment ?@@FieldandForestProducts
Where can I buy the wax at ..... Thanks
www.fieldforest.net/product/Plug-Wax/wax-and-wax-applicators
Can I use a log that has been cut 6 months or year ago. It was in dormancy.
There is likely some other fungus in the log at this point, especially if it sat through the summer where there is natural high fungal activity. For the amount of work that goes into inoculation I wouldn't risk using it.
@@FieldandForestProducts oh...ok. Thanks!
How did you countersink the pegs?
I can't find logs freshly cut down????
To clarify: Are you asking if you can use logs that you find freshly cut down? Or are you asking where you may possibly find logs that are freshly cut?
is it recommended to wax the log ends?
You can, but it's not necessary. We don't wax our log ends.
How long do the logs typically continue to produce? Also, what type of logs would you recommend for growing Oyster mushrooms in SW Michigan zone 6A?
Logs will continue to produce for 4-6 years, depending on the diameter of the logs. For Oyster mushroom production look for box elder or aspen logs!
@@FieldandForestProducts THank you!
Willow is superb for oysters
@@FieldandForestProductsquick question. Where do get your logs? Do you just cut it down from your yard?
@@ashitaka8633 we source them from a reservation who cuts for forestry management. If you have land you certainly can cut from your yard, but we only recommend cutting trees that need to come down.
If the logs have already been inoculated with wild fungi is there still a chance that pug spawn would fruit on them?
Likely not. Typically if a wild fungi is already established it's going to out-compete whatever you try putting in the log.
Thanks for the video. Can I throw a grill cover over the logs already with mushroom spawn? And mist with water periodically? I live in Texas.
Yes! We've had folks use moving blankets before which to my understanding is similar material.
Do you still have to wax if your plug spawn is going into a closed terrarium? I wouldn't think so but I'd still like to ask
It's not totally necessary, but there is always the risk of it being more prone to drying out. Just watch it and if the plugs don't look like they're refuzzing, increase the humidity of the terrarium!
I have a large oak tree that has seemingly died (almost no leaves last year, none this year) Can I chop it down and inoculate the logs? Or does it need to be alive when felled
The tree does need to be healthy when felled. If the tree has died it's likely that the cell structure of the wood has changed and therefore isn't suitable for mushroom production. We have Oak wilt here which kills off oaks and unfortunately there's not even the silver lining of being able to use the wood for mushrooms.
Where can I get some plug wax?
Right here: www.fieldforest.net/product/Plug-Wax/wax-and-wax-applicators
What type of log/wood is best?
The chart here will help you match mushrooms to proper tree species: www.fieldforest.net/product/463/instruction-sheets
Is the waxing essential?
Yes, otherwise the mycelium will dry out and die off.
Do the logs need to be sterilized before inoculation?
In this case no they do not!
Where to get shiitake spawn?
www.fieldforest.net
Would love to know what state he's in - looks like Pacific Northwest?
If only! We're in Northeastern Wisconsin.
I’m in the north east ozarks . I just got a 100 plugs of these . I know it’s the worst time to cut logs so maybe hit some stumps in my woods what ya think ? Rad vid !
I think you would have better luck cutting an oak limb. The problem with stump cultivation is that you have to use so many plugs to get good results. At least with cutting a limb you'll get a year or two of production. Otherwise pop the spawn in the refrigerator and cut a log later in summer.
How do we save forests if we keep needing logs?
We only advise using logs from trees that need to be thinned for healthy forest management. Many trees need to be removed as they are not robust and will only stunt new growth in the forest.
@@FieldandForestProducts Thank you for this question. Very good answer!
Hi there,
May I check with u the name of that handheld device which u use to transfer the spawn from bag to log ? Many thanks
It is an inoculation tool- you can find them here: www.fieldforest.net/product/Thumb-Style-Brass-Inoculator/inoculators
@@FieldandForestProducts thank you
Can you grow mushrooms in growing oak trees?
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your question!
Unfortunately it is much harder than it sounds and, in our experience, it doesn't work. Trees have antifungal properties that fight off invaders, therefore it would be difficult to colonize a living tree. Even for nature, a lot has to happen at the right time for fungi to establish in a scarred or wounded tree, so it is best to inoculate cut trees! :)
Lowell Dietz says in the documentory "mushrooms of the pacific NW" that it is near impossible to grow shitake on logs. Whats the secret ? Is keeping the 40% moisture level inside the logs during innoculation a challange? What else is difficult? On the Pacific Penninsula the climate should be on your side as far as Temp & Humidity
Interesting. Growing shiitake on logs is very much possible- the most critical thing is to have freshly cut logs from the proper wood type.
@@FieldandForestProducts yeah, colonization is the difficult part, fruiting is supposed to be easier. I have thought of also injecting the logs with liquid mycelium in addition to the sawdust spawn. It would add a little moisture and a food source for the mycelium.
@@Beinhartwie1chopper If you keep logs in a protected location (out of the sun and wind) you shouldn't have to worry about colonization. I would recommend against inoculating with two different types of spawn as they will likely compete against each other.
@@FieldandForestProducts thank you for the advice! I have run 700 beehives but mycology is a relativ new thing. I will reread Radical MYCOLO, growing g. and m. Mushroom, and trad cotters organic m farming. Always greatful for any input.
does the log type matter???
Yes! This is a good chart that covers what type of tree can be used with what mushroom: www.fieldforest.net/category/growing-mushrooms-on-logs
@@FieldandForestProducts thank you, sir
Would they grow on a hard wood fence?
That would be cool! But no, they will only grow on freshly cut wood from a healthy tree.
Stupid question alert! do they just grow from where the plugs are put in or can they fruit from any part of the log?sorry Im sure its any ?
Not a stupid question! Believe it or not we get that one a lot! They can fruit from anywhere on the log- you will likely see them first where the bark is the thinnest and easiest for the mushrooms to push through.
@@FieldandForestProducts many thanks much appreciated
Is that okay when i don’t use the wax ?
We always recommend using wax. It's not as critical with indoor incubation as you're managing the environment, but still recommended.
Can you stack logs together that are inoculated with different mushroom types?
You can. Best practice is to stack them separate, but it's very unlikely that one variety will jump from one log to the other.
Does bee wax work ?
Yes! We just recommend that it's pretty well clarified so that excess sugars don't attract any critters.
How long do they produce mushrooms?
It depends on the diameter of the log. Usually logs last about 5-6 years, but can last up to 10 years!
Silly question but I'm assuming you can eat these then right?
Yes
Can I put different species of mushrooms on the same log?
Only use one species of mushroom per log otherwise they'll compete against each other!
Good video
What happens if you innoculate a living tree
All living trees have an anti-fungal response, so likely the mycelium won't be able to expand out from the inoculation point and will die off.
@@FieldandForestProducts thank you.
I LOVE fungus, I make minimum wage and I grow lbs of mushrooms in a basement and I want with all my heart to have a career with mushrooms and learn more. I appreciate the business side of it AND the life science. People have no idea the untapped market of mushrooms, I feel.
I never miss work and I hate my job, if someone gives me any chance what so ever, I would not fail them.
Any advice?
...hire me. Please!
I'm going to try turkey tail inoculation into a live tree
You certainly can try, but keep in mind that all trees have an anti-fungal response that will fight off mycelium. Generally living trees are trying to not rot. :)
It takes so long......guess I'll start now lol.
Paraffin wax can be used..!!!
Stop collar - probably about a fiver, tape - pound for a role
zombie spores dont eat
excellent info, ThankS!
Can you grow them in dirt?
Compost would be a suitable substrate for something like portobella, but not for shiitake.