Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at Home

II. How to Grow Shiitake Mushrooms: STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Inoculate your shiitake logs in the warm months, ideally spring. ...
Order Your Shiitake Mushroom Plugs. ...
Cut hardwood tree sections or source just-cut hardwood logs. ...
Drill Holes In Your Shiitake Mushroom Logs. ...
Insert Your Shiitake Mushroom Plugs Into Logs.

How hard is it to grow shiitake mushrooms?
Do shiitake mushrooms need light to grow?
What kind of logs do shiitake mushrooms grow on?
Can you grow shiitake mushrooms from stems?
Why are shiitake mushrooms so expensive?
How long do shiitake mushrooms take to cook?
What happens if you eat raw shiitake mushrooms?
Do mushrooms grow better in the dark?
What is the best substrate for shiitake mushrooms?
Are shiitake mushrooms dangerous?
Where do you put shiitake mushroom logs?
How do you know if shiitake mushrooms are bad?

How hard is it to grow shiitake mushrooms?

However, shiitake mushroom growing for the home gardener or hobbyist isn't very difficult and can be very rewarding. Shiitakes are wood-decay fungus, meaning they grow on logs. Growing shiitake mushrooms takes place either on logs or in bags of nutrient enriched sawdust or other organic material, called bag culture.

Do shiitake mushrooms need light to grow?

Mushrooms cannot extract nutrients from the sun as green plants do, so they do not need light. ... A basement provides ideal conditions for growing common and other button mushrooms, and logs used to grow shiitake mushrooms should be kept out of direct sunlight.

What kind of logs do shiitake mushrooms grow on?

Oak logs, especially those in the white oak group, are preferred species. They decompose slowly, providing several years of food for the shiitakes–thus offering a longer harvest period.

Can you grow shiitake mushrooms from stems?

The best size for growing mushrooms from store bought stems is ¼ inch (6 mm.). You can use a cardboard box, paper bags, or even a plastic bin to layer your medium. Place some of the straw or other moist material at the bottom and add mushroom end pieces. Do another layer until the container is full.

Why are shiitake mushrooms so expensive?

Shiitake demand is far greater than Shiitake supply, so the prices tend to be much higher than the prices of mushrooms like buttons (aka crimini, portabello, etc). Shiitakes require wood for growth.

How long do shiitake mushrooms take to cook?

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, tossing occasionally, until tender and golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons water to skillet and cook, tossing mushrooms occasionally, until water is evaporated and mushrooms are tender, about 2 minutes longer.

What happens if you eat raw shiitake mushrooms?

Shiitakes are actually just fine to eat raw, no preparation needed. Some other species contain enzymes or other compounds that may cause stomach upset or occasionally much more severe symptoms, but which are rendered harmless by cooking.

Do mushrooms grow better in the dark?

An interesting fact is that mushrooms cannot extract nutrients from the sun as green plants do, so they do not need light. ... However the advantage of growing mushrooms in the dark is that darkness preserves the moisture that mushrooms spores need to reproduce.

What is the best substrate for shiitake mushrooms?

Substrate Types: Shiitake grows on hardwood. Hardwood sawdust blocks work best. Low levels of supplementation with oat bran or wheat bran improves fruiting, but some say too much supplementation can cause odd looking fruits and lower yields. Some strains have also been developed which will grow on straw.

Are shiitake mushrooms dangerous?

When taken by mouth: Shiitake mushroom is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE in medicinal amounts, or when the uncooked mushroom is eaten. It can cause stomach discomfort, blood abnormalities, and skin swelling (inflammation).

Where do you put shiitake mushroom logs?

Stand the log on its end and place it directly on the ground or in a tub of moist soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet to allow the log to draw up some moisture into its centre for the shiitake to feed off of.

How do you know if shiitake mushrooms are bad?

Feel for wrinkles on the outside of the mushroom. Once these have appeared, and the top and stem shrivel, the shitake should not be used. Look on the top of the mushroom for brown or dark spots. These dark patches indicate the mushroom has begun to go bad, and should not be consumed.