Mushroom log

How to make shiittake and oyster mushroom logs - Symbiop class 1.26.25

These are my notes from the workshop. They are not comprehensive, they are not expert. Probably in some parts they'll only make sense to me.

If you're interested in learning to make mushroom logs in PDX, check out Symbiop.

What is a fungi, how do you choose species and wood?

* Mushrooms- category within fungi

* Hyphae- cellular tube that makes up the mycellium

Red alder- the food for shiitake and oyster

* Fungus grows into the material like little threads

* Exudes enzymes, hyphae slurp up what they want to eat

* We mainly eat species that eat fresh wood

* Different mushroom varieties take over at different moments in decomposition

* Shiitake and Oyster start, others come over afterwards

* Alder is good for: shiitake, oyster, lion's mane

* Shiitake LOVES frest oast best, will also enjoy maple

Conifers resist fungi

* Cedars, pine, etc.

* Hardwoods are often fungal favorites

Sourcing wood

What is fresh?

* Variables- temerature and wood

* Alter- 1-2 weeks after being cut

* Oak- at least 2-3 weeks

* Ideal time to harvest wood- late fall, early spring. Winter is great.

* Sawdust- pasturize to kill off other fungi

• The wood should feel heavy because there is moisture inside

Smaller logs are often better.

* Minimum size logs: 3-4" maximum 6-8"

* Fungi really likes sap layer (1st inch), not the heartwood

* The fungi has to get through the whole log, so the larger the middle, the later it will be able to fill the whole thing up with mycellium

* The longer it takes to fill up, the longer it will take to fruit, and other fungi could be competing

* These two species are very aggressive, will likely outcompete everthing

How to make the holes

* We used an angle gringer with an auger bit

* North spore sells the auger and good spawn

* You can also use a hand drill, but it takes longer.

* Not a big deal for just a log or two

Bit type- should match the spawn plugs

* Plugs- can knock in with a mallet (like a dowel)

* Plugs are a good option if you don't have the tool to pull the spawn into a tube and shoot it in the wood.

Drill 3-4 (up to 6) inches apart in a diamond shape

* If you make them closer together and make more holes, you're removing more food for the fungi

Sealing- beeswax

* This helps the spawn not dry out, seals the plug hole

* Also seal the end of the log

* They had cool rount ended applicators, but paint brush is fine

* You could use soy wax or cheap beeswax

* Protect your set up, put a drop cloth down and maybe use a hot plate, not the stove, to heat wax

Care- where would you find these in the forest?

* Low sun, low wind

* Very cold hearty if protected from the wind

* They need rain, make sure to get them rain exposed

* If you lift them and they feel heavy, they're moist enough

* If they dry, soak them in unchlorinated water for 1-6 hours

* Spray and cover with a shade cloth if it's super hot

Maximize where mushrooms can fruit

* Not in contact with the soil, not on rotting wood

* Rock brick, construction wood good for platform

* Put them upright at an angle so all sides can frut

Fall & Spring- fruiting time!

* Ideal for spores

* Look for white dots, that's right before they'll fruit

* Harvest when gills are visible, but not when they're full length

* They'll be a little past good eating then

* Look at them 1-2 times a day

* Can fruit 2-4 times a year

* If you soak the log in midsummer, could help force an extra fruiting but will use up mushroom's food faster

ALWAYS ID BEFORE EATING

* Oyster and Shiitake are super agressive, will likely outcompete everything else

* Eventually (3-5 years) they'll start exhausting their food in the log, something like turkeytail will take over

Thoughts from making the logs

* You need something to hold the log in place while you're drilling.

* I think for home use, a hand saw would be fine, but I can see how the vibration would be very annoying/painful if you were making a ton in a row every day.

* The tool to make your own plugs to put in reminded me of the soil block tool I have. Scoop and thunk it in.

* I think there's probably an art to getting the right amount/density of spore material in each hole.

* Working with the wax was fun, it dries and cools really quickly. I think my eventual goal of making my own chapstick will be fun.