I’ve decided to attempt to grow shiitake mushrooms on logs. If they take, and it’s a big if for a newbie like me, I should get two flushes a year for five or six years.
Initially, hardwood logs must be cut from healthy trees and cured for a period between two and six weeks. The logs also require a good soaking in untreated water for twenty four hours.
Next, inoculation holes are drilled every fifteen centimetres down the length of the log, with a second row being added between holes and finally a third, forming triangular shapes. If the log is bigger you can add a forth row of holes.
The holes need to be slightly longer than the dowels to allow the mycelium to colonise the log.
Next, the mycelium coated dowels are hammered into the holes which are then sealed with wax, along with the ends of the logs to prevent any other spores colonising the logs.
The logs now needed to be placed in a warm, sheltered spot away from direct sunlight and wind. They also had to be off the ground, so I’ve put them behind the raised beds on bricks, under the beech trees in the back garden. I have to water them occasionally to prevent the logs drying out, but apart from that it’s just a waiting game now.
If all goes to plan the mushrooms should provide the first harvest in six to twelve months. How very exciting!
Sadly, the air plants that lived in these circular frames completely dried out and died over winter, despite being regularly misted, so I’ve gone for a variety of cactus and succulents this time around.
Hopefully these will be a lot happier. I do loathe seeing plants die.
And Finally…
just look at this spider that I stumbled upon in the kitchen sink. I’m not usually perturbed by insects but this guy had me shuddering. It had a body that resembled a small olive and bright red legs and head with huge pinchers. It turns out to be a woodlouse spider, whose large jaws with long fangs are perfectly suited to inject venom underneath the heavy armour of the woodlice they hunt. Apparently they will bite if handled!
This is a first for me, as I’ve never seen or heard of one before. I do hope there aren’t any more creeping around the house.
Until next time, stay safe guys.xxx
So impressed with your shiitake mushrooms on the log, didn’t know you could do that. Fingers crossed!
Amalia
xo
WE tried growing mushrooms on a log with no success which is hardly surprising as we didn’t have any instruction as you did, I’ve never some across that type of spider wither.
Oh, I will be following your shiitake log to see how it does. I used the exact same process a few years ago with 6 logs and three different mushroom types, including shiitake. I followed the instructions with great precision and enthusiasm and high expectations. Eventually, I could see some spreading mycelium and checked them every day for some mushroom emergence. Sadly, the only thing that emerged was our local turkey tails. I have no idea what I did wrong, but I wish you better luck.
I am very intrigued by your shiitake mushroom growing adventure, I do hope you share with us how it goes over the coming months.
That spider looks very scary, although I don’t mind spiders and will happily pick them up I don’t think I will go near one that looks like that especially if there is a chance they could bite!
Phew, I don’t feel so bad at somehow killing off my airplanes now, lol. Mind you I can kill fake plants soo…..lol. Sorry but spidey spider would have me shreaking! *shudder*.
The Easter bunny will have so many places to hide surprises, lol.
That spider is pretty ghastly-looking. I’ve learned to appreciate the creatures, and even enjoy some, like the jumping spiders, but I’d prefer never to encounter that one.
I know a couple of people who’ve grown Shitakes in just the way you’ve outlined. One stopped blogging, so I don’t know how his turned out, but the other fellow got quite a good crop. I don’t remember how long it took, but at least his are proof that it’s possible. I hope yours do well!
A Shitake mushroom enterprise, good luck with it. The spider isn’t a creature I would like to meet I certainly wouldn’t perform my usual trick of enticing it onto my finger or hand then out to the windowsill.
I find air plants are finicky. Mine, some years ago,, gave up on me.
Xxxxxx
It’ll be interesting to see how you fare with the mushrooms. Shame about the air plants, and fingers crossed for their replacements.
That’s one heck of a spider, which I’ve not come across before.
Thanks, and you too. xx
Well good luck with the mushroom growing, I do not know much about the growing part, so I’ll be interested to follow your progress.
Yes the woodlouse spider does look a bit creepy and just as you said, it looks as if it has an olive for a body. However, we can’t talk in Australia, we have got a few spiders that don’t look too bad…but they are! (…if threatened)
Happy spring gardening !
Enjoy your spring, could be interesting for you.
I loved this post! How wonderful to follow your shiitake adventure! Now, for patience.
The spider: torn, because I am deathly frightened by spiders indoors, but love them for all the good they do in the world. I still need Phillip’s help to get them outside, which embarrasses me, but at least they’re safe. Outside, I love examining them in their webs and etc.
This woodlouse spider would have freaked my freak. No thanks to a bite. If my dear one’s not near, I try to use a glass and cardboard “cover” to get them outside. And then, must self-administer a large dose of chocolate to recover. 💕
Joy to all. Xoxo
Hi Dina….this interested me because I lived not too far from Kennett Square Pennsylvania for a lot of years…Kennett Square being the Mushroom Capital of the World! Google Kennett Square mushrooms and read all about it….it’s an interesting story and it might give you some tips,
As for the spider…..hmmmmm don’t think I would want to wake up to one of them on my pillow:). Apparently they like the damp…..
We had good temps today…and more forecast…all we need now is more sun.
Happy gardening…sending love. XXXX
Good luck with the mushrooms, it will be wonderful when you harvest your first crop! sorry your air plants din’t make it, I think your cacti will be happier there. No, I could do without that spider, not nice to look at at all!x
Oooh to the mushrooms but yuck to the spider! I can’t wait to see if your shrooms grow and I understand your disappointment over your air plants. I’ve a couple of houseplants that are looking distinctly seedy after the winter. I’ve cut a couple of them right back in the hope that they will regrow when it warms up a bit; fingers crossed. xx
My goodness, I think all creatures make their way to you, you seem to be a magnet for them, haha. Never seen a spider like that before and I don’t want to either, urgh! How exciting to be growing mushrooms, I do hope they take. There’s always something new to try in gardening.
I do hope you have success growing the shiitake mushrooms 🙂
I don’t think I’ve come across a spider like that!!! (Thank goodness).
Have a good week
All the best Jan