Frequently Asked Questions
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About Growing Mushrooms?
We want to set you up for success with both the highest quality logs and invaluable step-by-step instructions.
Polar White Oyster
Night Velvet Shiitake
PoHu Oyster
What are the growing requirements for mushroom logs?
Mushrooms thrive in shade. We have ours in dappled shade in our forest. They do not like to dry out and require about an inch of rain each week or so. You can use a sprinkler to water them if they don’t get sufficient rainfall. They need to be kept out of the wind so that they do not dry out quickly.
What will I do with my logs when I take them home?
Your logs will be in the colonization phase for several months and will need to lay flat on the ground. Oysters like to make direct contact with the earth, and shiitakes need to be elevated several inches. A brick, big rock, or piece of wood will do just fine. We use pallets since we have a lot of logs to stack.
When will my logs start to produce mushrooms?
It can take 4 months to over a year for logs to fully colonize. After inoculating in the fall, we typically see our first mushrooms in spring once the weather warms. Each strain takes a different amount of time to fully colonize and flushes under different weather conditions. Be patient!
When do I stand up my mushroom logs into their permanent rack?
We carefully watch our logs after they have had about 4 months of colonization. That is when you will see your first pin (or baby mushroom). Once the log has pinned, it should be placed upright so that you can harvest it from all angles.
Do I need to water during the inoculation stage?
Yes, your logs still need an inch of rain as soon as you get them home.
How long can I expect my logs to produce?
With proper care your oyster logs should produce 2-3 years. Your shiitake logs should produce for 4+ years. Lots of factors play into how long your logs produce, like if they are allowed to dry out, how many flushes they have had a, and how large each flush is.
How many pounds will I get from a flush?
We typically get half a pound all the way up to 2 pounds each flush per log. Each flush will be different since moisture content and temperatures naturally fluctuates which greatly affects yield.
How often will each log flush per year?
The first couple years of a log’s life will be the most productive. We typically expect 3-4 flushes throughout the year from each log with proper care and conditions. Some logs have far outproduced this number, so watch your logs carefully to avoid missing any harvests.
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