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Best Logs For Mushroom Plugs of 2024

Philip Jackson
  Apr 26, 2024 4:12 AM

We spent several hours searching the internet for best logs for mushroom plugs, reading reviews, and drawing on our own personal experiences to compile our list of the top 13 best logs for mushroom plugs now available on the market.


Overview

Growing wood-loving species including oyster, shiitake, and enoki, as well as tawaka and more, on logs and tree stumps is the most straightforward method of mushroom cultivation. Patience is required as well. Within 2 weeks to 2 months of inoculation, a straw bag or sawdust block may yield its first mushroom spore crop. The first flush of mushrooms from a mushroom log takes at least six months, but it's more normal for it to take one to two years.

As a low-maintenance option that can be left outside all year, log culture can yield strong crops of mushrooms for several years after it begins fruiting. Additionally, they don't necessitate any specialized tools. Just the logs, a drill, and some wax to seal the holes when the dowels have been inserted.


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Reviews

Log Selection

Trees in good health must be felled to obtain logs. There was absolutely no rot! The sooner you plug your logs, the better. You have up to two months from the date of the tree's death to do so. You should chop the trees in winter and spring, when they are entirely slumbering. Even during the winter months, you can get vaccinated. Oak species can be cut in the summer, but it's not recommended. Maintain the bark in its natural state as much as possible. Stack the logs on a box or scrap wood to keep them clean and off the ground.

Wood types

Declining hardwoods are the best option for a project like this. Oak, beech, willow, birch, elm, and poplar are among the most commonly used species. In New Zealand, growers have also had success with species like sycamore and gum that are more often accessible or pests. Just enter in the sort of mushroom you want to grow and see if the species of tree you're looking at is a good fit for it on Google. Turkey tail and enoki are less particular than most other species when it comes to growing conditions; they'll grow on just about anything!

Quality of logs

Clear, healthy wood with unbroken bark is preferable over slightly rotting wood. You have a far reduced likelihood of success if you use rotted wood that has discolored or soft spots. Because it is just on the surface, and not eaten by mushrooms, the lichen or moss that grows on the outside of otherwise healthy logs is completely harmless.

Logs for mushroom cultivation are traditionally harvested in the winter or early spring, when the tree is dormant and has no leaves. Mushroom harvests may be slightly increased by cutting logs during their dormancy, when the wood is more moist. Logs cut at other seasons of the year work just as well, but may require soaking for a few extra hours if they are summer cut wood with less moisture stored.

Size of logs

The size of the logs you're gathering is also a crucial factor to keep in mind. In order to generate mushrooms, mycelium colonizes larger logs more slowly, and it takes them longer to mature. However, they will continue to grow crops for a long period of time if the environment is favorable. Colonization and mushroom production are faster on smaller logs; however, once the mushroom organism'spent' all of the nutrients in the wood, the log quickly decomposes into nothingness. When a log is exhausted, it will be brittle and fragile, and will soon decompose into soil.

Logs with diameters of 10 to 25cm and lengths of 80 to 150cm are good for mushroom cultivation. The length of the log is a significant aspect when it comes to your ability to lift and move it. To avoid straining your back while attempting to move large, heavy logs, the shorter end of the scale may be used to chop wider logs.

Tree stumps

The same methods can be used to inoculate tree stumps. Also, insert dowels into the stump's upper portion. Tree stumps can be an excellent source of mushrooms because of the enormous root mass that lies beneath the surface. Additionally, it speeds up the process of getting rid of the stump.

FAQS

What Types Of Logs Can You Inoculate?

Shiitake and oyster mushrooms can be grown on most hardwoods. For this reason, you can select your logs based on the type of hardwood that grows on your property or in your neighborhood.

Oak, sugar maple, and red maple are all favorites of shiitake mushrooms.

White birch is the ideal place to produce Oyster mushrooms, according to my experience.

You can use any of the following woods: alder (birch), oak (maple), beech (poplar), balsam elm (aspen), or willow (birch).

How Long Do Mushrooms Take To Grow On Logs?

After the logs have been inoculated, most mushrooms will begin producing their first harvest within a year or two after that time.

When mushrooms begin to produce, you should be able to harvest from the same log for six or seven years.

How Long Does Inoculation Take?

About 100 plugs can be inserted by a single individual every hour. It's not just drilling; it's also placing the plugs and applying wax to seal them. It is ideal to perform all of your activities at once, such as drilling, inserting, and sealing all at once.

The best option is to form a group of three persons who will take on one of these responsibilities each. Inoculating logs with 400 plugs every hour requires a team of three workers.

How Long Will Mushrooms Stay Fresh Off The Log?

Refrigerated fresh mushrooms have a shelf life of only a few days or a week at most.

If you've collected more mushrooms than you can consume in a week, drying them out in a food dehydrator or oven is the best option.

Conclusion

We hope you found this post helpful in your search for the best wood for mushroom plugs.

Have a great time in the garden!

 


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