You might say that an unexpected windfall from Hurricane Helene is the ready availability of uprooted oak trees. Oak logs are the ideal growing environment for shitake (Lentinula edodes) and oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms. A fresh woodchip pile is an ideal media to inoculate wine cap (Stropharia rugoso-annulata) mushroom spawn. Both are in ready supply following a “windfall” event! In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of mushroom inoculums into various media that you might find readily available and wish to grow. Examples to grow include the Almond agaricus (Agaricus subrufescens), blue oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), chestnut (Pholiota adiposa), king trumpet (Pleurotus eryngii), shitake (Lentinula edodes) and wine cap (Stropharia rugoso-annulata).
In a previous blog on Helene, the number of felled oaks represented 48% of the survey. White pine represented 20%, the rest was a mix of different species including black walnut and tulip. Not all species are amenable for growing mushrooms, but species such as tulip poplar are acceptable hosts for oyster mushroom inoculum.
Oaks are ideal nurse trees to grow shitake! Species to avoid for shitake inoculation include black walnut, cherry, poplar, and coniferous species, including white pine. Inoculation into logs is easy as drill, plug and wax! Drill into the log every 4 to 6 inches, tap in an inoculated dowel and seal with wax. Incubation is anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending upon conditions. Stack logs off the ground in a shady location. Water the logs during extended dry periods.
Select oak, beech and maple to grow oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms. Other good options are birch, sweet gum and tulip poplar. The method of inoculation is the same as for Shitake.
Growing in an “Artificial” Log
An alternative method to grow oyster is to use sawdust as a media. We get sawdust from a local sawmill. Pre-treat the sawdust with wood ash soaked in water. Drill 7/8” holes into the bottom and sides of a 5-gallon white plastic bucket. Layer the sawdust 4” at a time and break up the spawn and spread out on the sawdust. Continue to layer sawdust and spawn until the bucket is full. One sawdust block can inoculate several buckets with inoculum. The buckets can be stacked to save room. An ideal place to grow your inoculated “log’ is in a cool cellar.
When the Chip are Down, Inoculate!
To grow wine caps, prepare a bed layering a mix of wood chips or straw with spawn (a grain-based media inoculated with mycelium). Select a shaded location and irrigate in dry conditions. Alternatively, inoculate a woodchip pile with spawn, and allow it time to grown into the chips, at least two weeks. Spread the inoculated woodchips on the garden paths (6 to 8” thick) to grown your mushrooms. The advantage of the woodchip pile, is that it is just about the right environment for mushroom growing. Piles that are at least 4’ high tend to stay moist and generate heat. Which encourage mycelium to develop in the off season.
To inoculate wine cap mushrooms into a woodchip pile, I used a tiller mattock (a hand-held garden grub) to dig into the pile. Next break off a bit of sawdust spawn, and replace the woodchips. Work around the pile, every 12” or so, to completely inoculate the pile.
Purchasing Mycelium
Mushroom spawn may be purchased on sawdust or grain spawn or, for shitake and oyster on inoculated wooden dowels.
Shitake and Oyster kits may be purchased online that include spawn, wax, a wax applicator and a drill bit. All you’ll need is a log, drill and mallet to set the plugs. The wax will need to be heated to apply. Alternatively, purchase a plug wax made of cheese wax and mineral oil, which is easily spread with a finger, and does not require heating. The wax keeps the inoculum from drying out and excludes competing organisms as well.
You don’t need a hurricane or catastrophic event for a windfall of trees. Mushroom blocks (sawdust or grain spawn) may be purchased to easily grow indoors. However, if you do come by some newly felled oak tree, consider giving it a new life as a nurse log for cultivating a favorite mushroom!
Next time, we’ll have a month-long series where I get into a topic very close to my heart – my own vineyard.
~ Signing off for now, Joe