Cultivation of home grown shiitake
Guide for cultivation of home grown shiitake on a cultivation log:
 The plastic covering the log is removed. The log is placed vertically in an empty vase or something of the kind. The vase shall not be very light in order to maintain vertical position with the log. The vase may or may not be see-through. -
 The vase, with the culture log in it, is covered with a see-through plastic bag whereby vase is turned into a small scale “greenhouse”. Such greenhouse maintains the humidity ideal for the shiitake log. Small holes shall be cut at the corners of the plastic bag. This way proper ventilation of the “greenhouse” is arranged.
A vase can be replaced with a commercially available miniature “greenhouse” or an old empty aquarium etc. Requirement for the vase is that it allows sunlight to go through and it keeps the humidity at adequately high level for the log. Ideal temperature for the log is from +18 to +22 degrees i.e. normal room temperature. Placing of the vase in direct sunshine shall be avoided, because failing to do so results in too high temperature for the log – temperatures in excess of 30 C degrees destroy the mycocelial mat.
 After couple of days, small mushrooms begin to emerge in the log. You should not put water at the bottom of the vase. Spraying water occasionally at the surface of the log is recommended if the surface seems to dry out. After a week or so mushrooms are ready to be picked up. At that time the pileus has slightly opened and gills are clearly shown while the top of the cap is still slightly curled downwards. By picking, stipe is cut as close to the ground as possible. Fully opened mushrooms are also delicious, but mushrooms preserve longer (up to two weeks from picking them up) in a fridge if picked up a bit earlier.
Mushrooms should be preserved in a bowl placed in a fridge with the bowl covered by a kitchen paper - plastic shall not be used. Shiitakes can also be frozen and they don’t need be blanched, while slicing them as ready to be used is recommended. After picking the log clear of mushrooms, “drill” small hole at the both ends of the log using a knife or akin. Idea of the holes is that the water can get into the log when the log is sunk in a water bucket. Some weight should be put on top of the log because the log would float on the water without it.
Keep the log under the water until it has gained weight and surface of it has softened a bit. A few hours under water is adequate in between the first and second crops. For any later crops, over night under the water is minimum time. Dry logs are not very generous in crops.- Properly moistured log is placed under a plastic bag the same way as before the first crops. In fact, up to four crops can be expected from a shiitake log. After the log has become non-usable it can be thrown in compost or burned in a fireplace after drying out. The log consists of birch sawdust with small amounts of eco corn added, which makes it eco product fully liable to rot in compost.
Notice!
if the shitake mushroom's spores spread indoors it might cause an
allergic reaction to sensitive persons.
Guiding available also by telephone: +358 273 455 70 |
