North Spore Organic Shiitake (500 ct) Mushroom Plugs for Logs | Premium Quality Mushroom Plug Spawn | Handmade in Maine, USA | Grow Gourmet

Shiitake ( Lentinula edodes ) is a very nutritious and medicinal mushroom that produces edible umbrella-shaped brown caps. It is traditionally used in East Asian cuisine but can also be used in many different styles of cooking. Shiitake is an ideal mushroom for all skill levels. It colonizes quickly and is the most reliable producer of any species. Its also great for commercial cultivation. Plug spawn is best used for smaller projects of 1 to 10 logs, though some log cultivators will use it for larger projects. Plug spawn is available in 100, 500, and 1,000-count bags. Inoculation Growing shiitake mushrooms works best with the log method. It will take at least 12 months of colonization before mushroom production, and shiitake tends to fruit throughout the summer to fall growing seasons and after rainfalls. Preferred wood species are oak, maple, or beech. Cultivation To grow shiitake mushrooms at home, you must have an oak-tree log using the log method. An oak tree is the ideal wood log for shiitake mushroom plugs. However, you may use maple, birch, poplar, or aspen as alternatives. These logs can also accommodate the growth of shiitake mushrooms. How to grow is more challenging than finding the perfect log. Growing mushrooms—whether its shiitake or any other type—using the log method requires dedication and patience. If you use plugs, you must drill two-inch-deep holes on the log. Then, you insert the plug spawn in the holes. Plug spawn is a piece of hardwood inoculated with spawn. After inoculating the plugs, keep the wood hydrated, and dont put it in windy areas. More importantly, dont stack spawn logs like you would firewood. The spawn needs air, space, and sunlight to grow. Cooking This mushroom has a meaty texture when cooked and is good for drying and reconstituting in winter soups. It pairs beautifully with tamari, ginger, and garlic and can bring needed umami flavor to various dishes. shitake, shetake, Lentinula edodes, L.

• 100% MADE IN USA: In-house mushroom spawn production. Made in Maine from the highest quality cultures by expert Mycologists.
• SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS are nutritious and delicious- a perfect meat substitute. Great for drying and reconstituting in soups.
• SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS boost immune system function.