We had the good fortune to attend a presentation on "The Art of Cultivating Mushrooms on Logs" at the Wild Rivers Mushroom Festival on November 3, 2019. Levon Durr, owner of Fungaia Farm, a family run farm in the foothills of Humboldt County, instructed and offered insight into the mystery of log farming.
Captivating his audience with not only his knowledge but also his ability to share that knowledge, Levon offered both instruction and demonstration. Attendees walked away with a fully inoculated alder log and the directions on how to care for it over the upcoming months.
We've decided to share these instructions with you, dear reader, and encourage you to purchase your plug spawn and other supplies directly from Fungaia Farm. Check out their workshops, videos and activities in mycoremediation. You are sure to find them helpful and encouraging. We did!
- Harvest logs (4-8 inch diameter 3-4 foot long) preferably in fall, winter, or spring before tree buds break. Avoid additional damage to bark while cutting.
- Allow logs to rest for 1-2 weeks prior to inoculating. Raise logs on pallets or other wood during the resting period to prevent rot, especially if using alder.
- When the logs are ready, drill inoculation holes with a 5/16 inch drill bit to a depth of 1 1/4 inches. You can purchase a depth setter for your drill bit to make this process easier and more consistent.
- Drill approximately fifty holes per log. Holes should be drilled 2-3 inches apart. Stagger rows 3 inches apart so that the holes form a diamond pattern. Use a closer spacing for Lion's Mane.
- Remove plugs from refrigerator 24 hours before use. Hammer plug spawn into each hole with a rubber mallet.
- Melt bees wax or soy wax in a crock pot or double boiler. Use a small paintbrush to apply the wax. Seal over plugs with a layer of wax to prevent plugs from drying out during the incubation period.
- Seal the end of the logs with wax and any areas where the bark has been damaged. The end of the logs can also be dipped in melted wax if container is large enough.
- Place the inoculated logs outdoors in a moist, shady place, sheltered from wind. Stack logs off the ground in a crisscross pattern or lean vertically. Keep 2-3 inches of space between logs to allow for air flow. To encourage mycelial colonization, logs must be kept moist with sprinklers or rain. Logs should be watered 1-2 times a week for 5-10 minutes during the dry season. In drier regions, logs can be covered with shade cloth or burlap to help retain moisture.
- Full colonization of the logs will take between 6 months and 2 years depending on species, log size, and wood type before fruiting can be induced.
- After the incubation period, logs can be soaked to force fruiting.
- Immerse log in chlorine-free cold water for 12 hours or until logs are fully saturated.
- Stack logs off the ground in a shady area.
- If outdoor humidity levels are low, plastic sheeting can be used as a tent to increase humidity during fruiting. Avoid logs having contact with the plastic.
- When logs are done fruiting, allow them to rest 8-10 weeks before forcing to fruit again.
- Harvest alder in winter, being careful not to disturb the bark.
- Soak in cool water to force fruiting, weighing down the logs for 12-48 hours.
- Make sure the cut ends of the log are white and fully colonized before soaking in order to force fruiting.
- Don't have logs in too much contact with the ground.
- The Shiitake Growers Handbook: The Art and Science of Mushroom Cultivation by Paul Przybylowicz and John Donoghue is an excellent resource.
- Use a wire brush to clean the logs for cosmetic purposes.
- Alder fruits faster, as do smaller diameter logs.
- Logs last 4-6 years.