shitake grain spawn
I bought some shitake plugs 3 weeks ago, and have just got round to putting them in the small ok tree I cut about 4 weeks ago (I didn't cut it into logs and didn't cut the side branches off till this weekend to reduce access by other fungi.) After putting in the plugs there's still some room at the end of the log I cut and I'm thinking of getting some shitake grain spawn to add to it. Does grain spawn work in logs? How would I insert it? Where would I get an applicator if I need one? I would also like to grow the rest of the spawn in a tub, on lime pasteurised wood chips (on maybe just straight out of the bag for bought pellets). Would it also be possible on the twigs of the oak tree shredded in a garden shredder?
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Official comment
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your questions! Grain spawn isn’t ideal for log inoculation since it’s more prone to contamination, but it can be used if packed tightly into drilled holes and sealed with wax. For this, you'd typically use a plunger-style inoculation tool, which you can find online by searching for a “sawdust spawn inoculator.”
As for the extra grain spawn, rather than a bed, we'd recommend making fruiting blocks, especially since Shiitake mushrooms like to fruit from multiple angles, so using a fruiting block that is capable of producing mushrooms around all of the faces is typically more productive. We have a handy guide on growing Shiitake mushrooms here: https://urban-farm-it.com/blogs/mushroom-cultivation/how-to-grow-shiitake-mushrooms
Shredded oak twigs could work as a substrate, but they will break down quickly, so they’re better for small indoor grows or experiments.
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