GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
Lentinula edodes
-may be indigenous to Australia
-the word Shiitake literally means Oak-Mushroom
History of shiitake cultivation
The cultivation of shiitake mushrooms on oak logs has been practiced for centuries in China, Japan and Korea for hundreds of years.
-may be indigenous to Australia
-the word Shiitake literally means Oak-Mushroom
History of shiitake cultivation
The cultivation of shiitake mushrooms on oak logs has been practiced for centuries in China, Japan and Korea for hundreds of years.
Health benefits
Reported to have benefits in -lowering cholesterol,
-improve the immune system, -reduce bronchial inflammation as well as
-inhibiting the growth of cancer tumours.
Reported to have benefits in -lowering cholesterol,
-improve the immune system, -reduce bronchial inflammation as well as
-inhibiting the growth of cancer tumours.
Price of mushrooms
-Shiitakes currently retail in supermarkets for around $50/kg.
-Around $35 per kilo in the Melbourne wholesale markets.
(Supermarket shiitakes are inferior as they are grown on sawdust/grain/gypsum)
-Shiitakes currently retail in supermarkets for around $50/kg.
-Around $35 per kilo in the Melbourne wholesale markets.
(Supermarket shiitakes are inferior as they are grown on sawdust/grain/gypsum)
Logs
Timber known to work for shiitake include:
-English oak,
-Black alder,
-Shining gum,
-Sugar gum,
-Poplar,
-Blackwood.
-Cut logs 2 weeks before inoculation
-Ideal size – 10-20cm diameter x 1 meter long.
-Look after the bark
-Logs can last (and keep producing every 6 weeks) for 5 years
Timber known to work for shiitake include:
-English oak,
-Black alder,
-Shining gum,
-Sugar gum,
-Poplar,
-Blackwood.
-Cut logs 2 weeks before inoculation
-Ideal size – 10-20cm diameter x 1 meter long.
-Look after the bark
-Logs can last (and keep producing every 6 weeks) for 5 years
Inoculation Technique
-Dowels (spawn)
-Number of dowels for each log is around 25
-Inoculate in a diamond pattern (approx. every 6 inches)
-Wax – helps prevents moisture loss and infection from foreign mould/bacteria
-Dowels (spawn)
-Number of dowels for each log is around 25
-Inoculate in a diamond pattern (approx. every 6 inches)
-Wax – helps prevents moisture loss and infection from foreign mould/bacteria
Housing Logs
-Shade house
-Set up water system to keep logs from drying out
-Over watering can encourage the growth of Trichoderma fungi. To fix, simply let the surface dry out (i.e. stop watering).
-Shade house
-Set up water system to keep logs from drying out
-Over watering can encourage the growth of Trichoderma fungi. To fix, simply let the surface dry out (i.e. stop watering).
Colonising of log
Mycelium decomposes the sapwood in logs.
The mycelium travels longitudinally through the log.
It takes about 6-12 months to fully colonise logs
Mycelium decomposes the sapwood in logs.
The mycelium travels longitudinally through the log.
It takes about 6-12 months to fully colonise logs
How to initiate fruiting
-Soak in water for 24 hours
-Water logs regularly and keep humidity high (60-80%)
-Small mushrooms will start to form in a few days….
and are ready for harvest in around 10-14 days.
-Soak in water for 24 hours
-Water logs regularly and keep humidity high (60-80%)
-Small mushrooms will start to form in a few days….
and are ready for harvest in around 10-14 days.
Problems
Slugs- You must protect the mushrooms from slugs with some type of material.
Trichaderma- If you notice trichaderma fungi it means you have over watered. To rectify, simply stop watering and let logs dry out.
Drying out- Mushrooms can crack on the surface if they dry out (this can be desirable to some extent).
Resources
http://www.fungi.com/
http://www.fungi.net.au/index.php
http://www.forestfungi.com.au/
http://www.agroforestry.net.au/main.asp?_=Shiitake
http://www.tropicalfoodforest.com/
http://agroinnovations.com/index.php/en_us/multimedia/blogs/podcast/category/english/mushrooms/
Propagating mycelium
Sterile wheat
A Microwave ( I zap bags at full power for 20 minutes, 3 times, 12 hours apart) or big pot with a lid (simmer for 6 hours) will also work, but not as efficiently.
Many grains have been used to cultivate mushrooms, or more specifically, mycelium. Some growers use grains as their fruiting substrate, but most use grains to generate spawn, which is then added to a bulk substrate like straw, coir, sawdust or woodchips. Grains are useful because they are very nutritious, readily available, and easy to handle. I have personally used Milo, Popcorn, Maize, Wheat, Oats and Wild Bird Seed. I have read of others using Ryes, Millets, Sorghum…use what’s cheap and available.
We need to soften the grains-this is done by soaking in water, and/or cooking them. You’re after the same consistency as cooked brown rice. The longer you soak them in water, the less you have to cook them prior to sterilizing. If you soak for 48hours or longer, there is usually no need to soften them further by cooking.
Gypsum can be added now, at 5-10% of the dry weight of the grains. I sprinkle the gypsum straight on top of the grains, then mix in by hand. Gypsum provides calcium and sulphur, and also helps stop the grains from sticking together.
Grains for spawn production are usually sterilized, using heat. A pressure cooker comes in handy for this, as they can reach over 120 degrees Celsius, and efficiently sterilize. The softened grains are loaded into bags or jars, leaving room for the spawn you will later add. Pressure cook for 2 hours at 15psi. Allow at least 6 hours for you grains to cool prior to inoculating with spawn.
With thanks to Paul Winfield
Slugs- You must protect the mushrooms from slugs with some type of material.
Trichaderma- If you notice trichaderma fungi it means you have over watered. To rectify, simply stop watering and let logs dry out.
Drying out- Mushrooms can crack on the surface if they dry out (this can be desirable to some extent).
Resources
http://www.fungi.com/
http://www.fungi.net.au/index.php
http://www.forestfungi.com.au/
http://www.agroforestry.net.au/main.asp?_=Shiitake
http://www.tropicalfoodforest.com/
http://agroinnovations.com/index.php/en_us/multimedia/blogs/podcast/category/english/mushrooms/
Propagating mycelium
Sterile wheat
A Microwave ( I zap bags at full power for 20 minutes, 3 times, 12 hours apart) or big pot with a lid (simmer for 6 hours) will also work, but not as efficiently.
Many grains have been used to cultivate mushrooms, or more specifically, mycelium. Some growers use grains as their fruiting substrate, but most use grains to generate spawn, which is then added to a bulk substrate like straw, coir, sawdust or woodchips. Grains are useful because they are very nutritious, readily available, and easy to handle. I have personally used Milo, Popcorn, Maize, Wheat, Oats and Wild Bird Seed. I have read of others using Ryes, Millets, Sorghum…use what’s cheap and available.
We need to soften the grains-this is done by soaking in water, and/or cooking them. You’re after the same consistency as cooked brown rice. The longer you soak them in water, the less you have to cook them prior to sterilizing. If you soak for 48hours or longer, there is usually no need to soften them further by cooking.
Gypsum can be added now, at 5-10% of the dry weight of the grains. I sprinkle the gypsum straight on top of the grains, then mix in by hand. Gypsum provides calcium and sulphur, and also helps stop the grains from sticking together.
Grains for spawn production are usually sterilized, using heat. A pressure cooker comes in handy for this, as they can reach over 120 degrees Celsius, and efficiently sterilize. The softened grains are loaded into bags or jars, leaving room for the spawn you will later add. Pressure cook for 2 hours at 15psi. Allow at least 6 hours for you grains to cool prior to inoculating with spawn.
With thanks to Paul Winfield