{"id":250,"date":"2020-03-24T14:15:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T18:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?p=250"},"modified":"2020-03-24T14:55:48","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T18:55:48","slug":"grow-your-own-shiitake-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/2020\/03\/grow-your-own-shiitake-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Grow your own Shiitake mushrooms!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mushrooms have long been integrated into multiple cultures\nfor both food and medicinal purposes.&nbsp; Their\nmeaty, chitin-filled flesh is a suitable meat alternative, and different\nvarieties add distinct flavors to dishes. Though they\u2019re easy to find at the\ngrocery stores, several species of mushrooms can be easily grown at home,\nincluding the popular Shiitake (<em>Lentinula edodes<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shiitake mushrooms are a staple in Asian cuisine and have become quite popular throughout recent years.\u00a0 They have a convex top with a hairy or ragged appearance.\u00a0 These mushrooms grow readily on various species of hardwood trees. Their gills are jagged and they have a white spore print. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"253\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-8.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=253\" class=\"wp-image-253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-8.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-8-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Shiitakes always have jagged gills<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"254\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-10.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=254\" class=\"wp-image-254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-10.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-10-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Leave a mushroom gills down on light or dark paper overnight to see their spore print<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much like growing your own vegetable garden starts with\nordering seeds, growing your own mushrooms starts with ordering inoculum.&nbsp; This inoculum consists of hyphae (microscopic\nfilaments) grown on a food source, in some cases barley or sawdust. Pay close\nattention when ordering your Shiitake inoculum as there are different\noptions.&nbsp; Warm weather (WW) strains are\nbest suited for our Georgia climate, while Cold Weather (CW) strains take\nlonger to fruit here, if they ever do. There is also a Wide Range (WR) strain\nwhich, as its name suggests, has a tolerance to a wide range of conditions. This\nis a great option for beginners and does well in our climate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since shiitakes are grown on logs, selecting your wood is\njust as important as your inoculum. Shiitakes prefer hardwoods, especially\noaks, but also thrive on sweetgum and other native trees. It is not recommended\nto cut down trees on your property exclusively for growing shiitakes, but if\nthe trees are being removed anyway, they can be useful log sources. If you aren\u2019t\nhaving any trees removed, ask around: you probably have a neighbor who is. Logs\nneed to be inoculated within a few days of being harvested, so you need to act\nfast! Make sure you order your inoculum and have it ready to go before your logs\nare cut.&nbsp; If your inoculum arrives early,\nyou can keep it in the refrigerator for several weeks until you are ready to begin\nthe inoculation process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"255\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=255\" class=\"wp-image-255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Sweetgum logs for shiitakes: the second from the left is a poor choice due to the exposed tissue<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"256\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=256\" class=\"wp-image-256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-2.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Cutting logs down to size<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cut your logs to about 48 inches long, and make sure they are completely covered in bark. Large areas of exposed tissue along the log can be entrance points for other fungi that will break down your log faster and compete with your shiitake crop.&nbsp; Once you\u2019ve cut your log, drill holes with an angle grinder fit with a screw tip bit and stop collar every six inches down the log.&nbsp; Rotate the log two to three inches and start the next row of holes offset from the previous row. The reason for this uneven spacing is because hyphae in the inoculum will form mycelium (branching tissues) that will grow lengthwise along the log instead of around the entire log.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"257\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=257\" class=\"wp-image-257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-3.jpg 600w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Drilling holes for the inoculum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"258\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=258\" class=\"wp-image-258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-4.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Using an inoculator to plug holes with loose inoculum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can either buy your inoculum in pre-formed plugs, or you\ncan buy it loose and use an inoculator to plug the wholes yourself.&nbsp; Either way, make sure all holes around the\nlog are filled.&nbsp; It takes about five\npounds of shiitake inoculum to treat twenty logs. Once your log is inoculated,\nseal each hole and both ends with food-grade wax. Cheese wax or beeswax are\nboth acceptable, though beeswax can be expensive and cracks in extreme cold.\nSealing with wax makes sure that no other fungi infest the holes and compete\nwith the shiitakes.&nbsp; Finally, label your\nlog with the date, shiitake strain and variety of wood.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"259\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=259\" class=\"wp-image-259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-5.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Sealing holes with hot melted cheese wax<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"260\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?attachment_id=260\" class=\"wp-image-260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-6.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Sample label<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are multiple ways to stack your logs, but you should\nkeep one priority in mind: minimizing rain shadow. Moisture is critical to\nshiitake production, so ensuring even rain or irrigation coverage is essential.\nStacking logs against a trellis in an A-frame form can help encourage even moisture.&nbsp; You can also install a drip or mist line\nabove your logs to provide added moisture in times of drought.&nbsp; Depending on the weather, it will take your\nshiitakes about one year to fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-7.jpg 960w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-7-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-7-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/shiitake-7-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption>Stack logs to minimize rain shadow. Notice the drip system installed above to ensure proper moisture year round.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though shiitakes are relatively easy to grow, it\u2019s not\nguaranteed that you won\u2019t have other species of hardwood loving fungus on your\nlogs.&nbsp; Here are some other common fungi\nyou may see in addition to your cultivated mushroom crop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turkey tail:&nbsp; This is\na very common fungus in our hardwood forests.&nbsp;\nIt has a shelf-like growth habit and the caps are hard with concentric\nhalf-circles. While they are not toxic, they are certainly not palatable. In\nfact, their texture makes them almost completely inedible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/turkey-tail.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-262\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/turkey-tail.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/turkey-tail-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><figcaption>Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), credit  Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org <br>                               <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hypoxylon: A black, velvety fungus, these pustules commonly\nappear on dead oak wood.&nbsp; It is also a\ncommon opportunistic fungus that can lead to a decline in living oak trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/hypoxylon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-263\" width=\"332\" height=\"498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/hypoxylon.jpg 512w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/hypoxylon-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 332px) 100vw, 332px\" \/><figcaption>Hypoxylon canker,  credit USDA Forest Service &#8211; Region 8 &#8211; Southern , USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org  <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Galerina marginata<\/em>:&nbsp;\nWhile this mushroom is very rare, it is also very deadly!&nbsp; It is brown in color and in some ways\nresembles shiitakes. One of the main differences is that it has a brown spore print\nand is noticeably smaller.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/galerina-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-264\" width=\"403\" height=\"275\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/galerina-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-265\" width=\"404\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/galerina-2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/files\/2020\/03\/galerina-2-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" \/><figcaption>Galerina mushrooms, credit  Norman D. Davis, Bugwood.org  <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shiitake mushrooms can be a great\nway for farmers to keep production going year-round, as well as an opportunity\nfor value-added products like spice mixes and teas. They can also be an\nexcellent project for the home gardener who wants a new challenge or something\nto involve the whole family!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> ***all photos are credited to Melissa Mattee, ANR Agent, Fulton County unless otherwise specified***<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><!-- [if gte mso 9]&gt;--><!-- [if gte mso 9]&gt;--> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <!-- [if gte mso 9]&gt;--><!-- [if gte mso 10]&gt;--> \/* Style Definitions *\/ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:&#8221;Table Normal&#8221;; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:&#8221;&#8221;; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:&#8221;Calibri&#8221;,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:&#8221;Times New Roman&#8221;; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/197"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":270,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250\/revisions\/270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}