fruit production
how many mushrooms will a log produce?
The first year of fruiting will be much smaller than the years to come. This is because there is more mycelium in your log as time goes on. With more mycelium you have more fruiting power so as it expands you will get more mushrooms to harvest. Don’t be discouraged by a small harvest in the first year.
After your log is fully colonized, a medium 3 foot log should produce 2-3 lbs of mushrooms per year. You can expect to see about 1 lb per foot in length per year. For each inch in diameter you can expect a year of fruiting. A good quality log can last for up to 8 years with proper care. Smaller logs will colonize faster but wont last as long.
Oak logs, especially white oak, are a preferred species. They decompose slowly, providing years of food for the shiitakes and offering us a longer harvest period.
