mushroom log care
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log storage
For outdoor storage, choose a place in your yard that is shaded all day but can still receive rainfall. You can lay your log down on its side, stand it up, prop it against something or even hang it. If you can keep them from touching the ground directly you will lower the risk of competitor fungi entering your logs. We often place two 4x4s under our stacks. You can use a variety of materials to keep your log(s) off of the ground. If you have multiple logs; maintain at least an inch of space between them. Feel free to stack logs on top of each other! When logs begin to fruit store vertically, lean upright or hang. This will allow for ample fruiting on all sides of your logs.
For indoor storage, choose a countertop, cupboard, pantry, closet or any space you have that is out of direct sunlight. You can even hang your logs from a shelf or the ceiling like you would a potted plant! Trays can be placed underneath logs to catch any excess moisture after watering.
stacks on stacks
watering strategies
For outdoor watering, your log will grow best outside where mother nature does most of the work for you. The best type of water for your logs is rain water, but they will happily live with water from your garden hose if that’s what you have available. No need to water your logs during the rainy seasons. During dry spells or seasons, try to mimic a heavy rainfall and water your logs weekly.
For indoor watering, If your log is indoors you may want to use the soaking method. Your indoor log should be watered year round, as they will not receive any natural rain water. To soak, submerge your log in cold water for 12 hours every 30 days. This method can also be used for logs kept outdoors. You could also use a watering can and tray to water it like you would your house plants. To avoid mold and quickened decay don’t let your log sit in standing water for more than 12 hours at a time.
frequently asked questions
When will my log produce mushrooms?
Logs will fruit 4-18 months after inoculation, depending on the strain. Different mushroom strains will bear fruit during different seasons. Some in spring, some in summer, some in fall, some will fruit multiple times a year. Your log will know when it is the perfect time in its new home. We can provide you with more information about your specific strain.
What happens when my log is done producing?
Eventually your log will become spent and no longer produce fruit. You can place your logs in your yard and they will slowly degrade. These spent logs function as a nurse long in your yard’s ecosystem. It will enrich the soil and become a mini habitat space as it would naturally in the woods.
How can I tell if my log is alive?
If you see white coloring in your log, often in blotches or rings, that’s a great sign that your log is well on its way to being colonized. This white growth is mycelium growing throughout your log.