Gallery of
Shiitake Mushroom Log Inoculation

A Family Endeavour


Spring 2005



Click on thumbnail image for larger photo



Shiitake Cultivation Record

DATE
STRAIN CODE
NUMBER
LOG SPECIES
COMMENTS
03/06/2005 MBFBL 4 10 Oak first day of inoculations
03/07/2005 MBFBL 4 10 Oak 1 bag used to date
03/11/2005 MBFBL 4 16 Oak 2 bags used to date
03/12/2005 MBFBL 2 10 Oak mushrooms growing in bagged spawn
03/19/2005 MBFBL 2 6 Oak 3 bags used to date
03/19/2005 MBFBL 20 21 Oak 4 bags used to date
03/20/2005 MBFBL 1 5 Oak started 5th bag
03/24/2005 MBFBL 1 10 Oak finished 5th bag


March 24, 2005 marked a milestone in our first season of inoculating logs. We are officially halfway through our spawn supply. The work is harder than we anticipated, but the satisfaction that goes along with the labor makes it worth it. It has given our family an opportunity to work together on a mutual project, and even our four and six-year-olds are eager to assist with the inoculating task. Maybe by the fall they will be able to help with the stacking process when, we hope, the logs begin producing our first crop!


DATE
STRAIN CODE
NUMBER
LOG SPECIES
COMMENTS
03/25/2005 MBFBL 20 19 Oak finished 6th bag
3/26/2005 MBFBL 2 13 Oak finished 7th bag
3/28/2005 MBFBL 4 8 Oak spawn very moist
4/07/2005 MBFBL 4 4 Oak finished 8th bag
4/07/2005 MBFBL 1 12 Oak started 9th bag
4/08/2005 MBFBL 1 6 Oak finished 9th bag
4/08/2005 MBFBL 1 16 Oak finished 10th bag

166 logs, total.





Random Thoughts & Observations


• The inoculation work could be much quicker if you don't have a family and a full-time job!
• . . . or if you had a lot of helpers!
• A cheap crock pot melts cheesewax better than a propane torch.
• A twenty-five cent wool dauber and a cheap horsehair brush does a better job of putting the wax where you want rather than using the torch method.
• One extra of any tools you use is good insurance. You can get back to the work without interruption in case of a broken tool.




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