Product Review

Mushroom plug spawn is spiral grooved hardwood dowels infused (inoculated) with a specific mushroom species, in thise case reishi or lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). The mushroom mycelium (the white, root-like network of cells) colonizes and penetrates the dowels as it consumes the lignins provided by the wood. These plugs are used to inoculate freshly cut hardwood logs, stumps, or rounds to create a fruiting mushroom colony that can produce mushrooms for many years! After waiting approximately one year from inoculation, a well cared for log will produce mushrooms several times a year, for 3-5 years. Place logs in a shaded area and keep moist, creating stacks, or leaning against each other for support is best. Many report success with partially burying reishi logs in loose soil, so while we tend to recommend avoiding direct contact with soil for other mushroom log colonies, reishi may in fact benefit from this arrangement. If the logs receive no notable rain for two weeks we recommend soaking them overnight in a tub or bucket filled with water. Because of their lower humidity requirements, Reishi mushroom logs may also be grown "potted" indoors. Simply place one end of your log in a planter and fill with a mixture of sand and small gravel. "Water" your log at least once every two weeks by pouring water into the sand gravel mix, the log will soak it up. Mushroom conks and antlers will begin forming when the log has matured. Their slow and steady growth is fun to observe! Logs inoculated in early Spring may produce mushrooms by Fall, but will typically take up to one year to mature. Shock logs into producing mushroom by soaking them overnight and covering with a tarp or blanket. Remove cover when small mushrooms begin budding, usually 3-5 days. This is best done in Fall and Spring as Reishi is a warm weather mushroom and will eagerly produce when temps are 70F-80F. Properly maintained logs will continue to produce mushrooms for many seasons!