1. Growing Shiitake Mushrooms using Logs
Donald L. Jackson
Research Assistant
Kentucky State University

2. WHY GROW MUSHROOMS LOW-INVESTMENT AGROFORESTRY LOW LABOR & MAINTENANCE
KY has a lot of lower-cost forested land
4 to 6 months per production cycle; twice annually
LOW LABOR & MAINTENANCE
Suitable for physically-challenged farmers
HIGH VALUE CROP
Can be sold at farmers’ markets and restaurants
for $8 to $15 per pound

3. STEP 1: Choose Growing Substrate
BASIC STEPS
STEP 1: Choose Growing Substrate
White & Red Oak, Maple, Ironwood, woodchips
STEP 2: Choose Type of Mushroom
Shiitake, Blue Oyster, Wine Cap
STEP 3: Choose Your Type of Spawn
Sawdust, grain, wood plugs or pegs
STEP 4: Choose Your Tools

4. TYPES OF MUSHROOMS

5. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
Shiitakes gathered off fallen
logs have been the most popular
mushroom in Asia for centuries
Shiitake are cultivated using wood
as a substrate
Two viable methods are widely used
today: small-scale "natural" log
cultivation and "synthetic" or
sawdust “log" cultivation.

6. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
Sawdust spawn consists of mycelium
(baby mushrooms) grown in hardwood
sawdust and is the preferred spawn
Sawdust spawn is sensitive to drying
and must be kept moist throughout the
inoculation process

7. GROWING SHITTAKE MUSHROOMS
Cut the trees while dormant (Nov-Mar) 
Let the wood age for at least two weeks
DON’T let the wood dry out
These logs, restacked from a forestry
site, are awaiting inoculation.

8. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
Select good logs (sugar maple, white oak)
If there are large cuts where branches were trimmed away (greater than 4 "in diameter) cover them with cheese wax.
Logs are good for 4 to 6 years.
If weather is warm, dry, and windy for
several weeks, water the logs for
1-2 hours weekly and loosely cover.

9. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
12 mm drill bit with stop
Thumb Style Brass Inoculator
Inoculation Process Wax starter kit Okuda Hand Inoculator Okuda Wax
Applicator

10. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
Move Spring inoculated logs directly into the woods or laying yard.
Move Fall inoculated logs directly into an warm and humidified incubation room.
Good logs, good spawn, and moisture are crucial for success with Shiitakes.

11. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
The same logs will produce for 4 to 6 years
Keeping the logs wet during the 1st year
Small diameter logs will dry out faster than large diameter logs, so soak those first
After the 1st four months, just sprinkle logs
Do not soak logs that are 4 months into production

12. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
Moldy green logs means too much moisture
Use "check" logs to find if there are
drying-cracks.
Add more water if the cracks are large enough to
insert a dime.
Look for mushroom forming at the log ends a few weeks after inoculation or once
daytime temperatures are in the 70s.

13. GROWING SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

14. Marketing Options Shiitake is the king of commercial mushrooms. Why?
High demand, excellent shelf life, (a month or more
under refrigeration), top price among the widely-
cultivated mushrooms.
Fresh: wholesale $4 to $8 /lb; retail $8 to $15 /lb
Eight pounds of fresh mushrooms makes one pound of
dried ones. Rehydrating them generates four pounds,
but the flavor is twice as intense.

15. For More Info: http://www.fieldforest.net/

16. Funding Provided by:
FARMINGFORCASH.WORDPRESS.COM