Vince went out yesterday and cut some small trees for his mushrooms.
Logs for Mushrooms
I think he said these have to sit for about three weeks before he can put the mushroom plugs into them. I believe he also told me that for ever one inch in diameter, the log will produce mushrooms for that many years. So, a 4″ log will produce mushrooms for 4 years. Don’t quote me on all this . . I’m just going from memory.
He was back in the woods this morning cutting a few more trees. I can’t tell you how nice it is to see him actually excited about a hobby.
I think the plan is that he will let this wood sit for about three weeks . . the reason being as far as I understand it is that oak has a natural fungicide and after about three weeks, that will “die off” (probably not the right word but in the end, the result is the same!) so . . the logs will sit for three weeks, then Vince will drill the holes, insert the plugs, cover them with wax . . lots of wax . . because by then we will have 33 pounds of wax . . 35 if you count the two pounds he already has here.
Then he’ll keep the logs moist . . not wet but just damp enough, and in about nine months, the local deer we will have fresh mushrooms!
Cilla Tyler says
I didn’t realize it took so long to produce a mushroom. I might lose interest if I didn’t see instant gratification. I see the quilts I make grow to become a real quilt daily as you see your knitting grow. I’m anxious to see his progress and the maturing shrooms.
Sherrill Pecere says
MAN!! What a project he’s picked!! What the heck does the wax do for growing mushrooms. I thought you just put em in a dark, wet cave!! LOL
dezertsuz says
So you have to be in Texas 4 years to harvest all those mushrooms!
Judy Laquidara says
Technically, I guess it’s 4 years, 9 months because it takes 9 months to produce but Vince’s plan is to be here 5 more years.
w jordan says
This all sounds very interesting to me. That the logs have to be new when the spores are put in them. All this time I thought they only grew on dead really dead trees. But sounds like they get on trees right after they have fallen in the woods. Learn something all the time. Can’t wait to see them growing. Will he put a misting system on them kind of like in a greenhouse? Don’t forget to take photos of progress and share some of us might have to get into growing mushroom. Now about those deer and other animals. How’s that going to work out?
Cilla Tyler says
My friend grows oyster and shitake mushrooms and he has a controlled environment “closet” for them. He sells them in his store and at the Farmers Market year round.