Shiitake Mushroom Outdoor Log Starter Kit

Name: Shiitake Mushroom Outdoor Log Starter Kit
Brand: Redwood Mushroom Supply
SKU: RMSLOG-LEKIT
Price: 20.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$20.99

Shipping calculated at checkout.

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Shiitake mushrooms lend themselves well to outdoor log cultivation methods, with quick colonization and consistent yields, making them an ideal start point for beginner cultivators looking to try out simple, sustainable cultivation methods.

Known for their rich umami flavor, Shiitake mushrooms are a staple of Asian cuisine - they develop large umbrella shaped brown caps which can be dried or eaten fresh when harvested in late spring or early fall. Shiitake fruits from logs are said to have a much richer flavor when compared to bag cultivated varieties.

While our kits do not contain logs, our cultivation guide can give you guidance on what logs to use for your cultivation project.

Includes colonized spawn and accessories
Inoculate 3-5 logs up to 3 ft Long & 4” in Diameter
Grow Shiitake mushrooms Outdoors
Sustainable cultivation method
Harvest over 2-4 years

Skill Level Beginner

Incubation 6-12 Months

Log Orientation Log Cabin or Vertical

LocationOutdoor; Shady Areas

Ideal Log Type Oak, Alder, Beech, Sweetgum

Fruiting Temperature 55°F - 70°F

Spawn Best Within 6 Months

Product Details

Grow Shiitake Mushrooms Outdoors

Grow your own Shiitake mushrooms outdoors with our mushroom log starter kit. Each kit contains everything you need to inoculate a freshly cut hardwood log for your very own natural mushroom patch. Shiitake are a great starter mushroom for outdoor cultivation due to fast colonization and reliable harvests, so don’t be afraid to try it out!

Sustainable Mushroom Cultivation

Log cultivation is one of the oldest forms of mushroom cultivation, dating back over 1000 years - this sustainable method uses freshly hewn logs to cultivate mushrooms as they grow in nature. By reducing the amount of one-time use plastics commonly associated with cultivation, you can feel good about your grow!

Harvest Over Multiple Years

One of the biggest advantages of log cultivation is the harvests - depending on your log’s diameter and type of wood, you can get multiple harvests out of a single log over several years! A general rule of thumb is for each inch of log diameter, you will get a harvest for each year, so a 4” log can be harvested for up to 4 years. Hardwood species also tend to last longer than softwoods and can contribute to additional harvests. For more info on selecting mushroom logs, check out our guide.

Usage

In order to use this kit, you will need to source freshly hewn logs of a suitable species. For Shiitake, the best candidates are hardwoods of the following species:
Alder, Beech, Ironwood/Hophornbeam, Hornbeam, Oak, Sweetgum
Avoid using Ash, Aspen, Cherry, Cottonwood, Elm, Pear
Prepare and clean logs with a brush to remove debris. Keep bark intact.
Drill 1” deep holes using the provided drill bit. Alternate hole placement between rows.
Add colonized dowels to holes and pound into the log with a mallet or hammer. Ensure plugs are flush with log surface.
Using the melted wax provided, apply melted wax using the dauber to each inoculation point.
Once the wax dries, move the logs to a shady, humid area such as beneath a tree, and follow the log care instructions in our guide.
Harvest 6-12 months later!

For more information, refer to the following guides, or download our free log cultivation guide in the resources section.

Log Cultivation Blog

Log Cultivation FAQ

Log Cultivation Guide