Organic Shiitake Mushroom Sawdust Spawn
Organic Shiitake Mushroom Sawdust Spawn
SKU:LGL-SAWDUST-LE3
Achieve Rich, Buttery Mushrooms
Shiitake is a flavorful mushroom that produces brown, medium-to-large, umbrella-shaped caps that fruit from late summer through the fall growing season. They are a delicious edible fungus from East Asia and their flavor is often described as rich, savory, buttery, and umami.
Shiitake tends to produce generous flushes and they are a great mushroom for beginners. Once inoculated, logs can fruit in as little as 6 months from inoculation, but generally take 9-12 months. And a single log can continue to fruit for many years if kept in the right conditions.
Recommended use:
- Shiitake sawdust spawn is only recommended for log projects.
- One bag of sawdust spawn will reliably inoculate 20 logs.
Shiitake log chart:
| BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Alder, Beech, Hophornbeam, Hornbeam, Hard Maple, Oak, Sweetgum |
| OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Basswood, Birch, Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Hickory, Soft Maple, Pecan, Sassafrass, Sycamore, Tuliptree, Tupelo, Willow |
| AVOID | Ash, Aspen, Black Walnut, Cherry, Cottonwood, Elm, Hemlock, Peach, Pear, Pine |
Upon receiving your spawn:
Remove it from the shipping box as soon as possible. Then, unfold the top of the bag, making room for air space. It's also important to check and confirm that the filter patch is not obstructed. This will help the organism breathe and continue to thrive!
Product Details
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Product Category
Edibles
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Product Subcategory:
Mushrooms
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Botanical Name:
Lentinula edodes
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Does Not Ship To:
AZ
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Mature Height:
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Mature Width:
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Growing Zone:
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Indoor Growing:
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Sunlight:
Shade
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Growth Rate:
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Harvest Time:
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Bloom Time:
Planting Directions
<h2>How to Plant Shiitake Mushrooms on Logs Using Sawdust Spawn</h2> <p>Follow these steps to successfully inoculate logs with organic Shiitake sawdust spawn:</p> <h2>Materials Needed</h2> <ul> <li>Shiitake sawdust spawn (remove from box, unfold bag top, ensure filter patch is unobstructed)</li> <li>Hardwood logs (oak, maple, or beech; freshly cut within the last 2-8 weeks)</li> <li>Log inoculation tool</li> <li>12mm drill bit and angle grinder adapter (for large projects)</li> <li>Log sealing wax</li> <li>Wax daubers</li> </ul> <h2>Step-by-Step Instructions</h2> <ol> <li>Cut logs to 3–4 ft lengths, 4–6 inches in diameter. Let them rest for 2–8 weeks after cutting.</li> <li>Drill holes ~1 inch deep, spaced 6 inches apart in rows around the log, offsetting rows in a diamond pattern.</li> <li>Use the inoculation tool to insert sawdust spawn into each hole. Fill firmly to avoid air gaps.</li> <li>Seal each hole with hot wax using the dauber. Also wax cut ends to retain moisture and protect from contamination.</li> <li>Stack logs in a shady, moist area (crib stack or lean against something) with airflow.</li> </ol> <h2>Aftercare</h2> <ul> <li>Colonization takes 9–12 months. Keep logs moist—water during dry spells or after 2+ weeks without rain.</li> <li>Fruiting occurs in warm, wet conditions (summer to fall). Mushrooms will sprout naturally after rains or you can soak logs to trigger fruiting.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Storage Tip:</strong> If not using spawn immediately, refrigerate it in the original bag. Use within 6 months.</p>
FAQs
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions: Organic Shiitake Mushroom Sawdust Spawn</h2>
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<strong>1. What is sawdust spawn and why use it for shiitake mushrooms?</strong><br>
Sawdust spawn is a nutrient-rich mix of mycelium and sterilized sawdust used to inoculate logs for outdoor mushroom cultivation. For shiitake, this method offers strong colonization and long-term yields—perfect for log-based projects.
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<strong>2. How many logs can I inoculate with one bag?</strong><br>
One bag of shiitake sawdust spawn will reliably inoculate up to 20 logs, depending on the size and number of holes drilled per log.
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<strong>3. When will the mushrooms start fruiting after inoculation?</strong><br>
Logs may begin to fruit as early as 6 months, but typical fruiting starts between 9–12 months after inoculation. Once established, logs can continue producing mushrooms for 4–6 years.
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<strong>4. Is this spawn suitable for indoor or container growing?</strong><br>
No, shiitake sawdust spawn is intended specifically for outdoor log cultivation. It’s not suited for indoor grows or container setups—logs need outdoor conditions to trigger natural fruiting cycles.
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<strong>5. What types of logs are best for shiitake cultivation?</strong><br>
Hardwood logs like oak, maple, and beech are ideal. Logs should be freshly cut (within the last 6 weeks), about 3–8 inches in diameter, and free of mold or decay.
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