Shitake Mushrooms

[Ken the Chef]

Is there any body out there that has had any success with Shitakes
I have mine on Birch logs set in the ground by my garage. Last week I had one grow but noyhing since.
I was told I should be harvesting in 18 months which was spot on, I did expect a few more than only the one!

[Nicos]

Well...you did 100% better than I did!

[Ken the Chef]

Hi Nicos that is very encouraging, I;l keep you poated

[Nicos]

I;l keep you poated

's'cse me!!!! I don't think I want poating!!!

[Snadger]

Well...you did 100% better than I did!

Is 100% of nowt not nowt then?

PS Unless you grew half a mushroom of course Nicos!

[vicky]

I grew some on a beech log and they were very prolific - a bit too much, I couldn't keep up! I had the log sitting in a big flower pot full of compost like a weird sculpture and made sure it was kept very damp. Lasted about 3 years but still get the occasional mushroom about 5 years on.

[Ken the Chef]

I don't "poat" too many people these days but keep me posted just in case

[Ken the Chef]

Could be that my mushrooms are too close to the garage wall. I will try the Bill and Ben approach. What sort of aspect did the pot have Vicky?

[vicky]

On my horrible dank north facing patio! The logs were quite long and at least 50% was buried - so they were really damp all the time. I found the slugs would often get to them before me so found burying slug pellets just under the soil surface stopped that.

[Eco-Chic]

Have you tried dunking the log in a bucket of icy water to 'shock' the muchrooms into fruiting?

[Ken the Chef]

I did read something about the icy water treatmant, finding something long enough will be the problem.
I have started to water the area a bit, so now it's a wait and c

[Eco-Chic]

Have you an old dustbin you could use?

[Ken the Chef]

When I thought about it I realized I have about 600 gallons at my disposable by way of my pond. A good wash off when I lift the log and in it will go.
I had an email from the company I got the plugs from suggesting the same. Tomorrow the logs get an over due bath.

[Guzzik]

Mushrooms prefer dank n darkish conditions though. Might be tooooo bright along the garage wall.

[Ken the Chef]

The good news is that I now have a few mushroom buds on my logs after a three day spell in my pond. I also have one or two on a log that is still by the garage. I have kept all the logs away from direct sunlight with some evergreen shrubery and weed control fleece to keep them damp and shaded. The company I purchased the plug from said they are just about on cue.