Dowel mushroom kits

[Nicos]

This year we are thinking of trying a selection kit of Shiitaki,Oyster and Lion's Mane mushrooms which are spawned onto wooden dowels and drilled into logs. The only mushrooms we have grown before were the button mushroom kits indoors so this is very new to us.
I see that 'Acorn' has an oyster kit and wondered if you found it straight forward to set up? Anyone else done mushrooms like this?

[Alan Y]

Mushrooms

I hope some one answers this as we where just takling about doing the same last night.

Who are Acorn?

[Nicos]

acorn

acorn is a member and posted a reply to mushrooms on 29/11?
Good to hear you're interested too. We probably have similar weather too so it's where to leave them -aspect- and maintenance could do with knowing. I'm sure they come with instructions but I'd still like to know a little more about them before ordering.

[sewer rat]

Mushroom dowel kits

Nicos
I have no personal knowledge of growing mushrooms either from dry spawn or impregnated dowels but you try looking at a US website called mushroomadventures.com. They sell dowel kits but sem to have quite a bit of info onthe kits and how to use them on their site. Hope this is of some use.
Cheers
Rat

[sewer rat]

Dowel kits - another site worth a look

Nicos
You could also try the RHS site. Go into their publication section, then "The Garden" magazine. There was an article about growing mushrooms, including dowel kits.
Rat

[Nicos]

Thanks - will do!

[sewer rat]

Mushroom dowel kits

Nicos and Alan Y
Just wondering if you went ahead with your mushroom kits - would be interested in your results if you did.
Cheers
Rat

[Lesley Jay]

I would be interested in the results too Sewer Rat. I want to know if there is much damage from insects - ants, woodlice etc. You can't normally buy fresh porcini mushrooms because they often contain maggots. I think it's porcini - you can buy them dried as ceps.

[Nicos]

Yes- have ordered mine ....should be interesting- we'll probably grow something poisonous too. Must look up a picture of Lion's mane on google so we know what we're supposed to be eating. Know what the other two look like! will keep you posted. Thanks for your help.

[truffle]

I'm intrigued by growing mushrooms and will follow this to see the results.

Has anyone ordered any truffle-trees?
I know of a place that supplies them really cheap: www.PlantationSystems.com/Tshop.htm (currently on sale!!)

Also, I really want to try and grow morels. I saw kits available a while ago but can't seem to trace them down, can anyone help out?

Cheers

[Nicos]

I thought a truffle tree would look like a spagetti tree!!
Have visions of a pig trying to climb a tree!
What a great idea! Unfortunately we have very acidic soil on the allotment but could well be tempted to try them out at home.
No idea about morels/porcini. We just go to the chestnut forests north of Lucca in the autumn by easyjet or ryanair and pig out on fresh ones( bought from the roadside) for the week! Would never buy dried ones again as the taste is so different. I had my 1st truffle there too..so expensive! (A truffle tree is looking even more interesting.) Would like to know if you find the details about the morels.

[truffle]

Nicos- the trip to Lucca sounds fantastic! We find a lot of porcini in Northern England and last year even found quite a few chanterelles just outside of London!

I think with the truffle trees, if you are just planting a couple, you can easily raise the pH of the soil to a suitable level with garden lime. Then you need to wait at least 3 years, but for those of us who have tried truffles the wait is well worth it!!

Still trying to track down info on the Morels.....it appears that the kits didn’t work very well so most places have discontinued them. I would still love to try this though......

[sewer rat]

Morels

Truffle and Nicos
I think that the morel growing kits are easily available - so long as you live in US of A. You might try looking at www.humungus-fungus.co.uk or www.gourmetmushrooms.co.uk or finally, try http://fungi.org.uk.
Good Luck
Rat

[nots so bad lad]

Edwin tuckers Devon

Hi tuckers do them dowel kits 20 quid already impregnated in the log differant types as well says they last about 4 years or sumat just got keep log damp have not progressed to them yet still trying to grow them garden centre types also looked on thomas morgan website dowel kits on there hope this help s

[hils]

this info is second hand, have not tried dowel kits personally.

Tried by colleagues of mine a couple of years ago. Verdict - a very expensive, stressful, way of obtaining/not, mushrooms.
Belive Gardening Which did an article on GYO mushroom kits last year.