GMHP, P. O. Box 515 IP, Graton, CA 95444 - 24 hour ORDER line:
(800) 789-9121
Log and Stump Dowel Spawn Inoculation Shiitake, Maitake,
Hericium, Chicken-of-the-Woods, Reishi,
Oyster Mushrooms: White Oyster, Pink Oyster, Golden Oyster, Blue Oyster, Phoenix
Oyster GMHP offers plug spawn of hardy gourmet and medicinal mushroom species: These sterilized birch
dowel spawn plugs are grooved and fully colonized by pure mushroom mycelium, and are
available in packages of approximately 100 or 300 dowels (Shiitake Plug
Spawn is also available in packages of approximately 100, 300, and 1000 dowels).
These Plug Spawn comes complete with user-friendly instructions. See: Written & Video Instructions.
Cheese
wax is used to seal in the spawn once the log has been inoculated. It can be
applied with a small foam brush, baster, cotton daubers or other such
applicators. The cheese wax covers 50 plugs per log:
1 lb Cheese Wax
(75 to 100 logs)
$8.95 1 lb
$8.95 1 lb
1/2 lb Cheese Wax
(30 to 50 logs)
$4.95 1/2-lb
$4.95 1/2-lb
Perhaps the
most delicious of all the edible medicinal mushrooms, shiitake is highly
esteemed for its medicinal properties.
It has been found to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels,
stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties.
A combination of different strains can allow for mushroom production through
spring, summer and fall.
Genus
species
Common
Name
Number of
Dowel
SpawnPlugs / Product CodeNumber of
Dowel
SpawnPlugs / Product Code
Maitake
Mushroom (Grifola frondosa) may best be known for its cancer-fighting
properties. It contains grifolan, an important beta-glucan polysaccharide
(molecule composed of many sugar molecules linked together).
Grifolan has been shown to activate macrophages, a
type of cell consider the " heavy artillery": of the immune
system, explains Larry A. Walker, Ph.D., R.D., author of "Natural
products update," published in Drug Topics, June 1997. D-fraction,
one of the polysaccharides in maitake mushroom, also energized the
cellular immune system.
The
Reishi mushroom can increase the production of interleukin1 and 2,
resulting in inhibition of tumor growth. Studies show that Reishi can have
a number of other positive effects on the body such as analgesic,
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral (through its interferon
production), lowers blood pressure. It also acts as a cardio tonic by
lowering serum and increasing the production of interleukin 1 and 2, which
results in inhibition of tumor cholesterol, expectorant, anti-tissue,
liver protecting and detoxifying, protection against ionizing radiation,
antibacterial, and anti-HIV activity.
Lion’s
mane is the common name given to a group of mushrooms of the genus Hericium.
Lion’s mane mushrooms have a coral-like shape, with spindly branches
that shoot out from the stem. They are white, pinkish or creamy yellow in color, and are
noted for their lobster-like flavor and texture when cooked.
Health
benefits of Chicken-of-the-Woods mushrooms have been investigated by Japanese scientists and
reveal mushrooms may favorably influence the immune system. Possessing
potential benefits in fighting cancer, glutamic acid, an amino acid
present in mushrooms, seems to be instrumental in combating infection.
Every culture has used mushrooms as food, as well as medicine, and have
been a longtime staple in Asian diets. Mysterious mushrooms have also
served as stimulants or hallucinogens in religious ceremonies.
Reported Health Benefits: The Oyster mushroom has a firm texture when cooked and a "meaty" or oyster-like flavor which will add both texture and zest to most sauces or
dishes. Oyster mushrooms are best known
medically for their cardiovascular and cholesterol-controlling benefits.
Oyster mushrooms contain mevinolin and related compounds which are potent
competitive inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl
coenzyme A reductuctase), the major rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol
biosynthesis. In addition, they have been shown to have activity in the
following:
Log cultivation is usually done with logs 4 - 6 inches in diameter with a
length of 3 to 4 feet. Oak is particularly good for the cultivation of most
mushrooms though many other species work well also: poplar, aspen, sugar maple,
willow, alder and birch, among others.
Tree species to avoid include many of the conifers, eucalyptus, hackberry, beech
and dogwood. For certain mushroom species, such as chicken of the woods, the
hemlock Reishi and the conifer oyster, hemlock, fir, and spruce can be used
also.
The best times for cutting the logs are either in the winter months for spring
inoculation or after July 15 for mid-summer or fall inoculation. When
inoculating logs in the summer, it is best to do the inoculation in the morning
in a shady place. When selecting logs for mushroom cultivation, choose living
trees without signs of decay. If the tree is dead, it will certainly already
have other fungi growing in the wood.
Using logs from a dead or unhealthy tree will either lower your yields or
prevent production altogether. It is best to inoculate logs in early spring if
they have been cut during the winter. You can usually begin to inoculate logs
one month before the average last frost date as long as day-time temperatures
are above 40o F.
If you cut logs during summer, it is best to inoculate them within 3 weeks after
they have been cut so that the logs will still have an adequate moisture
content. After inoculation, the logs are just placed in a shady place out of the
wind.
Logs generally begin producing 6 months to 1 year after inoculation; after
which, they usually continue to fruit for 4 years producing 1-2 lbs. per year.
Each log usually produces 2.5 lb - 4 lb over its lifetime. For inoculation, you
will need a drill with a 5/16 inch drill bit, a hammer and cheese wax. Spawn can
stay viable for up to 6 months in a refrigerator.
Step 1
Drill 1 ¼ in. deep holes into the log spacing the holes about 6 - 8 in. apart
within a row. Leave approximately 2 in. between the rows and offset the holes so
that they form a hexagonal pattern. A 4 in. diameter log will need 6 rows; a 5
in. diameter log will need 7, and a 6 in. diameter log will need 9 rows. A 4 in.
log usually is given about 40 - 50 plugs.
A large stump usually requires 100 holes arranged in a similar hexagonal fashion
around the trunk and with holes on the top of the stump as well. All mushrooms
are inoculated into logs in the same way.
Step 2
Hammer the plugs into the holes.
Step 3
Cover the plugs with the cheese wax. To do this, melt the wax in a pan which can
be maintained at 300oF. An electric frying pan with a thermostat control works
well for this.
If inoculating away from electricity, using a camp stove, make sure that the wax
is hot when you apply it; otherwise, the wax will not create a tight seal and
can easily fall off. The wax can be applied with a foam paint brush or cotton
dauber.
Mushrooms can also easily be grown on a small scale for home consumption in a
highly productive backyard mushroom garden with just a few logs.
By inoculating just 10 logs each year, one can harvest up to 25 pounds of fresh
mushrooms each year. Approximately 100 plugs are needed to inoculate 3 logs.
THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR ORDER Return to Top
Cheese
wax is used to seal in the spawn once the log has been inoculated. It can be
applied with a small foam brush, baster, cotton daubers or other such
applicators. The cheese wax covers 50 plugs per log: 
