North Spore Organic Shiitake Outdoor Mushroom Log Growing Kit | Includes 100 ct. Bag of Plug Spawn | Complete Log Starter Kit with Instructions | Handmade in Maine, USA

Price: $29.50
(as of Mar 01, 2025 15:52:31 UTC – Details)

Product Description

How Many Do You Need?

100 count plug spawn packs are usually enough for 1-2 logs; 500 count packs can reliably do 5-10 logs; and 1000 count packs will do 10-20 logs. (Actual number required will vary based on log size and hole spacing.)

Inoculating Your Log

Inoculating your log with plugs takes a little effort, but it’s worth it! 1) Drill two-inch-deep holes into the log; 2) Insert plugs and hammer them down; 3) Seal over with wax. (You can also seal the ends of the logs with wax!)

Sealing Your Plugs

Sealing the holes is critical to success because it protects the spawn from drying out and from contamination. We recommend a clear food-grade paraffin wax, and melting it using a sauce pan or a crock pot on low heat. (Don’t want to burn it!)

Log Colonization

Be patient! Growing on logs takes time. Depending on the species, it will take at approximately 12 months for the log to fully colonize. Most mushrooms will fruit in the spring, summer, or sometimes in the fall when temps are cooler.

Sustainably Handmade

The spawn used in our mushroom plugs is grown on USDA certified organic grain and made with organic cultures from our own culture bank.

Tips for Prepping Logs

Logs should be inoculated within a week or two of cutting. This allows the cells in the tree to die but is not long enough for the log to dry out or for other competitor fungi to become established. You should not use logs that were cut last year or logs with damaged bark. A month would be about the longest reasonable stretch of time between cutting and inoculating.

For your log project, you will need the following tools:

A power drill An 8mm drill bit (to create holes in log) A hammer (to drive plugs into the holes) A wax dauber Paraffin wax to seal the holes A sauce pan or crock pot to warm wax

THE IDEAL STARTER KIT FOR GROWING ON LOGS: These kits were designed with everything you need to start growing on logs! Each kit contains a drill bit, log sealing wax, a wax applicator, 100 ct plug spawn, and instruction guide. (Mushroom plugs work best for small to medium log inoculation projects. 100 count packs are usually enough for 1-2 logs.)
100% MADE IN USA: Plug spawn is handmade in Maine from the highest quality cultures by expert Mycologists.
FOR BEST RESULTS: Shiitake mushrooms should be grown the following wood species: Alder, Beech, Hophornbeam, Hornbeam, Hard Maple, Oak, Sweetgum, Basswood, Birch, Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Hickory, Soft Maple, Pecan, Sassafrass, Sycamore, Tuliptree, Tupelo, or Willow.
LOG COLONIZATION: Be patient! Growing on logs takes time. Depending on the species, it will take at approximately 12 months for the log to fully colonize. Most mushrooms will fruit in the spring, summer, or sometimes in the fall when temps are cooler.
STORING PLUG SPAWN: If you don’t plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
THAT’S NOT MOLD, IT’S MYCELIUM: Your kit includes plug spawn colonized with mushroom mycelium. It may appear covered with a soft, white, mold-like substance – that’s the mushroom mycelium! It is completely normal. The mycelium of some species is more prominent than others.