Organic Chicken of the Woods Mushroom Plug Spawn

100 plugs
$19.99

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Difficulty: Expert

Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) produces large, bright orange, multi-layered fruiting bodies with a texture reminiscent of chicken. When cooked, these mushrooms are juicy, succulent, and meaty with a mild, lemony aroma.

Chicken of the woods can be difficult to cultivate, and is therefore recommended for enthusiast growers who have had some success with other more advanced species or are looking to experiment and try new methods.

Properties: When taken regularly, Chicken of the Woods is helpful in improving general health and strengthening the immune system. In one study, the mushroom promoted activity against human leukemia cells and the parasite that causes Malaria (Rogers, 2011). Additionally, a chemical constituent of Chicken of the Woods, dehydrotrametenolic acid, has been shown to reduce high blood sugar (Sato, M. et al. 2002). As the mushroom ages, it can be burned to repel mosquitoes and black flies (Rogers, 2011).

Tools you'll need

To grow on logs using plug spawn, you will need:
• Drill Bit
• Sealing Wax
• Wax Daubers

To calculate how much spawn you will need, click here.

Inoculation

Chicken of the Woods does best in oak logs. After colonization period in filter patch bags above ground, Chicken of the Woods logs should be partially buried under 2 inches of top soil. The mushrooms will fruit from logs and emerge out of the soil.

*It should be noted that Chicken of the Woods is prone to being out-competed by other fungi and is not a reliable producer without first treating your logs. To limit variables we strongly suggest you sterilize 8" by 8" segments of oak log in a pressure cooker or steam sterilizer before inoculation and incubate your log segments for a few months in sealed filter patch bags until they are completely colonized. Remove them from the bag and partially burying them in a shady location

You can sterilize your log segments in a 22 qt or larger pressure cooker such as an All-American*

Chicken of the Woods is a very difficult mushroom species to cultivate. Great for experimenting and having fun trying new methods, not great for commercial cultivation.

Cultivation

Ideal project size: Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects of 1-10 logs, though some log cultivators will use them for larger projects.

Click here for full instructions

Cooking

Be sure to harvest Chicken of the Woods mushrooms when young to avoid a brittle texture. They have a lemony, meaty taste with a texture similar to chicken and go great in soups and stir-fries.

Storing

If you don't plan to use within 3 weeks, you may refrigerate the plug spawn for up to 6 months.

Cautions & Considerations

• If you’re going to consume home-grown mushrooms, make sure to cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly with heat. If it is your first time eating this species, it is best to start with a small amount to check for allergies, even if cooked.

• Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.

FAQs

Plug Spawn FAQ 

Log Cultivation FAQ

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Get the Right Tools
Angle Grinder Adapter
Angle Grinder Adapter (+$54.99)

Allows 4x faster drilling

Log Sealing Wax
Log Sealing Wax (+$3.50)

1/4 lb - enough for 100 plugs

Frequently Asked Questions

After inoculation, most logs take 6–12 months before producing their first flush of mushrooms. Colonization depends on temperature, moisture, and wood type. Once established, a log can fruit for 3–7 years.

Always use freshly cut, disease-free logs. Old or rotting wood may contain competing fungi or be too dry for successful colonization. Ideally, inoculate within 2–4 weeks of cutting.

Plug spawn (wooden dowels) is easier for beginners and ideal for smaller projects. Sawdust spawn is faster to colonize and more economical for larger batches or commercial growers.

Store logs in a shady, humid area close to the ground. In dry or hot weather, occasional watering or soaking can help maintain moisture. Avoid full sun or windy spots, which can cause bark cracking.

Cluster of brown-capped mushrooms with long, light-colored stems against a white background.

Your Trusted Source for Premium Mushroom Growing Supplies

Whether you’re growing mushrooms at home, in your garden, or at a commercial scale, we offer everything you need to cultivate success. We start with the highest-quality OMRI-listed ingredients, mix them in our state-of-the-art facility, and inoculate them in our custom-built lab, so you can rest easy knowing your product will yield the best results.

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