Organic Chestnut Mushroom Plug Spawn
Skill level | Intermediate |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 12-18 months |
Fruiting temps | 60-70°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Chestnut (Pholiota adiposa) is a popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. It produces velvety, small-to-medium, delightfully speckled caps resembling the color of their namesake nut. When cooked, they have a woodsy aroma, a meaty heaviness, and a rich, nutty, mildly-sweet flavor.
Chestnut mushrooms aren't too difficult to cultivate, but can pose some minor challenges with identification. They are not ideal for first time cultivators or those unfamiliar with how to properly identify different mushrooms species. However, this species can be quite rewarding to grow.
Note: Dowel may be fluted or spiral. Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Chestnut wood chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Aspen, Beech, Birch, Cottonwood, Hophornbeam, Hard Maple, Oak, Sweetgum |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Alder, Ash, Basswood, Buckeye, Cherry, Elm, Hackberry, Hornbeam, Mulberry, Willow |
AVOID | Hemlock |
Ideal project size:
Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects of 1-10 logs, though some log cultivators will use them for larger projects.
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.
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To grow on logs using plug spawn, you will need a Drill Bit, Log Sealing Wax, and Wax Daubers.
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Click here to download our pamphlet on growing mushrooms on logs, stumps, and totems.
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Chestnuts work well with the Stump and Log methods in maple and oak logs. After a 1-year colonization period above ground, Chestnut logs may be buried under 2 inches of top soil. Mushrooms fruit from logs and will emerge from the soil.
For our complete plug spawn pamphlet, click here.
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If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
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"5 of the Best Chestnut Mushroom Recipes"
Once cultivated, the Chestnut mushroom has a full flavor that is evoked with thorough cooking. We recommend you use its rich, nutty flavor as a compliment to autumn soups. Chestnut mushrooms work best when sautéing and simmering, and are delicious in a variety of soups, stews, and casseroles.
CAUTION: Be careful to properly identify these mushrooms when harvesting and before consuming. Chestnuts have poisonous lookalikes, so make sure you are familiar with the deadly Galerina autumnalis.
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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.
CAUTION: Be careful to properly identify these mushrooms when harvesting and before consuming. Chestnuts have poisonous lookalikes, so make sure you are familiar with the deadly Galerina autumnalis.
*Recommendations are based on our own testing. You may have different results experimenting with other wood species.
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
Chestnut plug spawn
Excellent product, no issues with contamination. Fast colonization after inoculation
North Spore
We appreciate the review, Marc!
Chestnut plug spawn
Excellent product, no issues with any contamination. Plugs fully colonized super fast after inoculated
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, Marc! We so appreciate customers like you!
First time
The plugs were full of mycelium and there was definitely 100+ in the bag. Plugged a beech with these and shittake. Will definitely update as time goes by and the spores fly.
North Spore
Cheers to a successful grow! We'll be here in case anything comes up.
Healthy
3rd or 4th set of plug spawn I have bought from NS. I have to say that the mycelium on the plugs looks vigorous AF, I have no doubt these plugs arrived in peak health. Thanks Y'all
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, Zephren! We really appreciate your support.
Looks good
Arrived in timely fashion covered in mycelium and ready for logs
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Mike! If you need help with anything, please reach out.