Hen of the Woods Cultures

Cultures are made to order as agar plates or slants. We do not sell liquid culture at this time.

'Birdie' Grifola frondosa NSGF1: Commercial strain from the West Coast for indoor cultivation on sawdust blocks. Hen of the Woods or "maitake" is slow and difficult to grow but prized both for its distinct taste and medicinal properties.

Grifola frondosa NSGF2: A log strain of Hen of the Woods from Wisconsin. As Hen of the Woods is prone to being out-competed by other fungi, sterilizing sections of log and then incubating them in filter patch bags for several months after inoculation is recommended.

Grifola frondosa NSGF3: A wild strain of Hen of the Woods. Unknown origin.

Grifola frondosa NSGF4: A local wild strain of Hen of the Woods found growing with birch. Cultured in the fall of 2019, a particularly robust year for this species.

Grifola frondosa NSGF5: A local wild strain of Hen of the Woods found growing with butternut. Also cultured in 2019.