Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Plug Spawn
Skill level | Intermediate |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 12-24 months |
Fruiting temps | 55-70°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a nutritious medicinal mushroom that produces plump white clusters with icicle-like teeth. When cooked, it has a consistency and flavor similar to crab meat.
Though slightly harder to get flushes than oysters or shiitake, they are still a great outdoor mushroom for intermediate growers. They colonize slowly but are relatively reliable producers.
Note: Dowel may be fluted or spiral. Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Lion's Mane wood chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Beech, Hornbeam, Hard Maple |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Alder, Aspen, Birch, Black Walnut, Box Elder, Cherry, Chestnut, Cottonwood, Elm, Hackberry, Mulberry, Oak, Soft Maple, Sweetgum |
AVOID | Hemlock, Pine |
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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Lion’s mane prefers the Totem Method, though it can work with Log or Stump methods. (Yields tend to be smaller with log or stump methods). Colonization is 12-24 months and fruits in the fall. Lion’s mane prefers maple but can grow on many hardwood species and on logs with large or small diameters.
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 Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipes"
Its unique flavor and consistency make it ideal as a seafood substitute in recipes. We like to slice it into rounds and pan-fry it in olive oil or butter. We also recommend ripping it up and making vegan or vegetarian crab cakes with it. You can find some amazing recipes online!
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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.
*Recommendations are based on our own testing. You may have different results experimenting with other wood species.
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- Reviews
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Easy to use
Very easy to use, the guide was great for inoculating my logs
Very robust strain
In short I took a risk, in the bottom of the bag of plugs was perhaps a teaspoon of grain spawn. I wiped down the bag, cut the bottom off with the spawn inside and transfered it to a grain jar that is now fully colonized. I can't believe it worked, only a very happy and robust strain, bagged in the best conditions could have done that. So clean and strong thanks!
North Spore
Thanks so much for sharing, Zephren! Our team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Quality Plugs
Quality plugs, prompt delivery, excellent customer service! As always.
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, Malia! We really appreciate your support.
Looks Great!
Looking forward to harvesting Lion's Mane mushroms in the next year or so. Got these quickly as I had a nice piece of wood to plug. My mouth is watering already!
North Spore
We're so happy you're enjoying the experience, Doreen! If you need help with anything, please reach out.
they are growing, first timer
North Spore
Thanks, John! The team is here to help if you ever need anything.