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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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.
Who knew it was this easy?? Not me.
Great plugs! Easy to follow instructions. If I can follow the instructions, anyone can. Seriously, give it a try!
North Spore
Thanks so much, Cyndi! The team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Lions Mane Plug Spawn
Absolutely thrilled with the quality of the plug spawns! Tons of mycelial growth, indicating its vitality and health. It's clear that these are produced with great care and expertise. Thank you North Spore!
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, Christopher! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Lions mane plugs
I had a great experience with the team at North Spore. They helped me out in all aspects of my purchase and even replaced the plugs when there was a question of the expiration date of my first batch. They were so abliging on this matter that I felt they would be great if I purchased some Reishi plugs also. They have my business!
North Spore
Thanks so much, Robbe! We really appreciate the kind review.
Great Mushroom Spawn
Tried pretty much all the plug spawn they got and they were all great. Really enjoy the instructions and packaging.
Easy
The plugs looked great, the instructions were clear and easy!
Amazing SPAWN!
This spawn was fresh and white as ever. It was easy to be successful growing mushrooms from the spawn I received. I have ordered other products too and I attribute my success to their amazing products!
Can't Wait to Get Started
This will be my first time growing from plugs. I've grown one of the kits that you must daily and had success. The plugs arrived, nicely packaged. I had several large limbs torn from a maple tree a couple months ago. They are now cut into 4 foot sections. I'll be inserting the plugs on Saturday and probably growing these in my basement. I will try to update once they start producing.