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Organic Shiitake Mushroom Plug Spawn
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 9-12 months |
Fruiting temps | 55-70°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is a nutritious mushroom that produces medium-to-large, brown, umbrella-shaped caps that tend to fruit throughout the summer to fall growing season. They are a delicious edible fungus from East Asia and their flavor is often described as rich, savory, buttery, and umami.
Shiitake tends to produce generous flushes and they are a great mushroom for beginners. They colonize quickly and are the most reliable producers of any species.
Note: Dowel may be fluted or spiral. Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Shiitake wood chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Alder, Beech, Hophornbeam, Hornbeam, Hard Maple, Oak, Sweetgum |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Basswood, Birch, Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Hickory, Soft Maple, Pecan, Sassafrass, Sycamore, Tuliptree, Tupelo, Willow |
AVOID | Ash, Aspen, Black Walnut, Cherry, Cottonwood, Elm, Hemlock, Peach, Pear, 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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Shiitake works best with the log method. Colonization takes at least 9-12 months, and fruiting tends to occur throughout the summer to fall growing seasons and after rainfalls. Preferred wood species are oak, maple, or beech.
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 Shiitake Mushroom Recipes"
Shiitake has a meaty texture when cooked and is good for drying and reconstituting in winter soups. It pairs beautifully with tamari, ginger, and garlic and can bring needed umami to many different dishes. These mushrooms are delicious sauteed and can be used in stir-fries, risottos, ramens, on pizzas, or simply eaten by themselves.
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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
- Questions
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
Plug mushrooms
They went into the logs about a month ago. I told several others. They were very interested. So we are all waiting to see how it goes.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Dennis! Our team is here if you need anything.
Convenient
I loved working with this plug spawn. It really made quick work of a somewhat tedious job, and doesn't require specialized tools- great for the home grower.
North Spore
Thanks so much, Katie! We really appreciate the kind review.
Alder log Shitake
I just inoculated five fresh Alder logs cut two weeks ago with plug spawn (200 count). The 8.5mm cutter worked great! I used a rubber mallet to seat the plugs and then sealed them with the wax supplied using wife's crockpot. I sealed the ends of the logs as well. I placed the logs on a pallet in a shady spot. The Northspore online instructions were great! I hope to be harvesting Spring of 2025.
North Spore
Great pics, Michael! We’re so happy you’re enjoying the experience!
Shiitake plug Spawn
Plug spawn arrived and after only a couple days I could see clear signs it was quite alive. Better move fast if you leave it out of the fridge. By the time I finished a bag of 500 it was like mini marshmallows they were so alive!! Hopefully a good harvest some day. Not my first order and while I am new at this it will be my error for sure if they don’t produce because they were very healthy plug spawn.
North Spore
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, Laurie! Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Haven’t set up
Weather too cold awaiting warmer weather.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, June! You can tuck it away in your refrigerator until you’re ready! If you need help with anything, please reach out.
Excellent shiitake plugs
I have been using these plugs for several years. Excellent results!
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Barry! We really appreciate your support!
fun project
We bought 1000 plugs to use on live and black oak here in California. 10 months later, they are really started to pop off! Wish I tried this sooner as I had wanted over the years!
North Spore
Thanks so much for sharing! We're so glad to hear the Shiitake worked out. If you need help with anything, please reach out!
Amazing mycelium growth!
Just got my second order in from North Spore. I ordered 500 Shiitake mushroom plugs and look at how amazing it looks! I will be setting them in logs tomorrow! Thank you North Spore
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Rachel! We really appreciate your support. If you need help with anything, please reach out!
Hope for the future
It's like magic. So easy to accomplish. The logs are inoculated and now to see if I get a crop. It's exciting. I hope it leads to good food and maybe farmer's market product.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Margaret! Our team is here if you need anything!
Awesome results!
Amazing! Easy to follow instructions too. The two logs we inoculated are steadily putting off mushrooms now that it has cooled off. As for taste.... They are delicious! We've cooked with them many times now. If you're just getting started this pack plus some wax and some fresh oak logs will give you mushrooms for a long while.
North Spore
Your logs look great, Brittany! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience! Please reach out if you ever need anything.