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Shiitake Mushroom Plug Spawn














Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Incubation | 9-12 months |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Flavor profile | Savory, buttery, umami |
Bag sizes | 100, 500, & 1,000 count |
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.
Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects of 1-10 logs, though some log cultivators will use them for larger projects.
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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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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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The spawn used in our mushroom plugs is grown on USDA certified organic grain and made with organic cultures from our own culture bank. Our plugs are handmade from a blend of locally sourced, all-natural, organic, and non-GMO woods from farms and forests in New England and North America.
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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.
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Great mushroom spawn
Tried pretty much all the plug spawn they got and they were all great. Really enjoy the instructions and packaging.

Great Product
Order was shipped quickly and was very well packaged. Stored in my refrigerator until log inoculation took place. Easy and so much fun to use. I can't wait until harvest
Son time
Had a great experience with the almond ag. spawn thought I'd try the shataki. My 2yr old also joined the activities..thanks north spore for quality products and great service..keep it up

Wow, already going!
We bought our plugs back in early spring and just had a flush out of nowhere. Pretty significant, if you consider that we live in Alabama and the night temps are still fairly warm! Looking forward to years of these shrooms. Thank you!

Good spawn
Shipping was quick spawn was healthy. Innoculated my logs around March, now it September and the mycelium is visible from the cut ends of all logs. Seems like a vigorous grower. Can't wait to see some mushrooms!