Organic Italian Oyster Mushroom Outdoor Log Growing Kit
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 6-12 months |
Fruiting temps | 65-75°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Italian Oysters (Pleurotus pulmonarius) are thicker and meatier than blue oyster mushrooms, and their brown frilled caps can grow quite large. They have a mild flavor, earthy aroma, and are favorite among those who prefer a sturdier oyster mushroom.
Oyster mushrooms are great for beginners because they colonize quickly and are reliable producers.
Each outdoor log kit contains:
- A drill bit
- Log sealing wax
- A wax applicator
- 100 ct plug spawn or voucher
- Instruction guide
Note: Dowel may be fluted or spiral. Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Italian Oyster wood chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Aspen, Cottonwood, Tuliptree, Willow |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Ailanthus, Alder, Basswood, Beech, Birch, Box Elder, Buckeye, Chinese Tallow, Elm, Hackberry, Hemlock, Hophornbeam, Hard Maple, Soft Maple, Mulberry, Palm, Pear, Pine, Sassafrass, Sweetgum, Sycamore |
AVOID | Ash, Oak |
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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Ordering a log kit with a voucher allows you to redeem your plug spawn at a later date. Vouchers make a great gift and are good for projects beyond a 3 month start date.
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Ordering a kit with live spawn is best for projects that will be done within 3 months of ordering.
Plug spawn is living and perishable. It can live unrefrigerated for up to three months or refrigerated for up to 6 months.
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Italian Oysters mushrooms work well with the log, stump, and totem methods. Colonization is fast and may start producing in 4-12 months, though fruiting is dependent on environmental triggers. They fruit best in the spring and fall and prefer softer hardwoods such as poplar and aspen. They will also work on maple.
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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Italian Oysters can easily replace button mushrooms in most recipes and pair well with many cuisines and flavors. Like all oyster mushrooms, they retain water and may develop a viscous texture when undercooked. If you prefer a firm or dryer texture, continue to cook them until their liquid has reduced and cooked off and they begin to brown.
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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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Good for starting out
Kit includes plug spawn, wax, a drill bit, and a wax dauber. Would recommend if you're just starting out with log inoculation.
Easy Set Up, Hard To Wait!
After receiving my Italian oyster grow kit, I was pleasantly surprised with how many steps it took, but each was relatively simple and explained very clearly! The box had everything you need to get started, along with a very helpful manual which lays out the best tree species to use, the best time to inoculate, and pretty much cleared up any question I had. The North Spore staff is the best around, and I wouldn't go anywhere else for my future mushroom needs! Hopefully soon the Italian oysters will start to grow and become a tasty harvest!
Awesome and Easy to use
Great! I won't know for a long time if the mycelium has colonized the stump, but it was very convenient and easy to use (and satisfying). Tbanks!
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Ian! Our team is here to help if you ever need anything!
Always a great experience
Wonderful, Great folks. Business in my favorite state!!
North Spore
Thank you so much for your review, Ken!