Organic Chestnut Mushroom Plug Spawn

100 plugs
$19.99

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Difficulty: Intermediate

Chestnut (Pholiota adiposa) is a popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. It produces velvety, small-to-medium, delightfully speckled caps resembling the color of their namesake nut. When cooked, they have a woodsy aroma, a meaty heaviness, and a rich, nutty, mildly-sweet flavor.

Chestnut mushrooms aren't too difficult to cultivate, but can pose some minor challenges with identification. They are not ideal for first time cultivators or those unfamiliar with how to properly identify different mushrooms species. However, this species can be quite rewarding to grow.

Properties: The Chestnut mushroom has medicinal qualities that inhibit tumor and microbial growth. In one study conducted on lab mice, polysaccharides taken from Chestnut mushroom mycelium reduced the growth of cancerous tumors by about 60% (Ohtsuka et al., 1973). Acting as an antimicrobial, an extract of Chestnut mushroom was shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (Dulger et al., 2002).

Tools you'll need

To grow on logs using plug spawn, you will need:
• Drill Bit
• Sealing Wax
• Wax Daubers

To calculate how much spawn you will need, click here.

Cultivation

Ideal project size: Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects of 1-10 logs, though some log cultivators will use them for larger projects.

Click here for full instructions

Storing

If you don't plan to use within 3 weeks, you may refrigerate the plug spawn for up to 6 months.

Cooking

Once cultivated, the Chestnut mushroom has a full flavor that is evoked with thorough cooking. We recommend you use its rich, nutty flavor as a compliment to autumn soups.

Cautions & Considerations

• 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.

• Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.

FAQs

Plug Spawn FAQ 

Log Cultivation FAQ

Related Articles

Get the Right Tools
Emboss-o-tag
Emboss-o-tag (+$15.99)

Keep track of your species

Log Inoculation Drill Bit
Log Inoculation Drill Bit (+$21.99)

The perfect size for our plugs

Angle Grinder Adapter
Angle Grinder Adapter (+$54.99)

Allows 4x faster drilling

Log Sealing Wax
Log Sealing Wax (+$3.50)

1/4 lb - enough for 100 plugs

Wax Daubers
Wax Daubers (+$2.99)

4-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

After inoculation, most logs take 6–12 months before producing their first flush of mushrooms. Colonization depends on temperature, moisture, and wood type. Once established, a log can fruit for 3–7 years.

Always use freshly cut, disease-free logs. Old or rotting wood may contain competing fungi or be too dry for successful colonization. Ideally, inoculate within 2–4 weeks of cutting.

Plug spawn (wooden dowels) is easier for beginners and ideal for smaller projects. Sawdust spawn is faster to colonize and more economical for larger batches or commercial growers.

Store logs in a shady, humid area close to the ground. In dry or hot weather, occasional watering or soaking can help maintain moisture. Avoid full sun or windy spots, which can cause bark cracking.

Cluster of brown-capped mushrooms with long, light-colored stems against a white background.

Your Trusted Source for Premium Mushroom Growing Supplies

Whether you’re growing mushrooms at home, in your garden, or at a commercial scale, we offer everything you need to cultivate success. We start with the highest-quality OMRI-listed ingredients, mix them in our state-of-the-art facility, and inoculate them in our custom-built lab, so you can rest easy knowing your product will yield the best results.

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