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Organic Italian Oyster Mushroom Plug Spawn
















Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Incubation | 6-12 months |
Fruiting temps | 65-75°F |
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. Italian oyster mushrooms are great for beginners because they colonize quickly and are reliable producers. This oyster variety works well with log and stump methods.
Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
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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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.
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Great plugs so far -- time will tell if we get a good crop!
The plugs came quickly and were packed well. Very little waste, which we appreciate very much. We took down some oak branches and drilled holes and tapped these in with some local beeswax melted to seal each one. We built them as mushroom "towers" and hope to have a thriving, fruitful colony soon!

Easy
Plugs looked great, the instructions were clear and easy!

Easy
Plugs looked great, instructions were clear and easy!

Excellent spawn
My first baby steps into mycology but North Spore have been incredible. Immediately had questions and they quickly responded. My spawn arrived and (weird to say) smelled really good. I wasn't expecting that. Maybe too many damp basements in my past. Amazing growth on these plugs! My life are innoculated and ready to go. Can't wait, but I'll be patient.

Very excited to for the harvest.
I have not yet been able to harvest since I bought and received my plugs in Spring 2021, but I am very excited about the future harvest. I started my journey with the pink oyster mushroom indoor box grow kit and after that was fun and very successful decided to move on to plug spawn to grow mushrooms on logs. North Spore is truly wonderful in providing information both on their website and when contacted directly so as a beginner I feel confident and well supported.

Worked great!
They're perfect! Bought 100 plugs back in the spring of 2019 and got flushes on the logs starting in the spring of 2020. Soaked them in water for about 20 hours every 7 weeks or so during the warmer months to force flushes. Bought more plugs this year, looking forward to when they start to fruit next year!

Oyster mushroom plugs
I have ordered a number of times from North Spore and each order has been high quality and arrived on time. I will keep using them as my main source of supplies.
Oyster mushrooms
North Spore is very helpful. Have ordered couple other things before this. Orders are always received on time and in good condition. They are very dedicated to growing mushrooms and want others to succeed