Organic Nameko Mushroom Plug Spawn

100 plugs
$19.99
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Difficulty: Advanced

Nameko (Pholiota nameko) is a popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. As they grow, they are covered in a layer of natural gelatin, which gives them a unique, almost shiny appearance.

When cooked, they have an earthy flavor with subtle fruit-like hints, and an aroma reminiscent of cashews and butterscotch. Nameko mushrooms need cooler temperatures and constant humidity when fruiting, and are not ideal for hot or dry climates. 

Properties: Mushrooms in the Pholiota genus have medicinal qualities that inhibit tumor and microbial growth. In one study conducted on lab mice, polysaccharides taken from Pholiota mycelium reduced the growth of cancerous tumors by about 60% (Ohtsuka et al., 1973). Acting as an antimicrobial, an extract of Pholiota was shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (Dulger et al., 2004).

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.

Inoculation

Nameko can be difficult to cultivate and is ideal for advanced and enthusiast growers who have had some success growing other mushrooms.

Nameko prefers log and stump methods. This species typically produces mushrooms in the fall when cooler temperatures set in. They require constant humidity when fruiting.

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

Nameko is a lesser known culinary mushroom in the Americas, but it is used widely in East Asia. It has a gelatinous cap that can thicken soups and sauces and has an aroma that walks the line of being both fruity and earthy. Nameko mushrooms go well with dark green vegetables, red meats, and shallots, and are used traditionally in Japanese miso 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.

Reviews

  • 5 stars: 7 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
J
Jason Keene
Great

Very good mushrooms must buy

M
Max McMahan
Great plugs

Already colonizing and developing mycelium. Can't wait to harvest

Awesome, Max! Thanks for sharing.

S
Skinny
Awesome exotic mushrooms

I inoculated a pile of Maple logs with these Nameko Plugs in the spring of 2023, and got my first fruiting this fall, 2024. We had some cold, rainy days in October and the logs just exploded with Namekos. I ate them for weeks. So Slimy fresh, they cook to an amazing texture in stir-fries and soups, with excellent flavor. Looking forward to future harvests. Highly recommend for viability and culinary enjoyment

So amazing to hear about your successful Nameko grow, Erik! So glad you were able to cultivate and enjoy your own mushrooms! It really is such a rewarding journey. We so appreciate you sharing your positive experience!

m
mike abdul
Great product to work with!

I purchased over 2700 plug spawn, and they were consistent and easy to install in the logs, the drill bits I bought (3) were more than enough. I only used one and it is still sharp and cutting great.
I look forward to getting my sawdust spawn for mushroom beds next Spring.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, Mike! If you need help with anything, please reach out.

T
Timothy Rausch
Organic Nameko

Easy to insert into logs!

J
Jack Roland
it all worked out in the end

I didn’t do my homework before buying the spores . . so this was not a good decision for me. So I gave them all to a guy at our farmers market that grows mushrooms . . . he was happy 😊

C
Casey Lott
Excited to get started

Excellent so far but have to wait 6-8 months now to see results.