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Organic Shiitake Mushroom Sawdust Spawn
Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Outdoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Bag weight | 5.5 lbs |
Incubation | Logs: 6-12 months |
Fruiting temps | 55-70°F |
Best log type | See wood chart below |
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is a flavorful mushroom that produces brown, medium-to-large, umbrella-shaped caps that fruit from late summer through the 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. Once inoculated, logs can fruit in as little as 6 months from inoculation, but generally take 9-12 months. And a single log can continue to fruit for many years if kept in the right conditions.
Recommended use:
- Shiitake sawdust spawn is only recommended for log projects.
- One bag of sawdust spawn will reliably inoculate up to 20 logs. (You can calculate how much you'll need here.)
Shiitake log chart:
BEST WOOD SPECIES* | Alder, Beech, Hophornbeam, Hornbeam, Hard Maple, Oak, Sweetgum |
OTHER SUITABLE SPECIES | Basswood, Birch, Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Hickory, Soft Maple, Pecan, Sassafrass, Sycamore, Tuliptree, Tupelo, Willow |
AVOID | Ash, Aspen, Black Walnut, Cherry, Cottonwood, Elm, Hemlock, Peach, Pear, Pine |
Upon receiving your spawn:
Remove it from the shipping box as soon as possible. Then, unfold the top of the bag, making room for air space. It's also important to check and confirm that the filter patch is not obstructed. This will help the organism breathe and continue to thrive!
Scroll down for cultivation, inoculation, and storage guides.
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To grow on logs using sawdust spawn, you will need a Log Inoculation Tool, Log Sealing Wax, and Wax Daubers.
For larger log projects you may also want to purchase an Angle Grinder Adapter and specialized 12mm drill bit.
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Click here to download our pamphlet on growing mushrooms on logs 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.
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If you don’t plan to use your shiitake sawdust spawn right away, store in the refrigerator. Use within 6 months of receipt.
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"5 of the Best Shiitake Mushroom Recipes"
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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All our spawn is made using organic cultures from our own culture bank. Our sawdust spawn is handmade from a blend of locally sourced, all-natural, organic, and non-GMO woods and supplements 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.
*Wood recommendations are based on our own testing. You may have different results experimenting with other wood species.
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- Reviews
- Questions
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
Good Spawn, Great Fun
Inoculating Logs is so fun! I've had good luck with this spawn on my own and also use it when I teach others how to inoculate logs!
North Spore
We couldn't do it without customers like you, Emma! Our team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Good Product
Excellent, works as designed
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Jonathan! Our team is here if you need anything.
Totally hooked
We had a lot of fun harvesting logs and inoculating them with friends at our homestead. Then last summers weather made them go bonkers and we had logs fruiting in a steady stream for weeks at a time! We are expanding our log set up and plan to bring in more friends and family to spread the productive fun around!
North Spore
Your review made our day, Cliff! We're so happy you're enjoying the experience. Our team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Good stuff
Well inoculated when arrived.
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, Rick! Our team is here if you need anything.
Great customer service
Received bag that was damaged in transit. Customer service was very helpful in sending out a replacement bag. Inoculated logs and waiting to see results!
North Spore
Thanks Cody! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. The team is here to help if you ever need anything.
Sawdust Spawn
Haven't used yet,but the spawn I bought last year has produced a few nice ones I would suggest bird netting, nothing is worse than losing half a crop to birds. Lesson learned!!!
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Grant! If you need help with anything, please reach out.
Great performance
This is not my first experience with this product. I have been very satisfied with the shiitake spawn and the lions manes as well. Both have yielded great results. Thank you for excellent products and guide materials.
North Spore
We really appreciate your support, Norma! Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Amazing Flushes!
Over a year after innocultating several oak logs , I've had several huge flushes after rainy weather. Nothing like no effort results! I'm continually impressed with the quality of spawn from North Spore and will continue to go to them first for my mushroom growing needs.
North Spore
Great pics, Lindsey! We’re so happy you’re enjoying the experience!
Nice surprise after a rainstorm
I purchased the shiitake sawdust spawn and used the totem method. The wood is sweet gum that fell in a storm in late January. The wood was green, measuring 12 inches around by 32 inches tall. I cut several layers of wood and stacked as shown in the videos North Spore provided. The first shiitake mushrooms appeared about 6 months later. the logs were kept damp but they would not produce again. I thought the endeavor was lost and began to ignore them. This spring, about one year later, the logs were again covered in mushrooms. Now they produce every time it rains. The attached photo was taken two days after a big rainstorm and 18 months after the totem was set. Im curious of how long this set up can produce.
North Spore
Your grow looks amazing, James! Our team is here if you need anything!
Nice surprise after a rainstorm
I purchased the shiitake sawdust spawn and used the totem method. The wood is sweet gum that fell in a storm in late January. The wood was green and had leaf growth and is about 12 inches in diameter, 32 inches tall. I cut several layers of wood and stacked as shown in the videos North Pore provided. The first flush of shiitake mushrooms appeared about 6 months later. Unfortunately I was traveling and they were too mature for use. I kept the logs damp but they would not produce again. I thought the endeavor was lost and began to ignore them. This spring, about one year later, the logs were again covered in mushrooms. Now they produce every time it rains. The attached photo was taken two days after a big rainstorm and 18 months after the totem was set. Im curious of how long this set up can produce. I’m looking forward to trying other varieties of mushrooms if I can acquire additional logs.