Grow Shiitake mushrooms in the comfort of your home

Also known as the black forest mushroom or Chinese black mushroom (Lentinus edodes) is very popular in the Asian continent, but people in Europe have discovered its charm too and it is no surprise that people want to grow it in their homes. In nature you would find shiitake mushroom growing in deciduous and coniferous forests and not so often in meadows and gardens. It does best in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere so, Europeans can also grow it.

Shiitake in Japan

Growing methods were developed in Japan where shiitake is probably the most popular mushroom. There are two methods: intensive and extensive. The extensive method grows the mushroom on hardwood and it is cheap and simple. The wood used in Japan is called Shi (Pasania cuspidata), but oak, beech, alder and chestnut are also used. Japanese collect the wood in late autumn and winter in a form of logs which are left to lie for 3 to 4 weeks and then cut. During this time the moisture content of the wood drops down to 40 or 50 percent.

Photo: Pixabay

Getting the wood ready

When the wood moisture content is right, you drill holes in the wood (2 cm in diameter and 1.5 deep). When done, you insert the mycelium in these holes. Individual holes should be about 20 cm apart. When done, close the holes with wooden corks, wax or stearin. You need to maintain the correct temperature and humidity and let the mycelium develop for 6 to 10 months. Now, you bring the logs to the forest and if there is sufficient amount of rainfall, you should have your first harvest in two years. Shiitake mushrooms grow all year round and you should be able to get about 240 kg of mushrooms from 1 m³ – over the entire growing season.

Intensive method

This method is more reliable and also more profitable, because mushrooms are grown in special rooms where ideal conditions are maintained.

Growing shiitake in Europe

Now you are probably thinking that you will not be growing your own shiitake because it is difficult and you are right. It is not easy to create ideal growing conditions. Fortunately, there are special growing kits. If you get it, you just need to maintain the correct temperature (around 20 to 22 °C). Make sure that the substrate is constantly moist and you should see your first mushrooms within a few weeks. High humidity is necessary and you can achieve that by covering the kit with a glass cover. An aquarium for example. Shiitake mushrooms also need light to grow. Maintain proper care after your first harvest and in a few weeks you can expect another harvest. You should be able to harvest about three times from one kit.

Source:

https://vsaduidoma.com/pl/2010/07/26/kak-vyrashhivat-griby-shiitake-siitake-ego-poleznye-svojstva/

https://www.ireceptar.cz/vareni-a-recepty/chutnou-lecivou-houbu-shiitake-vypestujete-v-pokoji-i-na-zahrade.html

Preview photo: Pixabay