I took them on the weekend to the farmers market where I sold my cut and wrapped rabbits. Most went to waste as I only took them in fresh on Saturday. I don't remember how many logs but I'm sure it was around 200 5 foot logs give or take a few. I do remember cutting them at five foot.
It did. Two guys drilling, dowling, and puting the melted wax over the dowels. We did it over two weekends. I wondered if it was worth it for the first year, and then they really started fruiting like mad. Well worth the effort in the end. Much like firewood.
It is worth it. I would recommend that you prepare at least a half dozen. Some logs begin to produce a few months before the others. Try to avoid any with knots in them if possible, knots seemed to goober production by a good bit.
I have only had two mushrooms so far, must have been early bloomers. Ive be wetting the logs with water collected from my tool shed roof. Just trying to keep them damp, not trying to force anything. I could soak them for 24 hours in a water trough of rain water but I'm ok with nature taking it course. Had a few pop up and some wax is being pushed out, perhaps I will get mushrooms before winter. I am at 8 months after inoculation.
The two that popped up have been growing slowly but surely. They'll be ready to pick tomorrow. There are some smaller mushrooms budding right next to the large ones. We are getting a good hard rain now until tomorrow morning. So ill probably see some action soon. Temps will be going below the ideal fruiting conditions in the night. Got my fingers crossed.
Getting fired back up for the year. With manic weather hard to say when but the shiitake have started growing again. The logs were inoculated a year ago this week so we should have the first real harvest.
I've been collecting rain water for the oak logs. The logs are exposed to the sun and dry out a bit if i don't water them every couple days. Last week. Today.
The logs need the rain that's coming this weekend. I soak them nightly but nothing beats a day of rain. Picked 3 that are ready.
Its been so far too dry here I have taken matters into my own hands. I was hoping to naturally fruit the logs but its really underwhelming. I have also had to battle slugs, they love eating mushrooms. I moved 4 logs by the shed off the ground on a pallet. I soaked the logs for 24 hours in a water trough full of rainwater. This is the result after 2 days and it did rain yesterday. Ill just keep watering them with a watering can. The results are much greater so far.
Rains been good for the mushrooms. Too many I've had to start dehydrating them. They taste great, spaghetti, omelets and grilled with vegetables from the garden. Dehydrating from yesterday and I got another batch going today.
