Plug spawn is the easiest way for mushroom cultivation on logs

Choice of substrate

Choose freshly cut, healthy stumps of hardwood trees (stored for no more than 2 months), with a diameter of 10 to 40 cm and a length of 50 to 100 cm (the smaller the diameter, the longer the log should be).

If the wood is firmly stored during storage if it becomes dry, it can be moistened repeatedly sprinkling with water for several days.

Preparation of the substrate

Drill holes in the log of the same diameter as the diameter of the plug and 1 cm deeper than its length. Drill the holes in several rows around the log, alternately at intervals of approx. 15 cm.

Inoculation

Fill each of the holes with a mycelium plug and cover the place of inoculation with foil or smear it with animal fat or hot wax. On average, there should be 20 - 50 plugs per log depending on the type of mushroom, type of wood and dimensions of the log. The more plugs you use per log, the faster the colonization process will be.

Incubation (mycelium growth)

Put the inoculated logs in a foil bag or wrap them tightly with foil and keep them in a dark place at a temperature of 20-25°C. The logs will become covered with white mycelium after 4 to 10 months depending on the type of mushroom, type of wood and dimensions of the log.

Fruiting

Remove the logs from the bag or remove the foil and place the logs outside, protecting them from direct sunlight and wind. The required temperature during fruiting is between 10-24°C, and the most favorable humidity is 80-85%. Initially, the fungi will be visible as small, white or brown nodules, which will grow into mature fruiting bodies within approximately 7-10 days.

Fruiting can last for up to 3-6 years. Fruiting bodies most commonly form in spring and autumn. There will be intervals between harvests lasting from a few weeks to several months. In the case of severe frosts, the cultivation should be covered, for example, with straw or branches.