If we have carried out inoculation in the spring, we can sometimes expect first flushes of mushrooms in the fall, when the temperature is lower and the humidity is greater (picture 17, picture 18). Shiitake mushrooms need longer to cultivate and most often start to grow after 18 months. On harder wood (oak), it can even take 2 years.

Picture 17

Picture 18

When the log has been colonized for a couple of months, we accelerate the process of mushroom development by soaking logs in cold water (picture 19). This is especially advisable for shiitake mushrooms. While they soak, we weigh down the trunks so that they don’t rise to the surface.

Picture 19

If we notice mushrooms appearing beneath the foil (picture 20), we carefully make some holes.

Picture 20

Damp basements and other similar places (barns, mines…) are most suitable for the mushroom formation phase. It is necessary to ensure some light (so much light that it is still possible to read a book), high humidity and slight ventilation (picture 21). For increasing humidity in closed places, we spill water over the floors and spray the floor or the logs. It isn’t advisable to spray water directly on the mushrooms, because it can lead to rotting if water doesn’t evaporate in a couple of hours.

Picture 21

In the garden, we can partially bury the cultivated logs (logs where the entire surface has noticeable white mycelium beneath the wax) into sand in a vertical position, which prevents them from drying out. The trunks have to ‘rest’ at least 2 months between flushes.