Shiitake mushrooms are one of the easiest and most prolific, forgiving mushrooms to grow on logs for all skill levels, and a perfect mushroom for beginners. Shiitake are meaty and savory, hard to beat on flavor! Approximately 100 plugs by weight.
Shiitake WR - This is our best fool-proof Shiitake strains, this ecotype prefers optimum fruiting temperatures when they fall in between 55-70F. Typically fruits in the spring and fall months after colonization is complete. Fruits well on oak, sweetgum, poplar, and other hardwood species. Recommended for temperate climates, this one can fruit in most climates experiencing a cool transition period at any time of the year. Fruiting Temps: 55-75F
Shiitake WARM - One of our best warm weather Shiitake strains, this ecotype prefers optimum fruiting temperatures when they fall in between 70-85F. Typically fruits in the warmer, summer months after colonization is complete. Fruits well on oak, sweetgum, poplar, and other hardwood species. Recommended for supplementing summer production in cooler climates or year-round in subtropical/tropical climates. Fruiting Temps: 70-85F
Shiitake COLD - Our best outdoor cold weather Shiitake strain, this superior and consistent strainproduces dark brown to blackish fruitbodies when temperatures fall in between 40-55F. Typically fruits after cold snaps, logs should be protected from freezing weather when fruiting, using blankets, or move logs indoors once triggered by cold shock. Fruits well on oak, sweetgum, poplar, and other hardwood species. Recommended for supplementing winter production in warmer climates or year- round in temperate climates and higher elevation locations. Not recommended for southern or tropical climates unless you have 1-2 months of winter to sustain cold shocks needed. This strain should also conversely be used as the bulk strain in colder climates, paired with our wide range strain. Fruiting Temps: 40-55F
Shiitake WILD - This is a clone from an “escapee”, or a wild mating of commercial log grown shiitakes that appeared in North Carolina on a large fallen oak at Warren Wilson College. The cap is smoother, almost bald, but still has the beautiful caramel-colored surface and wonderfully strong shiitake aroma. Fruiting Temps: 45-65F
Edibility and taste: Savory and Meaty
Grows on: Hardwood logs outdoors: oak, pecan, walnut, alder, sweet gum, maple, ironwood, hophorn beam, cherry, sycamore, tulip poplar, eucalyptus, chestnut, ash, birch, bitternut, willow. Avoid for shiitake: conifers, fruit trees, elm, hackberry, sassafras, soft maples (red and striped), dogwood, black locust, beech, hickory
Availability: Year-round