Manual: Brown beech mushroom (Buna Shimeji) plug spawn

What you need:

Beech mushroom plug spawn
Supplied wax
A fresh, untreated hardwood log or block
Drill with an 8-10 mm wood drill bit

Step 1: Preparing the log or wood block

Use a healthy hardwood log, such as oak, beech or poplar, without signs of disease or other fungal growth. The wood must be fresh, preferably within 2-4 weeks after felling. The log or wood block should be about 50-100 cm long and have a diameter of 20-40 cm. You can also use the stump of a felled hardwood tree.

Step 2: Drilling holes

Drill holes about 35-40 mm deep into the log or wood block with an 8-10 mm wood drill bit. The holes should be about 15 cm apart in a diamond pattern. Cover the entire surface of the log or wood block with holes.

Step 3: Inoculating and applying wax

Push the beech mushroom plugs into the drilled holes until they are flush with the surface of the wood. Cover the plugs with pieces of mouldable wax or melt the supplied wax in a bain-marie or in a wax melter. Use a brush to carefully apply the melted wax over the plugs and the drilled holes.

Step 4: Placement and care

Place the inoculated log or wood block in a shady spot. Keep the wood moist by spraying it with water during dry periods.

Step 5: Patience and observation

It takes several months before the beech mushroom mycelium has spread completely through the wood and starts to produce fruiting bodies. During this time, check regularly for signs of growth.

Step 6: Harvesting

Harvest the beech mushrooms when the edges of the caps are just starting to curl and the slimy layer on the cap is still present. Use a sharp knife to cut the mushrooms off close to the base of the stem.