Manual: Chicken of the Woods Plug Spawn

What you need:

Chicken of the woods (COW) plug spawn
Supplied wax
A fresh, untreated hardwood log or block
Drill with an 8-10 mm wood bit

Step 1: Preparing the log or block

Chicken of the woods grows best of all on oak. Other hardwood species such as sweet chestnut, cherry, willow or poplar are possible too, but oak gives the best result. Use fresh wood, preferably within 2-4 weeks after felling. The log should be about 50-100 cm long with a diameter of 20-40 cm.

Step 2: Drilling holes

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

Step 3: Inoculating and applying wax

Push the chicken of the woods 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. Use a brush to spread the melted wax carefully over the plugs; this protects the mycelium against drying out and against insects.

Step 4: Placing and care

Put the inoculated log in a shady spot out of the wind. Unlike shiitake, a chicken of the woods log may also be partly buried in the ground after the incubation period (once the wood is veined with white) to hold moisture. Keep the wood nice and moist during dry periods.

Step 5: Patience and observation

Chicken of the woods is a slower grower than shiitake. It can take 9 to 18 months (sometimes even 2 years) before the mycelium has taken over the wood completely and produces fruiting bodies. Patience is essential here; as long as the wood does not dry out, the mycelium is at work.

Step 6: Harvesting

Harvest the chicken of the woods while the edges are still bright orange/yellow and the flesh feels soft and juicy. If the mushroom turns chalky white or feels hard, it is too old to eat. Cut the clusters off close to the log with a sharp knife.

Step 7: Enjoying (Please note: preparation)

Chicken of the woods is known for its chicken-like texture and flavour ("Chicken of the Woods"). Important: never eat this mushroom raw! It has to be heated thoroughly for at least 15-20 minutes to prevent stomach complaints. Delicious breaded as nuggets, in a curry or fried as a meat substitute.