Manual: Split Gill Plug Spawn

What you need:

Split gill plug spawn
The wax supplied
A fresh, untreated hardwood log or block
Drill with an 8-10 mm wood drill bit

Step 1: Preparing the log or wooden block

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

Step 2: Drilling the holes

Drill holes about 35-40 mm deep into the log or wooden 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 wooden block with holes.

Step 3: Inoculating and applying wax

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

Step 4: Placing and care

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

Step 5: Patience and observation

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