Manual: Turkey Tail Plug Spawn

What you need:

Turkey tail plugs
Supplied wax
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 must be fresh, preferably within 2-4 weeks after 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 from each other in a diamond pattern. Cover the entire surface of the log or wooden block with holes.

Step 3: Inoculating and applying wax

Push the turkey tail 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 wooden block in a shady environment. Keep the wood moist by spraying it with water during dry periods.

Step 5: Patience and observation

It takes a few months before the turkey tail 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

Turkey tails are ready to harvest when they have reached their full size and colourful stripes, and the edges are well developed but not yet curled. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut them off the log. Store the harvested turkey tails in a cool, dry place if they are not used immediately.