Anybody growing mushrooms? What's a good forum?

[newbury]

Seems not much info on TBN for mushroom growers. I'm trying to grow some Shiitakes for home consumption (soups and salads mainly) and found conflicting advice on the web, as expected.
If you know some good sites could you post some links?

 

[bmaverick]

So far the best forum to grow them in depends on the type of seasoned wood to use.

If you plan on upscaling to a commercial level, it would end up looking like this.

Two things to watch out for growing in the woods in a commercial setup.
1. Poison ivy thrives in the same setting.
2. Snakes love these happy homes you made.

 

[wisconsitom]

Hi Newbury. Not exactly what you're looking for, but might be worth your while to look up Field and Forest Products in Peshtigo, WI. I was growing shiitake years ago and got my spawn and gear from them, good guys.

They might know of a forum.

 

[newbury]

Thanks guys.
What I'm looking is a forum like TBN or Orange Tractor Talks that is for discussing growing mushrooms.

 

[bunyip]

I know how to tell male from female mushrooms

 

[Fxfymn413]

My best friend grew Shitakes on a large scale for sale at the farmer's market. First off, it is a lot of work. We were constantly on the look out for suitable logs which had to be cut and brought back to the grow site. Next each log has to be inoculated, laid out to rest, watered regularly, and eventually watered to induce the mushrooms to fruit.

And like all agricultural pursuits you need to be there to manage it. Going away for a few days when the logs are fruiting is out of the question unless you can find a friend to take over while you are gone. (They fruit as long as the weather is warm)

Mushrooms are the squirrels favorite food and you can plan on a constant battle with the little rascals to keep your harvest. We used nets and even constructed structures to protect the logs.

If you just want a few for home use look up sites on how to grow them using plastic tubs and cardboard. There was an article on this in last Sunday's Charleston, SC Post and Courier you should be able to access. Your local county Extension Agent may also be a helpful resource.

As for the original question about a discussion group or web site I would ask one of the vendors who supply mushroom spores for inoculation.

 

[dmccarty]

I don't know of any forums but the NC Extension office had at least one good article on raising mushrooms that I read decades ago. I would check your states extension office to see what information they have as well as other state's offices. They can be a great source of information, they know the local environment, might have classes and/or know if there are other local resources like the community colleges.

Later,
Dan

 

[newbury]

My best friend grew Shitakes on a large scale for sale at the farmer's market. First off, it is a lot of work. We were constantly on the look out for suitable logs which had to be cut and brought back to the grow site. Next each log has to be inoculated, laid out to rest, watered regularly, and eventually watered to induce the mushrooms to fruit.

And like all agricultural pursuits you need to be there to manage it. Going away for a few days when the logs are fruiting is out of the question unless you can find a friend to take over while you are gone. (They fruit as long as the weather is warm)

Mushrooms are the squirrels favorite food and you can plan on a constant battle with the little rascals to keep your harvest. We used nets and even constructed structures to protect the logs.

If you just want a few for home use look up sites on how to grow them using plastic tubs and cardboard. There was an article on this in last Sunday's Charleston, SC Post and Courier you should be able to access. Your local county Extension Agent may also be a helpful resource.

As for the original question about a discussion group or web site I would ask one of the vendors who supply mushroom spores for inoculation.

Appreciate your post.
I'm not planning on more than immediate family supply, a dozen logs MAY do, certainly no more than several dozen.
Log supply is infinite. I've got acres of sweetgum and oaks in Mississippi which I can harvest from. I'm especially intrigued in using sweetgum. It's a nice tree but is a pain to keep straight for lumber.
And I'm in northeast Mississippi, the area pretty much self waters.
One of my planned sites for stacking logs is near the house and I was going to surround with netting to keep birds and other consumers away.

 

[bmaverick]

Appreciate your post.
I'm not planning on more than immediate family supply, a dozen logs MAY do, certainly no more than several dozen.
Log supply is infinite. I've got acres of sweetgum and oaks in Mississippi which I can harvest from. I'm especially intrigued in using sweetgum. It's a nice tree but is a pain to keep straight for lumber.
And I'm in northeast Mississippi, the area pretty much self waters.
One of my planned sites for stacking logs is near the house and I was going to surround with netting to keep birds and other consumers away.

Not too close the the house. insects and termites would love to breed and multiple too. The beetles can be another issue.

I get the idea of growing for yourself as shroom prices are insane.

As for watering the logs, a water valve on timer into a drip line system works wonders. Just be sure to have proper run-off. Shade is also your friend.

 

[ponytug]

@newbury Sounds like fun!

Although, if it were me. I would double check that shiitakes grow on sweet gum. I seem to recall that their preferred wood is oak, though I know of folks growing them on hay bales in plastic bags. I might also double check their fruiting temperature range to see how that overlaps with your climate. I have friends who had fun raising shiitakes by buying inoculated logs and then used the logs to inoculate more logs for themselves.

All the best,

Peter