Reishi is one of the most notable of medicinal mushrooms. Throughout ancient times, Reishi was believed to prolong life. Today, tea made from Reishi is still used as a remedy for dozens of ailments and to restore youth. Recent work indicates that the medicinal strength of this mushroom lies in its ability to bolster the immune system. This powerful medicinal can be grown on sawdust blocks (Table Top Farms, Ready-to-Fruit blocks) or naturally on logs using sawdust spawn or plug spawn. Follow the six steps below for inoculating and managing your Reishi logs.
1. Cut the logs (3-8˝ diameter x 36-40˝ length)
Healthy, living trees should be cut during the dormant season and rested a minimum of 2 weeks prior to inoculating. Protect the logs from excessive drying out by storing them low to the ground (but out of the soil and leaf layer), out of the sun and wind, and where they can receive natural rainfall. Logs can be rested until inoculation for longer than 2 weeks, however there is increased risk of contamination and losing vital log moisture beyond 6 weeks.
2. Drill the holes
Drill the holes to a 1˝depth following the diamond pattern shown for roughly 50 holes per log. Drill around the entirety of the log. Plug spawn requires an 8.5mm (5/16˝) drill bit, and sawdust spawn typically requires a 12mm (7/16˝) drill bit.
3. Inoculate and seal with wax
Plug spawn: Use a hammer and gently tap in one plug per hole so it is flush with the surface of the log.
Sawdust spawn: Break apart the spawn and inject it into each of the holes, typically with the use of an inoculation tool.Wax the holes as the logs are inoculated to protect the spawn from drying out and reduce the risk of contamination. Be sure the hole is completely sealed. Waxing the ends of the logs is not necessary. Sealing plug spawn with plug wax is an easy alternative to melting cheese wax and is easily applied using your finger as if you're applying lip balm over the end of the plug and hole opening. Hot wax is faster to apply and works better with sawdust spawn. Consider using wax daubers or the Okuda wax applicator. The flash point of cheese wax is 450°F. Do not overheat the wax! Turn down the heat if the wax begins to smoke.
4. Incubate logs and manage for moisture
Once inoculated, place your logs in a shaded area directly on the ground, protected from the sun and wind, and where they can receive natural rainfall. Maintaining moisture during this phase is the most critical step to mushroom production success. We recommend your logs receive 1˝ of rain per week. If it is dry, you may need to irrigate. Reishi mushrooms develop best in warm humid conditions typically the summer a full year after planting. Growers in the north (with short seasons and low humidity) must consider managing logs in a shaded greenhouse, cold frame, or other season extension structure that can mimic the warm humid climate this southern species thrives best in. If maintaining humidity during the prolonged fruiting period is a concern, consider laying logs directly on the ground or even partially burying them.
5. Harvesting mushrooms
Reishi can be harvested in either the antler stage, or the fully developed conch stage (this is more challenging to achieve in the northern region). Cut the mushroom at the base of the stem where it is attached to the log. Reishi mushrooms can be stored fresh in the refrigerator for several weeks or dried to extend the shelf life prior to using for teas or tinctures.