Oak hare - Maitake - Plugs

Supplies:

Oak hare plugs (Grifola frondosa)
Supplied wax
A hardwood trunk or hardwood block
Drill with an 8-10 mm wood drill bit
Shovel (for digging the trunk)

Step 1: Preparing the log or log

Make sure you use a healthy oak trunk or log, with no signs of disease or other fungal growth. The wood must be fresh, preferably within 2-4 weeks after cutting. The trunk or log should be approximately 50 cm long and have a diameter of 20-40 cm.

Step 2: Drilling holes

Drill holes approximately 35-40mm deep into the trunk or log with an 8-10mm wood drill. The holes should be about 2-3cm deep and spaced about 15cm apart in a diamond pattern. Make sure you cover the entire surface of the log or log with holes.

Step 3: Inoculate and apply wax

Push the Oak Haas dowels into the drilled holes until they are flush with the surface of the wood. It is important that the plugs fit properly in the holes so that they do not come loose.

Cover the plugs with pieces of kneadable wax or melt the supplied wax in a bain-marie or in a wax melter. Use a brush to gently apply the melted wax over the plugs and drilled holes. Make sure the plugs are completely covered with a thin layer of wax.

Step 4: Placement and care

Dig a hole about 8 inches deep and place the inoculated trunk or log vertically in the hole so that about half of the trunk is above the ground. Fill the hole with soil and make sure the trunk is sturdy. Place the inoculated stem in a shaded area. It is important to keep the wood moist, so spray the logs with water during very dry periods.

Step 5: Patience and observation

It takes several months before the oak hare mycelium has completely spread through the wood and begins to produce fruiting bodies. This process can take 6 to 18 months depending on the circumstances. During this time it is important to be patient and check regularly for signs of growth. If all goes well, mycelium growth will be visible in the annual rings after a few months.

Step 6: Harvesting

Once the oak hare mushrooms start to develop, they usually grow quickly. Harvest the mushrooms when they are still young and firm, before the cap edges curl and the spores are released. Use a sharp knife to cut the mushrooms close to the wood.

Step 7: Enjoy

Oak tenderloin is delicious and versatile in the kitchen. They are best when fried. Try them in soups, sauces, stir-fries or as a side dish. Store the fresh oak tenderloins in the refrigerator and consume them within a week of harvesting