Manual: Chestnut Mushroom Plug Spawn

What you need:

Chestnut mushroom plugs
Supplied wax
A fresh, untreated hardwood log or block
Drill with an 8-10 mm wood bit

Step 1: Preparing the log or block of wood

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

Step 2: Drilling holes

Drill holes about 35-40 mm deep into the log or block of wood with an 8-10 mm wood bit. The holes should be about 15 cm apart in a diamond pattern. Cover the whole surface of the log or block of wood with holes.

Step 3: Inoculating and applying wax

Push the Chestnut mushroom 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 apply the melted wax carefully over the plugs and the drilled holes.

Step 4: Placing and caring

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

Step 5: Patience and observation

It takes 6-18 months before the Chestnut mushroom mycelium has spread all the way through the wood and starts to produce fruiting bodies. During this time, check regularly for signs of growth.

Step 6: Harvesting

Harvest the Chestnut mushrooms while they are still young and firm, before the cap edges curl up and the spores are released. Use a sharp knife to cut the mushrooms off close to the wood.

Step 7: Enjoying

Chestnut mushrooms are delicious in soups, sauces, stir-fries or as a side dish. Keep the fresh mushrooms in the fridge and eat them within a week of harvesting.