Pearl Oyster Log Kit

YME log kits are a great way of bringing edible fungi into your garden! Using this kit you will be able to cultivate the selected fungus on a hardwood log and harvest edible mushrooms. Our kits come in a range of species, each containing comprehensive instructions and all you need to inoculate 2 hardwood logs. (logs not included).​

Harvest delicious edible mushrooms from your garden

The inoculated log will take 6 - 12 months to develop and can then produce crops of mushrooms every 6 – 12 months. Logs can keep producing for up to 8 years!

Utilise the 'hard to grow' shady spot in your garden

We all have that corner of our garden that gets no sun and makes growing difficult, did you know that these shady conditions are perfect for log growing?

Bring biodiversity into your garden​

Why not turn your mushroom growking logs into a feature? Create a log stack in the traditional Japanese method or create a roof for your bug hotel!

Are you ready to embark on a fascinating journey into the world of gourmet mushroom cultivation? Look no further than our premium Log Growing Kits! Whether you're an experienced grower or a curious beginner, our kits provide everything you need to grow a bountiful harvest of delicious and nutritious shiitake mushrooms right in your own backyard.

Why Choose Our Log Growing Kit?

1. Simple and Hassle-Free: Our Shiitake Log Growing Kit is designed for ease and convenience. With clear, step-by-step instructions and all the necessary components included, you can effortlessly start your mushroom cultivation journey. No prior experience or specialized equipment required

2. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: By choosing our Shiitake Log Growing Kit, you actively contribute to sustainable living. Shiitake cultivation on logs is a natural and eco-friendly method that requires minimal resources. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own food while reducing your ecological footprint.

3. Bountiful Harvests: Our carefully curated kit is designed to provide you with multiple harvests of fresh, flavorful shiitake mushrooms. Watch as your log produces delicious mushrooms year after year, ensuring you have a continuous supply of gourmet delights.

Order Your Log Growing Kit Today!

Whats in this Kit:

• 2 x 30 spawn dowels
• 50g soya wax
• 1 wax brush
• comprehensive instruction booklet

What you will need:

• Fresh hardwood log (full tree species included in instructions) - about 50-70cm long and 10cm - 15cm in diameter
• Drill with 8mm wood bit
• Hammer or mallet
• Drill stop collar (optional but helpful)
• Plastic bag or tarp to cover the log

Log Selection:

Selecting an appropriate log is crucial to the success of this kit. Choose a healthy log 50-70cm long and 10-15cm in diameter from a hardwood tree: Generally Oak & Beech work for all log grown species, but other hardwoods such as Birch, Poplar and Willow work for some of our species. Full tree species list are included instructions. For help in identifying different tree species check out The Woodland Trust website or their handy Tree IDing app.

The age of the log is important too: The log must be freshly cut 2 – 6 weeks prior to inoculation. In the 2 weeks after cutting, the tree’s natural fungicides dissipate. 6 weeks after cutting, there is a higher chance that the log has already been exposed to other fungi, reducing the chance for successful cultivation.

Log Preparation:

After choosing a suitable log, prepare it for inoculation by removing any loose bark or debris from the log's surface but keep as much of the natural outer layer of the log as possible to promote the moisture retention.

Mark out the drill holes on the log where the dowels will be inserted. Space the holes 10-15cm apart in a diamond pattern. Drill 30 holes for each 50 – 70cm length of log. Using the drill with an 8 mm drill bit, drill the holes to a depth of approximately 5cm.

Inoculation:

Using clean hands take the dowel plugs and insert one into each hole. Use a hammer or mallet to tap the plugs gently until they are snugly inserted into the holes.

Place the soya wax in a heat proof bowl over a pan of hot water. Once melted, use the small foam brush to seal the dowels in the holes with wax. The wax seals the spawn in the log and prevents contamination from other fungi or pests. Use any remaining wax by applying a thin coat to seal each cut end of the log.

Growing Position:

Find a home for the log in a shady, sheltered and moist area. Raise the log off the ground and cover loosely with a plastic bag or tarp to create a moist and dark environment whilst also allowing some airflow. If doing more than one log you can stack them in a grid-like shape – two logs in each layer.

Be patient and observe: Mushroom cultivation takes time. It may take several months for the fungi to colonize the log. In 3 – 6 months, the colonisation can be observed as white rings on the cut ends of the log.

Mushroom Fruiting & Harvest:

Mushrooms typically appear naturally within 6 to 18 months. If colonisation can be seen at the ends of the log, it is possible to force the mushrooms to fruit by soaking the log in water overnight, draining and then stacking again. Keep an eye on the log and be patient with the process.

Once the mushrooms start to appear, they will take up to a week to reach full maturity, shitake mushrooms should be harvested before the caps flatten.  Harvest by cutting them from the log close to the surface. After harvesting, replace the log back in its shady and sheltered position for future crops.