Hi Christine

I know nothing about mushroom growing but it looks like a nice hobby.
I did not go to the Leu this year, I was at Echo. Cheryl went for me and she took the pictures that she liked. And bought some flowers and herbs and filled the planter that my brother gave me. I asked her if she saw anybody that we know like last year we saw you and Miranda, she said no that she was busy shopping. :)

Let us know about the results of the mushroom growing, shiitake are one of my favorite.

Silvia

That's really neat about the mushroom plugs. There was an active thread on mushroom growing on the Brugmansia thread not too long ago. If you go over and search that thread on the mushroom topic, it was pretty interesting. I've always wanted to try growing mushrooms. Let us know how they progress.

We grew shiitakes in oak logs when we were in PA. I recall waiting a short time after the logs were cut before plugging them, the logs were not completely fresh. They lasted for several years before the logs were depleted. In late Winter we would soak the logs under water for a day or two to saturate them and stimulate a flush of mushrooms. I don't know how they would do here....can't remember what their temperature preference is. Good luck.

Silvia - I saw a number of people that I know during the Leu Gardens plant sale last week but I didn't see Cheryl. Miranda had to work. I went with a gardening friend. I really wanted to go to ECHO Farm Day too but I didn't want to go alone. Hubby had a work meeting he had to attend. Hopefully, next year.

sultry - Thanks for the heads-up about the mushroom thread. I'll check it out soon.

cfldoc - The mushroom plug vendor sells spawn varieties (strains) that grow well here in Florida. The logs don't have to be fresh cut but they can't be very old either. Reason is, as the log ages other mushroom varieties may get into the log. Some could be poisonous.

I'm told that the shiitake mushroom logs can be soaked for about 24 hours five weeks after harvest to encourage a new flush of growth. The logs will only produce a certain amount of mushrooms so soaking will use up the supply faster. That's fine with me. If this works out well, we will probably grow many more. As for the oyster, I'm told not to soak them because they can't be forced. They will produce when they are ready. I'll keep you posted.

Christine

This is interesting. I've thought about trying mushrooms too

Hi Christine,

I've been wondering about growing mushrooms but it seems all of the kits are super expensive. I am very keen to hear how the plugs go. Where they terribly expensive? Do you happen to have information or web site?

Any chance you'll be at Silvia's party and want to swap some plugs for something else?

Very exciting!

Elizabeth